St. Thomas is an island that is a part of the US Virgin Islands. This island, found in the Caribbean, is where you will find the capital of the territory, Charlotte Amalie. St. Thomas, along with the other islands in the US Virgin Islands, is popular among American tourists because of its beaches and its rich history. Now if you’re planning to visit this destination, let us show 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.
Then there’s also St. Thomas’ rich history. If you’re a history buff, you’ll likely be excited to visit St. Thomas when you find out that it is one of the first islands discovered by Christopher Columbus. The island was later on colonized by Denmark, who eventually sold it to the United States in the early 20th century.
Today, St. Thomas is a US territory because it is a part of the US Virgin Islands. And since this is a US territory, you will not need to present a passport when you arrive here, granting that you are a US citizen and have come from another US territory (e.g. the US mainland, Guam, Puerto Rico, etc.). So if these things apply to you, then you don’t need a passport to visit St. Thomas.
However, you should know that before you leave St. Thomas, you will be required to present any document issued by the US government that will establish your citizenship. Again, this doesn’t necessarily have to be your US passport. Alternatively, you can present any of the following documents: your birth certificate, or any US government-issued ID such as your driver’s license.
Chances are that somebody told you that you need a new 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.
Should you decide to bring a passport with you, make it the passport card. Why bring a passport card? That’s because passport cards are more lightweight and convenient to bring compared to passport books. Passport cards are so small, you can slip them into your wallet. Also, applying for a passport card is cheaper than applying for a passport book.
If you’re a US citizen wondering if you need a new passport to go to St. Thomas, you’ve now learned you don’t need one. However, if you are arrive from somewhere outside of a US territory, you will need to show your USA passport. Also keep in mind to have at least any type of government document that will help establish your citizenship. You will need this before you leave the island.
