{"data":{"program":{"slug":"aruba-investor-shareholder-residence-permit","name":"Aruba Investor/Shareholder Residence Permit","url":"https://www.imidaily.com/aruba-investor-shareholder-residence-permit/","country":"Aruba","region":"Caribbean","program_type":"Active Investor Visa","status_granted":"Temporary Residency","min_investment_usd":28000,"investment_options":["Business Investment","Job Creation"],"investment_range":"US$1-100,000","passive_investment":"No","min_annual_income_usd":null,"income_range":"**Max Years of Validity**: 1","min_net_worth_usd":null,"max_years_validity":null,"max_years_extension":4,"annual_stay_days":0,"pr_or_citizenship_possible":true,"years_to_pr":10,"years_to_citizenship":5,"tax_residency_required_for_naturalization":"Yes","dual_citizenship":"Conditional","visa_free_countries":185,"notable_visa_free":["China","European Union","United Arab Emirates","United Kingdom","United States"],"settlement_blocs":["**Country attributes**: Mild climate","High safety","English widely spoken"],"country_attributes":[],"program_attributes":["**Min Net Worth (US$)**: 0"],"experts":[],"details":{"overview":"Aruba grants residence to foreign investors and shareholders through **DIMAS**, the _Departamento di Integracion, Maneho y Admision di Stranhero_, under the admission policy codified in the **Toelatingshandboek 2023** (Admission Handbook). Two adjacent categories cover investors and passive shareholders.\n\nUnder **§3.1.1 (Investeerders)**, a permit may be granted to a foreigner who is the **CEO or CFO of a company established in Aruba, or a person designated as trusted representative, who can demonstrate a minimum investment of at least AWG 150,000**; alternatively, to a foreigner who is eligible for a director's licence under the _Landsverordening Vestiging Bedrijven_ and holds shares to a value of at least AWG 150,000. Notably, the handbook applies an **investment norm of AWG 0** where the business is established in **downtown Oranjestad or San Nicolas**, for as long as the favourable-zone policy applies ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)).\n\nUnder **§3.1.2 (Aandeelhouders)**, a foreigner who is **not** eligible for a director's licence may still obtain a permit by holding **at least 40% of the shares of an Aruban company with share capital of AWG 50,000** — or, where the entity form requires no statutory capital, invested capital of equivalent value — proven by full payment into a local bank account or by assets worth AWG 50,000 per year ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)). The Aruban florin is pegged at **USD 1.00 = AWG 1.79** ([Centrale Bank van Aruba](https://www.cbaruba.org/the-aruban-florin/)), so AWG 50,000 is approximately **USD 28,000** and AWG 150,000 approximately **USD 84,000**.\n\nBoth categories are **exempt from labour-market testing by the DPL** (Directie Arbeid en Onderzoek/labour department) but must still register with it; where the company is still in formation, a first shareholder permit may be issued with a work prohibition attached ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)).\n\nPermits are issued for **one year at a time and may be extended up to a maximum of five years**, with multi-year permits priced per year of validity ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf); [DIMAS — Investeerder/Aandeelhouder requirements and fees, 31 July 2025](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investeerder-Aandeelhouder-1.pdf)). Official charges for a first application are **AWG 65 in retributie plus AWG 2,500 in leges — AWG 2,565 in total** (roughly USD 1,400), with renewals at AWG 2,540, plus a repatriation deposit of AWG 2,500 for applicants from Asia, Africa, Oceania and non-EU Europe or AWG 700–1,000 for the Americas and Caribbean ([DIMAS — requirements and fees](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investeerder-Aandeelhouder-1.pdf)).\n\nThis permit is distinct from the **Aruba Retiree** programme, which is a passive independent-means route rather than a business/shareholding route.","how_to_qualify":"**Investor route (§3.1.1)**\n- Be the **CEO or CFO** of an Aruba-established company, or a designated trusted representative, demonstrating a **minimum investment of at least AWG 150,000** (≈USD 84,000) ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf); [Centrale Bank van Aruba](https://www.cbaruba.org/the-aruban-florin/)).\n- Alternatively, be eligible for a **director's licence** under the _Landsverordening Vestiging Bedrijven_ and hold shares worth at least **AWG 150,000** ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)).\n- Where the business is established in **downtown Oranjestad or San Nicolas**, the investment norm is **AWG 0** for as long as the favourable-zone policy applies ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)).\n\n**Shareholder route (§3.1.2)**\n- Hold **at least 40% of the shares** of an Aruban company whose share capital is **AWG 50,000** (≈USD 28,000), or invested capital of equivalent value where the legal form requires no minimum capital ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)).\n- Prove the capital by **full payment into a local bank account**, or by demonstrating assets worth AWG 50,000 per year ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)).\n- Provide **notarial registration of the shares** evidencing the 40% holding ([DIMAS — requirements and fees](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investeerder-Aandeelhouder-1.pdf)).\n\n**Documentation**\n- Extract from the **Chamber of Commerce (KvK)** register for the Aruban company ([DIMAS — requirements and fees](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investeerder-Aandeelhouder-1.pdf)).\n- **Police clearance certificate**, and a passport with at least three months' validity ([DIMAS — requirements and fees](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investeerder-Aandeelhouder-1.pdf)).\n- **Medical examination** completed within 30 days of arrival in Aruba ([DIMAS — requirements and fees](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investeerder-Aandeelhouder-1.pdf)).\n- First applications must generally be **awaited abroad**, subject to defined exceptions ([DIMAS — requirements and fees](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investeerder-Aandeelhouder-1.pdf)).\n\n**Labour registration**\n- Investors and shareholders are **exempt from DPL labour-market testing** but must register with the labour department; a first shareholder permit may carry a **work prohibition** while the company is in formation ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)).\n\n**Fees, deposits and duration**\n- First application: **AWG 65 retributie + AWG 2,500 leges = AWG 2,565**; renewal **AWG 2,540**; multi-year permits priced per year up to five years ([DIMAS — requirements and fees](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investeerder-Aandeelhouder-1.pdf)).\n- **Repatriation deposit**: AWG 2,500 for nationals of Asia, Africa, Oceania and non-EU European countries; AWG 700–1,000 for the Americas and the Caribbean ([DIMAS — requirements and fees](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investeerder-Aandeelhouder-1.pdf)).\n- Renew annually; total stay on this basis capped at **five years**, after which a different basis or the long-term route is needed ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)).\n\n**Path to indefinite stay**\n- After **at least ten years (120 calendar months) of legal residence** in Aruba as an _ingezetene_ registered in the population register (Bevolkingsregister), apply for a **vergunning voor onbepaalde tijd** (indefinite permit); gaps in residence are not held against the applicant ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023, §1.1.5](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)).","benefits":"- Very low capital threshold for a Caribbean investor residence: **AWG 50,000** (≈USD 28,000) of company capital with a 40% shareholding on the shareholder route ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf); [Centrale Bank van Aruba](https://www.cbaruba.org/the-aruban-florin/)).\n- A **zero investment norm** for businesses established in downtown Oranjestad or San Nicolas while the favourable-zone policy is in force ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)).\n- **Exemption from labour-market testing**, removing the need to advertise positions or prove no local candidate is available ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)).\n- Modest, published official charges — **AWG 2,565** for a first application, AWG 2,540 on renewal ([DIMAS — requirements and fees](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investeerder-Aandeelhouder-1.pdf)).\n- Multi-year permits available up to a five-year total, reducing annual renewal load ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf); [DIMAS — requirements and fees](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investeerder-Aandeelhouder-1.pdf)).\n- **Residence gaps do not count against** the ten-year qualifying period for an indefinite permit ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)).\n- The end point is **Dutch nationality** — an EU citizenship — after five years of admission and principal residence in the Kingdom ([Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003738/)), carried by a passport ranked 4th in 2026 with 185 visa-free/visa-on-arrival destinations ([Wikipedia — Visa requirements for Dutch citizens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Dutch_citizens)).","citizenship_timeline":"Naturalisation is governed by Kingdom law. **Article 8(1)(c) of the Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap** requires that the applicant has had **admission and principal residence (hoofdverblijf) for five years immediately preceding the request** in the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten or the Caribbean parts of the Netherlands, and that at the time of the request the applicant has an indefinite right of stay or a non-temporary residence purpose; applicants must also demonstrate integration, including knowledge of the Dutch language (or Papiamento/English in the Caribbean parts, where applicable), and sign a declaration of solidarity ([Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003738/)). The period is reduced to **two years** for applicants with ten years' total admission and residence in the Kingdom ([Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003738/)).\n\nThe practical tension is between the five-year nationality clock and Aruba's own permit architecture: the investor/shareholder permit is capped at five years in total ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)), while the **indefinite permit** — the cleanest evidence of a non-temporary residence right — requires **ten years** of legal residence as a registered _ingezetene_ ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)). Applicants should therefore plan on continuing to reside on a renewed or alternative basis and take Dutch-nationality advice on whether their Aruban permit counts as non-temporary.\n\nBecause Article 8 requires principal residence, tax residency in Aruba (or elsewhere in the Kingdom) is effectively required for naturalisation ([Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003738/)). Dual citizenship is **conditional**: Dutch nationality law generally expects renunciation of the prior nationality on naturalisation subject to a list of exceptions, so applicants must check their own case against the statute ([Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003738/)).","legal_basis":"Aruba is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and legislates its own admission policy. The administering authority is **DIMAS (Departamento di Integracion, Maneho y Admision di Stranhero)**, which publishes the **Toelatingshandboek 2023** — issued by the Minister of Economic Affairs, Communication and Sustainable Development (MinAEI) and dated 6 March 2023 — setting out the investor and shareholder admission categories, the labour-department interface, and the ten-year rule for indefinite permits ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)).\n\nThe handbook operationalises Aruba's admission ordinance (_Landsverordening toelating, uitzetting en verwijdering_) and interacts with the **Landsverordening Vestiging Bedrijven**, which governs business-establishment and director's licences and determines which of the two investor sub-categories applies ([DIMAS — Toelatingshandboek 2023](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MinAEI-2023-Final-Toelatingshandboek-2023-6-maart-2023.pdf)). Current documentary and fee requirements are published by DIMAS in category checklists, the applicable version here being dated **31 July 2025** ([DIMAS — requirements and fees](https://www.dimasaruba.aw/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Investeerder-Aandeelhouder-1.pdf)).\n\nNationality is **not** an Aruban competence. Dutch nationality is Kingdom law: the **Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap**, whose Article 8(1)(c) requires, among other things, admission and principal residence in the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten or the Caribbean parts of the Netherlands for **five years immediately preceding the request** ([Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003738/))."}},"as_of":"2026-11-15T00:23:25.913Z"},"meta":{"publisher":"IMI Daily","attribution":"Source: IMI Daily (https://www.imidaily.com). Free to use with credit to IMI Daily and a link to the item's url.","license":"https://www.imidaily.com/api/terms","disclaimer":"General information only, not legal, tax or investment advice. Rules change often; confirm with the official source or a licensed professional before acting.","generated_at":"2026-11-15T00:23:25.913Z"}}