A passport card cannot be used for air travel, only for sea travel. So, yes, you could use a passport card to travel between the USVI and BVI by sea but a passport card cannot be used as a document to establish your citizenship if you're asked to provide that upon your departure from the USVI to the mainland. In order to satisfy both requirements you'd be much better off to get a regular passport.

I contacted the National Passport Information Center and this is what they said:

Thank you for contacting the National Passport Information Center.

Valid US Passport cards will be accepted in place of the passport book at land and sea points of entry between the United States and Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Passport cards are NOT accepted for air travel.

Also, contacted the charter company out of St Thomas and they said the passport card would work fine!

Sure does save a lot of money 🙂

Just remember, though, that when you leave the USVI to return to the mainland by air you MAY be asked to prove your identity and citizenship. A regular passport effects both. If you don't have a passport you need a government-issued photographic ID such as a state driver's license to prove ID AND a copy of your birth certificate to prove citizenship. Most visitors pass through Immigration without being asked for anything, some are asked to show only a driver's license but sudden "swoops" are conducted with regularity so it's best to be prepared. A passport card isn't valid for air travel period. Enjoy a wonderful visit.

Oh okay..I see what you are saying now 🙂 Thanks!

STT Resident wrote:
Most visitors pass through Immigration without being asked for anything, some are asked to show only a driver's license but sudden "swoops" are conducted with regularity so it's best to be prepared.

Hey STTRes - I've noticed you respond this way frequently, but I travel quite a bit to the states and am always asked for my passport (or government issued photo ID and original birth certificate) by ICE. Years ago they rarely seemed to care, but for the past half dozen years it has happened every time.

dntw8up wrote:
[quote=STT Resident]
Most visitors pass through Immigration without being asked for anything, some are asked to show only a driver's license but sudden "swoops" are conducted with regularity so it's best to be prepared.

Hey STTRes - I've noticed you respond this way frequently, but I travel quite a bit to the states and am always asked for my passport (or government issued photo ID and original birth certificate) by ICE. Years ago they rarely seemed to care, but for the past half dozen years it has happened every time.

I tell you, girl, they have we longtime residents pegged for true. Back in the day when I used to leave island for trips either stateside or to Europe there was never a problem. Good grief, the last time I tried to leave they put me out on the runway and turned on those heavy duty hoses they use to clean off the 'planes. I tell you, that was one stinging experience. One short blast and I was prostrated on the tarmac begging those evil people for mercy.

They let me go but only because, in the heat of the moment, I threw out a few local names.

But, no kidding, best to err on the side of caution when advising visitors. Cheers!

I completely agree with both of you, when I planed my trip to STT that is the first question that I asked if I need passport or not, since I just got my citizenship I havent applied for passport yet. Thankfully husband have passport and I have my proof of citizenship that I brought with me, and little that I know that most of the people that were in line was asked for their passport, I think the custom changed and maybe because we were there on low season, hence i dont know.

I have used a passport card several times for exit from USVI to the mainland. ICE has never had an issue with it.

RussDavis wrote:
I have used a passport card several times for exit from USVI to the mainland. ICE has never had an issue with it.

Because passports aren't yet required of US citizens to return to the mainland from the USVI and they're accepting it as one of the proofs they require on the occasions when they ask for anything at all. Try to use it to go by air to a foreign destination and it won't be accepted.