Travel & Education Abroad | Russia

St. Thomas is one of the most popular places in the Caribbean. It is an island that forms a part of the US Virgin Islands. Also, this is where the capital of the US Virgin Islands is found, Charlotte Amalie. This island has great beaches and a relaxed atmosphere, making it a popular destination among many American tourists. In this article, we’ll tell you if you need a passport to go to St. Thomas.

Now why is this destination so popular in the first place? The main reason for this, of course, is that it is located in the Caribbean. And if you know your beaches, you’ll know right away that the Caribbean has some of the best beaches anywhere in the world. That’s the reason why many tourists flock to St. Thomas every year especially those who love the beach, as well as water sports such as windsurfing and kite boarding.

St. Thomas is also a great destination for those who love history. For one, St. Thomas is one of the first islands that Christopher Columbus discovered in the late 15th century. St. Thomas eventually became a Danish colony until it was sold to the US in the 20th century.

Now, St. Thomas, being a part of the US Virgin Islands, is a US territory. Because of this, any US citizen who arrives at this destination from another US territory (such as the mainland, Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.) does not need to present any passport. If this describes your situation, then you wouldn’t need to bring a passport with you when you visit St. Thomas.

However, keep in mind that you be required to submit proof of your citizenship before leaving the territory. Because of that, you need to bring with you a document that proves that. You can present any of the following documents: your birth certificate as well as any government-issued ID such as your driver’s license. Of course, you can also present your US passport.

But why do others say you need a US passport to go to St. Thomas even if you’re an American? It’s probably because of the confusion that stemmed from the creation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The WHTI specifies that you need a passport when traveling to WHTI areas. Since WHTI areas include the Caribbean, some people assumed that it also includes the US Virgin Islands. Again, because the Virgin Islands are US territories, you don’t need to present a passport to go there.

However, if you do decide to bring a passport with you, you can simply bring a passport card. If you don’t know what it is, then let’s talk about it here in general. The passport card is a type of passport that you can use in WHTI territories. So why do you need this? First, because the passport card is small. Thus, it is more convenient to bring than your regular passport book. Applying for a passport card is also cheaper than a passport book.

Now you know that you don’t need a United States passport to go to St. Thomas if you’re a US citizen. But also remember that you should come from another US territory for this to apply to you, otherwise you will be required to show your new passport. Also keep in mind to bring any government-issued document with you that proves your citizenship.