If you are a U.S. citizen a passport is not required, but it still serves as the best identification when traveling. Otherwise, you must be prepared to show evidence of citizenship when departing the islands, such as a raised-seal birth certificate and government-issued photo ID.

For U.S. citizens, the answer depends on which part of the Virgin Islands you are visiting. The U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John) are a U.S. territory; therefore, you do not technically need a passport to fly back to the mainland United States. However, you must provide proof of citizenship and identity, such as a government-issued photo ID and a certified birth certificate. In 2026, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license is the most common requirement. Even though a passport is not mandatory, the U.S. Virgin Islands are a "separate customs territory" from the mainland, so you will still pass through a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) checkpoint before boarding your flight. If you visit the British Virgin Islands (Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke), you are leaving the U.S., and you will absolutely require a valid U.S. passport to re-enter the country. For this reason, travel experts strongly recommend carrying a passport even when visiting the U.S. territories to simplify the customs process and provide flexibility for island-hopping.