What Is the Aruba ED Card?
The ED Card Aruba is a mandatory $20 digital form that all visitors must complete 7 days before arrival, replacing paper immigration forms. Submit it at edcardaruba.aw within 72 hours before your flight to receive email approval with a green checkmark needed for boarding. Children under 8 and Aruba residents are exempt from the $20 sustainability fee.
What Is the Purpose of the Embarkation-Disembarkation Card?
The card digitizes border control by pre-screening travelers through the Radex BCMS system, which checks passports against stolen document databases and wanted lists in real-time. This verification happens before boarding, reducing airport processing time by 30-40% compared to paper forms.
Is the Aruba ED Card Mandatory for All Travelers?
Yes, every non-resident visitor must complete the ED Card, including:
- infants and children (parents complete their forms),
- visitors staying over 24 hours,
- all air travelers regardless of trip length.
How Has the Aruba Online ED Card Platform Changed?
The redesigned platform by Gamma IT Solutions integrates multi-biometric verification and real-time database checks, eliminating physical cards entirely. Processing now takes 15-30 minutes versus 2-3 hours with the old system.
What Is the Role of Gamma IT Solutions and Radex BCMS?
Gamma IT Solutions built the platform with Radex BCMS integration that enables:
- real-time data sync between online forms and border control,
- multi-biometric facial recognition matching passport photos,
- automated checks against Interpol stolen passport databases.
What Is the New ED Card Qualifier?
The Qualifier is a green checkmark status generated when your application passes all security checks. Airlines verify this “OK to Board” authorization during check-in, and without it, you cannot board flights to Aruba.
What Is the Aruba Sustainability Fee?
The $20 sustainability fee funds sewage treatment plant upgrades and environmental projects. You pay once per calendar year—repeat visitors within the same year don’t pay again.
Who Is Exempt from the Sustainability Fee?
Three groups skip the $20 fee:
- Aruban citizens and legal residents,
- children under 8 years old,
- repeat visitors who paid within the current calendar year.
How Is the Sustainability Fee Used?
100% of fee revenue finances sewage water treatment plant modernization and coastal protection infrastructure. The 2025 budget allocates $8.2 million from these fees to environmental projects.
How to Complete the Online ED Card Application
Complete the form at edcardaruba.aw using any internet-connected device. The process takes 10-15 minutes and requires a valid passport, flight details, accommodation address, and email.
When Can You Submit the Aruba ED Card?
Submit between 7 days and 72 hours before departure. Applications outside this window are rejected. The system processes 95% of submissions within 2 hours during business hours.
What Information Do You Need to Provide?
Prepare these four items before starting:
- valid passport (must cover your entire stay),
- flight information (arrival/departure dates and flight numbers),
- accommodation address (hotel name or rental property),
- email address (check spam folders for confirmation).
How to Upload Passport Credentials and Biometrics
Upload a clear photo of your passport data page showing all text readable. The system then captures a real-time selfie to match against your passport photo using facial recognition with 98% accuracy.
What Happens After Submitting the ED Card?
Radex BCMS processes your application in 15 minutes to 2 hours, checking against security databases. You receive email confirmation with a green checkmark qualifier once approved.
How Do You Receive the ED Card Approval?
Email confirmation arrives at the address you provided within 2 hours for 95% of applications. Check spam folders if not received within 4 hours. The email contains your digital ED Card with the green checkmark needed for boarding.
What Documents Must You Show at Aruba Immigration?
Present two items at immigration:
- valid passport,
- digital or printed ED Card confirmation (save on phone or print).
What Are the Risks of Using Third-Party ED Card Sites?
Third-party sites charge $50-$150 in processing fees on top of the mandatory $20 fee. Use only edcardaruba.aw to avoid paying 2.5-7.5x the official cost and protect your passport data.
Can You Edit the ED Card After Submission?
Yes, click the edit link in your confirmation email to update accommodation or flight details. Passport number errors require a new $20 application—double-check this field before submitting.
Do You Need an ED Card to Leave Aruba?
No departure form required. The system automatically records your exit when you leave, eliminating the old paper departure card process entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Aruba ED Card cost?
The official ED Card costs $20 when submitted through edcardaruba.aw. Children under 8 and Aruba residents are exempt from this fee.
When should I submit my ED Card application?
Submit your application between 7 days and 72 hours before your departure. Applications outside this timeframe will be rejected.
How long does ED Card approval take?
95% of applications are processed within 2 hours during business hours. You’ll receive email confirmation with a green checkmark qualifier once approved.
Can I board my flight without the ED Card approval?
No, airlines verify your “OK to Board” authorization (green checkmark) during check-in. Without this approval, you cannot board flights to Aruba.
