Manuel Garrido
Nestled in the Dutch-Caribbean region, Curaçao or officially recognized as the Country of Curaçao, is a small island country which is also a constituent member of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. Renowned for its white sand beaches, extraordinary marine ecosystem, post-colonial architecture, water adventures and more, Curaçao is an attractive travel destination for international travelers. In addition to this, the country also has friendly visa policies for residents and citizens applying for a B1/B2 visa for the United States. In this article, we will guide you through the entire process of U.S. visa application from Curaçao.
What is a B1/B2 visa?
This type of visa is a non immigrant type of visa that is temporary. With this kind of visa, an individual can travel to the United States for either business or as a tourist. While a B1 visa is mainly used for business travels, a B2 tourist visa is generally used by tourists for visiting the U.S. for a vacation or for meeting friends and family.
How to apply for a U.S. visa from Curaçao
1. Check your passport validity
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the U.S. This applies to all applicants, including dependents (who must submit separate forms).
2. Complete the DS-160 form
Fill out the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160). Every applicant must submit this form. Print the confirmation page—it’s required for your visa interview.
3. Schedule a visa appointment
Book your interview through the U.S. Consulate’s NIV Appointment System. Have your DS-160 confirmation number ready.
If a previous application was denied in Curaçao, contact the Consulate by email before reapplying.
4. Gather required documents
Bring these documents to your interview:
- Printed DS-160 confirmation page (one per applicant)
- Recent 5×5 cm photo on white background
- Proof of legal residency and ID in Curaçao
- Valid passport (plus any with previous U.S. visas)
- $160 cash application fee (non-refundable)
- Bank statements and financial documents
- Proof of education (e.g. diploma)
- Employment details (e.g. payslips, HR letter)
- Covid-19 vaccine certificate or recent negative test (within 3 days)
Note: Entry to the Consulate requires a mask and proof of Covid-19 vaccination or negative test result.
Additional notes
Bringing extra supporting documents is recommended but does not guarantee approval. B1/B2 visa applicants must explain their reason for travel and intent to return. Letters of invitation or Affidavits of Support are not required and do not influence approval decisions.
Visa application fee
Applicants need to pay an application fee for their US visitors visa. The fee is non-refundable and can be paid in US dollars or Curaçao Guilders. Interested individuals must note that the fee needs to be paid in cash on the date of the interview for initiating your visa application process.
Citizens not belonging to the Kingdom of Netherlands must check the Visa Reciprocity Tables to know if they are required to make a payment for a visa issuance reciprocity fee. If they are eligible, they will need to pay the reciprocity fee at the visa counter on the day of their interview. The fee amount can vary from person to person as it is dependent on the category of the visa, nationality of the applicant and the number of years the visa will be valid for. Applicants can pay this fee in either US dollars or Curaçao Guilders.
Visa interview
Applicants for a B2 tourist visa or B1 US visa must not enter the Consulate building before 15 minutes of their scheduled time of interview. Make sure to not carry these following items when you enter the US Consulate in Curaçao.
- Food
- Guns or arms of any sort
- Liquids (beverages, hand sanitizers or any sort of gels)
- Electronics like a cellular phone, photo/video cameras, radio and computers
There is no safe space available in the building where you can keep the above mentioned items. So if you are found carrying any of these things, you will not be allowed to enter the building and will be asked to make a new appointment altogether.
Applicants will also be required to book a new appointment if they arrive at the U.S. Consulate after 15 minutes of the scheduled time of the interview. If you are an individual flying to the island for the interview, make sure to book your flight to Curaçao a little before the scheduled time of the appointment as a late arrival might cause significant delay in your visa application process.
You should note that it is very important to be completely honest during your visa interview process. Applicants found lying or forging documents can be permanently denied a US visa.
Collect your passport and visa
Your passport will be returned to you the next day (afternoon) after your visa appointment. You can collect it from the U.S. Consulate General in Curaçao. If you are not a resident of the island or not staying in Curaçao, you can choose to deliver your passport to your location through a commercial courier service like DHL. In this case, the applicant must pay for the cost of the delivery. Applicants
