Is a passport required now to visit PR?

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Happygrrl

No you do not need a passport if traveling between the US Mainland and Puerto Rico because PR is a US Territory. It is not required for Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, US Mainland, Hawaii, Alaska, America Samoa, and so on. If you plan go to from Puerto Rico to Aruba (or some other non-US territory) then you need a passport.

This is confirmed by checking the US Department of State web site - the department that oversees passports.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Have a great trip! :)

nena

No don;t listen to that 1st dumb answer. PR is a commonwealth of the US. No passport required. I go every yr w/ just my drivers license

shinningstarofthecarribean

It all depends where are You coming from and Your Nationality?

Us citizen coming from US...Nothing Need it.

Other nationalities You need Your Passport and Visa.

â™¥Chiquita Boricuaâ™¥

No passport is required if you are a resident of the U.S. Puerto Rico is also part of the U.S. so you don't need one for this trip.

bpshark74

Here is the correct answer if you are a LAPR and you are traveling from the United States to Puerto Rico for as long as you dont make a stop on another foreign country you are not making an entry into the United States. In fact you wont even go through customs or immigration when you land. Puerto Rico is a comonwealth of the United States (a territory).
The official definition of the United States is The continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, Puerto Rico , U.S virgin Islands and the Swain ISlands.
You would never need a passport unless you are making an entry. Flying to PR from the states is the equivalent of not leaving the States.

melodyofdavid

This is from the US Department website:

Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States 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.

oroquiles

My God, this question has been answered before too many times. Please, don't repeat questions over and over and over. And your answer is no, you do not need a passport to visit Puerto Rico if you are coming from USA.

Vicky

Depends on where you're from.If you're from the US you probably don't need a passport.

tmramae

Nope, you do not need a passport. There was an article in USA Today a few months ago stating this.

roundater

not for direct travel between the us mainland and puerto rico. it is not a bad idea to get one in order to be able to visit neighboring islands.

planetmai03

This is probably more information than you need, but it might help people of other nationalities. As a commonwealth of the United States, American citizens require only valid proof of identity to enter Puerto Rico, and when arriving from the mainland, there is no immigration control.

U.S. citizens should take note, however, that to enter or re-enter the mainland United States from any non-territory point in the Caribbean, you must present a valid passport. If your vacation includes multiple stops, or if you plan to visit some of the nearby islands, bringing your passport is a must.

For citizens of other countries, the requirements for traveling to Puerto Rico are the same as they are for travel to any destination in the United States. These guidelines detail specific requirements for the following countries of origin:
Canada

Canadian citizens require only a valid passport to enter Puerto Rico.
United Kingdom

British citizens require a valid passport. UK passport holders qualify for the visa waiver program unless their passports are endorsed with British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen, or British National (Overseas) Citizen.
Australia

Australian citizens entering Puerto Rico require a passport, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to 90 days for business, pleasure, or transit. A machine-readable passport (MRP) has been required to gain visa-free entry to the country since Oct. 26, 2004.
South Africa

South Africans must hold a valid passport; a visa is also required.
New Zealand

New Zealand nationals require a valid passport but do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days under the U.S. Visa Waiver program, but a MRP, or machine-readable passport, is necessary to qualify for the program. A return or onward ticket is required, and the final destination must be to a country other than Mexico, Canada, or islands bordering the Caribbean Sea.
Ireland

Irish nationals require a valid passport. Irish passport holders qualify for the visa waiver program, but since October 2004, a machine-readable passport (MRP) has been required to gain visa-free entry to the country, which allows a stay of up to 90 days.

*Passport/Visa Note: All passport holders must have an onward or return ticket and documents necessary for further travel.

Although customs and documentation requirements are subject to change from time to time, the departure tax for leaving Puerto Rico, if any exists at the time of your visit, will be included in the price of your airfare at time of ticket purchase, so you won't have to worry about money matters on your return trip from Puerto Rico.

jleon_17

No passport needed, i just saw it on the P.R. vacations commercials. Have fun!

J.A.T.

No-just need a u.s. drivers license

darkman

If you are a citizen of the U.S., then NO you don't.

Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States 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.

La Flaca

no passport required if you are coming to from the US.. no passport required from PR to US ... HOWEVER.. if you plan on entering PR from any where else, you will be required to show a passport.

Dr. J

Yes. You need one. Before you didn't need one, but it just recently changed. Don't get confused if everyone here says yes and some no. I just went and they require it. It's a new law. Even though it's US territory, they require it for anything out of the US. You can get the passport at the Postal Office and the picture at the Postal Office or WalGreens.

Blunt Honesty

Yes.

cricket

You now have to have a passport to enter all countries, and some require visas. You can check with travel agent.

Cool Breeze

Yes..anytime you fly over int'l waters......

Amanda D

yes my parents just went to puerto rico at the beginning of the year and they had to go get a passport bfore going

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