Aruba ED Card: How to Complete It Before You Fly

What Is the Aruba ED Card?

The Aruba Online Embarkation and Disembarkation (ED) Card is a mandatory digital entry form that every visitor must complete before arriving on the island — no exceptions. Submitted through the official Aruban government portal at www.edcardaruba.aw, it replaced the old paper landing card and is now a permanent part of Aruba’s immigration process.

Once submitted, you receive a “qualifier” — a document with a QR code that airlines check at departure and border control scans on arrival in Aruba. Without it, you will not be permitted to board your flight.

The ED Card itself is free. Most visitors will also pay the $20 USD Sustainability Fee as part of the same process — more on who is exempt below.

Who Needs to Complete the Aruba ED Card?

Every person entering Aruba needs their own individual ED Card — regardless of nationality, age, or method of arrival. That means:

• Adults — each traveller completes their own form individually; there is no group application
• Children of all ages, including infants — a parent or guardian fills out the form on their behalf. There is no minimum age exemption. Every child, including newborn infants, must have their own valid passport in order to process their ED Card online
• Aruba residents — returning residents complete the form just like visitors
• Transit passengers — if you are stopping in Aruba and disembarking (including for a shore excursion), you need an ED Card; pure transit without entering the island does not require one

⚓️ Cruise passengers: Most cruise ship passengers do not need to complete an ED Card. Only passengers on vessels required to go through Aruba Immigration must complete one. If you’re unsure, check with your cruise line before travel.

If you are travelling as a family of four, that is four separate ED Cards — and four separate passports required. Each person receives their own qualifier QR code.

When Should I Fill Out the ED Card?

The ED Card can only be submitted within 7 days of your arrival date. Attempting to fill it out earlier will result in invalid dates and you will need to start again.

We recommend completing it 24–72 hours before your departure. This gives you time to correct any errors without leaving it so late that problems become stressful. Most airlines and cruise lines check for your qualifier at check-in, so do not leave it until you are at the airport.

📌 Important: If your flight itinerary changes after you submit your ED Card, you will need to complete a new one with the updated details. If you have already paid the $20 Sustainability Fee, the system will recognise your passport number and will not charge you again.

How Do I Complete the Aruba ED Card? (Step by Step)

💡 Local tip from the VisitAruba team: If you are travelling with children, have every passport physically in front of you before you start. Complete the adults’ ED Cards first, then the children’s, one at a time. Save all qualifier documents into a single shared album on your phone so the whole family’s QR codes are in one place.

What Does the Aruba ED Card Cost?

The ED Card form itself is completely free at www.edcardaruba.aw.

However, most visitors aged 8 and older must also pay the $20 USD Sustainability Fee as part of the same process. This fee is mandatory and goes toward environmental preservation, beach maintenance, and sustainable tourism projects across the island.

Who is exempt from the $20 Sustainability Fee:

• Children under 8 years old
• Aruba residents registered with the Aruba Census
• Visitors returning to Aruba within the same calendar year (within 365 days of a previous visit) — automatic recognition by passport number is being rolled out in phases from July 2025
• Visitors arriving and departing on the same day
• Airline and ship crew members entering on official duties
• Former Aruban residents pursuing education at a foreign institution (contact info@awss.aw to verify eligibility)

📌 Note on the sustainability fee charge: The fee appears on your bank statement under the name “Aruba Wastewater” — this is the correct processing account name and is not a scam.

⚠️ Warning about third-party sites: Many websites appear in search results offering to process your ED Card for $80–$100 or more. The only legitimate cost is $20 (or nothing if you qualify for an exemption). If a site is charging more than $20, it is an unofficial middleman. Always go directly to edcardaruba.aw.

What If I Made an Error on My ED Card After Paying?

You cannot edit a submitted ED Card. You must submit a new one with the correct information. However, you will not be charged the $20 fee again — the system recognises your passport number. Keep the receipt from your original payment as proof.

What If I Forget to Fill Out the ED Card Before I Travel?

If you arrive at the airport without a completed ED Card qualifier, most airlines will not permit you to board your flight to Aruba. Do not leave this until check-in. Complete it 24–72 hours before departure.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Starting too early — the portal only accepts submissions within 7 days of your arrival date; earlier entries result in invalid dates
• Not having children’s passports ready — every child, including infants, needs their own valid passport to complete their ED Card online; there are no exceptions
• Entering a nickname instead of your full passport name — the name must match your passport exactly
• Using a third-party site — the official portal is free (plus the $20 fee where applicable); there is no reason to pay more
• Not saving the qualifier — save it in at least two places before you travel
• Not updating after flight changes — if your itinerary changes, submit a new ED Card; you will not be charged again if you have already paid

Frequently Asked Questions — Aruba ED Card

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