Travel Requirements
Required
Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens Traveling to St. Croix
Passports for U.S. Citizens are NOT required for the U.S. Virgin Islands,
but you must be prepared to show evidence of citizenship upon leaving
(such as a government issued photo ID or your passport). Citizens of
countries other than the U.S. should follow U.S. travel regulations.
To travel outside the U.S. Virgin Islands requires a birth certificate
& ID or valid passport. Health certificates are not required if you're
entering from the U.S. or Puerto Rico; citizens entering from other
countries should follow the same guidelines as for the mainland U.S.
Please visit
CBP.gov
for the latest information on travel requirements.
*****
U.S. Citizens do not need a passport to travel to St. Croix!!! *****
Travelers
from U.S. territories DO NOT need to
present a passport to enter the United
States. These territories are a part
of the United States. U.S. citizens
returning directly from a U.S. territory
are not considered to have left the
U.S. and do not need to present a passport.
U.S. territories include the following:
Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands,
American Samoa, Swains Island and the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands. If the traveler also visited
non-U.S. territories, he/she is required
to present a passport.
Information from the
U.S. Customs and
Border Protection Website
Documents You Will Need to Enter
and/or Re-Enter the United States
Visitors/Non-immigrants
All persons including citizens of the
United States traveling by air between
the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean
and Bermuda are required to present
a passport, Merchant Mariner Document
(presented by U.S. citizen merchant
mariners traveling on official business)
or NEXUS Card (NEXUS enrollment is limited
to citizens of the United States and
Canada, and lawful permanent residents
of the United States and Canada). Children
will be required to present their own
passport.
U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs),
refugees, and asylees will continue
to be able to use their Alien Registration
CardU.S. Passport (Form I-551), issued
by DHS, or other evidence of permanent
resident status or refugee or asylee
status to apply for entry into the United
States.
The
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
(WHTI) does not affect travel between
the United States and its territories.
U.S. citizens traveling directly between
the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico,
the U.S. Virgin Islands, America Samoa,
Swains Island and the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands will continue
to be able to use established forms
of identification to board flights and
for entry.
As of January 31, 2008, verbal declarations
of identity and citizenship alone will
no longer be accepted. On this date,
U.S. and Canadian citizens entering
the U. S. at land and sea ports of entry
from within the Western Hemisphere will
need to present (1) government-issued
proof of citizenship, such as a birth
certificate, along with (2) government
issued photo ID, such as a driver’s
license. ( Important Change in International
Land and Sea Travel Document Procedures
)
While a passport or other comparable
document is not required for entry by
land or sea, U.S. and Canadian citizens
are highly encouraged to carry proof
of identity and citizenship. Travelers
19 years and older should also carry
government-issued photo ID. Please visit
CBP.gov for the latest information on
travel requirements. (CBP.gov - Travel
Info),
https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/saint-croix
Marriage
Requirements -
Click here for detailed Wedding Information
An eight-day waiting period is
required for couples desiring to be married in the Virgin Islands. Information
can be obtained by writing to:
Clerk of the Territorial Court
P.O. Box 70
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00801
(340) 774-7325
|
OFFICIAL NAME U.S. Virgin Islands
Including the Islands of: St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas
CAPITAL CITY Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, population 22,000
Background:
|
During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided
into two territorial units, one English and the
other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor,
drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early
19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish
portion, which had been in economic decline since
the abolition of slavery in 1848. |
Location:
|
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and
the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
18 20 N, 64 50 W |
Map references:
|
Central America and the Caribbean
|
Area:
|
total: 1,910 sq km
land: 346 sq km
water: 1,564 sq km |
Area - comparative:
|
twice the size of Washington, DC |
Land boundaries:
|
0 km |
Coastline:
|
188 km |
Maritime claims:
|
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
|
Climate:
|
subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively
low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation;
rainy season September to November |
Terrain:
|
mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little
level land |
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crown Mountain 475 m
|
Natural resources:
|
sun, sand, sea, surf |
Land use:
|
arable land: 5.71%
permanent crops: 2.86%
other: 91.43% (2005) |
Irrigated land:
|
NA |
Natural hazards:
|
several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and
severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
|
Environment - current issues:
|
lack of natural freshwater resources
|
Geography - note:
|
important location along the Anegada Passage - a
key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas
has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in
the Caribbean |
Population:
|
108,210 (July 2008 est.) |
Age structure:
|
0-14 years: 21.2% (male 11,546/female 11,354)
15-64 years: 66.4% (male 34,096/female 37,760)
65 years and over: 12.4% (male 5,961/female
7,493) (2008 est.) |
Median age:
|
total: 38.3 years
male: 37.2 years
female: 39.1 years (2008 est.)
|
Population growth rate:
|
-0.27% (2008 est.) |
Birth rate:
|
13.43 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
|
Death rate:
|
6.79 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
|
Net migration rate:
|
-9.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
|
Sex ratio:
|
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2008
est.) |
Infant mortality rate:
|
total: 7.53 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 8.57 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2008
est.) |
Life expectancy at birth:
|
total population: 79.34 years
male: 75.56 years
female: 83.35 years (2008 est.)
|
Total fertility rate:
|
2.14 children born/woman (2008 est.)
|
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence
rate:
|
NA |
HIV/AIDS - people living
with HIV/AIDS:
|
NA |
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
|
NA |
Nationality:
|
noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Virgin Islander |
Ethnic groups:
|
black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%,
mixed 3.5% (2000 census) |
Religions:
|
Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%,
other 7% |
Languages:
|
English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%,
French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)
|
Literacy:
|
definition: age 15 and over can read and
write
total population: 90-95% est.
male: NA%
female: NA% (2005 est.) |
Country name:
|
conventional long form: United States Virgin
Islands
conventional short form: Virgin Islands
former: Danish West Indies
abbreviation: USVI |
Dependency status:
|
organized, unincorporated territory of the US with
policy relations between the Virgin Islands and
the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular
Affairs, US Department of the Interior
|
Government type:
|
NA |
Capital:
|
name: Charlotte Amalie
geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington,
DC during Standard Time) |
Administrative divisions:
|
none (territory of the US); there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government,
but there are three islands at the second order;
Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas
|
Independence:
|
none (territory of the US) |
National holiday:
|
Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March
(1917) |
Constitution:
|
Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 |
Legal system:
|
based on US laws |
Suffrage:
|
18 years of age; universal; island residents are
US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
|
Executive branch:
|
chief of state: President George W. BUSH
of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President
Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)
head of government: Governor John DeJONGH
(since 1 January 2007)
cabinet: NA
elections: under the US Constitution, residents
of unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin
Islands, do not vote in elections for US president
and vice president; however, they may vote in the
Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections;
governor and lieutenant governor elected on the
same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms
(eligible for a second term); election last held
7 and 21 November 2006 (next to be held November
2010)
election results: John DeJONGH elected governor;
percent of vote - John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP
42.7% |
Legislative branch:
|
unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected
by popular vote to serve two-year terms)
elections: last held 7 November 2006 (next
to be held November 2008)
election results: percent of vote by party
- NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM 4,
independent 3
note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting
representative to the US House of Representatives;
election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held
November 2008) |
Judicial branch:
|
US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third
Circuit jurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin
Islands (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year
terms) |
Political parties and leaders:
|
Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent
Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican
Party [Gary SPRAUVE] |
Political pressure groups
and leaders:
|
NA |
International organization
participation:
|
IOC, UPU |
Diplomatic representation
in the US:
|
none (territory of the US) |
Diplomatic representation
from the US:
|
none (territory of the US) |
Flag description:
|
white field with a modified US coat of arms in the
center between the large blue initials V and I;
the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an
olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the
other with a superimposed shield of vertical red
and white stripes below a blue panel
|
Economy - overview:
|
Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting
for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands hosted
2.6 million visitors in 2005. The manufacturing
sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles,
electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly.
One of the world's largest petroleum refineries
is at Saint Croix. The agricultural sector is small,
with most food being imported. International business
and financial services are small but growing components
of the economy. The islands are vulnerable to substantial
damage from storms. The government is working to
improve fiscal discipline, to support construction
projects in the private sector, to expand tourist
facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the
environment. |
GDP (purchasing power parity):
|
$1.577 billion (2004 est.) |
GDP (official exchange rate):
|
$NA |
GDP - real growth rate:
|
2% (2002 est.) |
GDP - per capita (PPP):
|
$14,500 (2004 est.) |
GDP - composition by sector:
|
agriculture: 1%
industry: 19%
services: 80% (2003 est.) |
Labor force:
|
43,980 (2004 est.) |
Labor force - by occupation:
|
agriculture: 1%
industry: 19%
services: 80% (2003 est.) |
Unemployment rate:
|
6.2% (2004) |
Population below poverty
line:
|
28.9% (2002) |
Household income or consumption
by percentage share:
|
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
Inflation rate (consumer
prices):
|
2.2% (2003) |
Budget:
|
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA |
Agriculture - products:
|
fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
|
Industries:
|
tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum
distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles,
electronics |
Industrial production growth
rate:
|
NA% |
Electricity - production:
|
996.1 million kWh (2005) |
Electricity - consumption:
|
926.4 million kWh (2005) |
Electricity - exports:
|
0 kWh (2005) |
Electricity - imports:
|
0 kWh (2005) |
Oil - production:
|
17,620 bbl/day (2005 est.) |
Oil - consumption:
|
98,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) |
Oil - exports:
|
397,400 bbl/day (2004) |
Oil - imports:
|
493,000 bbl/day (2004) |
Oil - proved reserves:
|
NA |
Natural gas - production:
|
0 cu m (2005 est.) |
Natural gas - consumption:
|
0 cu m (2005 est.) |
Natural gas - exports:
|
0 cu m (2005 est.) |
Natural gas - imports:
|
0 cu m (2005) |
Natural gas - proved reserves:
|
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) |
Exports:
|
$4.234 billion (2001) |
Exports - commodities:
|
refined petroleum products |
Exports - partners:
|
US, Puerto Rico (2006) |
Imports:
|
$4.609 billion (2001) |
Imports - commodities:
|
crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building
materials |
Imports - partners:
|
US, Puerto Rico (2006) |
Economic aid - recipient:
|
$NA |
Debt - external:
|
$NA |
Currency (code):
|
US dollar (USD) |
Exchange rates:
|
the US dollar is used |
Fiscal year:
|
1 October - 30 September |
Telephones - main lines in
use:
|
71,700 (2005) |
Telephones - mobile cellular:
|
80,300 (2005) |
Telephone system:
|
general assessment: modern system with total
digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave
radio relay
domestic: full range of services available
international: country code - 1-340; submarine
cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central
and South America; satellite earth stations - NA
|
Radio broadcast stations:
|
AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2005) |
Television broadcast stations:
|
5 (2006) |
Internet country code:
|
.vi |
Internet hosts:
|
4,116 (2007) |
Internet users:
|
30,000 (2005) |
Airports:
|
2 (2007) |
Airports - with paved runways:
|
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) |
Roadways:
|
total: 1,257 km (2004) |
Ports and terminals:
|
Charlotte Amalie, Limetree Bay |
Military - note:
|
defense is the responsibility of the US
|
Disputes - international:
|
none |
|
|
|