Watching the snow fly outside your Wisconsin window in January causes one to wonder “do you need a passport to visit the US Virgin Islands?” It seems logical that I would need a passport since I needed one when I visited Jamaica, but the US Virgin Islands have “US” in their name so maybe not. I decided to find out.
Do you need a passport to visit the US Virgin Islands? US Citizens do not need a passport to visit the US Virgin Islands. The US Virgin Islands are a US territory so the same travel rules that apply to travel on the US mainland also apply to the islands.
Do you need a passport to visit the US Virgin Islands?
Since the US Virgin Islands are a US territory, US citizens do not need a passport to visit.
Traveling to these islands is nearly identical to traveling anywhere else within the US. Whether you’re flying from a US city to another US city or US territory, you just need valid identification to board the airplane.
I don’t need a passport to visit the US Virgin Islands, so what documents do I need?
US Citizens need a valid photo identification to travel to the US Virgin Islands. The most common form is a state-issued driver’s license or state-issued ID.
According to the TSA , below are valid forms of government-issued identification:
- Driver’s licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
- Passport Card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- DHS-designated enhanced driver’s license
- Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation worker identification credential
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Be sure that your ID is valid, meaning it’s not expired or doesn’t expire while traveling
What if I’m not a US Citizen?
If you’re not a US Citizen you DO need a valid passport, issued by your country of origin, to visit the islands.
Getting to the US Virgin Islands
You can either fly, take a cruise or a ferry to the US Virgin Islands.
Fly to the US Virgin Islands
There are 2 main airports on the islands: Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in Christiansted on the island of St. Croix and Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas.
Both airports accept international flights, flights from mainland US and service to other islands (island hopping).
Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix
Domestic Airlines that fly to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
Inter-Island and Caribbean Airlines that fly to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport
- Air Sunshine
- Cape Air
- Coastal Air Transport
- Island Airline
- Sea Flight VI
- Seaborne Airlines
- Vieques Air Link
Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas
Domestic Airlines that fly to Cyril E. King Airport
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- JetBlue
- Spirit Airlines
- United Airlines
Inter-Island and Caribbean Airlines that fly to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport
- Air Sunshine
- Bohlke International Airways
- Cape Air
- Leeward Islands Airways
- Sea Flight VI
- Seaborne Airlines
- Sun Country Airlines
Cruise to the US Virgin Islands
The US Virgin Islands are a very popular port of call for cruise ships. The following islands currently have ports of call that cruise lines regularly visit:
- St. Croix
- St. Thomas
- St. John
Take a Ferry to and between the US Virgin Islands
You can travel from one US Virgin Island to another via ferry. The following passenger ferry routes are available:
- St. Thomas to St. John
- St. Croix to St. Thomas
- St. Thomas to Water Island
You can also travel between the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands. For this travel, you need a valid passport.
- St. Thomas to Tortola
- St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda
- St. Thomas/St. John to Jost Van Dyke
- St. Thomas/St. John to Anegada
What else should I be aware of when traveling to the US Virgin Islands?
Once you’re on the US Virgin Islands, you may decide to travel to another Caribbean Island. If traveling to another US territory like Puerto Rico or to the Florida Keys, you are golden – no passport is needed.
However, if you plan to visit one of the non-US islands, you will need a passport to gain entry to that island. This is true regardless of how you travel to the non-US islands including by ferry, cruise ship or small charter airplane.
For example, if you travel from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, you don’t need a passport. If you travel from St. Thomas to Jamaica, you do need a passport.
What is a US territory and how’s it different than a US state?
There are 14 US territories but only two located in the Caribbean – the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
The US Virgin Islands are “unincorporated organized territory” which means the US constitution is only partially applied and the territory has been granted jurisdiction by the US Congress to govern its own affairs.
Anyone born in the US territories is a US citizen (with the exception of American Samoa).
Interesting fact: the citizens of the US Virgin Islands are not eligible to vote in the US presidential elections.
Why should you travel to the US Virgin Island?
- Escape the northern climate
- Partake in fun activities
- Relax
- Because it’s easy!
1. Escape the Northern Climate
The warm, tropical climate is enough to get me to the islands! On average, temperatures range between 70-88 throughout the year with the hottest months being July & August and coolest month January.
Of course, you’ll want to plan your trip carefully especially if you want to avoid the rainy and/or hurricane seasons.
Rainiest month: November
The US Virgin Islands share the same official hurricane season as most islands in the Caribbean – June 1 – November 30
2. Partake in fun Activities
Being surrounded by the Caribbean sea, the islands are perfect for water activities including sailing, parasailing, windsurfing, kayaking, swimming, and a lot more.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are especially spectacular. You can expect to see octopus, seahorses, sea turtles, frogfish, and batfish. The islands boast over 60 dive sites to explore coral reefs, mangroves and even the remains of several sunken navy barges.
If water isn’t your thing, hike the national park trails or take a jeep off-road, zip-line or horseback ride.
3. Relax
If you’re like me, you appreciate the simpler more relaxing activities such as just beaching it or taking a catamaran cruise.
4. easy Travel
Since the US Virgin Islands are part of the US, travel is easy breezy! You don’t need a passport, which saves time and money if you don’t have one, and you can skip customs and all the other international hassle that goes with it.
Where else can I go in the Caribbean without a passport?
You can also visit Puerto Rico (another US territory in the Caribbean) without a passport
And of course, don’t forget the Florida Keys. I love the Florida Keys. It’s US mainland’s little Caribbean treasure. Super close, easy travel, and every bit Caribbean.
Although technically, I’m told the keys are not in the Caribbean, but I think they are. I can’t tell the difference. There are gorgeous beaches, fabulous weather and laid back island life so …. yay, they’re in the Caribbean!
