Want to Order Aruba Passport? Get Help to Apply It Now!

Alright, folks, let me tell you about my little adventure getting an Aruba passport. It wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, but it wasn’t rocket science either. I wanted to go to Aruba, so I started to prepare for it.

Figuring Out the Basics

First things first, I dug around online to see what the deal was with Aruban passports. Turns out, if you’re already a Dutch citizen, you’re kind of in luck because Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. So, technically, it’s a Dutch passport but for Aruba. I checked a few websites, and they all said the same thing: your passport needs to be valid for your entire trip. Easy enough, right? Or so I thought.

Gathering My Documents

Next up, I had to gather all my documents. This was probably the most tedious part. I needed my current passport, which thankfully was still good for another year. I also needed to fill out this Embarkation and Disembarkation card online. It’s basically a form where you tell them when you’re coming and going. I filled that out, no problem, and printed it just in case.

The Waiting Game

Now, here’s where things got a bit interesting. I found out that as of December 18, 2023, processing times for passports had changed. Routine service was supposed to take 6-8 weeks, and expedited service was 2-3 weeks but cost an extra 60 bucks. I opted for the routine service because I wasn’t in a huge rush. I submitted everything and then… I waited. And waited. It felt like forever, but it actually took about seven weeks, which was within the estimated time.

Passport in Hand

Finally, the day came when my new passport arrived in the mail. It was such a relief! I double-checked all the details, and everything looked good. Now, I was officially ready to go to Aruba. I booked my flight and started packing. I made sure to pack my passport, of course, along with a few other essentials.

AHOP Program

Then I heard about this new AHOP program starting in 2024, which lets you use a digitized passport to get into Aruba faster. It sounded pretty cool, but I decided to stick with my physical passport just to be safe. I figured it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it, especially with airline policies and stuff.

Touchdown in Aruba

The day of my trip arrived, and I was so excited. I got to the airport, checked in, and boarded the plane. When I landed in Aruba, I went through immigration, and guess what? They barely even looked at my passport! I guess they just scanned it and waved me through. It was all so smooth and easy.

Reflections

Looking back, getting an Aruba passport was a bit of a process, but it was definitely worth it. If you’re planning to go, just make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get your passport sorted out. And don’t forget to fill out that ED card online. Trust me, it’ll save you a headache later. Overall, it was a good experience, and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. Aruba, here I come!