Manuel Garrido With the Caribbean being one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, many ask, “Do you need a passport to go to the Caribbean?” The answer depends on which country you’re traveling to, your passport, and whether you’re traveling by air or sea.
This guide explains the passport and visa requirements for visiting Caribbean countries as per their visa and immigration requirements.
Do you need a passport to go to the Caribbean?
Most US travelers need a valid passport to travel to most Caribbean countries. This excludes the US territories of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, where a government-issued photo ID is acceptable for US citizens.
US territories: If you are an American traveling to a US territory like Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands, you can travel without a passport by using your government-issued photo identification.
Cruise travel: Whether your Caribbean cruise starts and ends in a US port, carrying a valid passport is highly recommended, as some destinations within the itinerary may require one.
Visa requirements: Most Caribbean government regulations allow US citizens to enter without a visa. However, verifying the specific visa requirements before making international travel plans is advised.
Although the Caribbean is primarily composed of sovereign nations, the two following countries in the region are territories of the United States: The US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. These Caribbean islands allow US citizens and Green Card holders to travel passport-free.
Visiting the Caribbean: passport Requirements
Generally speaking, a valid passport is required when visiting the Caribbean islands. Depending on your passport, you may need a visa to enter. Requirements vary by territory or whether you’re arriving by air or on a Caribbean cruise.
For example, some territories require a minimum passport validity of six months or at least one blank page in the passport. A specific cruise ship or cruise line that is a member of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) may accept a passport card and original birth certificate.
Visiting US Territories in the Caribbean
US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are US territories in the Caribbean region. These Caribbean islands allow US citizens and Green Card holders to travel passport-free.
As a US citizen, you may not require a valid passport to visit some destinations in the Caribbean. As mentioned, your destination can determine whether you need a passport.
Air travel
Unless traveling to a US territory, US passport holders require a passport to go to the Caribbean. Primary departure hubs for Caribbean travel include Miami, Atlanta, New York City, and Orlando. Airlines may insist on a passport being presented at check-in.
Your passport should meet the following:
- Validity period of at least six months (some regions accept three months while others require more)
- Your passport should be in good condition with no visual damage or alteration outside of normal wear and tear.
- Sufficient blank pages for entry and exit stamps
Sea travel
There are two types of sea travel to the Caribbean: Closed-loop cruises and standard cruises.
Closed-loop cruise
A closed-loop cruise is a Caribbean cruise that departs from and returns to US ports like Port Miami and Port of Tampa in Florida. US citizens and lawful permanent residents don’t need a passport to board a Caribbean cruise that starts and ends in the same US port.
Most Caribbean cruise lines that are closed-loop cruises don’t require passengers to have a valid passport book, and they accept identity documents that comply with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requirements, such as passport cards and trusted traveler cards.
Minors can use WHTI-compliant documents to travel on a closed-loop cruise, including birth certificates, citizenship certificates, or naturalization certificates. Top destinations for closed-loop cruises include Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, St Thomas, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
Standard cruise
Standard cruise travel begins and ends at a non-US port. Passengers must present a valid passport book to border control. As with air travel, passengers of all ages need a passport to gain entry.
Trusted travel programs
Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) are risk-based programs that pre-approve travelers to enter specific destinations. Being a member of a TTP will reduce the immigration requirements for entry.
Caribbean Destinations that US Citizens Don't Need a Passport to Visit
Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico is a Latin American island in the Caribbean. It is the largest US territory with daily flights from most major airports in the US.
US Virgin Islands: The US Virgin Islands of St John, St Croix and St Thomas are located in the Easter Caribbean and make part of the US overseas territories. Flights to the US Virgin Islands are available from major airports across the US.
US citizens who acquire dual citizenship in one of the five countries that offer Caribbean citizenship by investment can travel without a passport across six Caribbean islands within the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.
Caribbean Destinations that Require a Passport
Antigua and Barbuda- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
Antigua and BarbudaOverseas territories like Anguilla, Bonaire, and Martinique all require foreign visitors to present a valid passport at the port of entry.
Take a look at our Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Comparison Guide
Documents You Can Use When Traveling Without a Passport
US citizens without a valid passport can use the following documents with security features for non-passport-required Caribbean countries.
- Trusted traveler program card
- Passport card (only allows entry into territories via land or sea)
- Enhanced driver’s license (EDL) or ID card (must contain a chip that generates biometric data)
- Tribal ID
- NEXUS Card
- SENTRI Card
Traveling from a country other than the United States requires a passport. American passport holders can expedite entry through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in San Juan through the Global Entry Program; however, the program is not currently available at airports in St Thomas and St Croix.
Traveling with a minor requires proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, citizenship certificate, passport book, or passport card. If you are not the minor’s parent or legal guardian, you must produce a certificate demonstrating your relationship with the child, as well as a notarized agreement from their parents or guardians stating your right to travel with the child.
Seek advice from a Caribbean immigration lawyer or the country’s immigration authorities for the most accurate information.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Travel Requirements for the Caribbean
Can I travel to the Caribbean without a passport?
Whether you need a for the Caribbean depends on the destination country, your passport, and mode of transportation. Generally, you should always carry a passport or government-issued photo ID when traveling to any Caribbean country. If you obtain Caribbean citizenship by investment, you can travel to neighbouring Eastern Caribbean countries with your national ID card and other Caribbean passport visa free countries in the region.
Which Caribbean islands do not require passports?
Customs and Border Protection (CPB) in US territories allows US citizens to travel to the Caribbean without a passport. Destinations include Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Other travelers will require a valid passport and apply to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) or obtain a B Visa.
Where can you go in the Caribbean without a US passport?
US passport holders or US citizens without passports can travel in the Caribbean with their driver’s license or other forms of government-issued ID by traveling to US territories like Puerto Rico. The Dominica visa requirements and the St Lucia passport requirements for US citizens in the Caribbean permit entry without a passport on closed-loop cruises.
Can I go to the Bahamas without a passport?
All travelers require a passport with at least six months of validity to enter the Bahamas. However, you can travel to the Bahamas on a closed-loop cruise without a passport.
Is a passport required to go to Cancun?
You must present a valid passport to Mexican border control when traveling to Cancun; however, you can travel to Cancun without a passport on a closed-loop cruise.
Do I need a passport to go to Jamaica?
US and Canadian citizens visiting Jamaica need a passport to gain entry; however, a closed-loop cruise does not require passengers arriving from the US to have a passport.
Do you need a passport for the Dominican Republic?
US citizens traveling to the Dominica Republic must present a passport valid for at least six months to be permitted entry. Closed-loop cruises between the Dominican Republic and the United States do not require passengers to have a passport.
How many islands can you visit without a passport?
US citizens can visit the five following countries and territories of the United States without a passport, including: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
Can you travel to the Caribbean with a birth certificate?
US-born citizens can present a state-certified birth certificate and government-issued photo ID to sail on most cruises departing from a US cruise port, provided the cruise ends in the US. However, a birth certificate on it’s own is not sufficient for traveling to the Caribbean.
What happens If you travel to the Caribbean without a Passport?
Chances are, you’ll require a passport to depart for the Caribbean. Should you arrive in the Caribbean without a passport when one is needed, you’ll be denied entry and deported through the same method of transport you came with.
Can US citizens travel to the Caribbean with just a driver’s license?
A driver’s license is a form of government-issued photo ID, which is a legitimate document for visiting major islands in the Caribbean that doesn’t require a passport for US citizens.
Do US citizens need a visa for any Caribbean islands?
The only Caribbean island with a visa requirement for Americans is Cuba, which requires obtaining a tourist card before departure.
