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What do all of you guys take as forms of id when you go to USVI?
You will need proof of citizenship to leave, so the easiest is a passport. If you don't have one, then you will need a photo ID and birth certificate with a raised seal.
If you intend on going to the BVI, you will need a passport.
So what are you saying, a drivers license is not enough? My hubby thinks that is all he needs.
When you leave the USVI at the airport you must pass through US Customs and Border Patrol - they may ask for proof of citizenship -- then you must pass through Immigration and they will ask for ID and expect you to be able to prove your citizenship - if your husbands drivers license proves his US Citizenship it should work - my license doesn't -- and I am not sure if any state drivers license does. You could check with INS to see what documents other than a Passport or a Birth Certificate with a raised seal they will accept -- a picture Voters Registration maybe?? A TWIC card should work if he has one.
Funny thing about my TWIC - TSA didn't know what it was. How messed up is that?
Right from this website:
Q: Do I need to bring proof of nationality?
A: U.S. citizens are not required to have passports or proof of citizenship when ENTERING the U.S. Virgin Islands from a U.S. airport. All arrivals to the U.S. Virgin Islands from foreign airports are required to show proof of citizenship and pass through customs. All persons leaving the U.S. Virgin Islands, whether American citizens or not, must be prepared to show proof of citizenship upon leaving the islands to return to the mainland.
Q: Do I need a passport? Driver's license alone sufficient? Birth certificate?
A: Accepted documents for Proof of Citizenship for Americans: 1. A passport issued under competent authority, 2. An Alien Registration Card (this applies to United States of America permanent residents only) 3. A certified copy of a birth certificate and government issued photo identification like a driver's license 4. A Certificate of Naturalization, issued by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Q: Do children need travel documents as well?
A: Yes. For small children that do not have any form of photo identification a birth certificate is sufficient or one of the other three options listed above.
Q: I am not an American, what travel documents do I need to visit?
A: Citizens of any country other than the United States should follow U.S. travel regulations and requirements for entry into the United States. If you have any questions call (340)774-4279.
Many people travel back to the US with just a driver's license and with no problem. As soon as the question comes up on any travel forum half a dozen people will attest to that. However, the point is that if you are asked for proof of citizenship (and the sweeps are made quite often and with no notice) and you don't have it, you will be pulled aside for further questioning. Not the most pleasant way to end your vacation so do come prepared.
Q: Do I need to bring proof of nationality?
A: U.S. citizens are not required to have passports or proof of citizenship when ENTERING the U.S. Virgin Islands from a U.S. airport. All arrivals to the U.S. Virgin Islands from foreign airports are required to show proof of citizenship and pass through customs. All persons leaving the U.S. Virgin Islands, whether American citizens or not, must be prepared to show proof of citizenship upon leaving the islands to return to the mainland.
Q: Do I need a passport? Driver's license alone sufficient? Birth certificate?
A: Accepted documents for Proof of Citizenship for Americans: 1. A passport issued under competent authority, 2. An Alien Registration Card (this applies to United States of America permanent residents only) 3. A certified copy of a birth certificate and government issued photo identification like a driver's license 4. A Certificate of Naturalization, issued by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service
We bring our passports.
When we travel to the USVI we take our Drivers License unless we plan to also visit the BVI, then we bring our passports:
From the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Website:
What is required to re-enter the United States?
A passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality is required in order to enter or re-enter the United States.
New Passport Requirements:
As part of U.S. Department of State's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, all travelers are required to present a valid passport or other acceptable document(s) to enter or re-enter the United States (visitors and U.S. residents) from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
See link to the U.S. Department of State for a List of New Requirements for Travelers in the upper right corner of this page under “Related Links.”
Note: This does not affect travel between the United States and its territories. U.S. citizens traveling between the United States and Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa will continue to be able to use established forms of identification.
MsDragon wrote:
A passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality is required... the U.S. Virgin Islands...will continue to be able to use established forms of identification.[/b]
"Established forms of identification" here are a passport OR a raised seal birth certificate AND driver's license.
dntw8up wrote:
[quote=MsDragon]
A passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality is required... the U.S. Virgin Islands...will continue to be able to use established forms of identification.[/b]
"Established forms of identification" here are a passport OR a raised seal birth certificate AND driver's license.
Exactly!
MsDragon,
Your response wasn't unusual in being not quite correct which is why I added in my post of June 23rd:
"Many people travel back to the US with just a driver's license and with no problem. As soon as the question comes up on any travel forum half a dozen people will attest to that. However, the point is that if you are asked for proof of citizenship (and the sweeps are made quite often and with no notice) and you don't have it, you will be pulled aside for further questioning. Not the most pleasant way to end your vacation so do come prepared."
Be prepared!
Furthermore, the additional questioning takes time, and if you miss your flight for insufficient identification, your return ticket may not be honored on a later flight.
So..... I should invest in a passport to make life easier? But I still need my drivers license if I rent a car? Correct?
NY has a new upgraded license/id that is supposed to be for this kind of travel. Do other states as well?
Sleepylove wrote:
So..... I should invest in a passport to make life easier? But I still need my drivers license if I rent a car? Correct?
The one has nothing to do with the other. if you come to the USVI you should be prepared to show proof of citizenship and residency upon departure. See posts above. To rent a vehicle you need a valid stateside driver's license. Hope that helps.
loungestx wrote:
NY has a new upgraded license/id that is supposed to be for this kind of travel. Do other states as well?
We've heard nothing about this and only go by the official guidelines so I guess that would be a no. I doubt this "new" license/id has anything to do with travel but please let us know if something has happened that we don't know about. With bated breath we wait.
loungestx wrote:
here ya go.
http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/edl-main.htm
loungestx - From the link you provided: "...An EDL or ENDID can be used instead of a passport to return to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico and some countries in the Caribbean...An EDL or ENDID is not acceptable for air travel between these countries..."
dntw8up wrote:
[quote=loungestx]
here ya go.
http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/edl-main.htm
loungestx - From the link you provided: "...An EDL or ENDID can be used instead of a passport to return to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico and some countries in the Caribbean...An EDL or ENDID is not acceptable for air travel between these countries..."
I've heard about this loungestx and meant to check it out. Thanks for providing the link.
From the FAQ's on the website:
What countries, territories and islands are considered part of "the Caribbean" under WHTI?
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (includes St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas) are U.S. possessions. In addition, the U.S. State Department site has a list of the 17 countries, territories and islands that are not U.S. possessions but that are also part of "the Caribbean" under WHTI.
The website states that only someone who can prove US citizenship can get an enhanced driver's license. So, logically, it should be acceptable as proof of citizenship and residency when returning to the US mainland from the US Virgin Islands, even if flying, but not if returning from a non-US possession by air. However what is logical is not necessarily what is.
dntw8up, do you think these enhanced driver's licenses will be acceptable when traveling by boat between the USVIs and the BVIs? I'd like to check that out since my John still hasn't gotten his passport. *-)
I took it to mean between the non US countries but ok to renter the US.
I guess a little more investigating is needed.
