Us passport requirements for entry into jamaica usa today. Passport requirements for travel to jamaica getaway usa. A passport is a secure travel document that is often used to show proof of ones identity and citizenship. You do not need a visa for tourist travel up to 90 days. This is true whenever you travel by air from one country to another. As a result, travelers from the united state should consider applying for a passport book if they plan to visit jamaica. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Youll need a passport book thats valid for the entire length of your stay, and youll need it to return to the u. If you fly to jamaica, a passport book is the only acceptable form of identification, despite jamaicas membership of the western hemisphere travel initiative. To enter by land or sea, you can use a passport card, which is a small card that fits in your wallet.
Visa and passport requirements for jamaica world travel guide. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Do you need passport to go to jamaica or just green card. Use your passport book as identification when flying to jamaica. Jamaica passport requirements state that you must have a u. Everyone travelling to jamaica must present a valid and approved travel document as evidence of their identity and nationality. New passport card for usa jamaica forum tripadvisor. Get jamaica travel advice on tripadvisor s jamaica travel forum. Do you need a passport book or card to fly out off the. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. If you are leaving within the next month or two and need a passport, submitting your passport application through a private passport expediting service will ensure you have your passport in. However, in recent years, passports are required for most travel to the. If you are cruising to the caribbean, you will need to enter with either your u.
If you are traveling by boat, you need either a us passport book, a us passport card, a nexus, sentri or fast card, or an enhanced drivers license. As an american citizen, since 2009 the implantation of the western hemisphere travel initiate you now need a passport for any international travel. The wont work if you want to fly to cacun or cabo or jamaica to name a few places. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to indicate that you would like to apply for both products. Carnival cruise lines strongly recommends all of our guests travel with a valid passport. If you are flying to jamaica, you must have a valid passport book to travel.
Violent crime, particularly theft, is common on the caribbean island so carry valuables like your passport in a money belt or pouch inside your clothing. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans, the passport card can be a cheaper alternative. Passport cards are smaller and less expensive than passport books, but are not valid for. If you are jamaica dreaming, dont let fears about entry requirements stop you. The bahamas only requires that you prove your citizenship and present a picture i. Given this close relationship, its no surprise that all you need as a u. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. Maybe you want to arrive at your caribbean destination, get your bag and immediately head to the beach. What documentation do you need to travel to jamaica. You are required to obtain and complete an application form. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. To enter jamaica, a passport valid for the duration of stay is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. If you have changed your name, then you will be required to fill out the regular passport application form and have it certified by a certifying official. Will passport photos be required to get the new passport card.
Americans may enter the unites states from the bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or. So if youre coming from anywhere outside jamaica, you will need a passport. If you need to get a passport for a trip to jamaica, experts recommend that you apply a few months in advance to make sure you have your passport in time. The card will have the same validity period as a passport book.
Six caribbean islands you can visit without a passport. You will require information from one of the documents listed below to complete your online renewal application. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, and you can also use it to return to the u. In other words, you will almost always need a passport book or passport card to enter the united states of america. You must also show proof of return or onward travel, along with sufficient funds for your trip.
Generally the passport card is a valid form of id when going on a cruise. However, if you are going on a closedloop jamaica cruise, you may be able to show a western hemisphere travel initiative whti approved document to return to the u. The most common and preferred travel document is a passport, but other types of travel documents may also be accepted. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. If you are flying to jamaica, you must have a passport book with one blank page marked visas. As you told that if you are living in jamaica than there is no need of passport but if you belongs to other country than you have to take passport for going there. The passport card is a travel document that can be used to reenter the united states by land or sea from canada, mexico, bermuda, and parts of the caribbean. Please ensure that you have the document that applies to you before you start your application. Rightno passport needed as i would guess you stopped at a foreign port en route to nyc. Do you need a passport to go to jamaica from the united. Applying for an adult passport passport immigration and.
All other travelers will need a visa andor work permit. Passport cards are smaller and less expensive than full passports, and are accepted for travel by land or sea, but not air, within canada, mexico and the caribbean islands. Passport requirements for visiting popular countries. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Requirements for travel to jamaica everyone travelling to jamaica must present a valid and approved travel document as evidence of their identity and nationality. The bahamian government only requires proof of citizenship e. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. But to answer your question, you cant fly to jamaica with a passport card. Jamaica passport requirements state that you do need a passport to go. There is nothing you can do with the card you cant do with the book. Do you need a passport to take a cruise from the u.
You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using either form ds11 apply in person or form ds82 renew by mail must be eligible. You wont be able to use a passport card for air travel to or from the island. Do i need a passport to go to on a caribbean cruise. The most common and preferred travel document is a passport, but other types of. I just received my passport book, but if you go to the post office and get the passport application it would tell you the difference of the book and card. Passport books are recommended as passport card would not be. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. Do you need a passport book or passport card to go to mexico. All americans traveling by air outside of the united states are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or reenter the united states. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. This requirement will be extended to sea travel except closed loop cruises, including ferry service, by the summer of 2009. In general you should say where youre coming from and what your nationality is. If you fly back to the united states from jamaica, you need to show a valid us passport at the airport. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book.
The card is only good for sea and land to mexico, canada and the bahamas. For those traveling by sea, a passport card is acceptable for entry into jamaica and return to the u. Any international destination will require a passport to leave the us and to enter another nation, and then to enter the us again. Jamaica doesnt require a tourist visa if youre staying up to 90 days. You need a passport for cruises to and from foreign ports. Your passport card can also be used to enter most caribbean nations by sea. It is the size of a drivers license and less expensive than a passport book, making it a more convenient option for travelers who are frequently crossing the border between these specific destinations. New passports and passport renewals if you do need a new us passport for your first international trip or a renewal application to make sure your old book wont expire while youre cruising the carribean, be sure to stop. Jamaica doesnt require a tourist visa for visits shorter than 90 days, but you do need a passport book that will remain valid for the length of your visit. Given this fact, the short answer is yes you will need a valid passport in order to visit jamaica. Jamaica accepts identification cards such as school ids. If your ship had to end the cruise at a foreign port due to a mechanical issue or if you had an emergency need to fly home, a passport book would have been required for reentry into the us from a foreign port. Jamaican adoption certificate for persons adopted in jamaica.
Youll need a passport book thats valid for the entire length of your stay, and you ll need it to return to the u. No matter where you are going, you will need a passport book if you are traveling internationally by air. This includes jamaica, bahamas, the british virgin islands bvi haiti, canada, mexico, panama. The difference between the card and the book is that you cant use the card for international air travel. If you are entering jamaica by sea, you may use a passport card or a passport book, but passport books are preferred because entry officials may not be familiar with the us passport card. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Initiative means that you can arrive at a jamaican seaport and use your passport card. It looks like its only for cruise ship, in regards to jamaican, but a cheaper. The only advantage the card has is ease of carrying it with you for people in boarder areas constantly going across the boarder. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. To make things even more complicated, there are a few exceptions to the above requirements. The caribbean island nations that accept the us passport card include bermuda, jamaica, aruba, the bahamas, the british virgin islands, and dominican republic. Passport books are recommended as passport card would not be accepted for air travels.