Since the US Virgin Islands is a US territory, the rules applying to US citizens and lawful permanent residents are the same as domestic travel. If you're a US citizen traveling from the mainland US or Puerto Rico, you don't need a passport to enter the USVI.

For U.S. citizens in 2026, a flight to the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix, or St. John) is not considered international from a passport or immigration standpoint because it is a U.S. territory. You do not strictly need a passport for travel from the U.S. mainland, though a REAL ID-compliant license or a birth certificate with photo ID is required. However, there is a high-value nuance: when returning from the USVI to the U.S. mainland, you must pass through a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) checkpoint. This is because the USVI is a "free port" and a separate customs territory. You will be asked about any duty-free purchases (like alcohol or tobacco) and may be required to show proof of citizenship. In early 2026, with Southwest Airlines beginning new service to St. Thomas, traveling to these "tropical outposts" has become even more seamless for domestic travelers.