Aruba ED Card
Learn all about the Aruba ED Card from who needs it to when and where to apply, the cost, and about the new $20 sustainability fee in Aruba.
If you’re planning a trip to Aruba, one essential step you’ll need to complete before arriving is filling out the mandatory Aruba Embarkation and Disembarkation Card (ED Card). This online document is required for all travelers, including minors and infants, and it streamlines the entry process for visitors.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the ED Card in Aruba, how to complete it, and what the latest updates mean for your trip.
What is the Aruba ED Card?
The ED Card is the Embarkation and Disembarkation Card in Aruba. It is an online immigration form that all travelers must complete before arriving in Aruba. The form collects your personal information, travel details, health status, and disclaimers. It’s part of Aruba’s efforts to ensure that visitors meet health and safety requirements before they enter the country.
Who Needs to Complete the ED Card?
Every traveler to Aruba, including minors and infants, must fill out an ED Card. You can choose between two options:
- Resident: If you are registered in Aruba’s census and have AZV health insurance
- Non-resident: If you are visiting as a tourist or do not meet the resident criteria
How to Fill Out the Aruba ED Card
You can submit your Online ED Card application for Aruba as early as 7 days (really more like 6 days) before your arrival. It’s a simple process, and you’ll need to provide the following information:
- Personal info (name, passport number, nationality, etc.)
- Travel info (arrival date, flight details, etc.)
- Health questions (COVID-19 status, recent illnesses, etc.)
- Disclaimers (agreement to terms of entry)
Once the form is filled out, you’ll either receive a Qualified status with a QR code (previously a green checkmark), meaning you’re approved to enter Aruba, or a Denied status, which would prevent your entry. When traveling, keep your QR code handy. The form does flow through the immigration systems, so you may not be asked to see it at the airport, but you do need it to travel to Aruba!
You can access the official website to fill out your ED Card here: ED Card Official Website. Beware of fraudulent and scam websites that try to charge you for the Aruba embarkation / disembarkation card. It is free to complete and very simple. It takes less than 5 minutes and is very straight forward. You do not need an agency to do this on your behalf.
Key Takeaways about the ED Card
- Who: Everyone entering Aruba by air
- Aruba ED Card Cost: Free
- Timing: Submit within 7 days of your arrival
- Official Aruba ED Website: edcardaruba.aw
- Keep Your QR Code: Confirmation of qualification will be received by email. Take this with you.
The *New* $20 Sustainability Fee
Starting in July 2024, Aruba introduced a $20 Sustainability Fee for visitors arriving by air. This fee supports sustainability projects across the island, including environmental conservation and infrastructure improvements. While the ED Card itself remains free, you are now required to pay this fee as part of your online ED Card process.
Let me repeat that for those in the back: The ED Card is still free. The sustainability fee is simply paid at the same time as you fill out the ED card. You do not pay for the ED card on the official site. If a site is asking for payment, double check the URL. There are a lot of third-party and scam websites out there.
Who Needs to Pay the Sustainability Fee?
While the new Aruba sustainability fee applies to most visitors arriving by air, there are some exemptions:
- Local residents
- Children under 8 years old
- Repeat visitors who have already paid the fee within the same calendar year
- Cruise ship passengers
- Aruban students studying abroad who have been residents within the past 8 years
How to Pay the Fee
The sustainability fee is integrated into the existing ED Card platform, and you can pay it when you fill out your card online. In the past, the fee payment worked on an honor system, but Aruba has since upgraded its system to require it at the end of your ED Card process.
Refunding the Sustainability Fee for Repeat Visits
While the $20 fee covers all of your visits to Aruba in a calendar year, the system currently requires you to pay the sustainability fee every time you fill out a ED card. This means if you’re visiting multiple times per year you will be charged even though you have already paid. Good news though. You can get a refund.
Just email info@awss.aw a PDF copy of both ED cards and the email address you used to pay for them, and they will be able to process a refund for you. It may take a couple of weeks to process, but they are able to help you.
Key Takeaways about the Sustainability Fee
- Who: Visitors arriving to Aruba by air who are over 8 years old and have not paid the fee already that calendar year. (See full exemptions above.)
- Aruba Sustainability Fee Cost: $20
- Timing: Pay when you submit your Aruba ED Card form online.
- Official Aruba ED and Sustainability Fee Website: edcardaruba.aw
- Keep Payment Confirmation: Keep your confirmation of payment with you when you travel.
- Refund for Repeat Visit Sustainability Fees: Email info@awss.aw.
Final Tips about the ED Card & Sustainability Fee
- Don’t wait until the last minute: Complete your ED Card up to 7 days before your trip.
- Beware of third-party websites: The ED Card is free—if a site is asking for payment, it’s likely the wrong site. I cannot stress this enough as there are many convincing sites using “aruba e d card” in their domain name or even sponsored ads to claim your hard earned money. Go to the one and only official website.
- Keep proof of ED Card & Sustainability Fee payment: Make sure to keep your confirmations handy when traveling to avoid any delays at immigration.
The Aruba ED Card is an essential part of your travel planning for Aruba, and with this guide, you’ll be prepared to breeze through the process and focus on enjoying your stay on the One Happy Island!
Have additional questions about getting your ED card for Aruba?
Let us know in the comments!
I have not gotten my confirmation email for my ed card yet
Hello Mary – If you filled in the form and it hasn’t arrived yet, you may have used the wrong website. Make sure you filled it out on: https://edcardaruba.aw/ Typically the email comes shortly after. You can also check your spam folder just in case.
I am coming to Aruba on February 11th. when can I fill out my info. Nothing happens today
Hi Philk, you can fill out your ED card 7 days (really more like 6 days) before your arrival.
My friend applied for an ED card on arubatravelcard.com she paid more than she should have. I want to know if this is a legitimate third-party company.
There are many third parties offering Aruba ED service. We recommend only using the official government site: https://edcardaruba.aw/. It is easy and fast to apply on your own, and they don’t charge additional fees like most third-party companies. Unfortunately, we cannot verify third-party sites, but if she does not receive her QR code, she can apply on the government site and try getting a refund from the third-party or her credit card.
What is the residence number requested on the personal information section? We are US citizens if that helps.
In Aruba, addresses typically have the number at the end of the address (Aruba Street 123), while in the US it is at the beginning (123 Aruba Street). The residence number in this example is 123. Does that help?
We never got the email in time so we had to apply agan while waiting to get on our flight. We flew over to curaçao and back so we ended up paying three time which ticked us off!! When we did it again at the airport both times were in our spam after the fact. Is there any way to get a refund if you ended up doing it twice??
Hi Suzi, Sorry you had to go through that. That is stressful and a pain! Good news though, you can get a refund on the additional sustainability fees you paid. You need to email info@awss.aw to ask for a refund, include a PDF copy of all 3 ED cards and the email address you used to pay for them. It may take a couple of weeks to process the refund, but it should work out!
I paid $90 and $60 for the ED card, not realizing it was a third party. They are giving me a HARD time with my refund. I believe its a scam company and they are only willing to give me 22$ back. What could I do to rectify this? I was going to dispute it with AMEX as this has been going on for a week. Please advise. Thank you
Hi Jerold, I have sent you an email but wanted to reply here as well in case it may help someone else in the future!
If the third-party has provided the ED Card, I can understand them not wanting to give a full refund as it would have cost them the traditional $20 to fill out the paperwork. That being said, if they refuse to refund you the fees paid -$20, I would try going through your credit card to see if they can help you.
I know there has been some discussion of is it a scam, if they actually provide the service promised, vs. a third-party. That being said, I personally believe that it is misleading and unethical to charge $90 or $60 for something that is $20.
Wishing you the best of luck, and more importantly… a wonderful trip to Aruba!