Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

No passport required to visit, as USVI celebrates 90 years as a US territory
01-11-2007

ST THOMAS, USVI: US citizens have been reminded that they are exempt from needing a passport for travel to the US Virgin Islands when the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) by the Homeland Security and State Department goes into effect on January 23.

And, in fact, there’s no better time to travel to St Croix, St John and St Thomas than this year, when the destination celebrates its 90th anniversary as a US Territory.

“As the passport initiative goes into effect, we are reminded that the US Virgin Islands is indeed America’s Caribbean,” stated Acting Commissioner of Tourism Monique Sibilly-Hodge. “This is a monumental year for the destination, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to share in the excitement with the added ease and convenience of not needing a passport.”

On March 31, 1917, the Danish government officially transferred ownership of the approximately 50 islands and cays known then as the Danish West Indies to the United States, formally establishing the US Virgin Islands. Throughout 2007, visitors will have opportunities to participate in commemorative anniversary events, activities and festivals on all three islands.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative passed by the US Congress requires that travelers, including US citizens who travel via air to and from the Americas, the Caribbean and Bermuda must travel with a passport in order to enter or re-enter the United States.

But since the US Virgin Islands is a United States Territory, American citizens traveling to or from St Croix, St John and St Thomas are considered not to have left the US, and thus do not need to present a passport.