scubatim

Ok, so I'm in college right now so I need to get my degree and get my bearings first (IE work a few years after I graduate to wipe out personal debt) but I would like to open my own dive shop after college, and although I haven't been there, I have heard plenty about the Netherland Antilles islands and specifically Bonaire & Aruba.

I was wondering how hard (or if it's even possible) it would be for a U.S. citizen to move to Aruba and open a business? I'm aware that I need to apply for a residence permit while still in the U.S., and once it's approved, live without interruption in Aruba for 5 years and learn one of the local languages to level 2 or higher before I can apply for citizenship status. However, I can't find much information on opening a business.

What is the general economy of Aruba like? Is the diving there already saturated with dive shops? How hard is it to find a job? What is the normal pay rate? What kind of labor laws are there? What is the cost of living? Taxes? Sorry about so many questions but I can't make a good decision unless it's an informed one. Thanks!
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Tim Thompson, NREMT-B, PADI Open Water Diver
University of California Davis, Managerial Economics Class of 2010

DANNYO

Hi Tim,
Ive been diving in Aruba for five years,there are plenty of dive operators,some better then others.As for opening a business I'm not sure but I think you need a sponsor.I'm sure you will get all the answers from other members.One thing I will tell you if you go to Aruba you will be hooked....great people great restaurants great weather

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DANNYO

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Arubalisa

http://www.arubachamber.com/tips.htm
"Permits to Establish a Business:
As an Aruban you do not need a permit to establish a business in Aruba, when it concerns a sole proprietorship. You still need to register your business in the Commercial Register at the Chamber. If you are not an Aruban born Dutch national, you always need a permit to establish a business. Whether you will receive a permit depends on what sort of business you intend to start. The main criteria are if the business provides enlargement of the economic basis and if it is capital intensive."
http://www.arubachamber.com/establishing.htm
See details regarding "authorized capital" or "so-called minimum issued capital."

http://www.arubachamber.com/relocation.htm

Additional resources:
http://www.cbaruba.org/ Centrale Bank van Aruba (Aruba's Central Bank)
http://www.arubachamber.com/ Chamber of Commerce and Industry Aruba

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scubatim

Thanks for the info guys, definitely helpful! Keep it coming! I'm definitely interested to know specifics on the state of the economy, especially the dive industry.

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Tim Thompson, NREMT-B, PADI Open Water Diver
University of California Davis, Managerial Economics Class of 2010

lou&nay

I do not know anything about starting a business in Aruba, but I do have a couple suggestions, as a fellow diver and recent college grad.

1. Try to find a dive club with your school, and participate in group trips to see what you like and dislike about other dive shops (your soon-to-be competitors).
2. Go as high as you can in the PADI schools. As a diver who goes on dives and/or rents equipment with scuba stores, I want an owner who is a divemaster and/or an instructor.
3. I know you are an EMT, but make sure you have taken the scuba first aid classes. You will probably end up saving some diver who almost gets himself the bends or narcosis.
4. Some people want to dive with Nitrox, so you'll need a certification in that, too. Though I would imagine that is not nearly as important as 1-3.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

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Lou: Visited on a cruise in 2005
Lou&Nay: Will visit on our honeymoon 9/2008

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