General Policy
The Aruban Sustainability Fee is required for all non-residents entering Aruba and must be paid as part of completing the Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) Card. As a general rule, this fee is non-refundable. Once paid, it will not be reimbursed, even if travel plans change, the trip is canceled, or the QR code issued via the ED Card is not used for entry.

Travelers should complete their ED Card as early as possible. If any changes are made to the flight itinerary after submission, a new ED Card must be filled out. However, the system will recognize the passport number and will not require a second payment if the fee has already been paid.
If a traveler obtains a new passport, the system will no longer recognize their previous payment, and a new payment will be required when completing the ED Card with the new passport information.

Refunds Due to Technical Issues
Refunds will only be considered in very limited cases involving verified technical problems. These include duplicate charges or situations where a traveler qualified for an exemption but was unable to apply or be recognized due to a system malfunction, provided all documentation was valid at the time of entry.

No refund will be issued if incorrect or incomplete information was provided during the ED Card application. Refund requests must be submitted within 60 calendar days of the travel date and can only be processed to the same credit card used for the original payment.

Transitional Period and Platform Rollout
Between July 1, 2024 and December 6, 2024, payment of the Sustainability Fee was technically mandatory but was not strictly enforced due to a phased system rollout. During this time, some travelers were manually processed without payment.

As of December 6, 2024, the Sustainability Fee became fully mandatory for all travelers, except for minor children under the age of eight (8). Exempt individuals, such as repeat travelers, native students and medical visitors, were instructed to pay the fee and request a refund afterward by submitting valid documentation to info@awss.aw.

Starting on July 7, 2025, AWSS will begin implementing automatic exemptions through a phased rollout. The first exemption group to be recognized automatically will be travelers who return to Aruba within one year of their previous entry. Their passport numbers will be recognized by the system, and the fee will be waived during ED Card processing.

Exemptions from the Sustainability Fee
The following travelers are exempt from paying the fee:
– Residents of Aruba
– Children under the age of eight
– Transit passengers who remain in Aruba less than 24 hours under a transport agreement
– Passengers returning to Aruba under a transport agreement within one year
– Crew members of aircraft or vessels entering Aruba on duty
– Repeat travelers re-entering Aruba within one year of their last visit

Important: All exemptions are linked to the traveler’s passport number.

Medical Visitors from the Dutch Kingdom
While medical travelers are not exempt by law, AWSS will grant refunds to medical visitors from the Netherlands, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius if valid documentation is submitted. Required proof includes an official letter from a health insurance provider confirming the medical purpose of the trip. Other acceptable documents may include a referral from a licensed doctor, a confirmation of an appointment at a medical institution in Aruba, a travel authorization letter from a healthcare insurer (such as SVB, ZVK, or Zorginstituut), or a hospital admission or outpatient registration document.

All refund requests must be submitted after entry and must include both proof of payment and supporting documentation. AWSS reserves the right to verify all documents before granting approval.

Native Students Living Abroad for Study Purposes
Native Aruban students living abroad for educational purposes may apply for an exemption from the Sustainability Fee. Eligible students are defined as individuals who were registered as residents of Aruba within the eight years prior to their most recent departure and who are currently enrolled in recognized educational institutions abroad.

To apply, students must contact info@awss.aw to be included in the official exemption database. Once registered, their passport numbers will be linked to the exemption and the fee will be automatically waived during ED Card processing.

Only students enrolled in accredited universities, colleges, vocational schools (MBO/HBO), or postgraduate/specialized programs qualify. Required documentation includes a copy of the student’s passport, a recent extract from the Aruba population registry (uittreksel bevolkingsregister), and at least two of the following:
– Proof of enrollment for the current academic year
– A valid student ID with the academic year visible
– A recent tuition invoice or payment receipt
– A transcript showing completed coursework or credits
– A signed statement from the educational institution confirming active enrollment

Students already living abroad must authorize someone in Aruba to collect the registration extract from Censo Aruba on their behalf. Once approved, the exemption is valid for four (4) years. If the student receives a new passport, they must reapply and resubmit all documentation. After the four-year period, students must submit a new application to maintain their exemption.

Students who fail to register in the exemption system before entry are not eligible for a refund, even if they otherwise meet the criteria.

Key Takeaway
The Aruban Sustainability Fee is non-refundable for most travelers. Refunds are only possible under verified technical circumstances or if the traveler qualifies under an exemption and was unable to claim it due to system issues. All exempt travelers must register in advance or follow official refund procedures with full supporting documentation.