Current situation getting into U.S. Virgin Islands?

[blewett_john]

Originally Posted by simonpickard

It's a shame really that some of the more poorer Caribbean islands are so much more advanced in this area for sailors. Some places we've visited are downright 3rd world but have simple computer entry / exit that takes 5mins and you're done.

The reason it is difficult to get into the United States of America is because we have terrorists that want to blow us up because they don't like our life style, i.e. we work hard, get educated, make a nest egg for ourselves, and live a relaxed life.

A life of calm is so much nicer than a life of hate and violence. Some of those countries that hate us should try our method. They would probably feel better.

Sorry for the off topic counter-rant to a rant.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by blewett_john

The reason it is difficult to get into the United States of America is because we have terrorists that want to blow us up because they don't like our life style, i.e. we work hard, get educated, make a nest egg for ourselves, and live a relaxed life.

A life of calm is so much nicer than a life of hate and violence. Some of those countries that hate us should try our method. They would probably feel better.

Sorry for the off topic counter-rant to a rant.

Nothing to do with terrorists, ( or your standard of living. ) and more to do with illegal immigration I'm afraid. It as awkward to access the US in the 70 and 80s too

The fingerprinting is a bit rich though

Dave


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[bvimatelot]

Originally Posted by monte

Good info, we will be doing the same in a while probably. Tony, I'm surprised the esta waiver works in mainland USA, I thought it was only ok for USVI and Puerto Rico.

Monte, a non US citizen of a country which has an agreement with the US cannot get into the Sates (any US Territory) without the ESTA, as far as I know. If you are a citizen of a country which does not have the visa waiver agreement with the States - you have to have a visa.

Another slight wrinkle is that having entered properly by scheduled carrier, you can exit the States and come back in on a private boat within your 90 days - PROVIDED THAT you did not break your journey in your country of domicile.

So, travel between USVI and BVI for a Brit, say, coming out to take a bareboat charter holiday, is fine, provided he flew in via the US or PR. He can get straight onto the boat in BVI and take it over to USVI. Once he has flown back to UK, his 90 days is cancelled and he would have to re-start the process.

[simonpickard]

Yep so I just followed the info on noonsite..

1. Get your Visa Waver ESTA.
2. Take a ferry over to USVI.
3. They take photos, fingerprints of everyone there now as you arrive by ferry.
4. Make sure your get your passport stamped- this gives you 90days entry, ask for the number sheet of ports you can call to warn of your arrival.
5. Return back on Ferry.
6. Ring the port you wish to enter and let them know you're plans.
7. Bring in your boat.
8. Go back to customs / immigration. Fill in a load more forms. Get fingerprinted / photo taken again. Get second round of passport stamps.
9. Whenever you're moving ports ring that ports number and let them know of your travel plans.

Simple hey? Ugh.

As for fingerprints and photos. No idea. Never had that done anywhere else. But you don't argue when there's a huge guy with a gun wearing black telling you what to do. It's all digital by the way. There's a scanner you place your fingers onto and you don't get a choice in this.

[simonpickard]

Just an update to this...

We sailed over to Puerto Rico and even through a U.S. territory had to go through another dance of visiting customs / immigration, etc.

The number we were given in the US Virgin's didn't work (just went through to an answering machine) so we braved leaving the boat and heading to customs directly.
You have to then buy a cruising permit ($50), pay more fees, fill in more forms, etc.

We were then given an updated call sheet with numbers of all the different Puerto Rico customs offices.

If you sail around the island you need to stay on board once you arrive at a new place, ring the number, and go through your boat rego number, cruising permit, etc, before you're allowed to head to shore.