Aruba ED Card: Complete Guide to Applying Online
The Aruba ED Card (Embarkation/Disembarkation Card) is a mandatory online immigration form and pre-registration tool that a traveler must complete at edcardaruba.aw within 7 days before arrival — the form itself is free, but a separate $20 sustainability fee applies since July 1, 2024.
Cruise passengers are generally exempt from the ED Card requirement, as the cruise ship handles immigration paperwork.
⚠️ Important disclaimer: Submitting the Aruba ED Card does not guarantee entry into Aruba. The ED Card is an immigration pre-registration form, not a visa. Aruba immigration officers retain the right to deny entry at the border.
What Is the Aruba ED Card?
The Aruba ED Card is a mandatory online immigration pre-registration form required for all air passengers entering Aruba.
It replaced the old paper Embarkation/Disembarkation card that travelers used to fill out on the plane, and must now be completed digitally.
The ED Card collects your personal details, passport information, itinerary, and accommodation address in Aruba.
Once submitted and approved, you receive a QR code confirmation by email that you present at airport check-in.
The entire process takes approximately 5 minutes and must be completed within the 7-day window before your arrival date.
ED Card vs. Visa: Key Differences
The Aruba ED Card is frequently confused with a visa — they are entirely different documents:
| 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 |
| ESTA (US) | US travel authorization | Non-US citizens traveling to the US | $21 |
| eTA (Canada) | Canadian travel authorization | Non-Canadian citizens | CAD $7 |
The Aruba ED Card does not grant entry rights. It is a pre-registration tool that speeds up the immigration process at Queen Beatrix International Airport.
US citizens, Canadians, and EU nationals do not need a separate Aruba visa for tourist stays.
Who Needs to Fill Out the ED Card?
The Aruba ED Card is required for passengers entering Aruba, with no exceptions based on age or nationality:
- ✅ All adult travelers (including seniors)
- ✅ Children of all ages (including infants and newborns)
- ✅ US citizens, Canadians, EU nationals
- ✅ Non-residents and first-time visitors
- ✅ Returning visitors and frequent travelers
- ❌ Cruise passengers — generally exempt (cruise ship handles immigration)
- ❌ Aruba residents — a different process applies
Each traveler needs their own individual ED Card. You cannot submit one form for an entire family — every person, including infants, requires a separate submission.
How to Apply for the Aruba ED Card Online
Getting the Aruba ED Card takes approximately 5 minutes at the official website edcardaruba.aw.
You’ll need a passport, personal details, contact and travel information, as well as a valid credit card.
Step 1 – Go to the Official Website (edcardaruba.aw)
Open your browser and navigate to edcardaruba.aw — this is the only official Aruba ED Card portal, operated by the Aruban government’s Department of Immigration.
Step 2 – Scan or Upload Your Passport
The ED Card form offers two options for entering your passport details:
- Camera scan — use your device’s camera to scan your passport (available on mobile and tablet). The system reads your passport data automatically.
- Manual entry — type your details manually if scanning isn’t available.
Supported file types for passport upload: JPEG, JPG, PNG, HEIC, GIF.
Step 3 – Fill In Your Personal and Travel Details
The form requires the following information:
| Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| Last name(s) | Exactly as in your passport |
| First name(s) | Exactly as in your passport |
| Date of birth | As in your passport |
| Nationality | Your passport country |
| Passport number | As printed in your passport |
| Passport expiration date | As in your passport |
| Arrival date | Your flight arrival date in Aruba |
| Airline name | Your carrier (e.g., JetBlue, American Airlines) |
| Flight number | Your specific flight number |
| Departure city | City you’re flying from |
| Accommodation address | Hotel name + address in Aruba |
| Purpose of visit | Tourism, business, etc. |
| Length of stay | Number of nights |
| Return flight details | Your departure flight from Aruba |
Non-residents will see a field labeled “residence number.” This refers to your home country’s national ID or residence permit number.
If you don’t have one (e.g., you’re a US citizen without a national ID), enter your passport number in this field.
Step 4 – Pay the $20 Sustainability Fee
After completing the form, you’ll be prompted to pay the fee, which:
- Applies to all non-residents aged 8 and older.
- Is non-refundable once paid.
- Is managed by Aruba Wastewater Sustainable Solutions (AWSS).
- Supports environmental and wastewater treatment projects on the island.
- Was introduced on July 1, 2024.
Children under 8 years old are exempt from the $20 fee — they still need to complete the ED Card form, but no payment is required.
Accepted payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.
Step 5 – Receive Your QR Code Confirmation
After successful submission and payment, you’ll receive an email confirmation with a QR code. This QR code is your proof of ED Card approval.
- Save or screenshot the QR code — you’ll need to show it at airport check-in.
- If you don’t receive the email within 30 minutes, check your spam folder.
- You can also log back into edcardaruba.aw to retrieve your confirmation.
- The QR code is scanned by airline staff before boarding — without it, you may be denied boarding.
The 7-Day Rule: When to Fill Out Your ED Card
The Aruba ED Card can only be submitted within 7 days (168 hours) before your arrival date in Aruba.
Filling it out earlier will result in invalid dates, and you’ll need to redo the entire form.
Key timing rules:
- ✅ Fill out 1–7 days before your arrival date.
- ❌ Do NOT fill out more than 7 days in advance (dates will be invalid).
- ❌ Do NOT wait until you’re at the airport (must be done before check-in).
- ❌ Cannot be completed on the plane (requires internet connection).
- ❌ Cannot be completed upon arrival in Aruba.
The optimal time to fill out the Aruba ED Card is 2–3 days before your flight.
This gives you enough time to correct any mistakes before your departure date, while staying within the valid 7-day window.
If you’re traveling with family, complete each person’s ED Card separately. Each form is linked to a specific arrival date, so all family members should use the same date.
How Much Does the Aruba ED Card Cost?
Since July 1, 2024, all non-resident travelers aged 8 and older must pay a $20 sustainability fee when submitting the form. The total cost per adult traveler is therefore $20.
The ED Card pre-registration form has no application fee — you pay $0 to fill out the form.
The $20 charge is a separate sustainability fee collected during the ED Card submission process. Many travelers confuse the two, but they are distinct.
Special Cases: Who Has Different Requirements?
Most travelers follow the standard Aruba ED Card process, but non-residents, families, and certain nationalities have specific fields or requirements to be aware of.
Non-Residents and the Residence Number Field
Non-residents filling out the Aruba ED Card will encounter a field labeled “residence number.” This field confuses many travelers because it’s not clearly explained on the form.
What is the residence number?
- It refers to your home country’s national ID number or residence permit number.
- For US citizens: there is no standard national ID — enter your passport number in this field.
- For EU citizens: enter your national identity card number if you have one; otherwise, use your passport number.
- For permanent residents (green card holders): enter your green card number.
- For non-residents without a national ID: use your passport number.
This field is mandatory for non-residents. Leaving it blank or entering incorrect information may cause your ED Card to be rejected.
US Citizens, Canadians, and EU Travelers
US citizens can usually visit Aruba for up to 30 days without a visa. They still need the Aruba ED Card for air travel. US permanent residents (green card holders) also do not need a separate Aruba visa.
Similarly, Canadian citizens can visit Aruba for up to 30 days without a visa. The Aruba ED Card is required.
EU citizens (including Dutch nationals, who have a special relationship with Aruba as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) can visit for up to 3 months without a visa (the ED Card is still necessary for entry).
Green Card Holders and Permanent Residents
US permanent residents holding a green card do not need a separate Aruba visa for tourist visits.
However, they still need to complete the Aruba ED Card before flying. In the residence number field, enter your green card (Permanent Resident Card) number.
Families, Children, and Infants
Every member of your family needs their own individual Aruba ED Card — you cannot submit one form for multiple travelers. This includes:
- Infants and newborns (age 0)
- Toddlers and young children
- Teenagers
- Adults
Children under 8 are exempt from the $20 sustainability fee but still require a completed ED Card form.
For infants, a parent or guardian completes the form on their behalf using the child’s passport details.
Do Cruise Passengers Need an Aruba ED Card?
Most cruise passengers do not need to fill out the Aruba ED Card — the cruise ship handles immigration paperwork on behalf of visitors.
However, policies vary by cruise line, and some carriers do require passengers to complete the ED Card independently.
If you’re arriving in Aruba as a port of call (day visit) on a cruise ship, the cruise line manages your immigration documentation. If you’re disembarking in Aruba for an extended stay, you may need the ED Card.
Which Cruise Lines Require the ED Card?
| Cruise Line | ED Card Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | Generally No | Ship handles immigration |
| Carnival Cruise Line | Generally No | Ship handles immigration |
| Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) | Verify with NCL | Conflicting reports — some passengers required to complete it |
| Holland America Line | No | Confirmed exempt for port calls |
| Celebrity Cruises | Generally No | Ship handles immigration |
| Princess Cruises | Generally No | Ship handles immigration |
| MSC Cruises | Verify with MSC | Check before departure |
| Aruba cruise (overnight stay) | Likely Yes | Extended stays may require ED Card |
⚠️ Important: Cruise line policies change. Always verify with your specific cruise line before departure.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
The most common Aruba ED Card mistakes are typos in passport details, filling out the form too early (more than 7 days before travel), and using unofficial websites.
Mistakes may be corrected by submitting a new form — but if you’ve already paid the $20 fee, you’ll need to pay again.
What If I Made a Mistake Before Paying?
If you notice an error before submitting and paying the $20 fee:
- Simply go back to the form and correct the information.
- No fee is lost — you haven’t been charged yet.
- Take your time to double-check all passport details before proceeding to payment.
Most common pre-payment mistakes:
- Typos in name (must match passport exactly)
- Wrong arrival date (must be within 7 days)
- Incorrect passport number
- Wrong flight number
What If I Made a Mistake After Paying the $20 Fee?
If you discover an error after submitting and paying the $20 sustainability fee, the process is more complicated:
- You must create a completely new ED Card — there is no edit function after submission.
- The $20 fee is non-refundable — you will need to pay again for the new submission.
- Source: VisitAruba.com FAQ explicitly confirms: “The customer will need to create a new ED Card, as there will be no refund.”
Steps to correct a paid ED Card:
- Go to edcardaruba.aw and start a new application.
- Fill in all details correctly this time.
- Pay the $20 fee again.
- Receive your new QR code confirmation.
- Use the new QR code at airport check-in (the old one is invalid).
Before clicking “Pay,” carefully review every field — especially your name, passport number, and arrival date. These are the most common sources of errors.
What If My ED Card Was Rejected?
An Aruba ED Card can be rejected for several reasons:
- Invalid dates — arrival date is more than 7 days away, or in the past.
- Mismatched passport information — name or passport number doesn’t match your travel document.
- Incomplete fields — required information was left blank.
- Payment failure — credit card declined.
Submit a new application at edcardaruba.aw with corrected information. If your card was rejected due to a payment issue, try a different credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover).
For persistent issues, contact the ED Card support team through the official portal.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Aruba ED Card
Do I still need an ED card for Aruba?
Yes, as of 2026, the Aruba ED Card is still mandatory for all passengers entering Aruba. The requirement has not been removed or suspended.
Is the Aruba ED card free?
Since July 1, 2024, a mandatory $20 sustainability fee applies to all non-resident travelers aged 8 and older. Children under 8 are exempt from the fee.
How early can you fill out the Aruba ED card?
You can fill out the Aruba ED Card no earlier than 7 days before your arrival date. Submitting earlier will result in invalid dates, and you’ll need to redo the form. The optimal time is 2–3 days before your flight.
Can I fill out the ED card at the airport?
The Aruba ED Card must be completed before airport check-in. Airlines check for ED Card confirmation before allowing you to board. You cannot complete it at the airport or on the plane.
Do cruise passengers need an Aruba ED card?
Generally, no — cruise passengers are typically exempt because the cruise ship handles immigration documentation. However, policies vary by cruise line.
What is the official Aruba ED card website?
The only official website is edcardaruba.aw — operated by the Aruban government’s Department of Immigration. The site is also linked from aruba.com, visitaruba.com, and airportaruba.com.
What happens if I don’t fill out the ED card?
Without a completed and approved Aruba ED Card, you may be denied boarding by your airline or denied entry at Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport.
Can I fill out one ED card for my whole family?
Each traveler needs their own individual Aruba ED Card, including infants and young children. A parent or guardian completes the form on behalf of minors using the child’s passport details.
Do children need an Aruba ED card?
Yes, all children — including infants — need their own Aruba ED Card. However, children under 8 years old are exempt from the $20 sustainability fee.
What if I made a mistake on my Aruba ED card?
If you made a mistake before paying, go back and correct the form. If you made a mistake after paying the $20 fee, you must submit a completely new ED Card and pay the $20 fee again.
What is the residence number on the Aruba ED card?
The “residence number” field on the Aruba ED Card refers to your home country’s national ID or residence permit number. US citizens (who don’t have a national ID) should enter their passport number in this field. EU citizens can use their national identity card number.
Can I fill out the Aruba ED card on my phone?
The edcardaruba.aw website is mobile-friendly and works on smartphones and tablets. The mobile version also supports passport scanning via camera, which automatically fills in your passport details.
What documents do I need for the Aruba ED card?
You need a valid passport, your flight details (airline, flight number, arrival date), your accommodation address in Aruba, and a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card for the $20 sustainability fee.