The Aruba Arrival Card — officially called the ED Card (Embarkation-Disembarkation Card) — is a free mandatory online immigration form that every air passenger must complete at edcardaruba.aw within 7 days before arrival.
Since July 2024, a separate $20 Sustainability Fee applies for most visitors arriving by air, collected through the same platform.
What Is the Aruba Arrival Card (ED Card)?
The Aruba ED Card is a free mandatory online immigration pre-registration form that all air passengers must complete at edcardaruba.aw before boarding their flight to Aruba.
The full name — Embarkation-Disembarkation Card — reflects its origins as a paper form handed out to travelers on the plane.
Aruba’s immigration authority, Inmigracion Aruba (IA), fully digitized the system, replacing the paper card with an online platform.
On October 30, 2024, Inmigracion Aruba launched a redesigned version of the platform with an updated interface and a new “qualifier” system — replacing the previous “ok to board” green checkmark with a streamlined approval process.
The Aruba ED Card collects the following information from each traveler:
- Personal details — full name, date of birth, nationality
- Passport information — passport number, expiry date, issuing country
- Travel itinerary — arrival date, flight number, departure country
- Accommodation address — where you will stay in Aruba
- Health declaration — a short set of health-related questions
- Legal acknowledgment — agreement to Aruba’s criminal code (no false statements)
Once submitted and approved, travelers receive a QR code confirmation by email — the digital qualifier — which must be shown at airline check-in and/or at the boarding gate. The entire process takes approximately 5 minutes.
Important: The Aruba ED Card is an immigration pre-registration form, not a visa. Completing and receiving approval for the ED Card does not guarantee entry into Aruba. Immigration officers at the border retain the right to deny entry if requirements are not met.
ED Card vs. Aruba Visa: Key Differences
The Aruba ED Card is frequently confused with a visa. They are entirely different documents with different purposes:
| Document | What It Is | Who Needs It | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aruba ED Card | Immigration pre-registration form | All air passengers | Free (+ $20 sustainability fee) |
| Aruba Visa | Entry authorization for certain nationalities | Citizens of visa-required countries | Varies by nationality |
Holding a valid Aruba ED Card approval does not replace a visa if your nationality requires one. You must have both: a valid visa (if applicable) and a completed ED Card.
Does the ED Card Guarantee Entry to Aruba?
The Aruba ED Card is a pre-registration tool that verifies you have completed the required steps before boarding.
However, Aruba immigration officers at the border make the final decision on entry.
Your travel to Aruba may be refused if you do not meet all entry requirements — including having a valid passport, a return or onward ticket, and a visa if required by your nationality.
Who Needs to Complete the Aruba ED Card?
Every air passenger — including infants, children, tourists, business travelers, and transit passengers staying more than 24 hours — must complete the Aruba ED Card before boarding their flight to Aruba.
The requirement applies to all nationalities without exception. Whether you are a US citizen, a European passport holder, or a traveler from a visa-required country, the Aruba ED Card is mandatory.
The form must be completed individually — group or family applications are not accepted. Each traveler, including each child, requires a separate ED Card submission.
The Aruba ED Card applies to entry at both air and seaports, though the primary requirement is for air passengers. The official platform at edcardaruba.aw handles all submissions.
Do Children and Infants Need an ED Card?
All travelers, including infants and children of any age, must have a completed and approved Aruba ED Card before travel. There are no age exemptions from the ED Card requirement itself.
Parents or legal guardians must complete the Aruba ED Card on behalf of minors. Each child requires a separate individual submission — it is not possible to include children on a parent’s form or submit a group application for a family.
When completing the form for a child, use the child’s own passport details and travel information.
Are Cruise Passengers Exempt from the ED Card?
Cruise passengers are generally exempt from the Aruba ED Card requirement. When traveling to Aruba by cruise ship, the cruise line handles the immigration paperwork on behalf of passengers.
You do not need to complete the online ED Card at edcardaruba.aw if you are arriving by cruise ship.
However, if you are flying to Aruba to board a cruise (a “fly-cruise” arrangement), you do need to complete the ED Card for your air arrival. Always confirm with your cruise line whether any additional documentation is required.
Do Aruba Residents Need to Complete the ED Card?
Aruba residents must also complete the Aruba ED Card, though the process is slightly different.
Residents are required to provide basic details online to confirm their entry.
Residents are also exempt from the $20 Sustainability Fee (see the fee section below for the full exemption list).
How to Complete the Aruba ED Card: Step-by-Step Guide
Completing the Aruba ED Card takes approximately 5 minutes at the official platform edcardaruba.aw. You will need your passport, flight details, and accommodation address in Aruba before you begin.
Follow these steps to complete your Aruba ED Card:
Step 1: Visit the official website.
Go to edcardaruba.aw — this is the only official Aruba ED Card platform operated by Inmigracion Aruba.
Step 2: Enter your personal information.
Provide your full legal name (as it appears on your passport), date of birth, gender, and nationality.
Step 3: Enter your passport details.
Enter your passport number, the country that issued your passport, and your passport’s expiry date. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in Aruba.
Step 4: Enter your travel information.
Provide your arrival date, flight number, and the country you are departing from. This information must match your actual travel itinerary.
Step 5: Enter your accommodation address in Aruba.
Provide the full address of where you will be staying in Aruba — hotel name, resort, or private address.
Step 6: Complete the health declaration.
Answer a short set of health-related questions as required by Aruba’s immigration process.
Step 7: Accept the legal disclaimers.
Acknowledge the legal statements, including agreement with Aruba’s criminal code that all information provided is truthful. Providing false statements carries legal penalties.
Step 8: Pay the Sustainability Fee (if applicable).
If you are not exempt, pay the $20 Sustainability Fee through the platform. See the fee section below for the full exemption list.
Step 9: Submit and receive your confirmation.
After submission, you will receive an email confirmation with a QR code (the qualifier/green checkmark). This confirms your ED Card has been approved.
⚠️ Important: If your flight is cancelled or you miss your flight, you must complete a new ED Card with your updated travel dates. The original submission is tied to your specific arrival date and cannot be modified.
Documents You Need Before You Start
Gather the following before visiting edcardaruba.aw:
- Valid passport — must not expire during your stay in Aruba
- Flight ticket / booking confirmation — for your flight number and arrival date
- Accommodation address in Aruba — hotel name and address
- Active email address — to receive your QR code confirmation
- Payment method — credit or debit card for the $20 Sustainability Fee (if applicable)
- Internet-connected device — smartphone, tablet, or computer
You do not need to upload or attach any documents during the ED Card process. You only need the information from these documents to fill in the form fields.
What Happens After Submission: QR Code Confirmation
After successfully submitting your Aruba ED Card, you will receive an email confirmation containing a QR code — referred to as the “qualifier” by Inmigracion Aruba. This QR code serves as proof that your ED Card has been approved.
You must present this confirmation — either digitally on your phone or as a printed copy — at airline check-in and/or at the boarding gate before your flight to Aruba. Airlines are required to verify that passengers have a valid ED Card approval before allowing boarding.
It is recommended to print your confirmation as a backup. If you do not receive the email confirmation, check your spam folder or log back into edcardaruba.aw to check your application status.
When to Fill Out the Aruba ED Card: The 7-Day Window
The Aruba ED Card must be completed within 7 days (one week) before your arrival date in Aruba.
Submitting the form earlier than 7 days before your arrival will result in invalid dates, and your application will not be accepted.
This 7-day window is a strict technical requirement of the edcardaruba.aw platform. The system is designed to ensure that the travel dates on your ED Card match your actual upcoming trip.
If you complete the form too early, the dates will fall outside the valid range and the form will be rejected.
Practical timing guidance:
- Earliest: 7 days (168 hours) before your scheduled arrival in Aruba
- Latest: Before airline check-in for your flight to Aruba
- Recommended: 2–3 days before departure, once all travel details are confirmed
⚠️ Do not fill out the Aruba ED Card more than 7 days before your arrival date — the form will show invalid dates and will not be accepted.
If your flight is cancelled or you miss your flight after completing the ED Card, you must submit a new ED Card with your updated arrival date.
The original form cannot be edited or transferred to a new date. This also means that if you are re-entering Aruba on a separate trip, you must complete a new ED Card for each visit — the form is valid for a single trip only.
Aruba ED Card Cost: Is the Form Free?
The Aruba ED Card form itself is completely free. There is no charge to complete and submit the official immigration pre-registration form at edcardaruba.aw.
The confusion around cost arises because of two separate things that happen on the same platform:
- The ED Card form — free, always
- The $20 Sustainability Fee — a separate government charge for most air visitors (see next section)
When you complete the ED Card at edcardaruba.aw, the $20 Sustainability Fee (if applicable) is collected as part of the same process. This has led many travelers to believe the ED Card itself costs $20 — it does not. The form is free; the fee is a separate government tax.
The official Aruba ED Card platform is operated by Inmigracion Aruba (IA) and is accessible at edcardaruba.aw. This is the only government-authorized platform for ED Card submissions.
The $20 Aruba Sustainability Fee: Who Pays and Who Is Exempt?
Since July 1, 2024, Aruba has implemented a $20 Sustainability Fee for visitors arriving by air. This fee is collected through the official Aruba ED Card platform at edcardaruba.aw as part of the ED Card completion process.
The Sustainability Fee — formally called the Sustainable Tourism Environmental Fee — funds a range of projects aimed at enhancing and improving sustainability and conservation efforts on the island. The fee supports Aruba’s environmental programs and is part of the island’s broader commitment to sustainable tourism.
The $20 fee applies to most air visitors to Aruba. However, the following categories are exempt from paying the Sustainability Fee:
- Aruba residents — permanent residents of Aruba do not pay the fee
- Children under 8 years old — children aged 7 and under are exempt
- Repeat visitors within the same calendar year — if you have already paid the $20 Sustainability Fee on a previous visit to Aruba during the same calendar year, you are exempt on subsequent visits that year
- Aruban students studying abroad — Aruban nationals who are studying at a foreign educational institution and have been residents of Aruba within the past 8 years are exempt
If you fall into one of these exempt categories, you will still need to complete the Aruba ED Card at edcardaruba.aw — but the $20 fee will not be charged during your submission.
Payment methods for the Sustainability Fee are accepted through the edcardaruba.aw platform. The fee is payable by credit or debit card during the ED Card completion process.
| Traveler Category | Pays $20 Fee? |
|---|---|
| Tourist (first visit of the year) | ✅ Yes |
| Tourist (second visit, same calendar year) | ❌ No — exempt |
| Aruba resident | ❌ No — exempt |
| Child under 8 | ❌ No — exempt |
| Child aged 8 or older | ✅ Yes |
| Aruban student studying abroad (resident within 8 years) | ❌ No — exempt |
| Cruise passenger | ❌ No — generally exempt (cruise handles paperwork) |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Aruba Arrival Card
Do I need an entry card for Aruba?
Yes. The Aruba ED Card is mandatory for all air passengers regardless of nationality or age. Complete it at edcardaruba.aw within 7 days before arrival. Without an approved ED Card, airlines may deny boarding.
Do you have to pay $20 to enter Aruba?
The ED Card form is free. The $20 Sustainability Fee is a separate government charge in effect since July 1, 2024, collected through the same platform. Residents, children under 8, repeat visitors within the same calendar year, and qualifying Aruban students abroad are exempt.
Do you have to fill out forms to go to Aruba?
Yes. All air passengers must complete the Aruba ED Card at edcardaruba.aw before travel. The form takes ~5 minutes and must be submitted within 7 days before arrival. Cruise passengers are generally exempt — the cruise line handles their paperwork.
How far in advance can I fill out the ED Card for Aruba?
Up to 7 days before your arrival date. Submitting earlier results in invalid dates and rejection. Recommended timing: 2–3 days before departure once all travel details are confirmed.
Is the Aruba ED Card the same as a visa?
No. The ED Card is an immigration pre-registration form required for all air passengers. A visa is a separate entry authorization for certain nationalities. If your country requires a visa for Aruba, you need both a valid visa and a completed ED Card.
What documents do I need to complete the Aruba ED Card?
You need: a valid passport, your flight booking details (arrival date, flight number), your accommodation address in Aruba, an active email address, and a payment method for the $20 Sustainability Fee if applicable.
Do children need their own Aruba ED Card?
Yes. Every traveler, including infants, needs a separate ED Card — group or family applications are not accepted. Parents complete the form on behalf of minors using the child’s own passport details.
What happens after I submit the Aruba ED Card?
You receive an email with a QR code (the qualifier/green checkmark) confirming approval. Show this — digitally or printed — at airline check-in and/or the boarding gate before your flight.
What if my flight is canceled or I miss my flight?
You must submit a new ED Card with updated travel dates. The original form cannot be modified. Each ED Card is valid for a single trip only.
Is the Aruba ED Card valid for multiple trips?
No. The ED Card is valid for a single trip only. Each visit to Aruba requires a new submission within 7 days before that arrival date.
What is the Aruba Sustainability Fee used for?
The $20 Sustainable Tourism Environmental Fee (since July 1, 2024) funds conservation and sustainability projects on the island. It is collected through edcardaruba.aw as part of the ED Card process.
Do Aruba residents need to complete the ED Card?
Yes, but residents are exempt from the $20 Sustainability Fee. They provide basic details online to confirm entry. The ED Card requirement applies to both residents and non-residents.
What happens if I don’t fill out the Aruba ED Card?
The airline may deny boarding. Airlines must verify all passengers have an approved ED Card before allowing them to board a flight to Aruba. The ED Card is a mandatory pre-boarding requirement, not just an arrival formality.
Is the Aruba ED Card the same as the old paper arrival card?
Yes — it replaced the paper Embarkation-Disembarkation card previously handed out on the plane. The platform was redesigned on October 30, 2024, with a new qualifier system replacing the old “ok to board” green checkmark.
Last updated: April 2026. Entry requirements and fees may change without prior notice. Always verify current requirements at the official Aruba immigration website (edcardaruba.aw) before travel.