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 traveling directly from the U.S. mainland or Puerto Rico, no passport is required to enter St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands). Because it is a U.S. territory, it is considered a domestic flight. However, since the May 2025 deadline has passed, you MUST have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another TSA-acceptable ID (like a passport or Global Entry card) to board your flight. Even though a passport isn't required for entry, it is highly recommended to bring one if you plan on taking a ferry to the nearby British Virgin Islands (Tortola or Jost Van Dyke), which do require a passport. For non-U.S. citizens, the same visa and passport requirements that apply to entering the continental United States apply to the USVI. Upon returning to the U.S. mainland, you will go through a pre-clearance customs check, so keep your ID handy. You should also bring a copy of your return flight itinerary and any necessary health or vaccination documents as per current 2026 guidelines.