Visiting St. Thomas? Find Out If You Will Need Your Passport

St. Thomas is an island in the Caribbean that is a part of the US Virgin Islands. On this island is where the US Virgin Islands' capital, Charlotte Amalie, is located. Because of its beaches and historical background, it is a very popular tourist destination among Americans. So if you want to travel to this destination, find out if you need a USA Passport to go to St. Thomas.

But why is St. Thomas so popular in the first place? For some, it's because it is ideally located in the Caribbean. Just the mere mention of that word can make one easily imagine about white sand beaches and an ideal island getaway. Because of its warm waters, St. Thomas is popular not only among beachgoers, but also those who love water sports such as windsurfing and kite boarding.

St. Thomas History
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.

U.S. Virgin Islands
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.

What You'll Need To Bring
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.

St. Thomas Is A U.S. Territory
But why do others say you need a USA passport to go to St. Thomas even if you're an American? It's probably because of the confusion that stemmed from the creation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The WHTI specifies that you need a passport when traveling to WHTI areas. Since WHTI areas include the Caribbean, some people assumed that it also includes the US Virgin Islands. Again, because the Virgin Islands are US territories, you don't need to present a passport to go there.

Passport Card
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.

And Finally,
Now you know that you don't need an American passport to go to St. Thomas if you're a US citizen. But also remember that you should come from another US territory for this to apply to you, otherwise you will be required to show your passport. Also keep in mind to bring any government-issued document with you that proves your citizenship.