Travel Without a Passport
Places U.S. citizens can visit without a passport
This is general travel information, not legal advice. Entry rules change frequently. Always confirm current requirements with your cruise line, airline, or the U.S. State Department before you travel. A passport is always the safest form of ID for international travel.
U.S. Territories
These are U.S. soil — U.S. citizens can fly there and back with only a government-issued photo ID (a passport is not required).
Puerto Rico
San Juan
U.S. territory — no passport required for U.S. citizens. Valid government-issued photo ID is enough to fly there and back.
Spanish and English are both official languages. U.S. dollar currency.
U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John
U.S. territory — no passport required for U.S. citizens. A government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) are recommended.
English is the primary language. U.S. dollar currency.
Guam
Hagåtña
U.S. territory — no passport required for U.S. citizens arriving from within the U.S. A government-issued photo ID is sufficient.
English and Chamorro are official languages. U.S. dollar currency.
Northern Mariana Islands
Saipan, Tinian, Rota
U.S. commonwealth — no passport required for U.S. citizens. A government-issued photo ID is sufficient.
English, Chamorro, and Carolinian are official languages. U.S. dollar currency.
American Samoa
Pago Pago
U.S. territory — no passport required for U.S. citizens, but you must show proof of U.S. citizenship (e.g., a certified birth certificate) and a return/onward ticket. A photo ID is also required.
English and Samoan are official languages. U.S. dollar currency.
Closed-Loop Cruises
On a cruise that begins and ends at the same U.S. port, U.S. citizens can re-enter with a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID. Common destinations include:
Mexico
Common ports: Cozumel, Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas
Canada
Common ports: Victoria, Vancouver, Nova Scotia
Bermuda
Common ports: King's Wharf, Hamilton
The Bahamas
Common ports: Nassau, Freeport, CocoCay
Caribbean Islands
Common ports: Jamaica, Grand Cayman, St. Maarten, St. Kitts
A passport is strongly recommended even on closed-loop cruises — if you miss the ship or have a medical emergency and need to fly home, a passport is required to re-enter the U.S. by air.
Enhanced Driver's License (EDL)
An Enhanced Driver's License (marked with a U.S. flag) can be used in place of a passport for land and sea entry from these destinations. Only the states below issue EDLs.
States that issue EDLs:
With an EDL you can enter by land or sea from: Canada · Mexico · Bermuda
An EDL cannot be used for international air travel. A standard driver's license alone is not accepted for re-entry from these countries.
What to Bring
- U.S. territories: a government-issued photo ID (driver's license). A passport card or passport book also works.
- Closed-loop cruises: a certified birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID, OR a passport book/card.
- Enhanced Driver's License holders: carry your EDL — it replaces a passport for land/sea entry from Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda.
- Always carry proof of citizenship. Keep copies separate from originals in case of loss or theft.