When you complete the Aruba ED Card, you receive a qualifier — the official approval document that allows you to board your flight to Aruba. As of October 30, 2024, the qualifier replaced the old “OK to board” green checkmark from the previous portal. This guide explains what the qualifier is, how to get it, and exactly what to show at the airport.
What Is the Aruba ED Card “Qualifier”?
The qualifier is your boarding approval confirmation issued after your Aruba ED Card is processed and approved. It proves that you have completed the mandatory pre-arrival registration, paid the $20 sustainability fee (if applicable), and are cleared to travel to Aruba.
Airlines are required to verify your qualifier before allowing you to board a flight to Aruba. Without it, you will be denied boarding — regardless of having a valid passport, ticket, and visa (if required).
The qualifier is issued through the official portal at edcardaruba.aw.
How the Qualifier Replaced the “OK to Board” Green Checkmark
Before October 30, 2024, travelers completing the Aruba ED Card on the old portal (ariba.gov) received an “OK to board” green checkmark — a visual confirmation displayed on screen and emailed to the traveler.
On October 30, 2024, Aruba launched a new ED Card portal at edcardaruba.aw, replacing the old ariba.gov system. With the new portal came the new terminology: “qualifier” instead of “OK to board.”
| Feature | Old System (pre-Oct 2024) | New System (Oct 2024+) |
|---|---|---|
| Portal URL | ariba.gov | edcardaruba.aw |
| Approval name | “OK to board” green checkmark | “Qualifier” |
| Delivery method | Email + on-screen display | Email + downloadable from portal |
| Format | Green checkmark visual | Document/PDF with qualifier details |
If you have an old “OK to board” document from travel prior to October 2024, it was valid at the time. For any future trip, you must use the new portal and obtain a qualifier.
How to Download or Save Your Qualifier
After completing your ED Card at edcardaruba.aw, your qualifier is delivered in two ways:
- By email — an email is sent to the address you provided during registration. It contains a link to access and download your qualifier.
- On the portal — after submission, you can log back into edcardaruba.aw with your passport number and email to access and re-download your qualifier at any time.
To save your qualifier for offline access (recommended):
- Open the qualifier in your browser and save or print as PDF
- Take a screenshot of the qualifier page
- Save the email with the qualifier to your phone for easy access at the airport
What to Show at the Airport: Qualifier Guide
At airline check-in for your Aruba-bound flight, the agent will ask for your qualifier. Here is what is accepted:
- Digital qualifier on your phone screen — fully accepted; no need to print
- PDF saved to your device — works even without internet access
- Printed paper copy — always works; good backup
- Confirmation email — the email from edcardaruba.aw showing qualifier approval is sufficient
The agent does a visual check of your qualifier — they look for the approval status and match it with your passport details. There is no QR code scan in most cases; it is a document review.
At Aruba immigration upon arrival, you may also be asked to present your qualifier. Have it accessible on your device or as a printout.
What If You Didn’t Receive Your Qualifier Email?
If your qualifier email did not arrive after completing the ED Card, follow these steps:
- Check your spam/junk folder — confirmation emails frequently end up there
- Log back into edcardaruba.aw — access your application using your passport number and the email address you registered with
- Re-download the qualifier from the portal — it is accessible at any time after approval
- Contact support via edcardaruba.aw if you cannot access your qualifier — allow several hours before your flight for resolution
Do not submit a new ED Card just because the email is missing. Your application is likely approved — simply access it via the portal.
Is an Old “OK to Board” Still Valid?
No, for future travel. The old “OK to board” was valid for the specific trip it was issued for, under the old ariba.gov system. For any new trip to Aruba after October 30, 2024, you must complete a new ED Card on edcardaruba.aw and obtain a current qualifier.
ED Cards are travel-specific — one card, one trip. Each visit to Aruba requires a fresh application and a new qualifier, regardless of how recently you last traveled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the qualifier on the Aruba ED card?
The qualifier is the boarding approval confirmation issued after your Aruba ED card is approved. It replaced the old “OK to board” green checkmark in October 2024.
How do I get my qualifier after completing the ED card?
Your qualifier is sent by email after approval and is also downloadable from the edcardaruba.aw portal using your passport number and email.
Do I need to print the qualifier?
No. Showing the qualifier digitally on your phone screen is fully accepted. Printing is recommended as a backup only.
What if I lost my qualifier email?
Log back into edcardaruba.aw with your passport number and email to re-download your qualifier at any time.
What did the old “OK to board” green checkmark look like?
It was a green checkmark displayed on the old ariba.gov portal. It has been replaced by the qualifier on edcardaruba.aw since October 30, 2024.
How do airlines verify my qualifier?
The check-in agent reviews your qualifier document — a visual check matching your name and approval status to your passport.
Does the qualifier expire?
The qualifier is valid for your specific travel date. For any future trip, you need a new ED card and a new qualifier.
What if my qualifier shows “pending”?
Allow a few minutes to hours for processing. If still pending 24 hours before your flight, contact support via edcardaruba.aw.