Travel to the US Virgin Islands couldn’t be easier. Direct flights depart from major U.S. gateways daily and a PASSPORT IS NOT REQUIRED to enter or depart the destination. While a passport is the preferred documentation, vacationers need only present a certified, original birth certificate and a government issued photo identification card to customs agents.

“We are concerned that, because we are in the Caribbean, the U.S. Virgin Islands is being assimilated into the Western Hemisphere Initiative although we are exempt as a territory of the United States, said Beverly Nicholson Doty, President of the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association.  We are supportive of our Caribbean neighbors and the impact it will have on the region; however, it is important for our visitors to know that travel to our islands will not be affected by this initiative.”

The US Virgin Islands exemption is detailed on the US State Department’s web site, http://travel.state.gov/passport. Specifically, it states “the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will not affect travel between the United States and its territories. U.S. citizens will continue to be able to use established forms of identification to board flights and for entry.”  However, it is important to note that visitors to the USVI who travel to the British Virgin Islands will need a passport to re-enter the US Virgin Islands as of December 31, 2006.