The Aruba ED Card — Complete Guide

Planning a trip to Aruba? Before you arrive on the island, every visitor — adults and children — must complete an Embarkation–Disembarkation (ED) Card. This guide explains what the Aruba ED card is, who needs one, when and how to fill it out, what it costs, and the most common mistakes travelers make.

What is the Aruba ED card?

The Aruba ED card is a mandatory online travel declaration for all visitors arriving in Aruba by air or cruise. It collects:

• Your personal details (full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number)
• Your travel itinerary (flight or cruise, arrival date, departure date)
• Your accommodation in Aruba (hotel, rental address, or cruise ship)
• A short set of health-related questions

It is part of Aruba's official immigration process and is checked by Aruba border control on arrival. Submitting it in advance is what allows immigration officers to process you quickly when you land.

Do I need an ED card for Aruba?

Yes. The ED card is required for every traveler entering Aruba, regardless of nationality, age, or length of stay. There are no exemptions for short visits, transit passengers staying more than a few hours, or children. Each person in your party — including infants — needs their own ED card.

If you are a resident of Aruba returning home, you still need to complete an ED card on each arrival, though the form has specific options for residents.

Is the Aruba ED card free?

Yes. The official Aruba ED card costs US $0. You should only fill it out on the government's official site at edcardaruba.aw.

There are third-party websites that charge a fee to "help you fill out the form" — these are not affiliated with the Aruban government. You do not need to pay anyone to complete the ED card.

When should I fill out the Aruba ED card?

You can submit the ED card any time within seven (7) days before your arrival in Aruba. Most travelers complete it the day before or the morning of their flight, once their flight details and accommodation are confirmed.

Don't fill it out earlier than seven days before arrival — your submission may be rejected and you'll have to redo it.

How to fill out the Aruba ED card — step by step

1. Visit edcardaruba.aw — the official site.
2. Choose Visitor or Resident, then start a new application.
3. Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport.
4. Add your flight number (or cruise ship name), arrival date, and departure date.
5. Add your accommodation address in Aruba.
6. Answer the health-related questions.
7. Review every field — once submitted, edits are limited.
8. Submit the form. You'll receive a confirmation email.

Save the confirmation PDF (or screenshot it) to your phone before you fly. You may be asked to present it at check-in or at Aruba immigration.

What do I need to fill out the form?

• Your passport
• Your flight or cruise booking confirmation
• The address of your hotel, rental, or other accommodation in Aruba
• An email address that can receive the confirmation

If you booked through a travel agent, ask them for the exact arrival flight number and accommodation address before you sit down to fill out the form.

Aruba ED card for residents

Residents of Aruba complete a shorter version of the ED card on each return. You'll need your residence number (cédula or ID number) — there is a specific field for it on the form.

Common ED card mistakes to avoid

• Filling it out too early. Submissions made more than seven days before arrival are typically rejected.
• Typos in your name or passport number. These must match your passport exactly. Mismatches can hold you up at the airport.
• Skipping the confirmation step. You aren't done until you receive the confirmation email. If you don't see it, check spam.
• Using a third-party "help" site. The official site is free. Paid sites are not endorsed by the Aruban government.
• One ED card for the family. Every traveler needs their own — including children and infants.
• Wrong departure date. Use your departure date from Aruba, not your return-home date in case of a layover.

What happens if I don't fill out the ED card?

If you arrive in Aruba without a submitted ED card, you may be asked to fill it out at the airport — slowing down your entry and potentially every other passenger behind you. Some airlines will also ask to see your ED card confirmation at check-in before they let you board.

To keep things simple: fill it out before you fly.

Frequently asked questions

Is the ED card the same as a visa? No. The ED card is a travel declaration. Whether you need a visa to enter Aruba depends on your nationality — check your country's requirements separately.

Can I edit the form after submitting? Limited edits are possible through the same email link you received. For major changes (such as a new passport number or a different arrival date), you may need to submit a new application.

How long does the ED card take to fill out? About 5–10 minutes per person if you have your passport, flight info, and accommodation address ready.

Is the Aruba ED card the same as the Aruba Happiness Card or Green Check? No. Those were earlier or unrelated programs. The current requirement is the ED card on edcardaruba.aw.

What if my plans change after submitting? If your flight, accommodation, or travel dates change, log back into the official site to update — or, if changes are too significant, submit a new ED card.

Completing the Aruba ED card in advance is the single easiest thing you can do to make arrival in Aruba quick and stress-free. It's free, takes a few minutes, and saves you time at immigration once you land.