Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

8 Islands U.S. Citizens Can Visit Without a Passport, As Months-Long Passport Delays Drag On Surging demand for international travel has helped create a US passport backlog of up to 13 weeks.

By Hannah Towey

Key Takeaways

  • American demand for international travel, particularly to Europe, is surging this summer.
  • The post-pandemic travel rebound has led to lengthy passport renewal wait times of up to 13 weeks.
  • US citizens don't need passports to visit the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or US Virgin Islands.
Zen Rial/Getty Images Via BI
Surging demand for international travel has helped create a US passport backlog of up to 13 weeks.

This article originally appeared on Business Insider.

Many Americans plan to travel abroad this summer — as long as they can get their passports renewed in time.

Surging demand for international travel has helped fuel a US passport backlog of up to 13 weeks, and the wait could get even worse in the coming months. But for the last-minute jet-setters, that doesn't mean you're stuck spending summer vacation at home.

United States citizens can travel to several US territories beyond the 50 states without a passport, including the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the US government.

That's not the case for other US territories and freely associated states such as American Samoa, Guam (decided on a case-by-case basis), The Federated States of Micronesia, The Republic of the Marshall Islands, and The Republic of Palau.

See photos of eight tropical islands Americans can travel to without getting their passport stamped:

1. Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico.

The main island of Puerto Rico. Alejandro Granadillo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images via BI

2. Vieques, Puerto Rico

Esperanza, Vieques, Puerto Rico

Sun Bay Beach in Esperanza, Vieques, Puerto Rico. Per Breiehagen/Getty Images via BI

3. Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

Saipan Island, Northern Mariana Island. The people in the photo is tourists who are walking on the sunset beach.

Tourists walk down sunset beach in Saipan Island, the largest island in the Northern Mariana Islands. Taro Hama @ e-kamakura/Getty Images via BI

4. Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands

Taga Beach is an idyllic little cove below the cliff lines and is one of the top attractions in Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands.

Taga Beach is an idyllic cove below the cliff lines and is one of the top attractions in Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands. raksybH/Getty Images via BI

5. Rota, Northern Mariana Islands

the west coast of Rota Island near Song Song Village. Northern Mariana Islands, Micronesia. Western Pacific Ocean.

The west coast of Rota Island near Song Song Village. CampPhoto/Getty Images via BI

6. St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

The harbor of Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands.

The harbor of Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands. NAPA74/Getty Images via BI

7. St. John, US Virgin Islands

Cruz Bay, St. John in US Virgin Islands

Cruz Bay in St. John, US Virgin Islands. Cdwheatley/Getty Images via BI

8. St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

The Charlotte Amalie Overlook on Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Charlotte Amalie Overlook on Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Oliver W. Ottley III/Getty Images via BI

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Marketing

Stop Relying on AI SEO Tools — These 5 Secrets Will Help You Rank #1 on Google Search

Many businesses use AI-powered SEO tools to boost their website rankings, but they often struggle to see results. The key isn't just in AI; it also involves strategic off-site tactics such as link building, using social media signals, partnering with influencers, and fixing toxic backlinks.

Business Solutions

We Put ChatGPT's Biggest Competitor to the Test

Could this be the AI that revolutionizes the way you work?

Side Hustle

These College Classmates Started a Side Hustle to Solve a Common Household Problem — Then Scaled It From $0 to Over $50 Million in Under 4 Years

Tumble co-founders Justin Soleimani and Zach Dannett envisioned a better, easier-to-handle kind of rug — so they got to work on it.

Business News

You Have 2 Months to Prepare Your Business for AI Agents. Here's Why!

Get Ready: AI Agents Are Transforming the Workforce Faster Than You Think

Marketing

8 Budget-Friendly AI Tools to Boost Your Marketing

The utilization of AI for marketing has only grown, but many small businesses may wonder how to afford it. Fortunately, there's a wealth of AI options available that can enhance marketing efforts and improve efficiency without significant investment.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.