Visa & Entry Requirements
Aruba sets its own entry rules, separate from the Schengen Area. This page sums up what Aruba's immigration authority (DIMAS), the Dutch government and US and UK travel advice say, as checked in October 2026. Confirm your own case with the official sources below.
Visa-free for many passports, with the stay decided on arrival
Ordinary passport holders from the US, Canada, the UK, the Netherlands and EU countries do not need a visa, according to the Dutch government's NetherlandsWorldwide list, but an exemption does not guarantee admission. DIMAS says admission is normally up to 30 days per visit, decided by the immigration officer. Travelers arriving by air also need an approved ED card and pay a US$20 sustainability fee.
Official Sources To Verify Now
Aruba Online ED-Card (Official Portal)
The official portal for the online Embarkation-Disembarkation (ED) card. Travelers arriving by air complete it within the seven days before travel; cruise passengers usually do not need one.
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U.S. State Department: Aruba Travel Information
US guidance for Aruba: no visa for visits of 30 days or less, passport rules, and the contact numbers of the US Consulate General in Curaçao, which serves Aruba.
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UK Government: Aruba Entry Requirements
UK government advice for British citizens: visits of up to 3 months without a visa, and a passport that stays valid for the duration of your stay.
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Visa-Free Entry for Tourism
Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands but is not in the Schengen Area, so it sets its own entry rules. Ordinary passport holders from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and EU countries are on the Dutch government's visa-exempt list. Official sources differ on how long you may stay. DIMAS, Aruba's immigration authority, says admission is normally up to 30 days per visit, with the immigration officer deciding the admitted stay. NetherlandsWorldwide lists 90 days in any 180-day period, or 180 consecutive days in any 365-day period for Dutch and US nationals. UK advice says British citizens can visit for up to 3 months without a visa. For a longer trip, go by the DIMAS rules and the officer's decision rather than the largest published figure.
No visa
For US, Canadian, UK and EU passports
30 days
Normal admission per visit (DIMAS)
ED card
Online, within 7 days before travel
Passport Requirements
- Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay, according to UK travel advice. NetherlandsWorldwide adds that it must have been issued within the previous 10 years. US passport cards are not valid for international air travel.
- A valid return or onward ticket is one of the entry conditions listed by the Aruba Tourism Authority
- Immigration can ask for a valid accommodation reservation in Aruba, and DIMAS says you must be able to show that you are financially solvent
- Aruba requires proof of yellow fever vaccination from travelers arriving from a select group of countries, with published exceptions. The Aruba Tourism Authority lists the countries.
Arrival at Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)
Flights land at Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA), just outside Oranjestad. Travelers arriving by air, including infants and children, need an approved online Embarkation-Disembarkation (ED) card, completed within the seven days before travel at edcardaruba.aw. Visitors arriving by air also pay a US$20 sustainability fee inside the ED process, by credit card only; children under eight are exempt (as listed in October 2026). Cruise passengers usually do not need an ED card.
Documents to carry to the immigration desk at AUA
- A passport valid for your whole stay
- Your return or onward ticket and your accommodation reservation
- Your approved ED card confirmation (air arrivals pay the US$20 fee in the same process)
- Proof that you can pay for your stay, if the officer asks
Extending Your Stay
To stay longer than the period the immigration officer granted on arrival, two rules matter:
Option 1: Extension
Tourist stay extensions are handled by IASA, the Immigration Department, according to DIMAS. Visitors applying to extend beyond 30 days are required to have travel insurance (medical and liability). Apply before your permitted stay expires.
Option 2: Avoid Overstaying
UK travel advice states that it is illegal to overstay in Aruba or to work without a work permit. We could not confirm the penalties from an official source, so ask IASA, the Immigration Department, before your permitted stay runs out.
If Your Nationality Needs a Caribbean Visa
Aruba is covered by the Caribbean visa of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is separate from a Schengen visa. NetherlandsWorldwide lists the nationalities that need one. Travelers who would otherwise need it can be exempt if they hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa or a residence permit for the United States or Canada. Check the conditions on that page before you book flights.
If your nationality is not on the exempt list, start with the NetherlandsWorldwide Caribbean visa pages or the nearest embassy or consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. DIMAS publishes the tourist-stay rules for Aruba itself.
Travel Document Tips
Make Copies
Keep copies of your passport, ED card approval, return ticket and accommodation reservation on your phone and in your email.
Customs Declaration
Cash or securities worth more than AWG 20,000, or the equivalent in another currency, must be reported to Aruba Customs (Douane). For rules on other goods, check with Customs before you travel.
Duty-Free Allowances
Aruba grants travelers arriving from abroad an exemption from import and excise duties on goods for personal use. It does not apply to items intended for other people, so gifts are not covered. Check the current conditions with Aruba Customs (Douane).
Traveling with Minors
US State Department guidance on Aruba says a notarized consent letter is required for a minor traveling without both parents. Carry custody documents if they apply, and check with your airline.
Ready to plan your trip?
Next, read the travel guides for money, language and getting around, or the insurance page for what entry guidance says about cover.