From arctic glaciers to virgin beaches, American citizens can visit places transports without passport.
At present, there are unprecedented delays with the State Department which issues New passport passports and renewal , due to a bottleneck after the pandemic closures. With 500,000 weekly applications that arrive now, there is a huge backwards for passports. And if you are one of the unlucky Americans while waiting for the State Department to catch up, you may be wondering what Places where you can travel without passport.
If you don't have a completely passport, you are not alone either. In 2022, according to the State Department, there were 151,814 305 Valid American passports in circulation, while the American population was 333,287,557 - which represents around 55% of Americans do not have a passport.
Fortunately, there are many exciting places in the United States Travel bucket list without passport or visa. America shelters adorably Small original cities , beautiful National parks, and even Magnificent beaches - All accessible without passport. And there are even American islands and territories, such as the American virgin islands, where you can visit without passport.
This can however be confusing, because there are also other American territories, such as Guam, where you need a passport to visit. You can also worry about knowing whether to bring a passport with regard to closed loop cruises, especially those that dock in other countries such as Canada and Mexico. After all, bringing a passport when you don't need it does only one important thing you have to worry about losing.
To help make your travel planning as without stress as possible, we spoke with travel agents and citizenship advisers to better understand where exactly American citizens can travel without passport - and why it is intelligent to travel with a in certain circumstances.
Why don't I need a passport to travel in certain areas?
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If you are traveling to the United States and some territories, you may not need a passport, says Tonya Waite , travel agent and founder of Beautiful life Travel .
"This encompasses the 50 familiar states and the American territories, including destinations like Puerto Rico, the American Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands," explains Waite. Travel to these regions are considered interior trips, similar to a New York flight to Chicago.
With regard to closed loop cruises (cruises that leave from the United States to Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico which end at the same port), Ilisa Oman , a travel agent at Family trip of a world , assures travelers that they do not need proof of passport because of the Western hemisphere travel initiative (Whti) . For this type of trip, a driving license or an identity document issued by the state is generally good.
However, there are exceptions. Continue to read for specific identification requirements linked to certain areas.
Where can I go without passport?
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Saint-Thomas With its superb white sandy beaches, its diving in apnea and its Danish colonial architecture, Saint-Thomas is loved an island of the Caribbean. As an American citizen, you do not need a passport to visit the American virgin islands, but you need it to visit the British Virgin Islands. St. Thomas is located in the American virgin islands, as World residence index founder Mark Damsgaard Notes, you only have to present an identity document issued by the government with your photo.
Saint Cross Tropical Paradise St. Croix also has virgin beaches, turquoise waters and championship golf courses. And it's also another American virgin islands. Thus, you do not have to bring a passport when you travel to and from the island, says Damsgaard.
St-Jean The smallest of the three American virgin islands, Saint-Jean has the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and the ecological reserve, which offers archaeological sites of diving, hiking and prehistoric. Damsgaard notes that because St. John is one of the American virgin islands, you don't need a passport to travel there.
Northern Mariana Islands The same rules apply to the Northern Mariana Islands, which consist of 14 tropical islands, with banks of sand and blue waters, and offer activities such as windsurfing, cave dives and hikes of the jungle. "American citizens can visit the distant islands of the northern Mariana islands without passport, but you must have proof of identification issued by the government with you," said Damsgaard.
Porto Rico American territory not constituted in society, this Caribbean island presents its sandy beaches, Mountains, waterfalls And the only tropical tropical forest of the national system of American forests. If you are an American citizen traveling from anywhere in the United States, you don't need a passport, says Damsgaard. However, by May 2025, Real ID Act will be in force, he adds: "So, if your condition is not in accordance with this act, you will need a passport to visit Puerto Rico."
Guam You need a passport to visit the western territory in the United States "in general, Guam demands that American citizens have a valid passport when they enter the island," said Damsgaard. "On a case -by -case basis, you could only be forced to have proof of valid identification or citizenship." However, it is better to travel with one, just in case. And it is worth exploring its white sandy beaches, the culture of the Local Chamorro people and the unique stone structures.
American Samoa American territory not constituted in society, American Samoa include seven volcanic islands in the South Pacific. "Citizenship and immigration services of the United States (USCIS) do not exercise competence on the islands," explains Damsgaard. So you must always have a passport when you travel to its islands.
Closed loop cruise destinations
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The Bahamas With 16 islands, the Bahamas have white and pink sandy beaches, blue -green waters and coral reefs and golf courses - by making a popular cruise destination. According to Nassau Paradise Island, an island of the Bahamas, those who arrive at the Bahamas on a cruise ship that deviates from the American soil can be able to Provide Whti documents Instead of a passport. But travelers should confirm this before taking the sail. Also be careful to make sure that your passport does not expire within six months of your departure.
Costa Rica The country of Central America is home to unrivaled natural wonders, especially hot sources, tropical tropical forests and one of the most important nesting places for sea turtles. For cruises that stop at Costa Rica, so much that the cruise begins and ends at the same American port, you No need for a passport To travel there, by Costaricacruises.com. However, you will have to show proof of American citizenship, which can be done with an identity document issued by the government with a certified photo or copy of your birth certificate.
Turkish and caïques islands An archipelago of 40 Coral, Turks and Caicos islands is renowned for its magnificent white sandy beaches and luxury stations. According to Travel Visa Pro, cruise passengers in closed loop can use Whti documents to replace a passport.
British virgin islands Part of a volcanic archipelago, the British virgin islands incorporate around 60 islands of variable sizes. If your cruise hangs on the British Virgin Islands (BVIS), you will Need to present a passport To take advantage of the islands.
Mexico The cruises in Mexico highlight the tropical jungles of the country, the sandy coasts and the ancient architecture. Similar to Costa Rica, you only need an identity document issued by the government with a certified photo or copy of your birth certificate if you travel via a cruise ship that starts and ends on the ground American.
Canada If you head to Canada during a cruise, you will probably see beautiful natural landscapes, charming shores and world -class cities. The same identification requirements apply to closed loop cruises that stop in Canada.
In the USA
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The Florida Keys The Florida Keys are a small collection of islands nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, about 120 miles from the Pointe de l'Etat de Florida. The tropical destination is a southern extension of the state of Florida and which houses Key West, an ultra -popular vacation spot in the spring and summer. Although they are very close to the Caribbean, American citizens do not need a passport to travel there.
Hawaii Hawaii is the only American state which is both an archipelago and located in the tropics. And you don't need a passport to visit it and admire its magnificent beaches, its Polynesian culture or its epic natural wonders. However, similar to Puerto Rico, the state of Hawaii will establish ID reality in May 2025, so make sure to get your real identifier by then.
Alaska The American state of the northwest, in Alaska - with its snowy terrain, its extraordinary fauna and its famous dog sled races - seem a world far from the American continent in Alaska is the house to the largest national park in the country (13 million acres Wrangell-St. Elias) , the highest point ( Denali 20 310 feet) , And the longest coastline, With 66,000 miles of arctic and sub-arctic shores.
But American citizens only need a real identity document to go to Alaska; A passport is not required. The only warning of this rule is if you travel to Alaska via Canada. Those who lead to Alaska from Canada, taking a ferry or with a stopover in Canada, will have to bring a passport with them.
Faq
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Can Americans go to Europe without passport?
In short, the answer is no. Whether you steal or head, you will be invited to show proof of identification of passports when you arrive at a European border control agent. "Americans need a passport when you travel to Europe and the passport must be valid for at least three months before your European country departs," said Damsgaard.
For example, let's say you have had your passport for two months and three weeks. You will be authorized in the European country, but you will not be authorized in the United States before having reached this three-month validation mark.
Should I bring my passport with me, even if I don't need it?
It is better than sorry, advises Damsgaard. "It is better to transport your passport with you even when your destination does not require it," he said by caution. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
Waite agrees, noting that traveling with a passport can serve as a precious emergency plan. "Having a passport at hand can be very beneficial in situations such as an unexpected stopover in a foreign country or any unforeseen travel disturbance," she explains.
Can I use my birth certificate instead of a passport?
Very rarely, a birth certificate has the same weight as a passport. "Your birth certificate does not replace a passport," warns Damsgaard. "You can only use it at the place of a passport when you travel to other American territories or closed loop cruises, where you need proof of identification and nationality."
That said, if you travel to an unknown territory or if you are concerned about unforeseen international affairs (such as a change in theft), Damsgaard strongly recommends bringing a valid passport just to be safe. It is better to be prepared, especially if you travel solo or to a destination where you do not know anyone.
What's going on if you travel without passport?
Traveling at the national level, including in the American territories, without passport, is generally not a problem. It moves internationally without passport when you start encountering problems. If you travel without passport in a country that requires proof of that one, you will probably refuse the entry, explains Oman. Realisticly, you will probably not even have succeeded as far, because security will not allow you to get on the plane or a ship if you are traveling at sea.
In terms of closed loop cruises, you could be stuck in a foreign country, due to the disappearance of the ship or a medical emergency. In these cases, you will have to go to the nearest United States Embassy and get an emergency passport to go home. Oman prevents an expensive and long process.
Conclusion
From the superb Arctic landscape of Alaska to the lush tropical jungles of Puerto Rico and the immaculate white sandy beaches of Saint-Thomas, there are many beautiful and transporting places to which you can travel without passport as an American citizen.
But although there are several places where you can go, it does not hurt to travel with a passport in the event of an emergency or unexpected travel disturbance, such as a stopover or a cancellation of theft. In all cases, check the identification documents necessary to enter the country you visit.
