If you’ve ever wondered, “Do I need a passport to go to the U.S. Virgin Islands,” you’re not alone. It’s a question we hear often from guests planning a visit. We understand why it’s confusing – after all, the U.S. Virgin Islands aren’t among the 50 states and have history and culture that’s totally unique from their mainland counterpart. Let’s solve this mystery once and for all!
Do I need a passport to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands?
The easy answer is no – if you’re a U.S. citizen. You will need a government-issued photo identification card for your travels, but a passport isn’t required.
The U.S. Virgin Islands (U.S.V.I.) are classified as U.S. territories, just like Puerto Rico and American Samoa. This makes the islands a great vacation destination for U.S. citizens who:
Don’t have a valid passport or have a passport that is expiring within the next few months.
Are traveling with children or infants who don’t have passports yet.
Are planning a destination wedding and want to make sure all their guests can attend.
Don’t want to worry about exchanging currency. We use the American dollar, and many shops and restaurants accept credit cards.
Only speak English. English is our official language, although you may also hear Spanish and Crucian, a type of Virgin Islands Creole.
Don’t want to worry about foreign travel inconveniences like packing adaptors for electronics or quarantining pets upon arrival.
Where Can I Travel in the Virgin Islands Without a Passport?
There are more than 50 islands and cays included the U.S. Virgin Islands. You’ll never run out of places to see, and many of them can be visited on a day trip, using one of our St. Thomas condo and villa rentals as your home base.
The four major U.S. Virgin Islands are:
St. Thomas, home to famous Magens Bay and a wide array of shopping, dining and sightseeing options
St. John, known for world-class snorkeling and home to the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park
St. Croix, filled with historic stone streets and 18th-century buildings
Water Island, known for Honeymoon Beach and fantastic scuba diving
Ready to learn more? Check out our 10 top things to do and see in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Know Before You Go
The British Virgin Islands are just a 20-minute boat ride from U.S.V.I. and can even be seen from some of our St. Thomas villas. Although these islands are right next door, all U.S. visitors must have a valid passport – even for day trips or beach excursions. If snorkeling among the boulders on Virgin Gorda or exploring White Bay is on your bucket list, make sure to pack your passport.
Got Questions?
We’re here to help! Our concierge service is free for Island Luxury guests, and we’re on standby to help you understand passport restrictions, plan the perfect excursion, arrange transportation and make your vacation as relaxing as stress-free as possible. If you have a question that wasn’t answered here, don’t hesitate to reach out. Email us at concierge@islandluxuryvi.com or leave us a message in the comments!