St. Thomas is one of the most popular places in the Caribbean. It
is an island that forms a part of the US Virgin Islands. Also, this is
where the capital of the US Virgin Islands is found, Charlotte Amalie.
This island has great beaches and a relaxed atmosphere, making it a
popular destination among many American tourists. In this article, we'll
tell you if you need a passport to go to St. Thomas.
Now why is
this destination so popular in the first place? The main reason for
this, of course, is that it is located in the Caribbean. And if you know
your beaches, you'll know right away that the Caribbean has some of the
best beaches anywhere in the world. That's the reason why many tourists
flock to St. Thomas every year especially those who love the beach, as
well as water sports such as windsurfing and kite boarding.
St.
Thomas is also a great destination for those who love history. For one,
St. Thomas is one of the first islands that Christopher Columbus
discovered in the late 15th century. St. Thomas eventually became a
Danish colony until it was sold to the US in the 20th century.
Today,
St. Thomas is a part of the US territory called the US Virgin Islands.
And since this is a US territory, any travel made here by a US citizen
from another US territory is considered a domestic travel. And if this
profile fits you, then you don't need a passport to visit St. Thomas.
However,
keep in mind that you be required to submit proof of your citizenship
before leaving the territory. Because of that, you need to bring with
you a document that proves that. You can present any of the following
documents: your birth certificate as well as any government-issued ID
such as your driver's license. Of course, you can also present your US
passport.\
But why do others say you need a 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.
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.
Again, do you need a passport
to go to St. Thomas? Not if you are an American Citizen coming from
another US territory. Just make sure that you bring any
government-issued document with you to help prove your citizenship
whenever it's required, although bringing your passport as well couldn't hurt.
