Aruba Entry Requirements Aruba ED Card & Sustainability Fee

Aruba Entry Requirements: Aruba ED Card & Sustainability Fee

BySarah Walters Last Updated

If you’re planning a trip to Aruba, there are a few entry requirements you’ll want to take care of before boarding your flight. Along with a valid passport, all travelers arriving by air are required to complete an online Embarkation and Disembarkation Card, commonly known as the Aruba ED Card.

The Aruba ED Card itself is free to complete, but travelers are now required to pay a separate sustainability fee as part of the entry process. This guide walks through what the Aruba ED Card is, when to complete it, how the sustainability fee works, and what else you need to know before arriving. A few minutes of prep now can save you unnecessary stress later — and help you start your vacation on the right foot.

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Updated Aruba ED Card Website

Aruba Entry Requirements

All travelers visiting Aruba must have a valid passport. Your passport only needs to be valid for the duration of your stay — Aruba does not require six months of validity beyond your travel dates, even though most other countries do.

Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Travelers holding passports from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most European countries do not need a visa for tourist visits. Because visa policies can change, it’s always a good idea to double-check the most current requirements on Aruba’s official government website before traveling.

In addition, all travelers arriving in Aruba by air — regardless of age — must complete the Aruba ED Card within 7 days of arrival. The ED Card is completed online using the official Aruba platform (👈 save this official link). While the ED Card itself is free, air travelers are required to pay a $20 sustainability fee during the process. This fee supports Aruba’s ongoing efforts to protect its environment and promote sustainable tourism.

Aruba ED Card

Aruba Green QR Code OK to Board ED Card

One of the most important steps in preparing for your trip to Aruba is completing the Aruba ED Card, which stands for Embarkation and Disembarkation Card. This required online form must be submitted before travel and can be completed up to 7 days prior to arrival.

The process itself is straightforward. Travelers must complete the ED Card on Aruba’s official website (👈 save this link and avoid third-party sites that may charge extra fees). You’ll enter basic personal and travel information and answer a few standard questions. During the process, air travelers will be prompted to pay the $20 sustainability fee (per person).

If you’re exempt from the sustainability fee — for example, if you’re a repeat visitor within the same calendar year — the system should automatically recognize this and skip the payment step.

After submitting the form, approval is usually immediate. You can download your ED Card(s) from the confirmation screen, but you’ll also receive the same documents by email. Each ED Card includes a unique ED Card number, your flight number, your arrival date, and a large green QR code. Save it to your phone or print a copy, because you may need to show it when you check in for your flight and again when you arrive in Aruba.

The Sustainability Fee

Aruba Sustainability Fee

Aruba’s sustainability fee is $20 per person for travelers 8 years and older arriving by air to Aruba. This fee is separate from any environmental or tourism taxes already included in your airfare or accommodation (something you likely haven’t even noticed) and applies specifically to air arrivals.

The sustainability fee is paid online during the Aruba ED Card process, which can be completed within 7 days of arrival. Accepted payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Apple Pay. Cash payments are not accepted upon arrival.

According to the Aruba government, revenue from the sustainability fee is being used to fund environmental and infrastructure improvements across the island. This includes upgrades to wastewater treatment facilities, as well as ongoing sustainability initiatives such as beach cleanups, coral reef preservation, and renewable energy projects.

The fee is only required once per calendar year, even if you visit Aruba multiple times. Children under 8 years old, cruise ship passengers, Aruba residents, and certain Aruban students are exempt.

Arriving in Aruba

Aruba Airport Immigration Line

If you’ve landed in Aruba, your Aruba ED Card has already been approved — you wouldn’t have been allowed to board your flight without it. After deplaning, you’ll walk through a long hallway that leads to passport control, where your photo will be taken.

From there, you’ll proceed through immigration and may be asked to show the green QR code from your Aruba ED Card again. Once you clear immigration, you’ll collect your luggage and pass through a final security check. Travelers with carry-on luggage only can proceed directly to this final checkpoint. From landing to exiting the airport, the process typically takes around one hour, though wait times can vary depending on arrival volume.

After the final security check, you’ll exit directly outside, where transportation options are easy to find. Rental cars are located immediately in front of the airport exit, making pick-up simple if you plan to drive. If you’re not renting a car, you can also pre-book a private transfer, join a shared shuttle, use your hotel’s shuttle service, take a taxi, or hop on the public bus.

After the final security check, you’ll exit directly outside, where transportation options are easy to find. You’ll find the car rental center directly in front of you when you exit the airport, or you can pre-book a private transfer, join a shared transfer shuttle, use your hotel’s shuttle, hop in a taxi, or take the public bus.

Departing Aruba

You do not need to complete the Aruba ED Card when departing Aruba. And while that’s one less thing to worry about at the end of your trip, it’s important to know that the departure process often takes significantly longer than arriving.

For many travelers, especially those returning to the United States, the departure from Aruba can take up to 4 hours! This is because Aruba has U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance at the airport, meaning U.S. travelers go through U.S. immigration and customs before boarding their flight. The upside is that you’ll arrive in the U.S. as a domestic passenger, but the tradeoff is a longer and more involved departure process that includes additional security and luggage checks.

To reduce stress and avoid long lines, we personally use Aruba’s VIP Airport Service when departing. This service fast-tracks you through each step of the process and includes access to the airport’s VIP lounge. Upon arrival at the airport, a personal escort meets you and guides you all the way to your gate. In our experience, the entire process can take around 45 minutes or less, which is a huge relief compared to the standard departure experience.

How to Get Around Aruba

Renting a Car in Aruba

Getting around Aruba is a breeze, especially if you rent your own vehicle! Driving on the island is very straightforward. There are no major highways or confusing signs, and they drive on the right side of the road, just like in the U.S. Most parking around the island is free, too.

When you rent your car, ask the rental company for a map of the island. Aruba’s tourist map is really helpful, plus it shows basic street signs and their meanings. Speed limits are posted in kilometers, but your car’s speedometer will match. Arubans also drive on the right side of the road, just like in the U.S.

If driving isn’t your thing though, Aruba does have plenty of other options. You can choose from many different transportation options to get you from the airport to your hotel, and from there, you can use taxi services or the public bus to get around the island. Most Island Tours also offer hotel pick-up and drop-off!

Where to Stay in Aruba

There are so many great places to stay in Aruba! It really comes down to what type of traveler you are. Aruba has a great selection of beachfront properties, all-inclusive resorts, boutique hotels, and budget-friendly options.

Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort

The best resorts in Aruba are found on the island’s northwest side, on Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. Eagle Beach is known as the “low-rise” area and Palm Beach is known as the “high-rise” area. Aruba’s airport and the cruise port are located further south in the downtown Oranjestad area, but we only recommend staying there if you’re staying at the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort.

We’ve stayed all over the island — in the high-rise area, the low-rise area, inland, and even in the small fishing town of Savaneta. There are just so many beautiful beaches and so many things to do in Aruba, that you really can’t go wrong no matter where you stay!

Here are a few of the best places to stay in Aruba:

Best Time to Visit Aruba

Aruba Island Tours

Aruba is one of those rare destinations that truly works year-round. Temperatures stay in the low to mid-80s most of the year, and because Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt, you don’t need to plan around hurricane season like you would on many other Caribbean islands. The island is also known for its steady trade winds, which help keep the heat from ever feeling overwhelming.

Aruba doesn’t have a true rainy season, though rain chances tend to increase slightly from late October through early January. Even then, rain usually comes in the form of short, heavy downpours — often overnight — rather than all-day washouts. And honestly? If you do catch a rainy day, it can still be fun. We once rented a UTV and drove straight through the muddy backroads after a storm, and it’s still one of our favorite Aruba memories.

High season in Aruba runs from December through April, when travelers from colder climates flock to the island. During these months, resort prices are typically at their highest. You’re more likely to find lower rates between May and November, especially outside of major holidays. We usually stay inland for budget reasons and have found that non-resort accommodations tend to remain fairly consistent in price throughout the year.

What to Do in Aruba

There are tons of fun things to do in Aruba! Whether you want to experience an island jeep tour, Baby Beach, the Natural Pool, the world-famous beaches, or the incredible oceanfront restaurants, Aruba has something for everyone.

We’ve been to Aruba many times, and just when we think we’ve done it all, we’re surprised by a new adventure. We truly understand why Aruba is the most revisited island in the Caribbean. Here are some of the most popular activities in Aruba:

Aruba Adventure Tours
Other Aruba Experiences

Final Thoughts: Visiting Aruba

Aruba Sign

Once you know what’s required, getting into Aruba is straightforward. Taking care of the Aruba ED Card before your trip helps eliminate surprises and lets you start your vacation feeling relaxed instead of rushed.

Aruba is our favorite place in the world, and these requirements haven’t changed how often we return — or how much we love it. Once the logistics are taken care of, all that’s left to do is enjoy the beaches, the constant sunshine, and the easygoing island vibe that makes Aruba so special. Take a few minutes to prepare before your trip, and you’ll be rewarded with one of the most reliable and enjoyable island vacations out there.

Aruba Resources

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