Aruba fully digitized its paper embarkation/disembarkation card, so what used to be a form filled out on the plane is now completed online before every trip. This guide covers who needs the ED Card, how Venezuelan Citizens should complete it, the $20 Sustainability Fee attached to it, and how to avoid paying more than necessary to unofficial websites.
Did you know? Venezuelan Citizens currently need a visa to enter Aruba — a Caribbean visa requirement that's been in place since April 1, 2020, after years of visa-free travel between the two neighboring countries. — Visa requirements for Venezuelan citizens — Wikipedia
| Quick facts for Venezuelan travelers | |
|---|---|
| ED Card | Mandatory — free, submit within 7 days of arrival |
| Visa to enter Aruba | Required since April 2020 (exemptions for valid Schengen/US/UK/Canada/Ireland visas or residence permits) |
This is an independent guide, not an official government website. Below, you'll find everything Venezuelan citizens need to know about the ED Card, plus how we can help you get it right.
Check requirementsWhat Is the Aruba ED Card?
The ED Card (Embarkation-Disembarkation Card) is Aruba's mandatory digital entry and exit registration. It replaced the old paper landing card and is administered by Aruba's Immigration Department. It is not a visa — it's a separate declaration confirming your identity, travel details, and accommodation before you arrive on the island. Completing it successfully does not guarantee entry; Aruban immigration officers still assess each traveler individually on arrival.
Do Venezuelan Citizens Need a Visa to Enter Aruba?
This is the one place where Venezuelan Citizens' experience differs sharply from most other nationalities covered in this guide: Venezuelan Citizens currently need a visa to enter Aruba. This has been the rule since April 1, 2020, when the Kingdom of the Netherlands introduced a Caribbean visa requirement for Venezuelan nationals, ending years of visa-free travel between the two neighboring countries.
There is an exemption worth knowing about: if you hold a valid residence permit or a multiple-entry visa for the Schengen Area, Overseas France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, or Canada, you generally do not need a separate Aruba visa. If none of those apply to you, you'll need to arrange a visa in advance. Given how quickly regional travel conditions in the Caribbean have shifted at times recently, it's worth confirming the current requirement and any processing times close to your travel date rather than relying on older guides.
Here's the part that catches people off guard regardless of your visa situation: even once your visa question is settled, the ED Card is still required. It's a separate, non-negotiable step in your travel prep, on top of — not instead of — whatever visa process applies to you.
Who Must Complete the ED Card
Every individual traveler entering Aruba needs their own completed ED Card — there's no family or group form, and there's no general exemption tied to how long you're staying. This includes:
- Adults, each with their own submission (or completed by a parent/guardian for a minor)
- Children of every age, including infants — every child needs their own valid passport
- Returning residents, though many qualify for a fee exemption
- Non-resident homeowners
- Private aircraft and yacht arrivals
Cruise passengers are generally exempt. Most cruise travelers don't need an ED Card unless their vessel is required to clear Aruba Immigration — check with your cruise line if you're unsure. Separately, certain transit passengers staying under 24 hours as part of a formal transport agreement are exempt specifically from the $20 Sustainability Fee, though this is a narrow carve-out tied to the fee, not a general 24-hour grace period on the ED Card itself.
When Venezuelan Citizens Should Submit the ED Card
The ED Card can only be submitted within 7 days of your arrival date — submitting earlier will result in an invalid application. Most travelers find it easiest to complete the form 24 to 72 hours before departure, which leaves enough time to fix any errors without leaving it until the last minute.
How to Complete the ED Card
Personal & Passport Details
Have every traveler's passport in hand before starting. You'll need each person's full legal name exactly as it appears on their passport, nationality, date of birth, and passport number. This applies even to infants — a child cannot be added to a parent's passport for ED Card purposes.
Travel & Accommodation Details
You'll also need your airline name, flight number, departure city, and arrival date in Aruba, along with the name and address of your hotel, resort, or vacation rental. Once submitted, you'll receive a "qualifier" by email — a document with a QR code that airlines check before boarding and that Aruban border control scans on arrival. Save it as an email, screenshot, and printed copy just in case.
Keep in mind: the ED Card cannot be edited once submitted. If your flight details change, you'll need to complete an entirely new form, though you won't be charged the Sustainability Fee twice if you already paid it.
The Aruba Sustainability Fee for Venezuelan Citizens
Most air travelers aged 8 and older must pay a $20 USD Sustainability Fee as part of the ED Card process, fully mandatory since December 6, 2024. This fee is collected by AWSS (Aruba Wastewater Sustainable Solutions) and funds wastewater treatment and broader infrastructure work on the island — so don't be alarmed if your bank statement shows a charge under that name; it's the legitimate fee, not fraud.
You may be exempt from the $20 fee if you are:
- A resident registered with the Aruba Census
- A child under 8 years old
- Arriving and departing Aruba for another destination on the same day
- An airline or ship crew member on official duty
- Returning to Aruba again within the same calendar year, having already paid
- A former Aruban resident studying abroad, within certain conditions
Only Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are accepted — cash is not accepted online or on arrival.
Official vs. Unofficial ED Card Websites
The only official, government-run ED Card portal is edcardaruba.aw. Some third-party websites charge significantly more — sometimes $80 to $100 or more — to complete the same free form on your behalf. There's no legitimate reason to pay that much for a process that costs nothing beyond the $20 government fee (or nothing at all, if you're exempt). Before entering any personal or payment details, double-check that you're on edcardaruba.aw and not a look-alike site.
The Aruba Promise: What Visitors Are Asked to Respect
Separate from the ED Card itself, Aruba asks every visitor to consider themselves a guest of the island rather than just a tourist. This is known as the Aruba Promise, and it reflects the spirit of "Masha Danki" — respect for Aruba's people, land, and marine life.
The promise centers on four commitments:
- Considering your footprint on the island
- Embracing a slower pace
- Being a responsible, respectful guest
- Traveling mindfully so Aruba remains "One Happy Island" for future generations
In practice, this means admiring wildlife from a distance rather than touching or feeding it, packing reef-safe sunscreen, using a reusable water bottle, avoiding single-use plastics (which are banned island-wide), and not removing shells or coral from beaches.
What to Bring at Arrival in Aruba
Before you head to the airport, make sure you have:
- A valid passport for every traveler
- Your ED Card qualifier confirmation (email, screenshot, or printed copy)
- Proof of a return or onward ticket
Travel insurance isn't required, but it's strongly recommended in case of unexpected delays or medical needs during your trip.
More Aruba ED Card Guides by Nationality
- Aruba ED Card for Canadian Citizens
- Aruba ED Card for Colombian Citizens
- Aruba ED Card for Dutch Citizens
- Aruba ED Card for US Citizens
FAQ for Venezuelan Citizens
Is the Aruba ED Card free?
Yes, the form itself is free. Most travelers aged 8 and older will also pay a separate $20 Sustainability Fee as part of the same submission.
Do children need their own ED Card?
Yes. Every traveler, including infants, needs an individual ED Card and their own valid passport — there's no family or group submission.
What is the Aruba Sustainability Fee, and who has to pay it?
It's a $20 USD fee charged to most air travelers aged 8 and older, collected through the ED Card platform to fund wastewater treatment and infrastructure upgrades on the island. Exemptions apply to residents, children under 8, same-day transit visitors, crew members, and a few other categories.
Can Venezuelan Citizens complete the ED Card at the airport?
It's strongly discouraged. Airlines check for a completed ED Card qualifier before allowing boarding, so it should be completed in advance — not left until check-in.
Is the ED Card the same as a visa?
No. The ED Card is a mandatory entry/exit registration required of every traveler, while a visa is only required for certain nationalities. Completing one has no bearing on the other.
Do Venezuelan Citizens need a visa to enter Aruba?
Yes. Venezuelan Citizens have needed a visa to enter Aruba since April 1, 2020, as part of a Caribbean-wide visa requirement introduced by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. If you hold a valid residence permit or multiple-entry visa for the Schengen Area, Overseas France, the UK, Ireland, the US, or Canada, you're generally exempt from needing a separate Aruba visa — otherwise, it needs to be arranged in advance. Because regional travel conditions have shifted quickly at times recently, it's worth confirming the current requirement close to your travel date. Either way, the ED Card is still required on top of whatever visa situation applies to you.