To apply for an Aruba ED Card online, visit edcardaruba.aw, enter your personal and passport details, upload a passport photo, complete the health declaration, pay the $20 USD Sustainability Fee, and submit. You will receive a confirmation email with a QR code within minutes to a few hours.
Last updated: August 2026. This is an informational travel portal; verify current requirements on the edcardaruba.aw portal before applying.
What Is the Aruba ED Card?
The Aruba ED Card (Embarkation/Disembarkation Card) is a mandatory digital pre-registration form required under Aruba immigration policy for all incoming travelers. It is not a visa and does not guarantee entry; immigration officers at passport control assess eligibility for entry on arrival, with each entry assessment conducted on its own merits. The redesigned platform launched on October 30, 2024, replacing the traditional paper immigration card. The Aruba ED Card online application process is powered by the RADEX BCMS processing system and is accessible via Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge. No mobile app exists; only the browser-based form at edcardaruba.aw is the direct application channel.
Do US Citizens Need an Aruba ED Card?
US citizens are visa-exempt for Aruba stays up to 90 days but must still complete the Aruba ED Card online application process. The requirement applies to anyone entering Aruba and spending more than 24 hours: tourists, business travelers, cruise ship passengers clearing immigration, infants, and children. US travelers can verify visa-exempt status through the Aruba tourism portal (aruba.com) before applying. Submit the Aruba ED Card through the portal at edcardaruba.aw (Aruba’s .aw country-code top-level domain) and avoid third-party websites charging additional service fees.
What You’ll Need Before Starting the Aruba ED Card Application
Allow 10-15 minutes for the single-session Aruba ED Card form (no save-draft feature). Gather a valid passport, travel details, and accommodation address before starting at edcardaruba.aw.
- Valid passport (number, expiration date, country of issue)
- Personal info: full name as on passport, date of birth, nationality
- Contact info: email address, phone number
- Travel details: flight number, airline, arrival and departure dates
- Accommodation address in Aruba (hotel name or rental address)
- Passport photo or scan in JPEG, JPG, PNG, HEIC, or GIF format
Aruba ED Card Cost & Sustainability Fee
The Aruba ED Card application form is free ($0), but a mandatory $20 USD Sustainability Fee applies to travelers aged 8 and older. Implemented in July 2024, the fee funds environmental preservation, beach maintenance, and conservation projects. Payment accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover (credit or debit) only; Apple Pay and Google Pay are not supported. The fee is non-refundable.
| Category | Exempt? | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Children under age 8 | Yes | $0 |
| Aruba residents | Yes | $0 |
| Transit passengers (under 24h stay) | Yes | $0 |
| Travelers returning within one year | Yes | $0 |
| On-duty crew members | Yes | $0 |
| All other air travelers (aged 8+) | No | $20 USD |
How to Apply for Aruba ED Card: Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Visit edcardaruba.aw
Select your preferred language to begin.
Enter personal information
Full name as printed on your passport, date of birth, and nationality.
Enter passport details
Document number, expiration date, and country of issue.
Upload a passport photo
Ensure all four corners are visible with no glare. Accepted formats: JPEG, JPG, PNG, HEIC, or GIF.
Enter travel and accommodation info
Flight number, airline, arrival and departure dates, country of residence, purpose of visit, and your Aruba hotel or lodging address.
Complete the health declaration
Answer the required health-related questions.
Review and declare truthfulness
Verify every field for accuracy before proceeding.
Pay the $20 Sustainability Fee
Via Visa, Mastercard, or Discover, then submit your Aruba ED Card application.
How to Apply as a Family or Group
One primary applicant can cover the entire family in a single Aruba ED Card application. Each individual, including infants and children, must be listed separately within the same form.
How to Enter Your Accommodation Address
For split stays across multiple hotels or Airbnbs, enter your primary or first accommodation address on the Aruba ED Card form.
Aruba ED Card After Submission: Confirmation, Status & Airport Presentation
Receiving Your Confirmation Email & QR Code
The Aruba ED Card online application process concludes with a confirmation email containing a green checkmark and QR code, valid only for your specified travel dates. Processing typically takes minutes to a few hours, though delays may occur during peak travel season.
Checking Your Aruba ED Card Application Status
Re-enter the portal at edcardaruba.aw with your passport number to check your Aruba ED Card status.
Printing Your ED Card
A digital QR code on your phone is accepted at all checkpoints; a printed copy is a recommended backup.
What to Present at the Airport
Airlines may refuse boarding without approved status. Present the Aruba ED Card confirmation digitally or printed at airline check-in, the boarding gate, and arrival immigration.
Aruba ED Card: Troubleshooting, Common Mistakes & Application Tips
If you make an error on your Aruba ED Card or do not receive the confirmation email, contact DIMAS at [email protected] to request corrections. Re-submission may incur a second $20 fee, so double-check all fields before finalizing. If the confirmation email never arrives, check your spam folder, verify the entered email address, and re-enter the edcardaruba.aw portal using your passport number.
Start the application within 7 days of your arrival to avoid issues. Apply 3-5 days (ideally 72 hours) before your flight; the latest allowable submission is at the airport before airline check-in.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Aruba ED Card Application
How much does it cost to apply for an Aruba ED Card?
The application form is free ($0), but the mandatory Sustainability Fee is $20 USD for visitors aged 8 and older. Payment requires Visa, Mastercard, or Discover (credit or debit). Apple Pay and Google Pay are not supported.
How long does it take to get an Aruba ED Card?
Processing takes minutes to a few hours (longer in peak season). Approval arrives by email with a green checkmark and QR code.
Can I apply for an Aruba ED Card at the airport?
Yes, you can complete the application at the airport before airline check-in. However, applying online 3 to 5 days before your arrival (ideally 72 hours before your flight) is strongly recommended to avoid delays.
Do I need to print my Aruba ED Card?
A phone QR code is accepted; a printed copy is a recommended backup. Present it at check-in, the gate, and immigration.
What happens if I made a mistake on my Aruba ED Card?
Contact DIMAS at [email protected] immediately. Re-submitting may result in a second $20 fee, so verify all information carefully before submitting.
Is the Aruba ED Card the same as a visa?
No. The ED Card is a mandatory digital pre-registration form, not a visa. US citizens are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days, but the Aruba ED Card remains mandatory for all incoming travelers.
Can I apply for my entire family on one Aruba ED Card application?
Yes, one primary applicant can submit a single form covering the entire family. Each individual, including children and infants, must be listed separately. Children under age 8 are exempt from the $20 Sustainability Fee.
How do I check the status of my Aruba ED Card application?
Re-enter edcardaruba.aw with your passport number. No email? Check spam, confirm the email address on the form, then contact DIMAS at [email protected].
Do children need an Aruba ED Card?
Yes, all travelers regardless of age need an Aruba ED Card. However, children under age 8 are exempt from the $20 Sustainability Fee.
What documents do I need to apply for an Aruba ED Card?
A valid passport, personal information (name, date of birth, nationality), contact details (email, phone), travel details (flight number, airline, dates), and accommodation address in Aruba.
