How to Fill the Aruba ED Card: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Visitors

Planning a trip to Aruba? Before you pack your sunscreen and sandals, there’s one essential task you need to check off your list: completing the Aruba ED Card. It’s mandatory, it’s fully online, and — once you know what you’re doing — it takes less than 15 minutes. This guide walks you through every step so you can arrive on the island stress-free.

What Is the Aruba ED Card?

The ED Card — short for Embarkation/Disembarkation Card — is Aruba’s official pre-travel immigration form. What was once a paper card handed out on the plane has been fully digitized. Every traveler arriving by air must complete it online before departure, regardless of nationality, age, or the purpose of their visit.

The form is managed by Aruba’s Department of Immigration (DIMAS) and is submitted through the government’s official portal at edcardaruba.aw. It is not a visa. You still need to meet all standard entry requirements for Aruba, but the ED Card is a mandatory first step that no traveler can skip.

Who Needs to Fill It Out?

Everyone. That means adults, children, and even infants all need their own individual ED Card. You cannot submit a single group form for a family — each traveler must be registered separately, though you can complete multiple forms in one session on the platform.

The only category of travelers who may be exempt are most cruise ship passengers who remain on board or participate in short excursions without passing through full immigration. If you’re on a cruise, check with your cruise line to confirm whether the ED Card applies to your itinerary.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Having everything ready before you open the portal will make the process smooth and quick. Gather the following:

• Your valid passport (document number, expiration date, country of issue — have a photo or scan ready)
• Your flight details: airline name, flight number, arrival and departure dates
• Your accommodation address in Aruba (hotel name and address)
• A valid email address where your confirmation will be sent
• A credit or debit card, in case the Sustainability Fee applies to you

The $20 Sustainability Fee

Since July 1, 2024, Aruba charges a $20 Sustainability Fee for most air arrivals. This fee though is not collected through the ED Card portal. It is needed for funding infrastructure projects — including wastewater and sewage systems — that help preserve the island’s natural environment.

Here’s who pays and who’s exempt:

Exempt from the fee: Children under 8, Aruban residents, transit passengers staying less than 24 hours, Aruban students returning from studying abroad, and travelers who have already paid the fee during a previous visit in the same calendar year.

One important detail: the $20 charge is not processed at the time of form submission. It only appears on your credit card statement after you physically arrive in Aruba. If your plans change and you don’t travel, refunds are typically processed within 3–7 business days.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill the Aruba ED Card

Step 1 — Have your passport, flight, and accommodation details handy

To successfully fill Aruba ED Card, your need to:

Step 2 — Start a new application

Open the application form. If you’re traveling with others, remember that each person needs a separate submission. You can complete multiple forms within the same session.

Step 3 — Upload or scan your passport

The platform will prompt you to upload a photo of your passport bio page or scan it directly using your smartphone camera. This auto-populates many of the personal data fields, saving you time and reducing the chance of typos.

Step 4 — Confirm your personal details

Review and confirm your full name, date of birth, nationality, and contact information, including your email address and phone number.

Step 5 — Enter your travel information

Provide your flight number, airline, arrival date, departure date, and your accommodation details in Aruba. Make sure these match your actual booking confirmations.

Step 6 — Complete the health declaration

Answer the brief health screening questions. As of 2026, there are no COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements. This section is short and straightforward.

Step 7 — Pay the Sustainability Fee (if applicable)

If you’re required to pay the $20 fee, enter your payment details here. Remember, the charge will only be processed after you arrive in Aruba — not at this stage.

Step 8 — Submit and save your confirmation

After submitting, you’ll receive an email confirmation featuring a green checkmark or QR code. This is your proof of completed registration. Save it on your phone or print it — you’ll need to show it at airline check-in and again at the boarding gate.

When Should You Apply?

The ED Card can only be submitted within the 7 days immediately before your departure date. Submitting too early means the dates won’t be valid, and you’ll have to redo the form when you’re within the window.

The sweet spot is 72 hours before your flight. This gives you enough time to correct any errors, troubleshoot technical issues, and still have the confirmation in hand well before you leave for the airport. Avoid leaving it for the night before — travel stress has a way of making even simple forms feel complicated.

One thing many travelers overlook: children and infants need their own ED Card too. Parents or guardians complete the form on their behalf, but missing even one family member’s registration can cause delays at check-in.

Your Confirmation: The Green Checkmark

Once your application is successfully processed, you’ll receive an email with a green checkmark — your green light to travel. Airlines are required to verify this before allowing you to check in, and Aruba immigration may check it again upon arrival.

You can present the confirmation digitally on your phone or as a printed copy. Both are accepted. It’s a good idea to save a screenshot offline in case you’re in an area with poor connectivity when you reach the airport.

If the confirmation email doesn’t arrive, check your spam folder first. If it’s still not there, you can safely resubmit — since the fee is only charged on arrival, there’s no financial risk in completing the form again.

Official Portal vs. Third-Party Services: What’s the Difference?

When searching for the Aruba ED Card online, you’ll encounter two types of websites: the official government portal and privately operated third-party services.

The official portal at edcardaruba.aw is run directly by Aruba’s immigration authorities. It is free to use, and the only charge you’ll encounter there is the $20 Sustainability Fee — which, again, is a government-mandated fee charged upon arrival, not a processing charge.

Third-party services are privately owned companies that operate independently from the Aruban government. They are not affiliated with DIMAS or any official authority, but many of them offer a legitimate service: they guide travelers through the ED Card process, review submissions for errors, provide customer support via chat, email, or phone, and follow up to make sure confirmations are received.

Their assistance can be particularly useful for travelers who are less comfortable navigating government websites, who have complex itineraries, or who simply want the reassurance of having a human available to help if something goes wrong. These services charge a service fee — typically ranging from $30 to $80 — that covers their assistance rather than any government charge.

If you value guided support and prefer not to navigate the process alone, a reputable third-party service can be a worthwhile option, as long as you understand that you are paying for convenience and assistance, not for the ED Card itself.

The key is knowing what you’re choosing and why. The official portal is the most straightforward route for confident travelers. Third-party services offer added support for those who want it — just make sure any service you use clearly discloses that it is not affiliated with the Aruban government.

Quick Checklist Before You Travel

✅ Complete the ED Card within 7 days of departure

✅ Submit a separate form for every traveler, including infants

✅ Save your green checkmark confirmation email on your phone

✅ Show your confirmation at check-in and at the boarding gate

Aruba is one of the Caribbean’s most welcoming destinations, and the ED Card process is designed to be quick and simple. Get it done a few days before you fly, save your confirmation, and the only thing left to worry about is which beach to visit first.