Every person traveling to Aruba — from a business traveler to a newborn infant — must have an approved Aruba ED Card before arrival. The Aruba ED Card for children and infants is mandatory, individual, and must be completed by a parent or guardian. This guide explains exactly how to do it, who pays the $20 sustainability fee, and what passport information you need for your child.
Do Children Need an ED Card for Aruba?
Yes — absolutely. Every traveler entering Aruba by air must have an individual Aruba ED Card regardless of age. This rule applies to all children, from toddlers to teenagers. There are no exceptions based on age for the ED Card requirement itself.
The ED Card is not a visa — it is a pre-arrival registration system that helps Aruba immigration track arrivals, collect the sustainability fee, and issue the “qualifier” (formerly known as the “OK to board” green checkmark). Without an approved ED Card, airlines will not permit boarding for the Aruba-bound flight.
Do Infants Need an ED Card? (Yes, Including Newborns)
Yes. Infants and newborns require their own individual ED Card for Aruba. There is no minimum age threshold. Even a 3-month-old baby must have a separate ED Card submitted by a parent or legal guardian.
This is one of the most commonly misunderstood requirements. Many parents assume that infants travel under a parent’s documentation — but that is not the case for the Aruba ED Card. Every person, regardless of age, needs one.
One key practical point: infants under 8 years old are exempt from the $20 sustainability fee, but the ED Card itself is still required.
Who Fills Out the ED Card for a Child?
A parent or legal guardian fills out the Aruba ED Card on behalf of a child or infant. The person completing the form should:
- Use the child’s own passport information (not the parent’s)
- Use the parent’s or guardian’s email address for submission and receiving the qualifier
- Confirm the child’s accommodation and travel dates (same as the rest of the family)
The ED Card is submitted at edcardaruba.aw — the official Aruba government portal.
Step-by-Step: Completing the ED Card for Your Child
- Visit edcardaruba.aw — the official portal (no third-party sites)
- Enter child’s passport information — full name as it appears on the child’s passport, passport number, nationality, date of birth
- Enter travel details — arrival date, flight number, accommodation address in Aruba
- Use parent’s email — the qualifier confirmation will be sent here
- Pay the $20 sustainability fee — only required for children age 8 and older
- Submit and save the qualifier — screenshot or download the PDF; show at check-in
Complete the ED Card within 7 days of your Aruba arrival date. Submitting too early will result in the form being rejected.
Sustainability Fee for Children: Age 8+ vs Under 8
The sustainability fee structure for children is straightforward:
| Age Group | ED Card Required | $20 Sustainability Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Under 8 years old | ✅ Yes | ❌ Exempt (free) |
| 8 years and older | ✅ Yes | ✅ $20 required |
| Adults (18+) | ✅ Yes | ✅ $20 required |
This fee is collected once per calendar year per person. If your family visits Aruba multiple times in the same calendar year, the sustainability fee is only paid once per individual — though a new ED Card is required for each trip.
Filling Out ED Cards for Multiple Children
Each child requires a separate ED Card submission. There is no family or group form available. If you are traveling with three children, you must complete three individual ED Cards — plus your own and your travel companion’s.
Practical tips for completing multiple ED Cards:
- Use the same email address for all children’s forms — the qualifier for each will be sent to one inbox
- Complete one at a time — the portal does not allow simultaneous submissions
- Label or organize confirmations clearly (e.g., “ED Card — [Child’s Name]”)
- Start with adults, then complete children’s forms using the same accommodation details
What Information Do You Need for a Child’s ED Card?
Before starting, gather the following for each child:
| Information Required | Source |
|---|---|
| Full legal name | Child’s passport |
| Passport number | Child’s passport |
| Nationality | Child’s passport |
| Date of birth | Child’s passport |
| Arrival date and flight number | Your booking confirmation |
| Accommodation address in Aruba | Hotel or rental booking |
| Email address | Parent’s or guardian’s email |
Note: children traveling internationally must have their own valid passport. A child cannot travel on a parent’s passport for international travel to Aruba.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do babies and infants need an ED card for Aruba?
Yes. Every person including newborns requires an individual Aruba ED Card. There is no minimum age for the requirement.
Who completes the ED card for a child?
A parent or legal guardian fills out the ED card using the child’s own passport information — not the parent’s details.
Does my 2-year-old need to pay the $20 sustainability fee?
No. Children under 8 years old are exempt from the $20 sustainability fee, though the ED card itself is still required.
Does my 10-year-old need to pay the $20 fee?
Yes. Children 8 years and older must pay the $20 sustainability fee, just like adults.
Can I use my email address for my child’s ED card?
Yes. A parent’s email address is perfectly fine for the child’s ED card submission. The qualifier confirmation will be sent there.
Can I fill out ED cards for all my children at once?
No. Each child requires a separate submission on edcardaruba.aw. Submit them one at a time.
What passport information do I need for my child’s ED card?
You need the child’s full legal name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth from the child’s own passport.
Do children go through immigration separately in Aruba?
Families proceed together through Aruba immigration, but each person — including children — must have their own approved ED card.