Lieutenant Governor Gregory R. Francis is reminding all Virgin Islanders that new rules requiring the use of a passport to re-enter the United States at all land and sea ports are due to go into effect on January 31, 2008.

The new law will require travelers by air or sea to present a valid passport, visa or other approved document signifying proof of citizenship to enter the United States.  Citizens or residents traveling between the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the mainland will not be affected by the new statute and will only need to present proof of identification such as a valid driver’s license.

“This requirement was delayed for more than a year to allow more residents to apply for and receive passports,” Lt. Governor Francis said. “After the effective date, however, residents traveling to nearby Caribbean islands, including the British Virgin Islands, will have to present a passport to return to the territory. Foreign nationals as well should contact their respective governments to obtain passports.”

At a date to be determined in the summer, only valid passports, alien registration cards, traveler program cards, Merchant Mariner Documents, or U.S. military identification cards will be accepted for re-entry as the final phase in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

In preparation for this implementation, Lt. Governor Francis, who oversees the Passport Office in the Virgin Islands, is encouraging all U.S. citizens in the territory planning to travel outside of the United States within the year to begin the process of applying for a passport immediately.