Aruba

Investor/Shareholder Residence Permit

Aruba's Investor/Shareholder Residence Permit allows foreign nationals to reside in Aruba based on significant equity ownership in an Aruban company. Unlike standard employment permits, investor and shareholder applicants are exempt from the DPL (Departamento di Progreso Laboral) labour market test and apply directly to DIMAS (Department for the Integration, Management and Admission of Foreign Nationals). After 5 years of continuous residence, holders may apply for Dutch citizenship through naturalisation.

Applicants must qualify under one of two categories:

Category 1 — Directors:

• Must be CEO or CFO of an Aruban company with minimum annual net sales of Afl. 10,000,000 (~USD 5,600,000)
• Must hold shares with a minimum value of Afl. 125,000 (~USD 70,000)
• Must obtain a director's licence from DEACI (Department of Economic Affairs, Commerce and Industry) under the Establishment Ordinance before applying to DIMAS

Category 2 — Shareholders:

• Must hold 40% or more of the issued capital of an Aruban company
• The company's shares must have a minimum value of Afl. 250,000 (~USD 140,000)
• Company must be legally established and based in Aruba

All applicants must maintain valid health and accident insurance throughout their residency and demonstrate financial self-sufficiency via bank references.

• Valid passport
• Passport-sized photographs
• Police clearance certificate (not older than 2 months)
• Company registration documents and share certificates (notarial deeds)
• Director's licence from DEACI (Category 1 applicants)
• Proof of company annual turnover (Category 1 applicants)
• Medical certificate (not older than 1 month)
• Proof of health and accident insurance
• Bank references demonstrating financial self-sufficiency
• Home and business addresses for the previous 10 years
• All documents not in Dutch must be translated and apostilled

The permit is issued for 1 year and must be renewed annually. The qualifying shareholding must be maintained throughout the permit period. After 10 years of continuous legal residence, holders may apply for an indefinite residence permit. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, holders may apply for Dutch citizenship through naturalisation, subject to Dutch language proficiency (A2 level), a civic integration examination, a clean criminal record, and generally renunciation of prior nationality.

Spouses and financially dependent minor children may apply for family reunification residence permits under the LTUV. Each dependant must submit a separate application with their own documentation (passport, photographs, police clearance, medical certificate). Dependants do not receive independent work authorisation.

Aruba tax residents are subject to worldwide income taxation at progressive rates. Non-residents pay tax only on Aruba-source income. Income from business activities, dividends, interest, and capital gains from shareholdings of 25%+ sold within 5 years is taxable. Transfer tax (overdrachtsbelasting) on property is 3% for values up to Afl. 250,000 and 6% above that threshold. Annual property tax (grondbelasting) is 0.4% above the Afl. 60,000 exemption threshold for residents. Business turnover tax (BBO) of 1.5% applies to commercial transactions. Capital gains on personally owned residential property are generally exempt.

Applications are submitted directly to DIMAS, bypassing the DPL labour market test. Category 1 applicants (Directors) must first obtain a director's licence from DEACI under the Establishment Ordinance — the DEACI application requires a receipt stamp (AWG 4.00), proof of prepaid legal fees, and all supporting documents. Once the director's licence is in hand, the DIMAS residence permit application can proceed.

Applications are submitted online via the DIMAS customer portal (dimasaruba.aw), which is currently transitioning to a new system. A mandatory security deposit (waarborgsom) — varying by country of origin and covering return transportation costs and potential government debts — must be paid before the permit is issued. Processing time is approximately 3–6 months from application to decision.

Foreign nationals must obtain their residence permit before arriving in Aruba. Upon arrival, permit holders must register with DIMAS and complete any required biometric procedures.

Links

• https://www.dimasaruba.aw/en/business/investors-and-shareholders/
• https://www.dimasaruba.aw/en/applicants/living/
• https://www.gobierno.aw/en/business-license

Other Digital Nomad Visas in North America