As a United States citizen travel to Puerto Rico is easy, there are no passports or visas necessary. Since Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, U.S. citizens can travel on and off the island freely with a valid form of official government issued picture identification. This type of identification can be a state-issued driver's license or photo ID card.
Tourists who are not U.S. citizens need to know that the same requirements for entering the United States apply to entering Puerto Rico. Visitors must first acquire either a U.S. visitor non-immigrant visa or an immigrant visa for a long-term or permanent stay. A U.S. visitor visa is permission to reside temporarily in Puerto Rico, or other states in the U.S, for a period not to exceed 90 days.
In order to obtain a U.S. visitor visa, you should apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over the place they currently reside. The process can be lengthy and you should apply for a visa well in advance of the travel departure date. The first step of the process includes completing an interview at the embassy and wait times vary. An interview is required for people between the ages of 14 and 79. If you are outside the age range perimeters you will probably not be required to interview.
The required documentation to obtain a nonimmigrant visa is a completed DS-156 form, a passport valid for travel to the United States. Your visa must not expire for least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S. You will need to provide a 2- inch by 2-inch passport photograph. You need to bring the receipt for the application-processing fee to the embassy interview.
Applicants must also have evidence that shows why they are traveling to Puerto Rico, what they will be doing while here and their intent to depart the United States. Showing binding obligations such as current employment or family commitments that require their return home are sufficient.
Get a visa for Puerto Rico/United States the quick and easy way.
Travelers may find Puerto Rico to be more pleasurable than imagined and want to stay longer. Those visitors who want to stay longer than the time they first indicated must contact the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to request an extension. They are solely responsible for the decision to deny or grant the extension of stay.
The opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico is exciting and you can get more information on obtaining a visa by contacting the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your native country.
Visit often to learn more information from our updated Travel to Puerto Rico.
