hi...my husband and i have purchased tix based on the information i got from an online passport expediting service that i am working with that has turned out to be horrible...www.rushmypassport.com. They are, as i should have suspected, totally fly by night. Regardless, it looks like i may not have my passport in time and i have tried several other similar companies and it seems impossible.
I have heard that i can get into st john but would need a passport to get out...anyone have any official information on this or has anyone been there very recently and can confirm all the mixed info i have been reading about passport / no passport needed in the US virgin islands?
we will be flying through stt. thanks!
I have heard that i can get into st john but would need a passport to get out...anyone have any official information on this or has anyone been there very recently and can confirm all the mixed info i have been reading about passport / no passport needed in the US virgin islands?
we will be flying through stt. thanks!
From the State Department website:
"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."
Here is the website:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
Why did you think you would need a passport for the USVI?
"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."
Here is the website:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
Why did you think you would need a passport for the USVI?
My husband and I went to Jamaica last month and it was a nighmare trying to get our passports in time. Call your local congressmans office and ask to speak with someone about your passport. Explain the situation and when you are leaving (i assume that you have called the passport office already? late in the evening and first thing in the morning is the best time to reach them). we were scheduled to leave on tuesday, may 8, and at 3:00 the DAY before, the passport office in New Orleans called and said they were doing a same day delivery (THANK YOU to the congressmans office) and have it delivered to our house. the passports arrived at 8:30PM with a 6AM take off the next morning. TALK ABOUT FREAKING OUT!! AND it didn't cost us anythign extra. tell them its a late honeymoon....beg...whatever you have to do. they really came through for us! GOOD LUCK!
tamara
tamara
If you're an American, you don't need a passport to go to and come back from the U.S. Virgin Islands. You will not be able to go to the British Virgin Islands though.
Even though you do not need a passport, you will need to prove upon leaving that you are an American. So your driver's license will not be sufficient. You will need something additional like a certified copy of your birth certificate.
http://www.usvi.net/us-ins/html/travel_back....html
Even though you do not need a passport, you will need to prove upon leaving that you are an American. So your driver's license will not be sufficient. You will need something additional like a certified copy of your birth certificate.
http://www.usvi.net/us-ins/html/travel_back....html
Unless they've made a major change in the last 3 months, you do not need a copy of your birth certificate to leave the USVI any more than you need one to get home from Florida (or any other state).
thanks for all the great advice...yes we are leaving from the US. We were told by a US Air rep that we would need a passport to leave STT...I have read the Gov't pages but also heard contradictory info from passport agencies and the airline so i was feeling a little uncertain about US Virgin Islands and passports.
Again, thanks for all the great advice. I think i will rest easy and roll with my DL and Birth Cert and expired passport.
cheers!
Again, thanks for all the great advice. I think i will rest easy and roll with my DL and Birth Cert and expired passport.
cheers!
It will take you longer to get out of St. Thomas without a passport, but you'll be allowed to go home. IMO, I would continue to pursue getting your passport through that company, though. The hassle you put up with now could save you hassle later and give you the freedom to travel as you like for years. You may also want to try contacting your nearest passport center (ours in CT is in Stamford area). I have called the automated service which sets an appointment for you to come in and get your passport processed the same day. You need to be able to prove (e.g. purchased plane tickets) that you are traveling within 2 weeks. You are given an appointment usually within a fews days prior to departure, and you can often get the passport the same day in person or within 24 hours through expedited mail. It is a hassle and it costs a premium (which is why those passport companies exist) but it is something you can control and get done yourself without congressmen or services. The government website is pretty good at directing you.
I just wanted to double check Ksea's comment:
[You may also visit the BVI's by boat with no passport, but if going there by air you will need one effective 1/08.]
We took a boat from St John, USVI to Tortola, BVI and were told we needed passports (which we had and they were stamped at customs).
So, pawleyscgirl--if you do decide to take a sail to the BVI's be sure to make sure you are okay w/o a passport before you depart.
Have a great trip
[You may also visit the BVI's by boat with no passport, but if going there by air you will need one effective 1/08.]
We took a boat from St John, USVI to Tortola, BVI and were told we needed passports (which we had and they were stamped at customs).
So, pawleyscgirl--if you do decide to take a sail to the BVI's be sure to make sure you are okay w/o a passport before you depart.
Have a great trip
Consular Information Sheet
This information is current as of today, Thu Jun 07 17:52:34 2007.
New Travel Requirements for U.S. Citizens and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement available on the Department of State web site at http://travel.state.gov
June 04, 2007
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. Citizens traveling by air to and from the British Virgin Islands must present a valid passport when entering or re-entering the United States. 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). 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. Department of State 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.
---
When I was there last, in March, people were coming back from Virgin Gorda on the ferry without passports (they were mostly day-trippers for the Baths who had some sort of arranged trip with Speedy's). Your tour boat/charter co. or whomever may require it, but it is NOT the law.
On Speedy's ferry site it still states:
In order to board any of the ferries traveling between the USVI and BVI you must produce proof of Citizenship, such as a passport. In the absence of a passport, American & Canadian citizens may use either an original Birth Certificate, Voters Registration Card or a Green Card, plus one piece of photo ID.
A United States citizen may not be denied re-entry to the United States. If no documents are available it may delay your re-entry but not deny it.
Second, the WHTI or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is still in the process of being implemented.
Phase three of the WHTI was implemented in January of this year. Phase three of the initiative included the requirement that all persons, including United States Citizens, travelling to the United States (this includes USVI) from foriegn lands by air, will be required to present passports upon inspection by a U.S. Customs Officer. The catch is that U.S. Customs doesn't need to worry about this, because it requires the airlines to pay a fine for every person they deliver without a passport. So you will not get on the plane from a foriegn land bound for the United States because the airlines are not willing to pay these fines...they do occaisionally slip up, but at $3300.00 per slip up, its rare.
The final phase of the WHTI is (until it is changed again ) will go into effect January of 2008. The final phase is the one that requires all land and sea ports to require passports.
As of right now to travel to the BVI you are only required to carry goverment issued identification and a birth certificate if you are a citizen of the United States.
This information is current as of today, Thu Jun 07 17:52:34 2007.
New Travel Requirements for U.S. Citizens and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement available on the Department of State web site at http://travel.state.gov
June 04, 2007
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. Citizens traveling by air to and from the British Virgin Islands must present a valid passport when entering or re-entering the United States. 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). 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. Department of State 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.
---
When I was there last, in March, people were coming back from Virgin Gorda on the ferry without passports (they were mostly day-trippers for the Baths who had some sort of arranged trip with Speedy's). Your tour boat/charter co. or whomever may require it, but it is NOT the law.
On Speedy's ferry site it still states:
In order to board any of the ferries traveling between the USVI and BVI you must produce proof of Citizenship, such as a passport. In the absence of a passport, American & Canadian citizens may use either an original Birth Certificate, Voters Registration Card or a Green Card, plus one piece of photo ID.
A United States citizen may not be denied re-entry to the United States. If no documents are available it may delay your re-entry but not deny it.
Second, the WHTI or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is still in the process of being implemented.
Phase three of the WHTI was implemented in January of this year. Phase three of the initiative included the requirement that all persons, including United States Citizens, travelling to the United States (this includes USVI) from foriegn lands by air, will be required to present passports upon inspection by a U.S. Customs Officer. The catch is that U.S. Customs doesn't need to worry about this, because it requires the airlines to pay a fine for every person they deliver without a passport. So you will not get on the plane from a foriegn land bound for the United States because the airlines are not willing to pay these fines...they do occaisionally slip up, but at $3300.00 per slip up, its rare.
The final phase of the WHTI is (until it is changed again ) will go into effect January of 2008. The final phase is the one that requires all land and sea ports to require passports.
As of right now to travel to the BVI you are only required to carry goverment issued identification and a birth certificate if you are a citizen of the United States.
And the saga continues ... didn't I just say 'til the next change?
NBC Nightly News (Brian Williams) just announced that effective immediately and for the next 3 months (think I heard that correctly - by the time I got to the tv, he was done), all you need for re-entering the US from a foreign country by air would be proof that you have applied for a passport!
NBC Nightly News (Brian Williams) just announced that effective immediately and for the next 3 months (think I heard that correctly - by the time I got to the tv, he was done), all you need for re-entering the US from a foreign country by air would be proof that you have applied for a passport!
Too funny beachplum. Just posted the same thing.
I hate to sound mean but why don't you guys just get a passport in good time? What is the big deal?
I am American, but it's the height of arrogance to think you can go to another country and present a driver's license or birth certificate.
Can you imagine if a Jamaican or Trinidadian person tried to get into the U.S. without a passport?
THey'd be on the next plane home and no one would be crying about their ruined plans
I am American, but it's the height of arrogance to think you can go to another country and present a driver's license or birth certificate.
Can you imagine if a Jamaican or Trinidadian person tried to get into the U.S. without a passport?
THey'd be on the next plane home and no one would be crying about their ruined plans
While I agree that if you travel regularly you should get a passport, St. John is in the USVI.
The poster is coming to this site for advice, but like every other question on passports, is chided for not having one. That does not seem very helpful, now does it?
Also, I think it's probably easier for someone in another country to get a passport right now, then it is for Americans this summer due to the unsurprisingly poorly executed Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
The poster is coming to this site for advice, but like every other question on passports, is chided for not having one. That does not seem very helpful, now does it?
Also, I think it's probably easier for someone in another country to get a passport right now, then it is for Americans this summer due to the unsurprisingly poorly executed Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
I certainly agree with Tripster and Greenie (on another related post).
Rules and regulations can be changed at any time with the cover story of protecting our "homeland". I empathize with those who have tried to get passports in a timely manner, but still don't understand why some are so resitive to a very painless process.
I live in Kennebunkport, Maine. The summer home of George the first and Barbara Bush. Both are well respected members of our small community...no matter our political affiliation.
But George W is arriving with Vladimir Putin in the next few weeks and I'm glad I have a valid passport because it may be required for me to leave my driveway. I'm really not kidding with this one...sadly.
So, homeland security affects us all, whether we travel outside of the US or just try to stay home.
Marion
Rules and regulations can be changed at any time with the cover story of protecting our "homeland". I empathize with those who have tried to get passports in a timely manner, but still don't understand why some are so resitive to a very painless process.
I live in Kennebunkport, Maine. The summer home of George the first and Barbara Bush. Both are well respected members of our small community...no matter our political affiliation.
But George W is arriving with Vladimir Putin in the next few weeks and I'm glad I have a valid passport because it may be required for me to leave my driveway. I'm really not kidding with this one...sadly.
So, homeland security affects us all, whether we travel outside of the US or just try to stay home.
Marion
