Passport Requirements To St. Thomas

But first, it would be good to talk about why St. Thomas is so popular. For one, it's in the Caribbean. And when you talk about the Caribbean, you talk about some of the finest beaches in the world. St. Thomas is a popular spot among those who love the beach, snorkeling, as well as water sports such as kite boarding and wind surfing.

History Of St. Thomas
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.

U.S. Virgin Islands
Today, St. Thomas is a part of the US territory called the US Virgin Islands. And since this is a US territory, any travel made here by a US citizen from another US territory is considered a domestic travel. And if this profile fits you, then you don't need a passport to visit St. Thomas.

What Will You Need?
But you should remember that you need to present at least one US document that proves your identity before you leave the island. What are these documents? Some of the documents that you can present include your birth certificate, and US government-issued ID, and of course, your passport book or passport card.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
Chances are that somebody told you that you need an American passport to visit St. Thomas even if you're a US citizen. This can be confusing. The confusion likely started when the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was enforced recently. According to the WHTI, you'll need to present a passport book or a passport card when visiting territories including those in the Caribbean. And since St. Thomas is in that area, people assumed that you'll also be required to present your passport there. But St. Thomas is a US territory, and you therefore don't need a US passport to get there.

Passport Card
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.

Head To Paradise!
Now you know that you don't need a new 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 passport application. Also keep in mind to bring any government-issued document with you that proves your citizenship.