WILLEMSTAD--The same admittance requirements for Dutch Europeans when it comes to living and working in Curaçao are now being applied to US citizens, effective June 1.
This means the latter no longer need an employment or residence permit. They may stay there freely for six months and if they find a job or have another means of existence can request a declaration of lawful admittance.
Pending the processing of such they will be allowed to remain on the island and even work. Also US citizens who have been legal residents for 10 years without interruption can obtain the declaration.
In this way the so-called Admittance Organisation (formerly Immigration Department) is following a decision of the Court of Justice of December last year, stating that US citizens must receive the same treatment as Dutchmen when it comes to working and living within the kingdom. The latter is based on the American-Netherlands Friendship Treaty of 1956 that is also applicable to the Dutch Caribbean.
It regards a case in St. Maarten against then-Justice Minister Roland Duncan. The latter appealed the ruling and lost.
While the National Ordinance on Admittance and Expulsion LTU was not adjusted, officials at the execution organisation’s front office in Pietermaai are aware of the new rules. Just like Dutch Europeans, Americans who so desire must now fill out a “Model 4 form” for the declaration of lawful admittance.
Requirements include proof of good conduct (clean police record), means of existence and adequate housing.
