Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States with self-government: Puerto Rico has local institutions and a Constitution for internal administration. Even so, the political and legal framework remains subject to the authority of the U.S. Congress under the Territorial Clause.
The Puerto Rico archipelago is made up of small cays and islands in the Caribbean, where the main island is Puerto Rico. The beaches of Puerto Rico are paradise for many tourists. In addition, Puerto Rico has tropical forests and a very varied cuisine.
Puerto Ricans have charm and are cheerful, fun hosts that will provide assistance with anything needed. The official language is Spanish, although English coexists alongside a third language: the so-called Spanglish, a mix of Spanish and English spoken by a large part of the population.
For visas or travel authorizations, the system of the United States is shared, and processing must be carried out through the United States government.
Which countries require a visa to enter Puerto Rico?
Most foreign nationals require a visa or an ESTA in order to enter Puerto Rico.
There are cases in which, for temporary visits for tourism or business, a visa and/or an ESTA is not usually required, such as, for example, for nationals of Canada and Bermuda, for whom entry may be made with a passport only, subject to entry requirements and to a border admission decision.
Types of visas
Puerto Rico, known as the “Island of Enchantment,” offers a unique setting not only for its beauty, but for its legal status. As a Commonwealth of the United States, entry requirements and visa categories are identical to those of the continental U.S. territory. This means that any permit obtained to travel to cities such as Miami or New York is equally valid for San Juan.
ESTA: Electronic Travel Authorization for Puerto Rico
The ESTA is valid for two years, with a maximum stay of 90 days on each visit. Only nationalities included in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may apply.
As a complementary step, ESTA eligibility requirements may be checked instantly on the website by entering nationality in the form. If questions arise, the customer support chat can help confirm eligibility and answer questions immediately.
Important information to keep in mind about the ESTA.
- The ESTA expires along with the passport. In other words, if the passport has less than two years of validity at the time of applying for the ESTA, the ESTA will expire when the passport does. In that case, renewing the passport and applying for a new ESTA will be necessary in order to travel to the United States again beyond the passport’s validity period.
- An ESTA is also required to transit through airports in Puerto Rico, even if the final destination is not the country.
- Some recent travel may affect ESTA eligibility, even if nationality belongs to the VWP:
- Iraq, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011.
- Cuba on or after January 12, 2021.
In the event that the traveler’s nationality does not belong to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), or recent travel has been made to the countries indicated above, applying for an ESTA is not possible. To enter Puerto Rico, it will be necessary to apply for a nonimmigrant visa (B1/B2). This type of visa requires an in-person interview at the relevant embassy or consulate.
B1/B2 Business and Tourism Visa
This visa must be requested by individuals traveling to Puerto Rico for tourism or business who are not eligible to apply for the ESTA, as well as by those who, even if eligible for the ESTA (or even if already holding it), wish to stay in the country for more than 90 consecutive days.
The conditions (maximum stay, validity, and number of entries into the country) depend on the applicant’s nationality.
Transit visa
This visa is for individuals who must transit through Puerto Rico and are not eligible to apply for the ESTA.
C1/D Visa for Commercial Crew Members or Flight Crew
This visa is granted to aircraft and cruise-ship crew members in order to make stopovers on Puerto Rican soil. Even if the stopover is short, this visa must be held.
E Treaty Trader Visa
This visa enables business, trade activities, or investments to be carried out in Puerto Rico.
F and M Student Visa
The F visa is for foreign students who travel for academic purposes to a school or university, for a stay of more than 90 days.
J Exchange Visitor Visa
The J-1 visa is for foreign nationals who participate in an exchange program, regardless of the studies being pursued.
Temporary Employment or Activity Visas: H, I, L, O, P, Q, R
- H-1B: This visa is granted to highly qualified individuals with higher education and extensive experience in the relevant profession.
- H-2A: For individuals performing temporary employment in the agricultural sector.
- H-2B: For individuals performing temporary employment outside the agricultural sector.
Media and Journalists (I Visa)
This visa is for qualified individuals who carry out activities or work for foreign media organizations and perform such activity in Puerto Rico.
Intracompany Transferee (L Visa)
This visa must be requested by employees who are transferred by their company to Puerto Rico.
Individuals with Extraordinary Ability (O Visa)
This visa is required for individuals with exceptional ability in science, the arts, education, or business.
Athletics (P Visa)
Visa for athletes travelling for sports, training or competition purposes.
Visa for international cultural exchange - Q
All athletes attending sporting events, competitions, or training must apply for this visa.
International Cultural Exchange (Q Visa)
This visa is required for individuals who take part in a cultural exchange.
Religious Worker (R Visa)
This visa is required for religious workers who wish to work temporarily for a religious foundation.
Members of International Organizations (G Visa)
- G-1: Members of a government mission attending an international event.
- G-2: Government representatives traveling temporarily for international events.
- G-4: Individuals appointed to an international commission to attend meetings or events of the United Nations.
Diplomatic Visas and Employees (A Visa)
- A-1 is required for heads of state, ambassadors, ministers or consuls, and representatives of the European Union or African delegation.
- A-2 is required for all employees of an embassy or consulate within Puerto Rico.
How to apply for a visa for Puerto Rico?
All visas to travel to Puerto Rico that are not for tourism or business purposes, or that require a stay of more than 90 consecutive days in the country, must be processed in person through the Puerto Rico embassy or consulate in the relevant country.
If travel to Puerto Rico is for tourism or business with a maximum stay of 90 days, and eligibility under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) applies, an ESTA must be requested online.
This travel authorization is issued exclusively online, and it is not possible to complete it through an embassy. Processing may be carried out through an agency such as visagov.com, which will assist with the procedure. To apply for an ESTA, the form must be completed with the requested information, payment must be made, and approval must be awaited by email.
Is it possible to travel to Puerto Rico without a visa?
As Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, U.S. federal laws apply:
- U.S. citizens: No visa or passport is required (only an official Real ID identification document).
- Visa Waiver countries: No visa is required, but obtaining an ESTA before travel is mandatory.
- All other countries: A B1/B2 visa must be obtained at an embassy or consulate.
Note: The following should be taken into account:
- Nationals of Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea have highly limited access.
- Citizens of Cuba and Venezuela face stricter screening and limitations in certain visa categories.
- If Cuba (after 2021) or countries on the watchlist have been visited, the ESTA cannot be used and a physical visa must be requested.
How long may a stay in Puerto Rico be with an ESTA?
A maximum of 90 consecutive days may be spent. If more time is needed, departure from the country is required.
Since Puerto Rico and the United States are considered the same territory, the time does not reset when traveling between Puerto Rico and the continental United States.
Important: Exceeding 90 days with an ESTA may lead to fines of up to USD 5,000 and an entry ban of up to 10 years.
Is a Puerto Rico visa valid for entry into the United States?
Yes, fully. As Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, no island-exclusive visa exists.
Any ESTA or B1/B2 visa approved for Puerto Rico is valid for entry into the 50 U.S. states (and vice versa). Travel between San Juan and cities such as Miami or New York does not require additional immigration controls, only routine security checks.
It should be noted that time spent in Puerto Rico is added to time in the continental United States. With an ESTA, a total of 90 days is available for the entire nation.
What are the requirements to travel to Puerto Rico?
Valid passport
To apply for a visa or an ESTA for Puerto Rico, certain requirements must be met.
Criminal record and legal status
A visa cannot be applied for if the traveler has a criminal record or convictions for crimes. In the event of having had any issue with the justice system, attendance at the Puerto Rico embassy or consulate is required in order to assess the situation. Omitting this information may imply denial of entry upon arrival at border control.
Health and safety
Entry into the country is not permitted for individuals with transmissible infectious diseases or serious mental disorders that pose a risk.
Restrictions due to recent travel
For detailed information on travel that affects ESTA eligibility, the section “ESTA: exclusions due to travel to certain countries” should be consulted. If eligibility for an ESTA does not apply, it will be necessary to apply for a nonimmigrant visa (B1/B2 if traveling for tourism or business) at the Puerto Rico embassy or consulate.
Application and payment
In addition to a passport, the applicant must complete the relevant form and have a credit or debit card available to pay the visa fees. If everything is correct, approval will be sent by email in approximately 48–72 hours.
Is it possible to modify a visa for Puerto Rico once it has been processed?
No data can be modified once the application has been processed. In the event that an error has been made, submitting a new application will be necessary. Applications may be submitted again as many times as necessary, bearing in mind that each new application involves payment of new fees.
When the process is completed through a specialized company such as Visagov, the form is reviewed in advance in order to minimize errors and ensure that the application is submitted correctly.
How much does a visa for Puerto Rico cost?
The price depends on the type of visa required. The ESTA travel authorization has a cost of $40.27 in government fees. Visas that must be processed through an embassy have different prices, depending on which one is needed. The most advisable option is to schedule an appointment at the embassy closest to the place of residence and request information on prices and requirements.
How far in advance should a visa for Puerto Rico be requested?
The timeframe will depend on the visa required and on the way it is requested. In both cases—nonimmigrant or immigrant visas—submission should be made as far in advance as possible in order to ensure approval.
If the visa is for tourism or business, an ESTA may be requested, which is the simplest option. The procedure is online, and applying 48–72 hours in advance will be sufficient, although processing around 15 days in advance is always recommended in case any issue arises.
What are the entry points to Puerto Rico?
Entry by air
The island has three international airports authorized to receive travelers with an ESTA or a B1/B2 visa:
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU): Located in Carolina (near San Juan), this is the Caribbean’s main airport.
- Rafael Hernández International Airport (BQN): Located in Aguadilla (west). This is an excellent option if the destination is the beach area of Rincón or Isabela. Direct flights are received from various cities in the United States and the Caribbean.
- Mercedita International Airport (PSE): Located in Ponce (south). Although it is the smallest of the three, it offers a strategic entry point to the south of the island.
Entry by sea (Cruises and Yachts)
The Port of San Juan is the most important maritime entry point. If arrival is by cruise ship:
- San Juan Cruise Pier: Located in Old San Juan and the San Antonio Channel. International travelers going ashore must have an ESTA or visa in order, even if only a few hours are spent in the city.
- Other ports: Authorized docks exist in Ponce and Mayagüez, although traffic is mostly freight or private vessels.
Tips needed for travel to Puerto Rico
What is the currency of Puerto Rico?
The U.S. dollar (USD/$) is the country’s official currency. Euros or any other currency may be exchanged for dollars at any bank or at any airport in Puerto Rico. Cash may be withdrawn from all ATMs (with a small fee). Payment by credit and debit card is possible anywhere in the country.
What is the best time to travel to Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is a warm destination year-round (average of 26°C), but the climate is divided into two main periods:
- The best time (December–April): This is the dry season. The weather is perfect, with clear skies and pleasant temperatures (24°C–29°C). It is ideal for avoiding the cold in Europe or North America, although prices are higher.
- Risk season (June–November): This coincides with the rainy season and hurricane season. August and September are the months with the highest likelihood of severe storms. The advantage is that hotel and flight prices drop drastically.
It is recommended that May and November be considered excellent months. Prices are moderate, there are fewer tourists than in winter, and although brief showers may occur, sunshine predominates for most of the day.
Is it safe to travel to Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico remains one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean for tourists, with crime rates in vacation areas lower than those of many cities in the continental United States. However, as with any international trip, the key lies in prevention and common sense.
- Valuables should not be left in plain sight inside rental cars, especially in parking areas at remote beaches.
- Areas to avoid and nighttime precautions: although the island is welcoming, there are specific points where safety decreases, especially at night:
- La Perla (Old San Juan): Despite fame from music videos, the area remains a residential neighborhood with its own internal rules. If a visit is chosen, it should be made during the day, staying in the main areas, and avoiding taking photos or videos of residents or their homes without permission, as this may cause conflict.
- Outlying neighborhoods: Walking alone late at night should be avoided in areas of Santurce (outside leisure areas such as La Placita), Puerta de Tierra, or isolated areas of Bayamón and Carolina.
- Night beaches: Walking on unlit beaches at night is not recommended due to the risk of robberies and, above all, due to the danger of ocean currents.
- At the start of the year, the danger is not hurricanes, but the sea:
- Beaches on the north coast (Atlantic) may be treacherous in winter. Warning flags should always be respected.
- Tap water is drinkable in most urban areas, although in rural areas after heavy rains, bottled water is recommended to avoid stomach discomfort.
Are vaccines required to travel to Puerto Rico?
No mandatory vaccines are required unless travel is from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission (in which case the international certificate is required). If travel is from Spain or the rest of Europe, no mandatory vaccines are required.
Even if vaccines are not required, healthcare in Puerto Rico is extremely expensive. Traveling with private medical insurance with high coverage is essential; otherwise, any emergency care could cost thousands of dollars.
