Located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the island nation of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico has a total area of 3,508 square miles and uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency. The Spanish ruled the island until 1898 when Spain ceded the island to the United States. When you are looking for exotic locations, miles, and miles of white-sand beaches, as well as incredible rainforest and mountains, you need to consider Puerto Rico. Today we will make you get one step closer to your goal and answer the questions like: "do I need visa to visit Puerto Rico?", "Can I get a Puerto Rico tourist visa on arrival?". When it comes to immigration and visas to enter the country, they share the U.S. system. They must be processed through their government, as an ESTA (travel authorization) is required to travel to the country, just like the United States. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States. Puerto Rico tourist visa requirements may be confusing; it is part of the United States, although Puerto Rico is not one of the 50 states, so the same visa policy applies. Foreign nationals who do not require a USA visa must apply for an ESTA authorization or a Puerto Rico tourist visa. Here is how to get a visa to Puerto Rico.
About the country
Puerto Rico is the country where four centuries of Hispanic-Caribbean culture coexist with American chain stores. It leads to strange contrasts - large parking lots and quaint little squares, highways and fountains, skyscrapers and shacks - the existence of which, however, finds an explanation in the context of Caribbean history. Although tourists have visited San Juan for decades, few have ever felt the need to visit anything other than the casino or the city. Today, travelers venturing into the mountains of the country or exploring the untapped areas, such as hillside towns, where you get the impression that the locals have spent the last few years in the town square feeding pigeons and reefs where divers can see thirty different species of fish pass by in a matter of seconds. Citizens of Puerto Rico are proud of their history, but at the same time, unable to assert their independence, and you have all the ingredients for an intriguing adventure.
Is Puerto Rico included in US tourist visa?
The entry regulations for Puerto Rico are the same as for the United States. The passport must have remaining validity of at least six months beyond the period of stay in the islands. The new Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of many countries to visit Puerto Rico for up to 90 days without a US visa, presenting only a valid passport. To be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, the passport must be of the new type. To be covered by the Visa Waiver Program, even minors, including infants, must have their passport with the same characteristics described above. Under the Visa Waiver Program, it is also necessary to have a round-trip airline ticket. Considering that the provisions change frequently, we advise you to consult the US Department of State. Is Puerto Rico included in US tourist visa? Do I need visa to visit Puerto Rico? The US visa policy applies to Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico tourist visa requirements fall into 3 categories: - Visa-exempt countries (Canada and Bermuda) - Visa Waiver Program countries (ESTA required) - Countries that require a visa
How to get a visa to Puerto Rico?
Non-US citizens from 39 countries do not need a Puerto Rico tourist visa. Foreign tourists and business travelers can stay up to 90 days under the visa waiver program. To travel without a visa to Puerto Rico, non-US citizens need an ESTA. The ESTA is valid for tourism, business, and transit. A visa for Puerto Rico is required to stay in the United States for more than 90 days for purposes not permitted by ESTA. These are the key information foreign travelers need to know when traveling to Puerto Rico with ESTA: - Length of stay: up to 90 days - Number of entries: multiple - Validity of ESTA: 2 years or until the passport expires - Purpose of visit: tourism, business, or transit
How much are the Puerto Rico tourist visa fees?
The Puerto Rico tourist visa cost is different depending on the specific type of visa needed. All visas processed through the embassy will have different Puerto Rico tourist visa fees depending on the model we need. The Puerto Rico tourist visa cost based on ESTA travel authorization is $14 and includes government fees only.
Who needs a visa?
A Puerto Rico tourist visa or a Puerto Rico tourist visa on arrival is not required for tourist stays of up to 90 days if they have the following documents (Visa Waiver Program): - machine-readable passports issued before October 25, 2005; - machine-readable passports with digital photos issued on or after October 26, 2005.
Visa application process
For all visas in the non-immigrant category, we need to apply at least 6 months in advance, otherwise, the visa we want to apply for is in the immigrant visa category. Depending on the type of visa needed, we need to apply 3 to 9 months in advance. People who want to apply for ESTA travel authorization can be applied for at any time and is usually sufficient with 72 hours' notice before our trip. However, it is advisable to process it at least 10 days in advance. A new ESTA is not required for each trip to Puerto Rico. The ESTA may be used to travel to the island multiple times as long as it is valid. ESTA is only valid for commercial flights/cruises and not to enter the United States on a private ship or plane. ESTA applications are processed quickly, and most people receive their visa waiver in 2 business days. Unlike when applying for a tourist visa to Puerto Rico, ESTA applicants do not need to visit a US embassy. It is 100% electronic, and the application can be completed from a cell phone, laptop, or another device. To travel to Puerto Rico without a visa, non-US citizens must complete an online ESTA application. Basic personal information and some travel details are required, such as: - Full name - Date of birth - Gender - Country of birth - Passport number, issue, and expiration date Some eligibility questions needed to be answered to verify that non-US travelers can safely enter Puerto Rico without a visa. Travelers need a valid passport for their entire stay in Puerto Rico plus a valid ESTA or visa. Visitors should consult all the latest COVID-19 travel restrictions before traveling. A health declaration form (Puerto Rico Travel Declaration Form) must also be completed. Once the form is completed, a Q.R. code will be generated and verified, along with the traveler's I.D., when entering Puerto Rico. All passengers need a travel health certificate to travel to Puerto Rico. Travelers must register online, providing contact information and travel details. They must also state if they are experiencing symptoms from COVID-19. Upon completion, a barcode is generated that will be scanned by customs authorities while traveling to Puerto Rico. The form allows authorities to contact passengers on the same flight as someone who later tests positive for COVID-19. They can be informed about testing and/or isolation procedures. The best season for tourism is from December to April, but it is mainly related to the climate of North America. During these months, the island fills up with tourists, prices go up, and finding accommodation can become difficult. The best time to avoid the masses is the official hurricane season (May through November). Hurricanes are rare, but they can do far worse than make your vacation a little damp. If you are in Puerto Rico during this time, remember to always keep an eye on the weather forecast. If you're planning to travel inland, bring a sweater for the evenings because temperatures are always lower during the year.
