Key points
- Curaçao has temporarily suspended issuance of the Caribbean visa (Visa Karibense) for applicants from six nations affected by the Ebola outbreak.
- The restricted list covers Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
- Officials call it a preventive step; the island reports zero confirmed Ebola cases.
- Other visitors must still complete the Digital Immigration Card online within seven days before arrival.
A preventive freeze on the Caribbean visa
Curaçao has temporarily suspended issuance of its Caribbean visa for applicants from six nations affected by the ongoing Ebola outbreak. The government describes the freeze as a proactive public-health safeguard, noting that the island itself has recorded zero confirmed Ebola cases.
The suspension applies to travelers from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, and affects the unified “Visa Karibense” that covers multiple Dutch Caribbean territories. Authorities say the restricted list may be adjusted as the epidemiological picture changes.
With the move, Curaçao joins the United States, Canada, the UAE and Thailand in tightening travel measures tied to the outbreak.
Legal basis and official statement
The policy was coordinated with Curaçao’s Ministry of Health under the Rijksvisumwet, the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ visa law, which allows visa issuance to be paused during a verifiable public-health threat.
Justice Minister Shalten Hato framed it as a caution rather than a reaction to any local case:
“This is a preventive measure. The government believes it is necessary to act in a timely and responsible manner to protect public health.”
What other travelers still need
The suspension is targeted, not blanket. All other international visitors must still complete the mandatory Digital Immigration Card (DI Card) online within seven days before arrival.
For a general overview of entry requirements, see the Curaçao visa hub. Because outbreak-related rules can shift quickly, confirm the current restricted list through official channels before you travel.
