Travelling to Curaçao? Before your flight, you will usually need to complete the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card (DI Card), an online form used by immigration authorities when visitors arrive on the island. It applies to children as well as adults, so families need to prepare a separate card for each traveller.
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This guide explains where to apply, what information to prepare, when to submit the DI card and what to do if something goes wrong. It also covers practical ways to make the arrival process more predictable for autistic children and disabled travellers.
For families planning a trip to Curaçao, our guide to visiting Curaçao with kids is a good place to start.
Quick Facts About the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card
The official Curaçao Digital Immigration Card application: dicardcuracao.com/dicard.
- Who needs it: International visitors, including babies and children; Curaçao residents are exempt.
- When to complete it: The official Curaçao entry portal says within seven days before departure. UK government travel advice currently says to complete it 48 hours before arrival. To accommodate both, aim to complete it around 48 hours before arrival, provided that falls within the seven-day application window.
- Cost: Use the official government-linked portal rather than an intermediary charging processing fees.
- Proof: Save the completed card as a PDF and keep a digital or printed copy ready for airline check-in and immigration.
- Children: One application is needed per person, per trip.
What Is Curaçao’s Digital Immigration Card?
The Digital Immigration Card is Curaçao’s online replacement for the traditional paper embarkation and disembarkation card. It collects personal, passport and travel information for immigration processing. Curaçao introduced the fully digital system in October 2019.
It is not a visa, does not replace your passport and does not guarantee admission. Immigration officers make the final entry decision. You must still meet the applicable passport, visa and other entry requirements.
You can learn more about passport validity in our guide.
Who Must Complete the Digital Immigration Card?
International visitors arriving in Curaçao are generally required to complete the card. The official guidance says the requirement applies to each person regardless of age. Parents or guardians can enter their own email address for a child’s application, but cannot use one card for the whole family.
Residents registered in Curaçao are exempt. Being born on the island does not automatically create an exemption if you are no longer registered as a resident.
Transit passengers who need to check in again with a different carrier are also required to complete the form, according to Curaçao’s official FAQ. UK government advice additionally tells travellers passing through Curaçao to complete the card. If your connection is unusual, check directly with your airline and Curaçao immigration support before departure.
When to Complete the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card?
The official Curaçao entry portal says applications can be submitted up to seven days before departure. The UK government’s Curaçao entry advice says to complete the card 48 hours before arrival. These instructions are not worded identically, so it is sensible to aim for approximately 48 hours before arrival, within the official seven-day window, rather than leave the form until you reach the airport.
The Curaçao tourism FAQ says late registration may be possible up to one hour before arrival, but this should be a fallback, not your travel plan. Check the official guidance again shortly before your trip because procedures can change.
How to Complete the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card
Step 1: Open the Official Website
Go directly to the official Digital Immigration Card application. Choose the option for a first application, or the option to edit an existing card if you have submitted one before.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Have each traveller’s passport, flight details, contact information and an accessible email address ready. Use the names and passport details exactly as printed in the travel document. The official FAQ says uploading a passport image is not compulsory if you enter the details manually.
Step 3: Enter the Travel and Personal Information
Complete the travel, passport, contact and personal information fields requested by the form. Check your flight number and dates carefully, particularly if you are travelling through another airport or crossing time zones.
Step 4: Review and Submit
Read the declarations, check spelling and passport numbers, then submit. Do not assume the application is complete until you have reached the confirmation stage.
Step 5: Save Your Confirmation
Download the PDF or retrieve the confirmation from your email. Save an offline copy on your phone and consider carrying a printout. The official portal says confirmation may be checked at airline check-in, and the card must be available for immigration on arrival.
You might find it helpful to create a folder in a Google Drive to store backup copies of any travel documents and paperwork you may need. This can be accessed anywhere you have an internet connection
Completing the Card for Children and Autistic Travellers
Each child needs an individual DI Card, including infants. Parents or guardians may use their own email address for their children’s forms. To make the process manageable, complete one application at a time and match each PDF to the correct passport.
For children who find unfamiliar airport procedures stressful, explain in advance that the airline or immigration officer may ask to see a passport and the saved card. Keep documents together and accessible rather than searching through bags in a queue. A simple visual sequence such as ‘check-in, security, flight, passport check, collect bags’ may help some children anticipate the journey.
Families travelling with children younger than 18 are directed to an immigration officer queue rather than the automated eGates, according to the Curaçao tourism FAQ.
What Happens at Curaçao Airport?
On arrival at Curaçao International Airport, immigration officers may request your passport and completed DI Card. Keep the confirmation accessible without relying on mobile data or airport Wi-Fi. Having a printed copy can be useful if your phone battery runs low.
The separate Curaçao Express Pass is an optional service for eligible travellers using a compatible smartphone and biometric passport. It does not replace the DI Card. Eligibility and age requirements vary by the airport’s published guidance, so check the official portal’s Express Pass FAQ if you intend to use it.
How to Correct a Mistake or Retrieve Your Card
If you notice an error, return to the official DI Card website and choose the option to edit an existing Immigration Card. Use the same identifying information as your original application, make the correction and save an updated PDF.
If your confirmation email has not arrived, check your spam folder and try retrieving the card through the edit function.
For unresolved problems, the official support address is dicardsupport@curacao.com. Avoid sending passport details to unofficial websites or support contacts.
Is the Digital Immigration Card Free?
Yes – if you do it directly with the Curaçao government website. The official DI Card application is provided through Curaçao’s government-linked immigration portal.
You do not need to buy an intermediary’s processing service to access the official form. Be careful with similarly named websites that advertise paid submission services, and start from dicardcuracao.com.
Curaçao Digital Immigration Card FAQ
Does Every Child Need Their Own Card?
Yes. Curaçao requires one Digital Immigration Card per traveller, including babies and children. A parent or guardian can provide their own email address.
Can I Fill It Out at the Airport?
The official FAQ describes a late-registration option, but completing the form before travelling is safer. You may need to show confirmation at airline check-in.
Do I Need a New Card for Every Trip?
Yes, the information must be current for each trip. Returning visitors can retrieve their previous registration and update their travel details rather than create multiple future applications.
What if My Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled?
The official FAQ says a submitted card remains active for at least one day after the original arrival date and immigration officers can update the flight information. For longer disruptions, contact the official support service or check whether your card needs updating.
Does the Card Guarantee Entry?
No. The immigration officer decides whether you may enter Curaçao. Passport and any relevant visa requirements still apply.
Should I Save a Copy of My Curaçao Digital Immigration Card?
Yes. Once you have completed the form, you can download a PDF confirmation or receive it by email. We recommend saving each traveller’s confirmation on your phone so it is accessible without internet, and keeping a printed backup with your travel documents. This can help avoid extra stress if your battery runs low or you cannot access your email during the journey.
Completing your Curaçao Digital Immigration Card before you travel gives you one less task to manage during the journey. Take time to check each traveller’s details and keep the confirmations accessible alongside your passports and other travel documents.
For families travelling with autistic children, preparing paperwork in advance can help reduce uncertainty and leave more time to focus on your child’s needs. We hope our guide helps you feel more organised and ready for your trip to Curaçao.
Official Sources and Further Information
- Official Curaçao Digital Immigration Card portal and FAQ
- Curaçao Tourist Board: Digital Immigration Card questions
- Curaçao International Airport: DI Card information
- UK Foreign Office: Curaçao entry requirements
Entry rules and application procedures can change. Information checked in October 2026; always consult the official sources before departure.
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