STT Resident,

Trust me...If the visitors said they were delayed because they didn't have there proof of citizenship (passport or birth cert) they were only delayed for at most 5 minutes. If they missed their flight they didn't follow the airlines recommendation of being at the airport 2 hours before.

Further the post Quote :"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." A person carrying an Alien Registration Card is not a United States Citizen.

Now, If you do not want to listen to Ron and I at least STOP creating confusion about a US Citizen traveling to Puerto Rico and the Continental US from the US Virgin Islands.

Again here is the required documents when traveling from the USVI to Puerto Rico or the Continental US!!!

To set the record straight on the Passport issue...

Traveling from The US Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico and the Continental US you need the following.

US Citizens - must show proof of identity (state, local, government ID accepted) / a Passport is preferred but NOT REQUIRED

Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder) - Must show (Green Card) (As they are not US Citizens)

Any Other Immigration Status - Must show proof of their immigration status (passport and visa, asylum, etc...) As they are not US Citizens

USGov'temployee: Who's creating confusion?

The confusion has been created by the misinformation that only proof of identity (i.e. state-issued driver's license) and not proof of citizenship is required of US CITIZEN VISITORS TO THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS RETURNING TO THE US MAINLAND (emphasis mine.)

There are literally hundreds of travel sites which state exactly what this VINow site states and it's perfectly clear that a visitor returning to the US mainland from the USVI MUST BE PREPARED to show proof of citizenship whether that visitor be a US Citizen or a citizen of any other country.

A driver's license is NOT proof of citizenship but is accepted for identification only. All visitors to the USVI should be prepared to show proof of citizenship upon exiting the territory.

As far as your "trust me" comment that the visitors I referenced were only held up for 5 minutes at most, you are quite wrong...

It's entirely possible that the rules MAY be different in the case of a USVI resident taking a trip to the mainland on a return ticket but this is a visitor's forum and that is who we are talking about. Maybe this is from whence YOUR confusion stems.

STT & Other Regulars:

I think that we're being scammed here........Why is it that "unregistered" guests are usually causing confusion and having us argue amongst ourselves?

Perhaps we should not respond to anyone who is not registered....after all what do they have to hide?

Islander:

Perhaps only registered guests should be allowed to post. This would provide you with a way to determine if one person is doing several postings under different names.

U.S. Gov't Employee:

You constantly want us to "trust you"......OK...tell us who you are and provide a phone number so the Customs Agent can call you for your "official" determination of the rules. Besides, no real Gov't Employee (in their right mind) would admit, on a message board like this, that they are a Gov't Employee.....since that presents an inference that they have the authority to make such an "official" decision.

Also, the question that I previously asked you about the photo voters registration card was a trick question.......you failed.

To all others:

Obviously this is a very confusing question. Let's make it easy on the Immigration/Customs personnel who are trying to protect our borders. Bring proof of citizenship (even if it may not be absolutely required) and a government issued photo I.D. (state issued photo driver's license, county photo I.D., military I.D., etc.). These people are only trying to do their job in protecting all of us.

Better yet, get a passport....if the cost of a passport is stopping you from travelling here then perhaps you should wait and save some $$ for next year's trip.

F.I.

FI - well said. I was starting to smell a rather rank odor too...

So I just spent an hour researching this topic since there have been conflicting answers coming from experts and experienced travelers alike.

I have found that it is TRUE that a passport is not needed to fly or cruise to the USVI if you are already an American citizen. That's a big "duh" since the USVI, like Puerto Rico, is considered part of the US.

I have found number of sites that claim, that you need "proof of citizenship" to leave the USVI for the US mainland. Lo and behold, right here - http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/index.shtm - it clearly states:
"U.S. Citizens traveling to and returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the U.S. territory and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include:
* American Samoa
* Guam
* Northern Mariana Islands
* Puerto Rico
* Swains Island
* U.S. Virgin Islands"

I won't assume anything. My wife and I are taking our passports with us (mostly in case we decide to go to Tortola). But it would seem logical (as if logic ever prevails with the Gubmint) that the USVI falls squarely within the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative - http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html - which states: "ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.... Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. " Since, per the quote above, the USVI is US territory, I would say you can safely leave your passport at home. Traveling to St. Thomas, USVI is the same as traveling to Thomasville, Georgia.

That's correct. However, you must be prepared to present proof of citizenship upon exiting the USVI to return to the mainland. A passport is that proof and, if you don't have a passport, a raised seal birth certificate and government-issued photo ID is accepted.

That's correct. However, you must be prepared to present proof of citizenship upon exiting the USVI to return to the mainland. A passport is that proof and, if you don't have a passport, a raised seal birth certificate and government-issued photo ID is accepted.

Please quote/cite the relevant government website with that information. I can't find it anywhere.

www.usvitourism.vi/en/home/vi_TT_Before_Visit.html

That doesn't correspond at all to the Dept. of Homeland Security's website. In fact, it is directly opposite.

Can you indicate where/when that change took place?

US Citizens do not need a passport to travel to the USVI.

My response to you remains the same. This does not in way contradict the Homeland Security rules and regulations.

Once you get here you can ask the US Immigration officials at the airport to explain it to you!

Future Islander,

I have obtained my password and registered to "stop hiding". I posted to this forum under "US Gov't Enployee" as I just might have "that presents an inference that they have the authority to make such an "official" decision".

I am uncertain of what your statement "Also, the question that I previously asked you about the photo voters registration card was a trick question.......you failed.", means? If you were asking if a voter's registration is Proof of Citizenship it is NOT as of I believe October 2003? Is a voter's registration accepted as ID for a US Citizen traveling from STT to SAJ or continental US? YES.

So, Future Islander, "Mike", I apologize on trying to bring tourism to the island and in turn help support the local businesses. Not everyone can obtain a passport as easily as you think. Those people that have outstanding child support are unable to obtain one, minors need both parents to obtain a passport or other documentation.

The documentation information provided on this website, which STT Resident quoted in an earlier post, is from the US Customs and Border Protection Office at the Cyril E King Airport on St. Thomas.

In order to double check that it was still accurate the office was contacted today. Their response:

American citizens can present their US passport, it is preferred but not required. If they do not have a passport or do not want to carry it then they need a birth certificate and a government issued photo id, for example a driver's license.

US Customs and Border Protection Office, STT Airport: (340) 774-4279.

--Islander

Islander:

Thank you!!!!

F.I.

Ditto!

Imagine that - conflicting information from different government agencies.

I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but again - the word of an agent isn't sufficient for me.

This is from the Customs and Border Patrol website - http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/travel_news/passport.ctt/passport.pdf

Another cite from the same website - http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/travel/knowbeforeyougo.ctt/knowbeforeyougo.pdf
"The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will not affect travel between the United States and its territories. U.S. citizens traveling directly between the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, America Samoa, Swains Island and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands will continue to be able to use established forms of identification to board flights and for entry."

I'm not trying to keep this argument going. For my wife and me, it doesn't matter what the policy is. We'll have our passports. But for others this situation is getting very confusing.

Get a passport - having one opens the WHOLE world to you for travel possibilities.

I work at a villa rental agency and more than once I have had guests in a panic because they got into the territory with their driver licenses or other government photo ID, and were quite concerned about getting back to the mainland after having read something. I told them that the way they came in (if they were U.S. citizens) is the same way they'd leave, and I have not had anyone contact the office later to tell me that they were detained. What can I say???

http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/index.shtm

Department of Homeland Security,

Specific Populations and Situations
Native American Travelers

The Indian and North Affairs Canada Card and Tribal Enrollment Cards with a photo affixed to the card will be accepted during the transition phase.

Members of the Kickapoo Band of Texas and Tribe of Oklahoma would be permitted to present the Form I-872 American Indian Card in lieu of a passport, as they do currently.
Traveling to and from U.S. Territories

U.S. Citizens traveling to and returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the U.S. territory and do not need to present a passport.

U.S. territories include:

*
American Samoa
*
Guam
*
Northern Mariana Islands
*
Puerto Rico
*
Swains Island
*
U.S. Virgin Islands

I think we all agree no passport is needed. The question is what is needed to return to the continental US. I contend that TSA is required to determine that everyone who is traveling back has the right to be in the USA. And that means either a green card or naturalization papers or proof of birthplace within the USA. Whether they stick to the rules all the time is another matter.

Linda,

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) only handles security matching your name to the ticket and taking your liquids, etc...

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are the ones checking immigration status.

Thank you so much for the correction. Aren't both TSA and customs under the control of Homeland Security? In any case, do you agree with the premise?