Do you need a passport to go to the british virgin islands

Do you need a passport to go to the british virgin islands
As winter storms slam large parts of the US (again), one way to soothe yourself is to book a vacation someplace tropical. If you are planning a trip to the Virgin Islands, you may be wondering whether or not you need a passport to go. The answer depends on whether you are planning to go to the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands.

The US Virgin Islands are part of the United States.  So, if you’re going directly from the US to St. Thomas, St. Croix or  St. John, you do not need a US passport. Check your itinerary carefully and confirm this with your airline, though, as you will need a passport if you have a layover in another Caribbean country.

However, if you are going to the British Virgin Islands (Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Peter Island, Jost Van Dyke, Cooper Island, Salt Island, or Marina Cay),  you will need a US passport as these islands are owned by the United Kingdom. You will also need a passport if you are staying on one of the US Virgin Islands and plan to hop on over to the British Virgin Islands for a day trip.

Prior to June 1st, 2009, passports weren’t required to travel to the British Virgin Islands by land or by sea, as long as you had a driver’s license and a birth certificate (or a naturalization certificate or a certificate of citizenship). On June 1, the new requirements went into effect, and now you must have a passport to visit the British Virgin Islands.  A passport book is required if you are flying, while sea travelers can also use a passport card, NEXUS card, FAST card or SENTRI card or an enhanced driver’s license.

However, there are a few exceptions:

  • If you travel to the British Virgin Islands on a closed-loop cruise (one that begins and ends at the same US port), you can still use a driver’s license and your birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship.
  • Children under the age of 16 traveling to or from the British Virgin Islands by sea can use their birth certificates. Air travel to the British Virgin Islands requires a passport no matter what the age of the child.
  • Children under the age of 19 traveling with a school group, church group, sports team or volunteer organization chaperoned by an adult can use their birth certificates as well, so long as they are traveling by  sea. Again, air travel requires a passport book.

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Tourists visiting the British Virgin Islands may be granted entry for up to one month as long as they can show return (or ongoing) tickets, evidence of enough funds for their stay and pre-arranged accommodations during their time there.

A tourist visa is not required of U.S. and Canadian tourists visiting the British Virgin Islands, but U.S. citizens require a passport to re-enter the States.

U.S. citizens should take special care to secure their passports while traveling as it can be time-consuming and difficult to acquire new proof of citizenship to facilitate return travel should the passport be lost or stolen.

Cruise visitors must show a shipboard ID to exit and re-enter the ship.

Prior to departure from the U.S., sea travelers must have a valid U.S. passport or other original proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a certified U.S. birth certificate with a government-issued photo ID.

All Americans traveling by air outside the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

While a U.S. passport is not mandatory for sea travel, it is recommended since it is a more readily recognized form of positive proof of citizenship.

The U.S. Consulate General recommends traveling with a valid U.S. passport to avoid delays or misunderstandings. A lost or stolen passport is also easier to replace when outside of the United States than other evidence of citizenship.

For information on travel to the British Virgin Islands, travelers should contact the BVI Department of Immigration at 1-284-494-3471. Visit the Embassy of the British Government web site for the most current visa information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit the United Kingdom and its domains. The passport should be valid for at least the expected duration of their stay. Canadians may also be asked to show proofs of sufficient funds and accommodation for the duration of their stay.

These requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveler’s responsibility to check with the country’s embassy or its consulates for up-to-date information.

Sources

  • U.S. State Department Travel
  • Canadian Consular Affairs
  • British Virgin Islands tourism

Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera.

- December 15, 2008

Can I travel to the BVI with a birth certificate?

Children under the age of 16 traveling to or from the British Virgin Islands by sea can use their birth certificates. Air travel to the British Virgin Islands requires a passport no matter what the age of the child.

Is there a difference between U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands?

US Virgins Islands: Whats the Difference? The British Virgin Islands are a British Overseas territory consisting of four larger islands (Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke), while the U.S. Virgin Islands are a territory of the United States consisting of three larger islands (St. Croix, St. John, and St.

Do you need a passport to go to Virgin?

The U.S. Virgin Islands is one of the easiest destinations in the Caribbean to enter. U.S. citizens don't even need to bring their passports! Because they are a territory of the U.S., like Puerto Rico, travelers can enjoy passport-free travel to and from the islands.

Which Virgin Island requires a passport?

The USVI (U.S. Virgin Islands) are a U.S. territory, so U.S. citizens do not need a passport to visit, and this applies to every island in the territory (St.