The US Virgin Islands Just Removed All Travel Rules for Americans 

By: - May 29th, 2022
st thomas us virgin islands

The US Virgin Islands, among the biggest tourism success stories of the pandemic, has announced a major updates to its entry rules: the lifting of all restrictions for American travelers. 

That means U.S. citizens traveling from the US mainland and other territories will no longer be required to complete the US Virgin Islands Travel Screening Portal to travel to the destination. 

The US Virgin Islands had been requiring testing for unvaccinated travelers; now all American travelers, regardless of vaccination status, can travel restriction-free to the destination. 

us virgin islands caribbean rebound
A beach in St Croix.

The US Virgin Islands continues to be exempt from the CDC’s inbound testing requirement. That means Americans who travel to the USVI don’t need a test to return to the mainland. 

“The health and well-being of our residents and visitors alike continue to be our biggest priority”, says Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism. “The Department of Tourism along with Governor Bryan’s Office and the Virgin Islands Department of Health, have worked together to closely monitor the COVID cases in the territory and strategically take steps that will ensure the health and safety of our residents and visitors. Our measures have proven successful and give us the confidence to continue to ease travel and testing requirements to the territory so that we can continue to safely welcome visitors.”

us virgin islands travel
Honeymoon Beach in St John.

Indeed, the US Virgin Islands has seen sparkling tourism numbers since it first reopened for tourism in the summer of 2020, with the Travel Screening Portal held up as an exemplar for the Caribbean. 

For international travelers 18 and over, including travelers from the British Virgin Islands, the USVI will still require proof of vaccination and a negative antigen or PCR test within 24 hours if traveling by air, or within five days if traveling by ferry. 

For more, visit USVI Update

About the author

Alexander Britell is the founder and editor-in-chief of Caribbean Journal and one of the top experts on Caribbean travel worldwide, with decades of on-the-ground travel to the region and comprehensive knowledge of the entire Caribbean Basin.
News

Riu Is Opening a New Adults-Only Resort Near Cancun 

riu cancun resort

Riu Hotels and Resorts is opening another new all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The Spanish company is set to debut the new Riu Latino in Costa Mujeres near Cancun in October.  The adults-only resort, which officially opens Oct. 1, is set in the fast-growing Costa Mujeres, sometimes dubbed the “New Cancun.” […]

News

More Upgrades at The Verandah Resort in Antigua 

antigua verandah

The Verandah resort, long Antigua’s leading family-friendly all-inclusive, has completed another major upgrade to the property.  The resort has now completed a significant renovation of its Waterfront Suites, comprising about 80 rooms in total. The renovation included new furniture, upgraded bathrooms, fresh paint and hardwood flooring, new artwork and soft furnishings and what the hotel […]

News

Marriott Is Opening a New All-Inclusive in Cancun 

all-inclusive marriott cancun cover

Marriott’s growing Caribbean all-inclusive portfolio will add another new resort later this year, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The company has announced the signing of the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun to its all-inclusive portfolio, with plans to open at the end of this year.  The property is owned and managed by Blue Diamond Resorts; it will […]


Bonaire’s Harbour Village Is Adding New Villas

One of Bonaire’s top resorts is expanding.  The renowned Harbour Village luxury resort is adding new one and two-bedroom “harbour villas,” the property announced.  The villas have “breathtaking marina views,” modern decor and full kitchenettes.  The one-bedroom villas are located on the ground floor with covered decks, while the two-bedroom villas are set upstairs with […]

How to Take a Caribbean Sailing Vacation Right Now

Sailing through the British Virgin Islands on a chartered catamaran is every bit the fantasy journey it sounds like, but here’s one surprise I got during my time cruising around Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke on a Moorings charter yacht: the trip can actually be pretty affordable as well as remarkably customizable. Design […]

Caribbean Photo of the Week: Buck Island and St Croix

One of Bonaire’s top resorts is expanding.  The renowned Harbour Village luxury resort is adding new one and two-bedroom “harbour villas,” the property announced.  The villas have “breathtaking marina views,” modern decor and full kitchenettes.  The one-bedroom villas are located on the ground floor with covered decks, while the two-bedroom villas are set upstairs with […]

American Airlines to Relaunch New York-Bermuda Flights 

American Airlines is relaunching service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Bermuda.  The service, which has not operated for more than two years, will resume in November.  That will complement American’s existing Bermuda service from cities including Miami, Philadelphia and Charlotte.  The flights will resume Nov. 3, operating daily on American’s Boeing […]