documentation question

You are traveling form the states to an american owned territory so you don't need a passport unless you plan to visit the brit or french virgin islands

Thanks John,

Just wanted to make sure it wouldn't hinder any employment search on the islands, by not having a passport.

RJ

From what I understand it is more important to have a passport when you leave. The VI Islands have a big problem with illegal immigrants. Therefore the searches are almost like leaving the country. Having a passport can make it easier on you. It is not difficult to get a passport. I believe you can apply for one at your local postoffice now. I see signs for that in our Philadelphia main postoffice. You can check their website. Depending on how long your stay is on the Vi you can also do this on St Thomas I believe. Just make sure you travle with a birthcertificate as well. It might be required as an additional ID for the passport application.

Iris

Just FYI, my husband flew out of St. Thomas on his drivers license last week with no problem.

You can get a passport at the post office. You can get one in three days, if necessary. But it is a little more expensive then the traditional 10-15 day wait. Good Luck. I am hoping to be down in mid-Oct!

While you'll need your social security card for employment purposes, none of the sites that I've seen re: customs and immigration issues list a social security card as a valid proof of citizenship, which is required when you leave the USVI. My understanding was that you needed an original copy of your birth certificate plus a photo ID, or a passport., as cited on these two sites.

From the "It's Official" USVI Dept. of Tourism web site ( http://www.usvi.org/tourism/factsheet/itsofficial.html ): "U.S. citizens are not required to have passports when traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, but they must be prepared to show upon leaving. Some form of identification (driver’s license, passport or birth certificate with a picture ID) should be carried. Citizens of any country other than the U.S. should follow U.S. travel regulations."

From St. Croix This Week ( http://www.stcroixthisweek.com/customs/customs.htm )
"You don’t need a passport when you arrive in the U.S. Virgin Islands if you are a U.S. citizen. But if you have one, bring it along. It comes in handy when you leave. Here’s why: U.S. Immigration and Naturalization officials require identity when you return home. The reason — the U.S. Virgin Islands are a “port of entry” to mainland United States so though it’s easy to get here, you are re-entering the U.S. when you leave the islands and Immigration inspects all citizenship documents. If you don’t have a passport, a birth certificate and photo identification are acceptable."

We got the passports simply becasue they were easier to carry around than a birth certificate, and they are necessary for entry if you want to visit the British VI.

HC

So where are the French VI islands?

It is so much easier traveling from island to island when you have a passport.

I needed two forms of government issued, picture ID to open a bank account. My passport came in handy then.

yep I used my dl and passport to open my bank account and it made it much easier. Although you don't need it the passport will help make things easier for you.

There are no "French Virgin Islands"... there are only the US and British VIs.

Hello,

I have also seen, rarely, Puerto Rico refered to as the Spanish Virgin Islands.

John did you mean the French West Indies?

--Islander

Nope The french do own at least 2 islands in the vi chain as confermed by a friend who lives down here on his sailboat and travels all the islands around here.