Last updated: August 26, 2026
The Aruba ED card is the one piece of paperwork standing between you and the beach — a mandatory online entry form every visitor completes before flying. It takes ten minutes, costs $20, and has one trap to avoid. Here is the whole process.
What the Aruba ED card is
The Embarkation and Disembarkation card is Aruba’s digital entry form, filed through the official government portal at edcardaruba.aw. Airlines check for the approval before boarding, so it is not optional.
The $20 Sustainability Fee
Since 2024, most visitors aged 8 and older pay a $20 Sustainability Fee inside the same ED card process, by credit card. Consequently, one form and one payment covers everything. Exempt: children under 8, residents, cruise passengers, and travelers who already paid the fee earlier the same calendar year.
When and how to file
- The portal opens 7 days before arrival — the sweet spot is 2–3 days out.
- You need your passport details, flight numbers, and accommodation address.
- Pay the $20 fee by credit card and wait for the approval email.
- Save the approval on your phone; airlines ask at check-in.
The trap: copycat websites
Search results are full of lookalike sites that file the same free-to-access form for $80 to $100. They are middlemen, not the government. The only official site is edcardaruba.aw — if the price is not $20, close the tab.
After the form
With the ED card done, the rest is the fun part: the packing list, the 7-day itinerary, and our first-timers guide. Landing logistics live in the airport guide.
Quick answers
Is the Aruba ED card mandatory?
Yes. Every visitor must complete the online Embarkation and Disembarkation card before flying, at the official government portal edcardaruba.aw. Airlines check for approval at check-in.
How much does the Aruba ED card cost?
The form itself is part of the $20 Sustainability Fee paid by most visitors aged 8 and older, by credit card, inside the same online process. If a website charges $80 or more, it is a middleman — not the official site.
When should I fill in the Aruba ED card?
The portal opens 7 days before arrival. The sweet spot is 2–3 days before your flight — enough buffer for approval, close enough that plans will not change.
