At some point in everyone’s life, we all daydream about packing up our lives in the U.S. and moving to St. Thomas or another Caribbean tropical island. Whether the idea of moving stems from being snowbound for too long or from a vacation to St. Thomas that you’d like to make permanent, there are things you need to know and consider about moving to St. Thomas before you pack up your belongings, car, pets… your life.
The best advice from those who have already moved to St. Thomas is to make a pre-move visit, even if you’ve spent a vacation there. Vacation mode is different from real life, so it’s important to see St. Thomas from an everyday-life perspective.
As a general rule, give yourself enough time to explore the island beyond the tourist areas. While you’re there, you can look for a home or apartment, investigate the car situation, learn about neighborhoods and get a better feel for what everyday life is like on St. Thomas.
Here are some frequently asked questions about moving to St. Thomas.
Can U.S. citizens live and work in St. Thomas without any special paperwork or visas?
Yes. St. Thomas is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a U.S. territory, and U.S. citizens do not need a visa or immigration authorization to live and work there.
That doesn’t mean you should arrive without documentation. When establishing your identity, residency and eligibility for local services, you may need documents such as a valid government-issued ID, Social Security documentation and proof of U.S. citizenship. A U.S. passport or certified U.S. birth certificate can be useful to have available.
If you’re moving to St. Thomas for employment, it’s also a good idea to check with your employer about any local onboarding, licensing or professional requirements that may apply to your particular job.
Is it easy to find a place to live on St. Thomas?
Finding the right housing can take some work. St. Thomas has a limited amount of housing compared with a mainland city, and demand can vary considerably depending on tourism, seasonal workers, vacation rentals and other factors.
If you’re moving to St. Thomas permanently, it’s a good idea to spend some time on the island before committing to a home. A neighborhood that looks perfect during a vacation may feel very different when you’re commuting to work, shopping for groceries or dealing with everyday errands.
When looking at a home or apartment, ask questions about parking, utilities, hurricane protection, internet access, air conditioning, water storage and whether the property has reliable access to the services you need.
Should I ship my car to St. Thomas?
Shipping your car to St. Thomas is a personal choice. If your car is relatively new, reliable and well suited to island driving, shipping it may make sense. If the vehicle is older or shipping and import costs approach the vehicle’s value, selling it on the mainland and purchasing a vehicle in St. Thomas may be worth considering.
Keep in mind that St. Thomas has steep, winding roads and driving conditions that may be different from what you’re accustomed to on the mainland. Salt air can also contribute to corrosion, so the vehicle’s condition and your ability to maintain it on the island are worth considering.
Parts availability is another consideration. If you own a less-common make or model, check whether replacement parts and qualified service are readily available on St. Thomas.
What paperwork is required to bring a car to St. Thomas?
Vehicle importation and registration involve more than simply putting the car on a ship.
The U.S. Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles requires documentation for vehicles being registered in the territory, including the original title, proof of valid insurance, identification and applicable shipping and road-tax documentation. Vehicles being shipped into or out of the territory may also require specific clearance procedures.
Because the U.S. Virgin Islands are outside the U.S. Customs Zone, vehicles and other imported goods can also be subject to the territory’s customs and tax requirements.
For that reason, it’s worth working with Compass Moving or another moving or vehicle-shipping company familiar with the process rather than assuming that shipping a car to St. Thomas works exactly like shipping a car between two mainland states. (Get a Vehicle Shipping quote here.)
Are there any of my belongings that I should not bring with me?
If you’re moving to St. Thomas, think carefully about everything you plan to ship.
The tropical climate and island environment can be hard on certain possessions. Humidity and moisture can contribute to mildew, salt air can cause corrosion, insects can damage furniture and other materials, and hurricanes and tropical storms create an additional risk for property.
Antiques, delicate furniture, expensive artwork and irreplaceable sentimental items deserve particular consideration. If there’s something you couldn’t bear to see damaged, you may want to leave it with family, place it in secure storage or consider another way of protecting it.
At the same time, don’t assume that you need to leave everything behind simply because you’re moving to an island. Many families successfully bring their complete household with them. The key is deciding which belongings make sense for your new home and lifestyle.
Are there customs requirements when moving household goods to St. Thomas?
Yes. This is an important difference between moving to St. Thomas and moving between two states on the U.S. mainland.
The U.S. Virgin Islands are outside the U.S. Customs Zone and operate under a separate customs framework. Imported goods may be subject to customs duties and other territorial requirements. The Virgin Islands currently maintains a customs duty of 6% on most imported goods, although exemptions and different treatment can apply depending on the type of item and its circumstances.
The Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue also provides an online process for clearing imported personal items through its excise-tax system.
This is one reason an experienced offshore moving company can be valuable when you’re moving your household to St. Thomas. Your mover can help you understand what information and documentation will be needed for your shipment.
What is a cistern?
A cistern is a water-storage tank used to collect and store water for a home or other building.
Cisterns are an important part of life in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and many residents rely on stored water for household use. The Virgin Islands building code contains specific requirements concerning water supply, cisterns, gutters, downspouts and wells, although the exact requirements can depend on the property and its water supply.
If you’re buying or renting a home in St. Thomas, make sure you understand how the property’s water system works. Ask about cistern capacity, water delivery, filtration, pumps and what happens during periods of heavy use or limited rainfall.
If you’re building a home, the cistern and water-storage requirements should be discussed with your architect or contractor before construction begins.
Do you pay taxes in St. Thomas?
Yes. The U.S. Virgin Islands has its own tax system.
The USVI tax system is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, but taxes are administered by the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue. Depending on your circumstances, you may encounter income taxes, gross receipts taxes, excise taxes, real property taxes and customs duties.
For individuals who move to St. Thomas permanently, bona fide residency is particularly important. The IRS explains that bona fide residents of the USVI generally file their income tax returns with the Virgin Islands and report their worldwide income there. The rules for determining bona fide residency can be complicated, so anyone moving permanently should consult a qualified tax professional familiar with U.S. Virgin Islands tax law.
In other words, it’s not accurate to say that St. Thomas has “no taxes.” The better way to think about it is that the U.S. Virgin Islands has its own tax system rather than a state tax system.
What are other perks of moving to St. Thomas?
Moving to St. Thomas means trading snow and cold winters for a tropical climate, beautiful beaches, boating, hiking and year-round outdoor activities.
For many people, the biggest attraction is the lifestyle. You can live near the water, spend more time outdoors and enjoy the Caribbean environment while still living in a U.S. territory.
St. Thomas also offers many of the conveniences Americans are accustomed to, including U.S. currency and a legal system based on U.S. law. At the same time, island living has its own realities, including higher costs for many goods, limited space, reliance on imported products, hurricane preparedness and the logistics of getting household goods and vehicles to and from the island.
Understanding both sides of island life before you move can help you decide whether St. Thomas is the right place for you.
What should I know before moving to St. Thomas?
The biggest piece of advice is simple: visit before you move if you can.
Spend enough time on St. Thomas to experience everyday life rather than just vacation life. Explore different neighborhoods. Look at homes. Drive the roads. Visit grocery stores. Check out schools if you have children. Investigate healthcare, internet service and transportation.
And start planning your move early.
Moving to St. Thomas is different from moving between two mainland cities. Your household goods must travel by ocean freight, your vehicle may require separate transportation and documentation, and customs and territorial requirements need to be considered.
A good offshore moving company can help you understand the process and coordinate the logistics so you can focus on preparing for your new life.
Moving to St. Thomas?
Compass Moving has been helping families, retirees and individuals with offshore moves to and from the U.S. Virgin Islands for decades.
We understand that moving to St. Thomas involves more than simply packing boxes and putting them on a truck. Your household goods need to travel by ocean, your vehicle may need to be shipped separately, and the customs and logistical requirements of an island move need to be considered from the beginning.
If you’re considering moving to St. Thomas, get an estimate from Compass Moving and let our team help you plan your move to the U.S. Virgin Islands.