Do You Need a Passport To Go To Hawaii



Exploring the Pacific Ocean midway from the U.S. can be a memory-making trip for you. The oceanic neighboring of the American region, Hawaii comes as one of the most tranquil tourist attractions in the heart of the sea. However, "Do you need a passport to go to Hawaii?” is a question most Americans explore.

The explanation to this question will excite you because; NO! U.S. citizens do not need a passport for a Hawaii tour. U.S. nationals can travel to Hawaii without a passport.

In this guide, we will thoroughly educate you on how it gets to visit this tourist spots-rich destination. The Hawaiian Island territory is a close annexation of the American diaspora. Notwithstanding, the administration of Hawaii has eased tourism and cultural exchange programs for the citizens of the United States and global tourists.

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Is Hawaii Considered International?

Hawaii is treated as the federated of the U.S. The 8 Hawaiian Islands make it a whole landscape of Hawaii State. It originally turned into a region of the USA in 1898 and was formally conceded as a state in 1959. The USA was basically keen on having the islands as a region (and, in the end, a state) because of the closeness to Japan. It wanted to transform it into a maritime base during the Spanish-American conflict. So, For U.S. nationals, Hawaii is NOT considered international territory.

Similarly, tourists from all over the world with American (U.S.) visas in hand are also not required to get any additional documents to get to Hawaii. Foreign tourists on U.S. tours may be termed the same as that U.S. tourists. If you are an American citizenship holder, you will be treated as a resident of the same territory. 

In a quick catchup, you can know for whom Hawaii is not an international territory.

  • An approved U.S. nationality holder
  • A permanent resident of 50 States of the US
  • A Foreign Tourist on U.S. tourist or business visa
  • Dual citizenship holder (one citizenship must be of the U.S.

Hawaii Passport Requirements - In What Circumstances Do You Need Passport To Travel To Hawaii?

Hawaii is counted among the States of the U.S. In 1959, it was awarded the status of statehood. Thus, this makes sense that U.S. nationals do not need to produce a passport while entering the Hawaiian region. Albeit some official and mandatory circumstances are the cases under which you must keep a passport with you even if you are a U.S. resident. 

We do not recommend you to travel to an affiliated part of the U.S. without accompanying your valid identity proof. Thus, it would be uniquely best if you got your passport tucked in your safe bag so that you can show your U.S. passport on account of identity verification requirement anytime and anywhere.

The blue passport might need to be produced for the following cases:

  • Leasing a Car for the holidays in Hawaii
  • Getting Your Car on Barge to Hawaii
  • Staying in a hotel or guest house
  • Visiting a Sensitive US Naval or Airbase
  • Registering Your business (in case of a business tour)
  • Layover Flight from Canada or Japan or the UAE

Special Cases

Special Case For Which Passport will be required in Hawaii even if you are a U.S. passport holder:

Remember, though, Hawaii is the midway part of the United States. It is also counted among the exotically remote State of the States with defensive gateway of US military. So, you must produce a passport if you are landing in Hawaii from other parts of the international territory or country. No matter what citizenship or residency status you possess within the United States. The traveler must have to hold a U.S. passport to be allowed an entry flight taking back into the United States. 

Hawaii State ID

The State of Hawaii is undoubtedly one of the designated U.S. States. However, in the post aftermath of the catastrophic 9/11 deadliest incident, the Pentagon and Homeland Security Department reviewed the security plan. So, Hawaii got recognized as an easy target for entry to States and vice versa. Thus, the Homeland Security Department (HSD) redefined access and stay in the Hawaiian region. So, for this, a special Hawaii State ID was introduced, called Real ID or Hawaii State ID. 

What is a Hawaii State ID or a REAL ID Card?

A REAL ID, otherwise known as Hawaii State Card Hawaii or State ID Card, is a legally valid document with legitimate name, date of birth, government-sponsored social security number, lawful presence, and Hawaii principal home location form of the holder. Candidates applying for a REAL ID (identification) Hawaii State ID Card for the first time may need the proofs to prove other parameters intrinsically. Hawaii State ID has a unique number that is permanently allotted to the residents of the Hawaiian jurisdiction. 

Requirements For the State ID

A Hawaii State ID or REAL ID is required by all permanent citizens of Hawaii and other U.S. nationals who permanently move to Hawaii State. A Hawaii State-issued State ID, which is also a valid compliant under the regulations of the Hawaii State.

  • Proof of Legal Full Name: The REAL State ID legally requires documentary proof of the legal name of the candidate
  • Proof of Birth Certificate: The date of birth of the candidate is mentioned clearly on the birth certificate
  • Proof of Social Security No. U.S. Federal or Government Sponsored Social Security number must be possessed.
  • Proof of Legal Status for the Legal Stay or Permanent Residency Requisition in Hawaii 
  • Proof of an Owned or Rental Residence in Hawaii territorial home address from the candidate.
  • Proof of Validity of Candidature of applying for a REAL ID official compliant authorized by the Hawaii State for the State ID Card State-issued.

First Time REAL ID Applicant

Any individual who has never held a Hawaii State ID Card should apply face to face and give documentative proofs of legal name with the educational institute on which the date of birth is clearly mentioned. The individual who is not born in the Hawaiian region must show proof of his/her state residency.

Name Changes or Other Erroneous Correction on REAL ID 

Candidates who need to get their changes corrected should go to the legally designated office for the purpose along with all proofs of identity. Moreover, complete names on all records should be very similar, or you should give "interfacing archives" to lay out the connection between the names of any reports with various characters. Allude to the part named Rundown of Adequate Associating documentation or papers To Demonstrate Legitimate Name Changes.

Also See: Name Change on Your Current Passport

What Happens if You Won't Have Real ID?

Hawaii State ID or Real ID is not instantly issued to a U.S. permanent resident; instead, it takes some time for the process to take place. So, in that case, you will not have the REAL ID. Therefore, in such a scenario, you can use both a Driver's License and Hawai'i State ID credentials. You should pick which certification will be your compliant REAL ID Accreditation. A starred legal driver’s license can be treated as the stay-proof to tour Hawaii for the residents of other states. 

 Furthermore, if you pick your driver's license as your REAL ID-compliant certification, you are not qualified for a State Recognizable proof card. If you now have a Hawai'i State ID Card, you are not eligible for its renewal.

Documentation For Travelling To Hawaii

Hawaii can be the best part of your next tropical vacation trip. For U.S. residents, Hawaii is regarded as an overseas excursion plan within the U.S. terrestrial precincts. Tough, visiting Hawaii can also induce you a taste of an international tour in terms of local expenses. Both US nationals and tourists from other countries can see the resplendence of Hawaiian spells. Let's learn what U.S. citizens and foreign explorers require for legal travel documents.

For U.S. Citizens

Suppose an American citizenship holder is traveling from one of confederated 49 states and other federated states. In the previously mentioned case, a passport is not the instrument to be required to travel to Hawaii. Despite the fact Hawaii is a cluster of islands with a minimum distance from the U.S. as far as less than 4500 Km away from the closest state of the U.S.--California, Hawaii is the most exotic and remote state of the USA.

For Kids

Children (the U.S.-born and U.S. nationality holders) traveling with their Parents or Guardians are exempted from showing a passport. Underage individuals under 18 are exempted from producing a passport or a government form of I.D. as long as they accompany their biological parents, legal guardian, or authorized adult. However, you must possess legal proof of the child or children traveling with you. 

It might be the mandatory form of identification. Although regular identification proofs are not officially required, bringing an identity backup such as a domicile, birth certificate, or student card may still be a better practice.

For Non-US Citizen

The only non-US residents who can visit the Hawaiian Islands without a visa are permanent U.S. nationality occupants. Any individual who doesn't hold an American visa should introduce an identification (passport) from their country of citizenship. A citizen from another part of the part must need a passport and Visa to enter Hawaii state—the midway of the U.S.

How Can I travel to Hawaii without Visa?

Being a Canadian national will be the case to enter Hawaii without visa restrictions. The only country which is entirely Visa-free for the USA is Canada. However, many nations are qualified for the Visa Waiver Program. It might be the case Visa on Arrival for the following nations.

Nations Come Under Visa Waiver Program to Enter Hawaii

Those nations that meet all requirements for Visa-free entry in Hawaii are the U.K. (United Kingdom), Spain, South Korea, Australia, and Belgium. Further examination should be possible so that individuals coming from visa waiver nations can see the specific limitations and prerequisites for the qualification that have been set. Depending upon your country of citizenship, a visa may likewise be obtained for entry into the Hawaii islands and onward to the U.S., similarly for other destinations in the States.

An Excitingly Quick Way For the U.S. and Foreign Tourists to Tour Hawaii—The SAFE TRAVEL Hawaii Program

The U.S. government and the State house of Hawaii State will start a unique program on November 8, 2022. The program will enable worldwide travelers entering the U.S. from one more state or domain will be treated as domestic tourists while entering the Province of Hawaiʻi. The SAFE TRAVEL Hawaiʻi program allows international tourists to establish their status as local tourists.

Also See: Do You Need a Passport to Go to Cancun?

The current Safe Travel Hawaiʻi program needs local and international explorers to include:

  • Registering a SAFE TRAVELS Hawaiʻi account on an internet-powered device
  • Entering trip plans
  • Finishing up a Health or Medical Form, and
  • Testimonial to Verify that all data
  • No Objection Proof From the Police

Presently, local and foreign tourists might sidestep the state's required 10-day quarantine against COVID-19 in one of two ways:

  1. Upload a vaccination proof;
  2. Proof of a negative NAAT diagnostic result.

Conclusion:

Hawaii is one of the fantasy tourist attractions of numerous sightseers from everywhere in the world. This tourist spot is located in the Pacific Sea, so guests frequently have many explorations. Most U.S. citizens want to explore lush Hawaiian beauty but do not know what documents to bring to enter Hawaii. We have addressed all the concerns about the question, "Do you need a passport to go to Hawaii."Arriving and exploring a spot is ultimately bound with ingressive documents such as Visa, permit, and passport. You may also face having a tourism consultancy with complete information. So, don't skirt around the confusion associated with Hawaiian tours; get in touch with a reliable tourism agency. Next, it is all in their head to arrange traveling and accommodation arrangements.

About This Author

Philip Diack is Founder and Managing Director of Passports and Visas.com, a national passport and travel visa service with offices in Atlanta, Miami, Washington, DC, NYC, Denver and San Francisco.

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