Can i travel to the virgin islands without a passport

The USVI (U.S. Virgin Islands) are a U.S. territory, so U.S. citizens do not need a passport to visit, and this applies to every island in the territory (St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix.)

Traveling to a U.S. territory from your home in the United States is exactly the same as driving from Portland to Seattle, or flying from New York City to Boston. As it's a U.S. territory, it's the United States, so you don't need a passport to enter. It's worth noting that while you're within the U.S. Virgin Islands, you're still within the United States' legal jurisdiction.

What Identification Is Needed in Order to Visit?

While you don't need a passport, you do require a form of identification, and you may wish to have a birth certificate to prove citizenship, as well. The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol says the following about documentation needed for travel to and from the U.S. Virgin Islands:

"Although U.S. citizens are not required to present a passport upon departure from the U.S. territories, travelers are encouraged to travel with a passport or other proof of citizenship, as they will be asked questions about citizenship and any goods they will be bringing to the U.S. mainland upon their departure from U.S. territories."

You don't need to apply for a passport in order to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands, but it's probably easiest to take yours if you do have one. If not, take your driving license (and/or your birth certificate if you wish), and you'll be all good to go. 

Are There Any Exceptions?

Be careful with flight routings. If you're not going to be traveling with a passport, make sure that you buy a direct flight to the U.S. Virgin Islands or one that only passes through the U.S. or U.S. territories on a layover. If you were to buy a flight with a stopover in say, Costa Rica, you'll need to have your passport, as this would count as traveling internationally. In this case, you wouldn't be allowed to board the plane if you couldn't show your passport. 

Likewise, on your way home, if you were to book a flight that would stop over in Bermuda or Mexico (or any other international country), you would need to have a passport in order to board that flight. 

Who Needs a Passport to Visit the U.S. Virgin Islands? 

If you're from outside of the U.S., you'll want to make sure you've applied for a U.S. visa or ESTA before you book your flights. Keep in mind that you may have to also show an onward ticket (not a return ticket) to prove that you won't be staying in the country for longer than you are permitted.

What Else Is a U.S. Territory? 

You may be surprised to discover that there are many U.S. territories throughout the world, however, you will require a passport to visit some of them as a U.S. citizen.

The five major U.S. territories include: Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the North Mariana Islands

These islands are quite beautiful and a popular spot for tourists and visitors, particularly those from the U.S.

So, do you need a passport to go to the U.S. Virgin Islands?

This depends on where you live and your citizenship status.

For instance, if you are a citizen of the U.S, then you do not require a passport to make your way to these islands, particularly if you simply want to go there for the sake of traveling or visiting.

If, however, you are a non-citizen of the U.S, you will require a passport to the US Virgin Islands.

There are also several other documents and details that you will need to carry with you and provide.

You can go through all the essential details in this guide to get a clearer idea of what to expect.

Documentation Required for US Citizens

As a U.S. citizen, you can easily travel to the US Virgin Islands without a passport.

Just as you would travel between the different states in the country, so can you travel from a state in the country to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

However, this does not exempt you from not showing any kind of documentation at all.

You will still need to fill up some forms or provide details about your flight while also offering documents like a government-issued photo identity card.

This can help prove your identity and can also provide evidence about your citizenship in the country.

However, you should note that if you have a layover or stop in between in another country or territory, then you will definitely need to carry your passport.

It is only in the case of direct flights from the U.S. to the islands that you will not need your passport.

Despite this, it can help to have your passport handy just in case you require it for some kind of emergency or crisis.

Then, do kids need a passport to go to the US Virgin Islands?

The policy here is the same—kids who are U.S. citizens do not require a passport to travel to the islands.

Related: Family Resorts in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Also See:
Do You Need a Passport to Go to Key West?
Do You Need a Passport to Go to Hawaii?

Photo I.D.

The main document that you will need to provide when it comes to your flight between the U.S. and the U.S. Virgin Islands is a government-issued photo identity card.

You will need this identity card at all stages, whether you want to book your ticket, get through the check-in process or go through the arrivals procedures once you land on the islands.

This kind of photo I.D. can be your driver’s license, your passport card, your passport itself, your social security card or any other official card or document.

Providing these can be a good way to provide proof of your citizenship.

Another option that you can (and might need to) carry is your raised-seal birth certificate.

There are several other documents that you will also need, such as your boarding pass, ticket and other additionally mentioned documents.

If you have kids traveling with you, make sure you carry all their essential documents as well.

Also See:
Do You Need a Passport for Domestic Flights?
Do You Need a Passport to Go to Puerto Rico?

Documentation for Non-Citizens

If you are a non-citizen of the United States, can you fly to the US Virgin Islands without a passport?

No, you cannot.

You will need a passport, in this case, to help you travel to the islands.

This is quite similar to actually traveling to the United States.

Since you are not a citizen, make sure you have a passport from your country or the relevant U.S. passport if you are a permanent resident instead of a citizen.

Also See:
Do You Need a Passport to Go to Turks and Caicos?
Do You Need a Passport to Go to the Dominican Republic?

Make sure you go to the nearest passport office to help you get a passport and visa for yourself so that you can travel in a hassle-free manner.

You will need to submit all the essential documents such as an application, your government-issued identity, your photos, your fees and more so that the passport office can process your application and send your passport over to you.

If you already have a passport in place, make sure all the details are accurate and that the validity is long enough or else you might need to renew it.

Make sure you begin the process of applying for your passport well in advance so that you can ensure that you have enough time in case something goes wrong or if there are any delays.

Once you receive your passport, you can go ahead and start planning.

Also See:
Do You Need a Passport to Go to Aruba?
Do You Need a Passport to Go to the Bahamas?

Do I Need A Passport to Travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands?

The U.S. Virgin Islands have St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas as the primary islands along with nearly 50 minor islands that you can visit.

The islands also have a deep and great history and culture that can be interesting for you to explore if you visit the place.

The numerous activities to carry out along with the beautiful landscapes make these islands highly popular for tourists from the U.S. as well as other parts of the world.

You can travel to the islands by air or by sea.

In either case, to sum things up, do you need a passport to go to the US Virgin Islands?

As a U.S. citizen, you do not need any passport but only require a photo I.D. or proof of your citizenship.

Can I travel to U.S. Virgin Islands with driver's license?

What documents do I need to travel to U.S. Virgin Islands?

What Caribbean islands can you go to without a passport?

Where can U.S. citizens travel without a passport?