If your permit depends on your marriage and there is violence: what the rule says
When your residence permit depends on your marriage or your partner, leaving a violent relationship looks like a choice between your safety and your papers. The written rule says otherwise, and almost nobody knows it.
The rule, exactly as written
If the marriage or cohabitation ends before 5 years have passed since you were admitted on the basis of that relationship, in principle you have no right to stay: your permit is withdrawn or not renewed, and you have at most 6 weeks to put your affairs in order, which can be extended if reasonable.
But the policy itself names two exceptions, and the first is this: if the breakdown was caused by abuse within the relationship — including sexual abuse — that is explicit grounds to keep your residence. The second is the death of the spouse before the 5 years are up. (HIG 2006 Instruction, sections 4.6.1, 4.6.2 and 4.6.3.)
And if the marriage or cohabitation lasted 5 years or more before breaking down, the spouse can obtain an independent, unrestricted residence permit. At that point the breakdown no longer puts your residence at risk.
The deadline that really can cost you the permit
If the relationship ends — divorce, separation — the purpose of your permit changes. The official instruction (HIG 2006, section 3.1.3) requires you to inform Immigration immediately and gives you 6 weeks to request a change of permit. If you don't report it and it comes to light later, the permit is treated as withdrawn from the date of the break-up: the Joint Court applied this to a woman in Sint Maarten who had not reported her divorce (ECLI:NL:OGHACMB:2023:206).
It is worth understanding this the other way round from how it sounds: hiding the breakdown is what costs you the permit, not reporting it. If you are going to rely on the abuse exception, you have to say so, not keep quiet.
Document it from day one
The exception exists, but you have to be able to support it. What counts:
- The police report, with its number. It is the strongest evidence, and you can file one even if you do not want the person arrested.
- Medical reports for any treatment you received, dated.
- Messages, voice notes and photos, saved somewhere other than the phone the other person can check.
- Names of anyone who knows: neighbours, workmates, your doctor.
Keep it where the other person has no access: an email account only you use, or with someone you trust.
Who to call in Curaçao
- 911 — police emergency, when the police need to arrive now.
- 917 — when the police are needed but it is not urgent.
- 108 — anonymous report. The police themselves state that the law guarantees your anonymity. They give one warning: do not share that information with anyone before you call.
A formal report can be filed at any station: Rio Canario (Schottegatweg, +5999 724-6800), Otrobanda (Arubaweg, +5999 724-6400), Punda (Wilhelminaplein, +5999 724-6300), Montaña (Kaminda Venancio F. Isenia, +5999 724-6700) and Barber (+5999 724-6900). The Intake & Service department handles reports and also complaints about police conduct.
If you have no papers
Reporting a crime is not an immigration procedure, but the fear is real and we are not going to pretend otherwise. The anonymous 108 line exists precisely for people who cannot or will not identify themselves. And if your immigration status is part of the problem, read this: what happens if you become undocumented in Curaçao.
A case like this needs a lawyer
Relying on the abuse exception means asking the Toelatingsorganisatie to apply a rule that turns on what you can prove. It is not just another form. Find a lawyer in the official directory of the Orde van Advocaten Curaçao, and if you are refused you have 6 weeks to object.
Sources: HIG 2006 Instruction (sections 4.6.1–4.6.3), set out on our family member permit page; section 3.1.3 of the same instruction, on reporting and the 6 weeks; ECLI:NL:OGHACMB:2023:206, a Sint Maarten case; numbers and stations from the Curaçao Police Force (polis.cw), checked on September 23, 2026. This page does not replace legal advice and is not an emergency service. We do not publish phone numbers of support organisations we have not been able to verify: here, a wrong number is worse than none.
Have questions? Join our official community where we frequently answer questions: