How much does the Aruba ED Card cost in 2026? The Aruba ED Card form is free, but a mandatory $20 Sustainability Fee applies to all air travelers aged 8 and older. Most US travelers pay a total of $20.00, though some banks may add a small foreign transaction fee.
This mandatory charge funds Aruba’s environmental conservation and sustainable tourism programs. It is collected during the online registration process on the edcardaruba.aw portal. The fee is not a visa application cost, and the digital pre-registration form itself carries no administrative filing charge.
Travelers should verify they are on the correct .aw domain to avoid third-party sites that overcharge. The $20 Sustainability Fee has remained unchanged since its July 2024 introduction and stays at $20 for 2026. Last verified: January 2026 based on the edcardaruba.aw portal and DIMAS guidance.
What Is the Aruba ED Card and Why Do You Need It?
The Aruba ED Card (Embarkation/Disembarkation Card) is a mandatory digital pre-registration form for all air travelers, submitted via edcardaruba.aw. It replaced the paper immigration card and serves as Aruba’s primary entry requirement.
US citizens are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days, yet they must still complete the Aruba ED Card before flying to Aruba. The form itself carries $0 in administrative fees. The mandatory $20 Sustainability Fee is a separate charge collected during online registration, not a filing cost.
- What: Fully digital online pre-registration form (no dedicated mobile app; browser-based on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge)
- Who: All visitors entering Aruba, including tourists, business travelers, and cruise passengers clearing immigration
- Where: Submit only at edcardaruba.aw, the official website on Aruba’s .aw country-code top-level domain
- Why: Immigration screening, health declaration, and sustainability contribution collection
- Authority: Managed by the Aruban Department of Immigration (DIMAS)
How Much Does the Aruba ED Card Cost in 2026?
The Aruba ED Card form is free; the mandatory $20 Sustainability Fee brings the total out-of-pocket cost to $20.00 per eligible traveler in 2026. This $20 is a sustainability contribution, not a government tax.
The Aruba ED Card cost breakdown for 2026 totals $20.00 for most US travelers:
| Scenario | Payment Method | Foreign Transaction Fee | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | US debit card, no FTF | $0.00 | $20.00 |
| B | US credit card with 3% FTF | $0.60 | $20.60 |
| C | Third-party scam site | Overcharge | $35-$60+ |
The Aruba ED Card cost includes the $20 Sustainability Fee as the only mandatory charge for eligible travelers. Children under 8, Aruba residents, transit passengers staying under 24 hours, and on-duty crew are exempt from the $20 charge.
The $20 Sustainability Fee and Applicable Taxes
The $20 Sustainability Fee funds Aruba’s environmental conservation and is mandatory for air travelers aged 8 and older, with no confirmed additional taxes.
The Aruba ED Card cost breakdown for 2026 centers on the $20 Sustainability Fee, introduced in July 2024 and collected during online registration on edcardaruba.aw for all air travelers aged 8 and older.
Aruba levies local turnover taxes (BBO/BAVP/BAVZ) on goods and services, but no public source confirms whether these taxes are embedded in or added on top of the $20 fee. The Aruba ED Card platform lists the $20 as the primary charge at checkout, with no additional tax line item appearing during payment.
| Fee Component | Amount | Tax Included? |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainability Fee | $20 USD | Not confirmed |
| Additional local taxes (BBO/BAVP/BAVZ) | $0 | No surcharge confirmed at checkout |
Who Is Exempt from the $20 ED Card Fee?
Five categories of travelers are exempt from the $20 Sustainability Fee, reducing their Aruba ED Card cost to $0:
- Children under 8 years old – exempt ($0); no fee charged regardless of nationality.
- Aruba residents – exempt ($0) upon confirmation of residency status.
- Transit passengers staying less than 24 hours – exempt ($0) if the island stopover does not exceed the 24-hour threshold.
- On-duty airline crew – exempt ($0) during operational flight duties.
- Returning travelers within one year – exempt ($0) if revisiting Aruba within a 12-month period.
The Aruba ED Card cost for US citizens is the full $20 per person. Visa-free entry for up to 90 days does not waive this mandatory charge.
How to Pay the $20 ED Card Fee
The Aruba ED Card payment is processed entirely online via edcardaruba.aw, accepting Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit and debit cards. Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and online cash payments are not supported.
No-FTF cards such as Chase Sapphire or Capital One Venture avoid the foreign transaction fee entirely, keeping your Aruba ED Card cost at $20.00.
The Aruba ED Card cost per person applies to each eligible traveler in a family group. Calculate your total Aruba ED Card cost: 2 adults × $20 = $40, child age 9 = $20, child age 6 = $0 (under 8 exempt). Total family payment = $60.
Complete online
3-5 days before departure (72 hours prior)
Fill out the form
Takes 10-15 minutes (7 days max to check-in)
Pay $20 fee
Receive QR code and confirmation by email
Present at airport
Show QR at check-in, boarding gate, and arrival
Avoiding Scam ED Card Websites
Third-party scam websites charge $35 to $60+ for the same Aruba ED Card that costs $20 on the official website at edcardaruba.aw, Aruba’s .aw country-code top-level domain.
The Aruba ED Card costs $20 only on the official website. Scam warning signs include unfamiliar URLs, inflated prices above $20, and no Aruban government branding. Do NOT enter your credit card details on any site other than edcardaruba.aw.
If you suspect you have used a third-party site, contact the Aruban Department of Immigration (DIMAS) at [email protected] for assistance.
Refund Policy and Year-to-Year Fee Changes
The Aruba ED Card cost breakdown for 2026 includes no publicly stated refund policy for the $20 Sustainability Fee if a trip is cancelled. For assistance, contact DIMAS at [email protected].
July 2024
$20 Sustainability Fee introduced
2025
Fee remained unchanged
2026
Fee confirmed at $20
ED Card Cost vs. Other Caribbean Entry Fees
At $20, the Aruba ED Card fee undercuts Jamaica (~$40), the Bahamas (~$29-$55), and Turks & Caicos (~$50), while directly funding conservation. The Aruba ED Card cost for US citizens remains $20 per eligible traveler.
| Destination | Entry Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aruba | $20 | Sustainability Fee; ED Card form is free; funds conservation |
| Dominican Republic | ~$10 | Tourist card; often included in airfare |
| Jamaica | ~$40 | Departure tax; varies by airport |
| Bahamas | ~$29-$55 | Visitor tax; varies by departure point |
| Turks & Caicos | ~$50 | Departure tax for most visitors |
FAQ: Aruba ED Card Costs, Fees, and Payment
How much does the Aruba ED Card cost in 2026?
The form is free. The mandatory $20 Sustainability Fee applies to air travelers aged 8 and older. Most US travelers pay $20.00, plus any bank foreign transaction fee ($0.60-$1.00).
Is the $20 Sustainability Fee included in the ED Card form?
No. The form is free ($0). The $20 Sustainability Fee is a separate mandatory charge collected during online registration on edcardaruba.aw.
Are there any additional taxes on top of the $20 fee?
The $20 is the primary charge. Aruba’s local turnover taxes (BBO/BAVP/BAVZ) are not confirmed to be added on top. Verify on edcardaruba.aw.
What payment methods are accepted for the ED Card fee?
Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit and debit cards. Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal) and cash are not supported.
Will my US bank charge me extra fees for the ED Card payment?
Potentially. Many US banks charge 1-3% FTF, adding $0.60-$1.00 to the $20 charge. No-FTF cards like Chase Sapphire avoid this.
Can I get a refund if my trip to Aruba is cancelled?
No public refund policy exists. Contact DIMAS at [email protected] for assistance. The fee may or may not transfer to rebooked dates.
What if I can’t pay the ED Card fee online?
If your card is declined, you may be able to pay at Queen Beatrix International Airport upon arrival.
Do children have to pay the $20 ED Card fee?
Children under 8 are exempt ($0). Children aged 8 and older must pay the full $20 fee.
This article is for informational purposes only. Verify current fees and exemptions on the edcardaruba.aw portal. This site is not affiliated with the Aruban government or DIMAS.
