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Caribbean U.S. Virgin Islands Charlotte Amalie Essential Information Passports & Visas

Overview

Passports & Visas

The guide was updated: 2024-09-11

The U.S. Virgin Islands choose to follow the mainland US entry requirements. As with the mainland, any non-US citizen must follow the Visa Waiver Program. All travellers arriving in the U.S. Virgin Islands from outside the United States (including U.S. citizens) must meet the requirements for entry (or re-entry) to the United States. Since USVI is an American territory, a passport is not required for American/American Samoan citizens who are travelling from any part of the United States or its territories, as long as a foreign place is not touched during the journey. However, having a passport might speed up the entry and exit process. The territory is a "free port" in a separate customs zone from the mainland USA, which means that everyone going to the mainland must go through customs.

Useful Information

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Cyril E. King Airport (STT)

Cyril E. King Airport (STT)

Cyril E. King Airport is a public airport just two miles (3 km) west of the central business district of Charlotte Amalie. The U.S. Virgin Islands greet visitors with open-air terminals — rain or shine — so be ready with sunscreen of rain protection! The airport also serves the island of St. John and is additionally often used by those travelling to the nearby British Virgin Islands. Non-stop and connecting service from the US mainland to St. Thomas are available, but most flights make connections in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Small sea planes land at the Charlotte Amalie Harbor Seaplane Base — another port-authority-owned private-use airport with two seaplane landing areas.

Havensight — The West India Company Dock

Havensight — The West India Company Dock

Havensight is one of the busiest cruise ship ports in the world. The port is located only 2.5 km (1.5 miles) or about a 5-10 minute taxi ride outside of downtown Charlotte Amalie. Havensight is mostly known for its deepwater port West Indian Company Dock and the aerial tramway to Paradise Point on Flag Hill. Right here you'll find numerous businesses that offer boat trips, submarine rides, scuba diving and snorkelling, jet skiing and more. Boats can take you to Red Hook in East End, Saint John, and Water Island. Taxis will take you downtown for about $3, but you could also take a long but pleasant walk there. The Havensight Mall offers eateries, all sorts of souvenir and luxury shops, and even a post office. Nail salons and barber shops, pharmacies and crafts stalls — whatever you need for a great trip. Three large modern cruise ships can tie up at Havensight at the same time. When the docks are full, allow extra time to return to the pier from downtown Charlotte Amalie.

Passports & Visas

Passports & Visas

The U.S. Virgin Islands choose to follow the mainland US entry requirements. As with the mainland, any non-US citizen must follow the Visa Waiver Program. All travellers arriving in the U.S. Virgin Islands from outside the United States (including U.S. citizens) must meet the requirements for entry (or re-entry) to the United States. Since USVI is an American territory, a passport is not required for American/American Samoan citizens who are travelling from any part of the United States or its territories, as long as a foreign place is not touched during the journey. However, having a passport might speed up the entry and exit process. The territory is a "free port" in a separate customs zone from the mainland USA, which means that everyone going to the mainland must go through customs.

Crown Bay Dock

Crown Bay Dock

Once a naval base, Crown Bay is St. Thomas' newest cruise port. The port has been completely restored after the hurricanes of 2017. The ships dock on either side of a single finger pier. The Crown Bay Center is a large shopping mall just outside the pier gates with duty-free shops, crafts and souvenir stalls, restrooms, ATMs, convenient stores and taxi dispatch. A taxi is the best way to get to Charlotte Amalie downtown. You'll find the Information Center just outside the Mall, on the north side. The building looks like a miniature windmill, so it's easy to spot.

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