If you plan to fly to Aruba, you need one thing before you can board: the ED Card. It’s a short online form. It takes most people under 10 minutes. This guide walks you through it, step by step, in plain words.

What Is the Aruba ED Card?

The ED Card stands for Embarkation/Disembarkation Card. It’s an online form for anyone flying into Aruba. It replaced the old paper card you used to fill out on the plane.

You fill it out on the official site: edcardaruba.aw. Once you submit it, you get a “qualifier.” This is a QR code. Airlines check it before you board. Border staff check it again when you land.

The ED Card is not a visa. It does not promise you entry. It’s a form that lets border staff know who is coming, and when.

Who Needs to Fill Out the ED Card?

Almost everyone. There are very few exceptions.

Each traveler needs their own form. Parents can fill out the form for their kids, but each child still needs their own entry.

When Should You Fill It Out?

Fill out your ED Card within 7 days of your flight. You cannot submit it too early. If you submit it and then your flight date changes, you must fill out a new one.

Do it a day or two before you fly. This gives you time to fix mistakes.

What You Need Before You Start?

Have these ready before you open the form:

• Your passport (the photo page)
• Your flight details (airline, flight number, arrival and departure dates)
• Your home address and a contact phone number
• Your hotel or where you’re staying in Aruba
• A credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover) for the fee

How to Fill Out the Aruba ED Card: Step by Step?

1. Go to the official site. Type edcardaruba.aw directly into your browser. Don’t use a link from an ad or a random search result.
2. Enter your passport details. Full name, passport number, date of birth, and nationality.
3. Add your flight information. Airline, flight number, and your arrival date in Aruba.
4. Fill in your stay details. Where you’ll be staying and how long you’ll be on the island.
5. Answer the short health and customs questions. These are simple yes/no questions.
6. Pay the Sustainability Fee, if it applies to you. More on this below.
7. Check your details. Look at your name, passport number, and dates one more time.
8. Submit the form. You’ll get an email with your QR code. This is your qualifier.

The Aruba Sustainability Fee ($20)

Since July 1, 2024, most travelers must pay a $20 fee as part of the ED Card process. This money helps pay for Aruba’s water treatment systems.

Who Does NOT Pay the Fee?

• Children under 8 years old
• Aruba residents
• Cruise ship passengers
• Crew members on duty
• Travelers who already paid it once this calendar year (system checks your passport number)

What You Get After You Submit?

Once your form is approved, you’ll get an email with a green checkmark and a QR code. This is proof you’re cleared to board. Save it in one of these ways:

• Screenshot it on your phone
• Save the email
• Print a paper copy (not required, but good as backup)

Airline staff scan this at check-in. Immigration staff scan it again when you land in Aruba.

How to Avoid Scam ED Card Websites?

This is where a lot of travelers lose money. Search results often show sites that are not the government site. They charge $50, $80, even $100 to fill out a form that is free on the real site.

Watch for these warning signs:

• The web address is not edcardaruba.aw
• The site charges more than $20 total
• The site calls itself a “consultancy” or “visa service”
• Ads at the top of your search results (the real site is rarely an ad)

Tip: Type the address by hand. Don’t click and trust a search ad.

What If You Make a Mistake on Your Form?

This depends on when you catch the error.

Before you pay: Most fields can still be fixed on the same form.

After you pay the $20 fee: You cannot edit the form. You must start over and submit a brand new ED Card. Sadly, the first $20 fee is not refunded in this case. You’ll need to pay again for the new one. So check every field twice before you hit “pay.”

ED Card vs. Visa: What’s the Difference?

People mix these up often. Here’s the short version:

• A visa is permission from a country that lets certain nationalities enter at all.
• The ED Card is a form every traveler fills out, visa or no visa.

If your country requires a visa for Aruba, you still need both the visa and the ED Card. The ED Card does not replace a visa, and it does not guarantee you’ll be let in. Border staff still make the final call when you land.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Aruba ED Card free? The form itself is free. Most travelers age 8 and up also pay a separate $20 Sustainability Fee during the same process.

Do babies and kids need an ED Card? Yes. Every traveler needs one, no matter their age. Kids under 8 don’t pay the $20 fee, but they still need the form filled out.

How early can I fill it out? Up to 7 days before your flight. Not sooner.

Do cruise passengers need an ED Card? No, in most cases. Cruise lines handle immigration paperwork for their passengers.

What if my flight gets delayed or changed after I submit? You’ll need to fill out a new ED Card with the correct dates.

Can I use the ED Card for my trip back home? No. The ED Card only covers your entry into Aruba. You don’t need one to leave.

What if I visited Aruba earlier this year? If you already paid the $20 fee once this calendar year, the system should recognize your passport and skip the charge.

Is edcardaruba.aw the only official site? Yes. That’s the only website run by the Aruban government for this form. Any other site charging extra is a third-party service, not the government.

What happens if I don’t fill out the ED Card? Airlines will not let you board your flight to Aruba without an approved ED Card.

Does the ED Card guarantee I can enter Aruba? No. It’s a pre-registration form, not a visa. Border officers still decide at arrival.