Do i Need Passport
 

I'm an Indian citizen working in US on H1-B. I want to know that if I travel to Hawaii do I need to carry my passport with me.

I know for US Citizen it is not required but not sure about H1-B people working here in US. Is there any kind of immigration check any where (I mean in Hawaii or in US while coming back).

Thanks in advance!

First of all, assuming that you are flying to Hawaii, you'll need some sort of governmental ID to board the plane. And there's no better one than a passport.
I don't know what the official rules are, but I would think it would be prudent for you, as a foreign national to carry your passport when travelling.

I suppose you'd need an immigration lawyer to get a complete answer, but flying to Hawaii shouldn't be any different than flying to any other state in the U.S. So the short answer is that you don't need a passport unless you use it as a form of picture identification for flying.

I have valid US driving license. I think that can be used in place of ID.

This will sound weird, but I feel like we went through some sort of cuctoms check when we returned because they have so many restrictions on what can be brought back onto the mainland from Hawaii. I don't really remember though but I know I was worried about my lei being taken. (That might have been in Hawaii though.)

Am I imagining or misremembering this?

~gnr~

Amazing!! A passport is not reuired to travel within the United States or within any other country. A passport is a document for international travel. There are no customs checks travelling between Hawaii and any other US state.

There is an agricultural check/inspection when entering Hawaii or traveling between islands, mostly to prevent the spread of new species and diseases.

As others have said, it's the airline ID issue that you'll have to deal wtih -- otherwise, it's just like traveling between any 2 states.

The agriculture inspection is done when you leave HI not when you arrive. There is certain plant/animal life that may not leave HI.

Thanks Suzie and Anon. I knew there was something official and that something was checked.

~gnr~

By the way, it would seem that they would do it both ways since they don't want invasive species introduced there either.

~gnr~

Also, I would think that if there is a problem with something that mvermani has with him, they might ask to see a passport/green card/proof of identification if he isn't a US citizen.

~gnr~

But how will they know he's not a US citizen, in the first place?

They don't inspect your bags upon arrival, but you have to fill out the declaration form while you are on the plane. In addition, those beagles wandering the baggage claim area are sniffing for plants, fruits, etc. If they point you out, you'll be asked to show what's in your bag.

He is NOT leaving the United States!

It's always safer to bring your passport with you, even on domestic flights, since you are not a citizen or a Permanent Resident. HOWEVER, you are not leaving the US, so it is not required. Flying between states is very easy; all you will need is a photo ID.

The "customs" others are referring to is just the USDA Hawaii Agriculture inspection.

Mver:

Get a passport, it is super convenient. Even when I go to Canada I will take mine and as an American citizen I am told don't need it.

Stephanie, Mvermani is an Indian citizen living in the US. He/she must already have a passport in order to be admitted into this country. The question is whether or not to take it to Hawaii.

Mvermani, the passport might not be required for this trip, but is it really that much trouble to carry it with you on your trip, just in case some type of question comes up? In today's world of increased security, it's much better to be safe than sorry.

Carrying a passport is not at all a problem for me. But my concern is that if I have to go through immigration check while coming back to US than I do not have my latest H1-B stamped on my passport.

Say for instance if I have to go Europe I will need to get visa stamped on my passport otherwise I cannot enter US. I just wanted to confirm that it is not the same case when I'm traveling to Hawaii.

Carry your passport whenever you travel, just as a precaution. You never know when a flight may be diverted to Canada or Mexico, and your re-entry would be much much easier if you already had the passport on you. In the case of your trip to Hawaii, you would probably not be questioned on entry to the islands, but you can't be 100% sure there might not be some questions on your return if, for example, your flight were a continuation from elsewhere or there was some INS shuffling around or security alert. Or just some I'm-not-profiling-just-asking security agent being-extra-careful.

Whenever you are traveling outside your home country, you should have either your passport or a copy of your passport. Who knows what emergency could arise.

Since you are already in the US, you will not need your passport for anything accept identification.