NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YOUR PASSPORT IS NOT NEEDED, But it would be widely suggested to bring it.

There have been PLENTY of posts on this. Research.

Even though I've read and read that you don't 'need a passport for St. thomas/St John (because that's US territory), some airlines are telling you that YOU DO need it. I don't need an argument when I go with the airlines.

BUT....you do need a passport if you are planning a trip to the BVI's because you will return to the USVI'S.

Little confusing, but be preprared. The best thing to do is to get a passport.

Could someone please tell me how to repair drywall, I just put my head through the wall.

Richmond - that's laugh-out-loud funny!

HAHA Richmond. 🙂

Thanks for the question - there have been a lot of news stories in our area recent changes in passport requirements for the Caribbean. I was planning to double check myself so here is the State Department link http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

So you still don't need it...but it is no wonder airline folks get confused. Have a great trip!

Richmond - now that's just too funny -- thanx

But you might want to stay away from any "passport" posts until your head fully recovers

Steve

I feel the same way. My husband doesn't want me to spend the $300 + for my kids and myself to get passports when it may be unnecessary (of course, he has one). Then again, if I get there, but can't get back.... 🙂
Yes, this has been a frustrating topic!

Didn't I just see on CNN YESTERDAY that passports are now REQUIRED for all entry into the US? Like, even from Canada?!? Starting on the 23rd of January? It was all over CNN, Yahoo News, etc., etc. and they even mentioned Puerto Rico and the VI and said that it was now MANDATORY...what gives?

And I just now read the info on the link to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html and it says:

Federal Regulations
Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens Under WHTI

Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements:

U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).
The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card): This limited-use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.
DOS and DHS also anticipate that the following documents will continue to be acceptable for their current travel uses under WHTI: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. As proposed, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.

Good grief. if you read just the very next paragraph:

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Good giref, if YOU had merely read my ENTIRE post, you would have seen that your copy and pasted paragraphs are INCLUDED in my post, Roj...:)

Sorry. you're right. I am obviously sight impaired.

Problem is, some airlines either did not get the memo, or they have instituted their own policies for whatever reason.

So, the passport is NOT needed among Puerto Rico, the U.S., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

HOWEVER, please check boarding requirements of your carrier, whether it's a cruise ship OR a plane because they may be different. And THAT, my friends, is something the government regulations do not control.

Rojako...dat's aight! "We're all here cuz we're not all there!" Haha! Have a great day!

A.Davis: Good point! Of course, in a perfect world, we'd all aready have the passports and this wouldn't be an issue...I recommend getting one and traveling with it at all times. Here on Barbados (where I just moved to) you need it to SHOP! Cun ya be'lee dat?!? (practicing my Bajn, please forgive me! Haha!)

Marty, now that you mention it, I recall during a long stay in Caracas back in the '90s, I was always required to provide my passport # when I purchased something. My Venezuelan friends were surprised that I didn't know it by heart.

There, too, huh? I guess they wanna make sure that the locals aren't getting the duty-free prices? I mean, we actually have 3 prices on some things here: A locals price and 2 tourist prices, one for taking it with you and one for them to send it to the aiport for you to pick up and take home from there...kinda strange...but I guess everything is strange unless you're used to it! haha! (which is akin to saying someting feels wet...unless it's dry! haha!)

This subject has been ongoing forever on this board. It goes without saying regardless of what you hear, read, watch, a passport is eventually going to be mandatory regardless of where you travel so save yourself, your family, friends, etc. the grief of not being able to go somewhere or do something and just bite the bullet and get one. It's easy to do, it's inexpensive and will save a lot of headaches in the long run. Besides, Richmond and everyone else would rather be on an island vacationing then repairing their walls :)!

It isn't just this form.......I was in line at the wine store last night and the clerk noticed that I was paying with my USAirways credit card. She said "aha, getting those miles, huh?" and I responded that I am always looking to go...and she said "get your passport...the rules are tight now".....so I told her that I am headed to STT next mo. and am not clear on what is needed....and the lady behind me chimed in about her upcoming trip to Mexico and the fact hat she had to expedite her passport....and then someone else chimed in and the whole wine store check-out area was debating the passport issue.

I was ready to open my bottle of Cab right there and start chugging......nobody seems to understand the new passport laws!