Expert: Andy Mendyk - 10/23/2008

Question
QUESTION: lets just say, you want to go down to aruba, and stay forever, but only have the entry(birth and photo id). you want to stay under the stars and work somewhere small just for a little money to get by. how much of a problems do you think you would have. can you get by without having to go throught the goverment

ANSWER: Hi Joseph...First you have to hand in an immigration card with your intended length of stay. You will retain one section. If that section is not handed in to immigration (on departure), they will know your stay is now illegal.
If you work, you can be arrested for not having a work permit, your employer will have troubles.
DINA (Aruban Immigration) does follow up, and have checks and searches for illegals, and illegal workers.
You will have many problems with the government, and also be listed so you can never return to the island again.

Also, birth certificates and photo I.D. are no longer accepted. You MUST have a valid passport with proof of return ticketing. You will not even be able to board the aircraft stateside if you do not have these two requirements.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: well iam canadian and i was told that all i need for entry is, birth and photo by there embassy, ok so about the work permit, who gets one and who doesnt. is it easy if your a bartender(i have a licence for it)would i get one if i got a letter from the person i was working for, and do you work down there, how easy was it for you

Answer
Hi again..I did not know at first you were from Canada.

Passports are required for all air and sea travel between Aruba and the United States, CANADA, Mexico, Central and South America, other Caribbean Islands, Bermuda and The Bahamas. (Quoted from travel requirements to Aruba/www.arubaonline.com)
You must first secure a position there, and the employer will do the required paperwork. Any openings for work will be given to Aruban/Dutch nationals first.

Bartenders are a dime-a-dozen. Usually hotel, food/beverage management positions are open, but the position is assigned by the operator of the establishment. IE: Marriott, Raddison, Hyatt, etc.

Construction laborers are needed, but sent there for short term work by the contracting company.

In short, the only way to get a work permit, and have TEMPORARY residence on the Island is to go there, and search for openings. (rare possibility). You will still have to leave the island one year or less when the permit expires.  I wish you the best in your endeavors!