Are US citizens still permitted to travel by air between the US and the US Virgin Islands without a passport?

Question

I've been told that passports are required for all travel to the Caribbean, but the State Dept website still says that US citizens may travel without a passport to the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Is this still correct?

Answer 1

You do not need a passport to travel to the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this year from the USA. The reason being they are US possessions. You do need a passport for other caribbean islands.

I believe this ruling will change next year. Best to get your passport now. We use ours even for domestic travel.

Answer 2

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Answer 3

Yes, what you have been told is correct. Here is the direct quote from the US Dept of State website:

"The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. "

Please be sure to carry a photo ID though.

Answer 4

Yes that is true. You can still travel to the US territories without a passport. I live in the Virgin Islands and we are still traveling to and from the US without them. It will take effect in 2008. This is also true for children under the age of 16. They are not required to have passport once they are accompanied by an adult.

Answer 5

Absolutely. Both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are Territories of the U.S. No passport is necessary.

Answer 6

You do not need a passport in the USVI. They like it if you have one. You do need one when moving around from the BVI and the USVI.

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

yep