Is The Journey From The United States To The United States Domestic Virgin Islands?

Effective May 31, Governor Albert Bryan’s Executive Order abolished the requirement for all domestic travelers to complete the USVI Travel Screening Portal. This change applies to all U.S. citizens traveling from the U.S. mainland and other U.S. Territories, including the Virgin Islands. However, returning from the U.S. Virgin Islands is a challenge, as it requires passing through immigration before boarding the plane.

Persons who have been fully vaccinated in the U.S. Virgin Islands may submit evidence of their vaccination status instead of a negative COVID-19 test result. All domestic and international travelers are no longer required to complete the USVI Travel Screening Portal or present an approved green QR code to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands. International travelers aged 18 and up traveling by air or sea must submit proof of vaccination and a negative antigen or NAAT. Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter the U.S. Virgin Islands without restrictions.

When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel, including online check-in. No passport is required for U.S. citizens arriving, and the rules applying to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are the same as domestic travel.

There are only two ways to get to the Virgin Islands: by air or by sea. Travel by air to US territories is considered domestic travel, unless the flight makes a stop in another country on the way there or if flying to Hawaii from any of the 49 states is considered domestic travel and does not require a passport.

Is travel to St. Thomas considered international?

St. Croix and St. Thomas are considered international travel by Americans, as they are legally considered American overseas territory. Travel to these islands is similar to domestic US travel, except for US Customs. St. Croix is safe, with violent incidents being rare. St. Thomas is safe compared to other Caribbean islands and major US cities, as it is a US territory, and the same laws apply as anywhere in the US.

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

U. S. citizens are not required to have passports for travel to St. Croix, but must show proof of citizenship upon leaving the territory. Citizens of countries other than the U. S. should follow U. S. travel regulations, while those entering from the U. S. or Puerto Rico do not need a passport. Health certificates are not required for U. S. or Puerto Rican citizens entering St. Croix. The Department of Health has issued current official Covid-19 travel restrictions for U. S. Virgin Islands citizens.

Can a non US citizen fly to the U.S. Virgin Islands?

If you are not a U. S. citizen, a passport issued by your country of origin is required for travel to the U. S. Virgin Islands. If you are unsure of your status, contact the U. S. Customs and Border Protection agency. A passport serves as the best identification when traveling, but you must show proof of citizenship when departing the islands, such as a raised-seal birth certificate and government-issued photo ID.

How do you travel to the Virgin Islands from the US?

St. John and Water Island do not have airports, but the nearest airport is on St. Thomas. To visit these islands from the US mainland, one must fly to St. Thomas, take a taxi to the ferry terminal, and take an inter-island ferry to the final destination. Regular, reliable, and inexpensive ferry service is available to both islands from St. Thomas. St. Thomas is a popular cruise ship destination, and St. Croix also accommodates cruise ships. Many cruises require flying to Puerto Rico to board the ship, and some itineraries begin on the mainland, primarily in Miami, Florida.

Is St. Thomas a domestic or international flight?

The U. S. Virgin Islands offer conveniences like online check-in for U. S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U. S. mainland. However, non-U. S. citizens must have a passport upon departure for entry from any foreign destination. The entry requirements for non-U. S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Passenger ferries for the islands include St. Thomas – St. John St. Croix – St. Thomas St. Croix – St. John St. Thomas – Water Island.

What islands are considered domestic?

The U. S. has five permanently inhabited territories: Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands in the North Pacific Ocean, and American Samoa in the South Pacific Ocean. These territories have a combined population of about 3. 62 million, with over 90% accounted for by Puerto Rico alone.

People born in Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands acquire U. S. citizenship by birth, while foreign nationals residing there may apply for U. S. citizenship by naturalization. People born in American Samoa acquire U. S. nationality but not U. S. citizenship by birth if they do not have a U. S. citizen parent.

U. S. nationals without U. S. citizenship may hold U. S. passports and reside in any part of the United States without restriction. However, they must apply for naturalization, like foreigners, while residing in parts of the United States other than American Samoa.

Each territory is self-governing with three branches of government: a locally elected governor and a territorial legislature. Each territory elects a non-voting member to the U. S. House of Representatives, can introduce legislation, have floor privileges, be members of committees, and may nominate constituents to Army, Naval, Air Force, and Merchant Marine academies.

Is travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands considered domestic travel?

The US Virgin Islands (USVI) and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) have similar rules for US citizens and lawful permanent residents. A government-issued photo ID, like a driver’s license, is sufficient for entry. However, a valid passport is required for the British Virgin Islands. International travelers must also follow the same rules and customs, possibly requiring a US visa or Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) depending on their nationality.

St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Puerto Rico, and the Spanish Virgin Islands Culebra and Vieques are also part of the USVI, and US citizens traveling directly from a US location do not need a passport.

Are the U.S. Virgin Islands part of the US?

The U. S. Virgin Islands (USVI) are an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States, with its own local government and not all of the U. S. Constitution applying to its inhabitants. The Arawak people were the first to settle on the islands around 1000, traveling from South America. In the 15th century, the Caribs invaded the islands, and Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493. The Caribs fought off the explorers for over 60 years, but in 1555, the Spanish king sent forces to kill the natives and claim the territory.

European settlers arrived, forcing enslaved people from Africa to come. Over the next hundred years, countries like Spain, France, Britain, Denmark, and the Netherlands fought over ownership, eventually taking control of the islands in 1754 and renaming them the Danish West Indian Islands.

Is flying to U.S. Virgin Islands domestic?

The US Virgin Islands (USVI) and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) have similar rules for US citizens and lawful permanent residents. A government-issued photo ID, like a driver’s license, is sufficient for entry. However, a valid passport is required for the British Virgin Islands. International travelers must also follow the same rules and customs, possibly requiring a US visa or Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) depending on their nationality.

St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Puerto Rico, and the Spanish Virgin Islands Culebra and Vieques are also part of the USVI, and US citizens traveling directly from a US location do not need a passport.

Can you travel from and to the U.S. Virgin Islands to the US without a passport?

Passports are not required for U. S. citizens to travel to the United States Virgin Islands, but they must show proof of citizenship upon leaving the territory, such as a government-issued photo ID or passport. Citizens of countries other than the U. S. should follow U. S. travel regulations. U. S. citizens can use a raised-seal birth certificate and a valid government-issued ID card to enter the U. S. Virgin Islands, but may be required to show proof of citizenship when departing St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John.

Do you go through customs from US to St. Thomas?

The US Virgin Islands are part of the United States, but they are outside of the customs territory, so they must pass through and answer quick questions. Agents will ask about souvenirs, value, fruits, vegetables, alcohol, tobacco, and where you are heading. Families or groups living in the same household can go to the agent together. A passport is not required for Customs or visiting the US Virgin Islands, but a driver’s license or state ID is acceptable. For families with small children, a copy of their child’s birth certificate is required.

Global Entry is available in St. Thomas, with two separate lanes on the right and left. To use Global Entry, you must have your physical card with you, lift up the belt, and enter the Customs area. Families with small children can bring a copy of their child’s birth certificate.