Moving to Aruba

Moving Guide

Visa & Residence

Navigating the visa and residence process for Aruba largely depends on your nationality. For citizens of certain countries, particularly within the European Union, the requirements and pathways to residency may be more streamlined. Non-EU citizens, however, generally face a more extensive application process.

Typical routes for obtaining residence in Aruba include:

• Work Permit: This is often sponsored by an employer in Aruba and is tied to a specific job.
• Family Reunification: If you have immediate family members who are already legal residents or citizens of Aruba.
• Study Permit: For individuals enrolling in educational institutions in Aruba.
• Residence Permit for Independent Means: For those who can demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves without working in Aruba.

It is crucial to verify the most current and specific requirements directly with official Aruban government immigration authorities or their diplomatic missions in your home country. Regulations can change, and individual circumstances often dictate the exact documentation and procedures required.

Housing & Rental

Finding suitable housing in Aruba can be done through several channels. Local real estate agents are a popular and effective option, as they have extensive knowledge of the market and available properties. Online property portals and local classifieds (both print and digital) are also good resources. Word-of-mouth within expat communities can sometimes lead to hidden gems.

The typical rental process usually involves:

• Viewing Properties: Arranging visits to potential homes that meet your criteria.
• Application: Submitting an application with personal details and sometimes references.
• Lease Agreement: Signing a formal contract outlining the terms, duration, rent, and responsibilities of both landlord and tenant. Ensure you understand all clauses before signing.
• Deposit: A security deposit, typically equivalent to one or two months' rent, is standard. This is held by the landlord to cover potential damages or unpaid rent.

Consider whether you need temporary accommodation upon arrival, such as a short-term rental or hotel, while you finalize a long-term lease. Long-term leases are generally for one year or more, while temporary options offer greater flexibility but often come at a higher cost per month.

What Affects the Cost of Your Move

The total cost of your relocation to Aruba is influenced by several key factors. Understanding these can help you budget effectively, though exact prices will require a personalized assessment.

• Volume of Goods: The more items you ship, the higher the cost. This is often calculated by cubic meter (m³) or weight.
• Distance: The geographical distance between your current location and Aruba directly impacts shipping costs.
• Seasonality: Moving during peak seasons (e.g., summer months, end of year) can sometimes result in higher prices due to increased demand.
• Access at Origin and Destination: Ease of access for movers at both your current home and your new home in Aruba (e.g., stairs, narrow roads, elevator availability) can affect labor costs.
• Type of Service: Opting for full-service packing, unpacking, or specialized handling for delicate items will add to the overall cost compared to a self-pack option.
• Insurance: While an additional cost, comprehensive transit insurance is highly recommended to protect your belongings against unforeseen circumstances.
• Customs Duties and Taxes: Be aware of potential import duties and taxes levied by Aruban customs on household goods.

For an accurate estimate tailored to your specific needs, it is always best to request a free quote based on your inventory and service requirements.

Timeline & Packing Tips

A well-organized timeline is crucial for a smooth relocation. Here's a general checklist for a 4-8 week window:

8 Weeks Before Moving:

• Declutter and Downsize: Go through all your belongings. Decide what to keep, sell, donate, or discard. This significantly reduces shipping volume and cost.
• Research Movers: Begin getting quotes from reputable international relocation companies.
• Verify Visa/Residence: Double-check all immigration requirements and start gathering necessary documents.

6 Weeks Before Moving:

• Confirm Mover: Book your chosen relocation company and finalize shipping dates.
• Gather Important Documents: Collect passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, medical records, school records, employment letters, and financial statements. Keep these in a separate, easily accessible bag for travel.
• Notify Schools/Employers: Inform relevant institutions of your departure.

4 Weeks Before Moving:

• Start Packing Non-Essentials: Begin packing items you won't need in the weeks leading up to your move (e.g., off-season clothing, decorative items).
• Arrange Utilities: Schedule disconnections for utilities (electricity, water, internet, gas) at your current home and arrange for connections in Aruba if possible.
• Change of Address: Notify banks, credit card companies, subscriptions, and postal services of your upcoming move.

2 Weeks Before Moving:

• Medical & Pet Preparations: Obtain necessary prescriptions, transfer medical records, and arrange for pet travel requirements (veterinary checks, vaccinations, crates).
• Financial Planning: Inform your bank of your international move to avoid issues with card usage. Research banking options in Aruba.
• Final Packing: Pack remaining items, leaving essentials for the last few days.

1 Week Before Moving:

• Confirm Travel: Finalize flight bookings and temporary accommodation in Aruba.
• Pack Essentials Bag: Prepare a bag with items you'll need immediately upon arrival (toiletries, change of clothes, medications, important documents).
• Clean Out Fridge/Pantry: Start consuming perishable food items.

Moving Day:

• Supervise Movers: Be present to answer questions and oversee the packing/loading process.
• Final Walk-through: Check all rooms to ensure nothing is left behind.

For a precise estimate of your relocation costs, request a free quote on relocation123.com today.

Visas, immigration & documents

Moving to this country often involves visas, residence permits, document translation/legalization and customs paperwork. Our verified partners handle the move itself; for visa or immigration help, send the request below and we'll point you the right way.

• Residence permit / visa (work, study, family)
• Document translation & apostille
• Customs clearance for personal effects
• Travel & goods insurance

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Customs & Import Rules

Moving to Aruba: Your Essential Customs & Import Guide

Relocating to the beautiful island of Aruba? Understanding the customs and import process for your personal belongings is key to a smooth transition. This guide will walk you through what you need to know to bring your household goods and special items into your new Aruban home.

If you're relocating as a new resident

If you're moving to Aruba with the intention of establishing permanent residency, you may be eligible to import your household and personal effects free of duty and taxes. This includes items you owned and used in your previous country of residence, such as furniture, appliances, and personal belongings. Cars, motorcycles, and pets can also be included in this duty-free import.

What you'll need

• Certificate from your last place of residence confirming you lived there for at least 6 months (1 year for vehicles, boats, or airplanes if seeking exemption).
• Completed customs form (provided by your local agent).
• Certificate of residence.
• Original invoices for all new items.
• Bill of lading / Air waybill.
• Detailed inventory list of all items.
• Copy of your passport.

Good to know

• To qualify for duty exemption, you must have been in possession of and used the goods for at least six months prior to your arrival in Aruba.
• It is crucial that you ensure your residence permit will be granted before you move your belongings.
• You must be present on the island for the customs clearance procedure.
• You will need to personally visit your destination agent's office immediately upon arrival to sign the necessary customs forms.
• While copies can initiate the clearance process, original documents are required for final customs clearance.

Bringing special items

Vehicles

Motorized vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, boats, and airplanes, can be imported duty-free under the same conditions as household goods for new residents. The definition of a passenger car for duty exemption refers to motor vehicles (not sport cars or hobby vehicles) on two or more wheels, including trailers, used for personal transportation of persons, goods, or livestock, and suitable for public roads.

What you'll need

• Certificate from your last place of residence confirming you lived there for at least 1 year prior to the move (to get exemption).
• Completed customs form (provided by your local agent).
• Certificate of residence.
• Original invoices for all new items.
• Bill of lading / Air waybill.
• Inventory list.
• Copy of your passport.
• Certificate of registration (Title) of the motorized vehicle.
• Insurance Certificate for the vehicle, showing the insured period with start and termination dates.

Good to know

• To obtain duty exemption, you must have been in possession of and used the vehicle for at least 6 months prior to the shipping date.

Pets

Domestic animals such as dogs and cats can be imported, but they must comply with specific health regulations and have appropriate vaccination documents.

What you'll need

• Vaccination passport for your pet. This passport must contain:
  • A statement from a veterinarian (in Dutch or English) confirming your pet has been vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine.
  • The date of vaccination.
  • Your pet's description, including breed, sex, age, color, fur type, and any distinguishing marks.
  • Your name as the owner.

Good to know

• Your dog or cat must have been vaccinated against rabies within 1 year and at least 30 days before the move.
• Applying for a pet passport can take time; it's recommended to apply at your vet no later than 10 days before your move.
• If your pet does not have a valid pet passport, it will be vaccinated upon entering Aruba and will then need to remain in quarantine for 30 days.
• For importing other domestic animals, it is highly recommended to contact the Veterinary Department. They can be reached by telephone at (297) 850400, fax (297) 851828, or email at [email protected].

Restricted & prohibited items

Certain items are restricted or prohibited from import into Aruba.

Restricted items

• Firearms: Subject to licensing. You will need a license to import firearms.

Prohibited items

• Drugs and narcotics.

Fumigation of imported wooden materials

• All shipments containing wood packing material must have a seal certifying that the wood has received the required treatment (either Heat Treatment (HT) at a minimum wood core temperature of 56 degrees C for at least 30 minutes, or Methyl Bromide Treatment at a minimum temperature of 10 degrees C and minimum exposure time of 16 hours).
• The wood packing material must be visibly marked on at least two opposite sides of each article with a legible and permanent black ink mark. Labels and adhesives are not permitted.
• The mark should follow a specific format: XX-000-YY-AAA (where XX is the country code, 000 the producer number, YY the treatment type, and AAA the inspection agency logo).

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be in Aruba for customs clearance?
Yes, you must be on the island during the customs procedure and personally appear at the destination agent’s office to sign necessary forms immediately upon your arrival.

Can I import new items duty-free?
Original invoices are required for all new items. The general rule for duty-free import of household goods and personal effects is that they must have been owned and used by you for at least six months prior to your arrival.

What if my pet doesn't have a valid passport or vaccination?
If your dog or cat lacks a pet passport or required vaccinations, it will be vaccinated upon entry and then subjected to a 30-day quarantine period.

What is the minimum ownership period for duty-free import of vehicles?
To obtain duty exemption for a motorized vehicle, you must have owned and used it for at least one year prior to the move.

Are copies of documents sufficient for customs?
Copies of documents can be sent by fax or email to start the customs clearance procedure, but original documents are required for the final customs clearance.

What should I do before shipping my belongings?
Prior to moving to Aruba, you should ensure that your residence permit will be granted. This is a critical step for a smooth import process.

For personalized assistance with your relocation to Aruba, please contact relocation123.com.

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