The Aruba ED card is the one piece of trip paperwork you can’t skip. Every traveler flying to Aruba, babies included, must complete an online Embarkation and Disembarkation card and get it approved before boarding. It’s free, it takes a few minutes, and the only official place to do it is edcardaruba.aw. This guide explains when to fill out the Aruba ED card, what you’ll need, how the $20 Sustainability Fee works and the other entry requirements that apply to passports, length of stay and insurance.
Quick answer: Aruba ED card essentials
- Who: every air traveler, including infants and children. One card per person.
- Where: only the official portal, edcardaruba.aw.
- When: within the 7 days before your arrival, and before you check in for your flight.
- Cost: the ED card itself is free. Most visitors aged 8 and up also pay a $20 Sustainability Fee through the same portal (as of October 2026, per Aruba.com).
- Proof: after submitting you get a “qualifier,” a document with a QR code, by email. The airline checks it before you board.
- Cruise passengers: most don’t need one. Check with your cruise line.
What is the Aruba ED card?
The ED card is Aruba’s mandatory online arrival form. It collects your passport details, flight, where you’re staying and a short customs and health declaration before you travel. The Aruba airport calls it a mandatory requirement for every passenger heading to the island, including infants and children. Once your card is approved, you’re cleared to travel.
The online version was introduced in 2020, according to Travel Market Report. A redesign means that since October 30, 2024, travelers get a “qualifier” instead of the old green “OK to board” checkmark, as Aruba.com explains.
The ED card is not a visa and doesn’t guarantee entry. The immigration officer on arrival makes the final decision.
When to fill out the Aruba ED card
You can submit the form within the 7 days before your trip. Aruba.com and the airport both use that window. A detailed walkthrough on VisitAruba adds that the form only accepts arrival dates within that 7-day window, and suggests submitting 24 to 72 hours before departure so your details are final but you’re not rushing at the airport.
A new card is required for each visit. If your flight changes after you submit, VisitAruba says to submit a new card. Submitted cards can’t be edited.
How to complete the ED card, step by step
The steps below are based on VisitAruba’s walkthrough of the official portal. Screens can change, so follow the prompts on edcardaruba.aw.
- Open the official portal and pick a language. Type edcardaruba.aw into your browser yourself rather than clicking an ad. The form is offered in English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamento.
- Fill in who you are and how you’re arriving. Copy your name and passport details exactly as printed, then add your airline, flight number, departure city and arrival date.
- Say where you’ll stay. A hotel name and general area are enough if you don’t have a street address.
- Finish the declarations and pay if required. The customs and health section is a short set of yes/no questions. If the Sustainability Fee applies to you, pay it by Visa, Mastercard or Discover; cash isn’t accepted, according to Aruba.com.
Tip: when you’re done, a “qualifier” with a QR code lands in your inbox. Keep it on your phone, and print your application and confirmation too, as Aruba.com recommends.
What to have ready
- A valid passport for each traveler
- Your flight number and dates
- Your hotel or rental name and area
- An email address you can check from your phone
- A Visa, Mastercard or Discover card for the fee
Filling out cards for a family or group
There’s no single group form. Each traveler needs their own card, so a family of four completes four cards. A parent or guardian can fill one out for a child. The Sustainability Fee can be paid together for groups of up to 10 people, according to Aruba.com.
The $20 Sustainability Fee explained
Since July 1, 2024, non-resident visitors arriving by air pay a $20 Sustainability Fee while completing the ED card (as of October 2026, per Aruba.com). The money goes toward upgrading the island’s wastewater treatment plants and building a new, larger one. It’s separate from Aruba’s existing environmental tax.
| Question | Answer (as of October 2026, per Aruba.com) |
|---|---|
| How much? | $20 per visitor |
| Who pays? | Non-resident visitors arriving by air who complete an ED card |
| How to pay | Online during the ED card process, by Visa, Mastercard or Discover. No cash. |
| Children | Under 8 exempt |
| Repeat visits | Paid once per 365 days |
| Other exemptions | Census-registered residents, same-day visitors leaving Aruba the day they arrive, on-duty air and ship crew, some former residents studying abroad |
| Cruise passengers | Usually not required unless the ship’s passengers must clear immigration |
Refunds and mistakes
- Made a mistake on the card? Aruba.com says to create a new ED card. You won’t pay the fee a second time, but keep your emailed receipt as proof of payment.
- Charged twice or hit by a system error? Email the wastewater agency, AWSS, at info@awss.aw with your name, ED card date and card number. Refunds for system errors aren’t granted after 60 days.
Avoid ED card scam sites
Look-alike services exist. Aruba.com warns that some services charge a fee to help with the form even though you can complete it yourself in a few minutes. VisitAruba reports that these middleman sites often charge $80 to $100 or more. On the official site you’ll pay at most the $20 fee, and nothing at all if you’re exempt. If a site asks for more, close it and go to edcardaruba.aw.
Other Aruba entry requirements
The ED card is only one part of entry. These are the requirements Aruba’s immigration regulations page lists for visitors.
Passport
Your passport must be valid for your entire stay and not more than 10 years old. The US State Department also asks for one blank page for the entry stamp. Each child needs their own passport. US travelers should know that a US passport card can’t be used for air travel to Aruba, according to VisitAruba.
Visa and length of stay
- Travelers from many countries, including the US, don’t need a visa. Check Aruba’s immigration page if you’re not sure about your nationality.
- The standard tourist stay is 30 days. Some travelers can request an extension, up to a maximum of 180 days per calendar year, subject to conditions.
- US nationals can stay up to 90 days without requesting an extension.
- Children under 12 traveling with a parent or guardian don’t need a visa.
Proof of return, funds and insurance
Immigration officers can ask for:
- Proof you can leave, such as a return or onward ticket.
- Proof of funds: Aruba.com lists about $150 to $200 per person per day for hotel stays, or $100 per person per day if you’re staying with family.
- Health or travel insurance covering at least $15,000 in medical expenses, including hospital care, emergency treatment and repatriation.
- Your accommodation booking, if asked, according to VisitAruba.
Customs and health
- Declare cash over $11,000 (or 20,000 florins) on arrival and departure, according to the State Department.
- Yellow fever vaccination is required if you’re arriving from certain countries where the disease is present.
- Marijuana and CBD products are illegal in Aruba, even if they’re legal where you live.
At the airport
Flying to Aruba
Your airline checks for the ED card qualifier before you board. Without it, VisitAruba warns, you won’t be allowed on the flight. Have the QR code ready on your phone or printed.
Arriving in Aruba
Border control scans the QR code on arrival. Have your passport and qualifier ready together. Once you’re through, our guide to getting around Aruba covers taxi fares from the airport, buses and rental cars.
Flying home to the US
Aruba has US pre-clearance, so you go through US passport control in Aruba before your flight. The airport currently limits access to the US check-in terminal to 3 hours before departure, citing construction work, so plan to arrive with that in mind.
Before you land: plan the fun part
With the paperwork done, you can focus on the trip. Our Aruba travel tips for first-timers cover money, driving and beach etiquette, the Aruba packing list keeps your bag light, and the 5-day Aruba itinerary gives you a ready-made plan. If you want to see the island’s highlights in a single day, an Aruba island tour is an easy first outing.
FAQ
How far in advance can I fill out the Aruba ED card?
Within the 7 days before your arrival. It must be done before you check in for your flight.
Is the Aruba ED card free?
Yes, the ED card is free on the official site, edcardaruba.aw. Most visitors aged 8 and older also pay the $20 Sustainability Fee through the same portal (as of October 2026).
Do children need an ED card for Aruba?
Yes. Every traveler, including infants, needs their own ED card. Children under 8 don’t pay the Sustainability Fee.
Do cruise passengers need an ED card?
Usually not. Aruba.com says cruise passengers generally don’t need an ED card unless their ship’s passengers must clear immigration. Confirm with your cruise line.
What if I made a mistake on my ED card?
Submit a new card. Submitted cards can’t be edited, and Aruba.com says you won’t be charged the fee again. Keep your original payment receipt.
How long can I stay in Aruba as a tourist?
The standard tourist stay is 30 days. Some travelers can request an extension, up to a maximum of 180 days per calendar year, subject to conditions. US nationals can stay up to 90 days without requesting one.
Sources
- Aruba Online ED Card (official portal)
- Aruba Airport – Immigration and ED-Card
- Aruba.com – Online ED Card
- Aruba.com – Sustainability Fee
- Aruba.com – Immigration Regulations
- VisitAruba – Aruba ED Card: How to Complete It Before You Fly
- VisitAruba – Entry Requirements and Visas
- Travel Market Report – What Is an ED Card?
- U.S. Department of State – Aruba Travel Advisory
