The Caribbean Islands charm their visitors with their wide and sunny beaches, tropical climate, and natural beauty. This makes it one of the most preferred destinations for many to travel. At this point, many ask, “Do I need a passport for the Caribbean?”. There is not only one answer to this question. In some countries, you can visit the Caribbean without a passport, while in others, you need a passport. In this article, we will give you a clear idea of when and where you need a passport for Caribbean countries.
What to Discover in This Guide?
Do You Need a Passport for the Caribbean Islands?
American citizens are required to carry a passport that is at least six months valid before going to the Caribbean. However, in some cases, they do not need a passport; only a valid ID will be enough. These are stated below:
- The US Territories in the Caribbean: Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are the only US territories located in the Caribbean. So, as a US citizen, you do not need a passport to go to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The only thing you will need is your national ID card.
- Closed-Loop Cruises: These are round-trip cruises that help you travel to many Islands during one trip. Although US citizens do not need a passport for a closed-loop cruise, only a government-issued photo ID, we recommend you have a valid passport.
Visa Requirements for the Caribbean
Americans can stay up to 90 days with their passport, no visa required, in the Caribbean. However, the only country where you need a visa is Cuba. For this country, depending on your stay, you must apply for a tourist visa or a temporary resident visa.
Visa-free countries for US citizens are highlighted below:
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Haiti
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba)
- Curaçao
- French West Indies
- Turks and Caicos
- Puerto Rico – (no passport required)
- The US Virgin Islands – (no passport required)
Travelling Between US Territories: Visit without A Passport
Currently, two US territories in the Caribbean allow US citizens to enter with their ID card. One of them is Puerto Rico, standing as the best Island to go without a passport. According to Worldometer, around 144,149 Americans are stated to live there in 2024, which is the fourth country that American expats mostly prefer. Of course, this number is not a coincidence; Puerto Rico allows Americans to visit and live without a passport or visa. Plus, it is one of the cheap and beautiful places to travel without a passport. By spending only $1,123, you can cover your basic life expenses in a month.
Besides Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands also permits Americans to visit or stay without a need for a passport or a residence visa. Statistically, there are 16,895 American expats living there in 2024, making it one of the most accessible places to live.
However, if you are a lawful permanent resident or a Green card holder, you cannot enter these territories without a passport.
Air Travel
If you plan to go to any Caribbean country apart from the US territories by air travel, you will need a valid passport to enter. From Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, New York, and Orlando, you can find non-stop direct flights to Caribbean territories, including Aruba, St Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, and Curaço.
So, before you travel, please check out:
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months.
- Your passport must be in good condition, not torn apart or damaged.
- Your passport must have sufficient blank spaces for stamps or visas to be inserted.
Sea Travel
Around 19 million Americans are expected to prefer the Caribbean as a top cruise destination in 2025, according to the latest data from AAA. Therefore, we can say that sea travel is pretty common among the US visitors. But when, and in which conditions, do they need a passport to travel?
Closed-Loop Cruise Lines
A closed-loop cruise refers to a trip that begins and ends in the same spot. In other words, it is a round trip; you start and end your journey in the US. The most common cruise lines that offer closed-loop itineraries are Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, and Celebrity Cruises.
So, do you need a passport for a closed-loop Caribbean cruise? Actually, these cruises do not require you to have a valid passport; the only thing you will need to demonstrate is your ID or a document that can be used instead of it, such as a birth certificate. However, if you forget your driver’s license, birth certificate, or ID card, you might be denied entry.
These closed-loop cruises mostly include destinations like The Bahamas, Aruba, Puerto Plata, St Lucia, San Juan, and more. However, you may still want to carry a passport. Especially, if you miss the boat or have some sort of emergency that requires you to end your trip, you need your passport to move smoothly.
Open-Loop Cruise Lines
Unlike closed-loop cruises, an open-loop cruise starts in one country and then ends in another. For instance, you start your journey in Miami’s port, the US, and end your journey in Belize’s port, the Caribbean. Therefore, open-loop cruises require a valid passport to enter the Caribbean Islands.
In this case, you must check the validity of your passport before you start your journey.
Trusted Traveller Program
The Global Entry Trusted Traveller Program is one of the ways American citizens can enter the Caribbean without a passport. It allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers expedited clearance through customs and border control when entering the United States.
Alternative Documents to Passports for Cruise Travel
Documents needed for Caribbean Cruise or US territories, where you do not need to provide a passport, include:
- Passport Cards
- Driver Licence
- Birth Certificate
- Enhanced Indian Tribal Cards (ETC)
- NEXUS or SENTRI Card
1. Passport Cards
Similar to your national ID card, a passport card is issued as proof of citizenship and identity. However, it only allows you to travel through Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and some of the Caribbean countries. You cannot use it for your international travels like a US Passport book. Therefore, it’s mostly preferred due to its affordability compared to a passport book. While a single applicant pays $65 for a passport card, $165 for a passport book.
2. Enhanced Driver’s Licence
An enhanced driver’s licence, also known as EDL, is a type of proof of identity issued by an authoritative state. These include Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. It stands out as an affordable option while entering Mexico, Canada, and Caribbean countries by land or sea.
3. Birth Certificate
You can use your original birth certificate along with your valid photo ID for closed-loop cruises. A passport is not required for this type of itinerary under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).
4. Enhanced Indian Tribal Cards (ETC)
Enhanced Indian Tribal Cards, issued by federally recognized tribes, are also used as a means of identity proof. Yoy can get this card by enrolling and getting a membership into the tribe. Recognized under the WHTI, these cards offer you access to Canada, Mexico, and several Caribbean countries. Accordingly, you cannot use them in your international travels.
5. NEXUS or SENTRI Card
You can use your NEXUS or SENTRI Card while travelling to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands by land or sea. A NEXUS Card refers to a Trusted Traveller Program for US and Canadian citizens to move smoothly between the two countries. Similarly, the SENTRI Card is issued for ease of travel between the US and Mexico instead of a passport. You can use these cards while travelling to the Caribbean by land or sea for closed-loop cruises.
Travelling with Your Minor Child
If you plan to travel with your minor children to the US territories or via your closed-loop cruises, you need to bring the following documents with you:
- Birth certificate
- A passport card
- A passport book
- A naturalization or citizenship certificate
- Proof of your connection to the child
If you are not the legal guardian of the child or parent, you should also get a notarized parent’s consent.
Caribbean Countries That Require a Passport
Even if you are a citizen of the US, you still need to submit a passport when entering the following countries:
- St Lucia
- St Kitts and Nevis
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Dominica
- Grenada
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
1. St Lucia
Saint Lucia is one of the top travel destinations where Americans prefer to live, thanks to Saint Lucia’s safe environment. Generally, you can stay in St Lucia up to six months without a visa for tourism. If their stay exceeds this time period, they need to apply for a long-term visa. In the meantime, they can consider applying St Lucia Citizenship by Investment program.
The program allows you to get St Lucia citizenship through a $240,000 donation to the National Economic Fund. You can include your family members in your application, including your spouse, child, parents, and even siblings. Plus, the process is mostly quicker than the residency by investment programs, taking around 12-15 months to receive your citizenship status.
2. St Kitts and Nevis
As a US citizen, if you have a valid passport, you can stay up to 90 days without a visa. Planning to stay longer than this? You can go for temporary residency visas. Additionally, if you plan to permanently live there, you can apply for the St. Kitts citizenship by investment program.
The program, one of the oldest and most popular CBI programs in the Caribbean, allows you to get the fastest citizenship within 6-9 months. By contributing to the Sustainable Island State Contribution of about $250,000, you can obtain your St Lucia passport and benefit from its advantages.
3. Antigua and Barbuda
Known for its 365 beaches, Antigua and Barbuda is a perfect location for travel and relocation for Americans. You can stay 180 days without a visa. However, if your planned stay exceeds this, you need a long-term residence permit. In the meantime, if you consider permanently moving to Antigua and Barbuda to live or retire in the Caribbean, you can go for its citizenship by investment program.
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship can be obtained through a minimum donation amount of $230,000 within 6-9 months. In your application, you can include your spouse, children, parents, and even unmarried siblings. Once you complete the process smoothly, you can benefit from visa-free travel to many countries and Antigua’s safety.
4. Dominica
As one of the cheapest Caribbean Islands to live in 2025, Dominica allows Americans to stay up to 180 days (6 months) with their passport. At this point, if you plan to live longer than this time, you need a long-term visa. Planning to completely move there? You can consider applying for its citizenship by investment program.
By donating to the Economic Diversification Fund at least $200,000, you can apply for the Dominica Citizenship by Investment program. The processing time is around six to nine months, offering you a fast route. Once you obtain your Dominican citizenship, you can enjoy visa-free travel, tax incentives, and more.
5. Grenada
Grenada, one of the E-2 Visa countries, permits US citizens to stay 90 days without the need for a visa. If you want to live in Grenada more than this, you need a long-term visa. For investors, there is a Grenada Citizenship by Investment program that allows you to make a $200,000 donation to the Economic Diversification Fund. Thus, they can get citizenship within 9–12 months.
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FAQs on the Caribbean Destinations’ Passport Requirements
Do you need a passport for St. Lucia?
If you are not travelling via a closed-loop trip to St Lucia, you need a valid passport to enter.
Do I need consent from the other parent while travelling with my minor child in the Caribbean?
You will need a notarized consent from the other parent. In the other case, your onboarding can be denied. Please consult it with a lawyer before your visit.
Can you travel internationally without a passport?
No, you cannot travel internationally without the issuance of a passport book. To travel, you need to apply for a passport and check if you need a visa for the specific country you will visit.
Does the child need a passport for a Caribbean Cruise?
If you are travelling via a closed-loop cruise, you do not need a passport for your child. Instead of it, you can use a birth certificate, a passport card, a naturalization or citizenship certificate.
Can I use my driver's license to go to the Bahamas?
On condition that your visit will be via closed-loop cruises that will start and end in the same port, you can use your driver’s license to go to the Bahamas instead of your ID card or passport book.
Do I need a passport to go to Jamaica?
Unless you attend a closed-loop cruise, you will need to have a valid passport to enter Jamaica.
Do you need a passport to go to Turks and Caicos?
While travelling to Turks and Caicos, you will need a valid passport, unless it is a closed-loop cruise. However, you do not have to get a visa if your stay is no longer than 90 days.
Do I need a US passport card for the Caribbean?
A passport card is only valid for sea and land travel to Canada, Mexico, and some of the Caribbean countries. Therefore, to use it, you need to travel either to US territories or on closed-loop cruise itineraries. Otherwise, you require a US passport book.
Do I have to stay on the ship if I don’t have my passport?
No, you can get off the ship if it is a closed-loop cruise trip with your valid ID, or the alternative documentation you can provide instead of your identity card, such as a driver’s license or birth certificate. However, in case of an emergency, you are recommended to get your passport book with you.
