Puerto Rico travel declaration form
the Puerto Rico travel declaration form is no longer required for anyone entering the territory, domestic or international. Governor Pierluisi’s executive order from March 7th eliminated the pandemic-era entry protocols, including the health declaration form.
This change simplifies the travel process, removing one step for visitors arriving in Puerto Rico. However, it’s always good practice to stay informed about any potential updates or changes before your trip. Here are some resources to do that:
- Official Puerto Rico Travel website: https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/
- Puerto Rico Health Department website: https://www.salud.pr.gov/
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
If you have any specific questions about your travel plans or documentation requirements, it’s best to contact the Puerto Rico Department of Tourism or your airline directly.
Enjoy your trip to Puerto Rico! ☀️
Puerto Rico has the status of a free state but, in turn, is associated with the United States. An aspect that creates doubt for tourists about the visa requirements to travel to Puerto Rico: Is a visa needed for Puerto Rico? Should I apply for an ESTA for Puerto Rico? What should I do?
Puerto Rico travel declaration form
Indeed, this particular status and the fact that it participates as an “independent” country in official competitions such as the Olympic Games do not help dispel the doubts of an independent country or a country dependent on the United States.
Be that as it may, it has its status, but it is dependent and is part of the United States, which will require the exact same requirements and entry visas as any other state in the United States. To reinforce security measures for people traveling to Puerto Rico through the SJU Airport, the government will implement a new protocol starting on Wednesday, July 15, 2020.
As Governor Wanda Vázquez explained, compliance with these new rules will be mandatory as of their entry into force for anyone who arrives on a flight to the island.
Below are the requirements that will be mandatory for those traveling to Puerto Rico as of July 15, 2020:
- It will be mandatory for every person traveling to Puerto Rico to complete a Travel Declaration Form. This document will be made available online as part of the Department of Health (DH) effort. In addition, it is coordinated so that the airlines have the printed form for those who have not completed it digitally. In this form, the person will indicate if a molecular test was performed in a period not exceeding 72 hours before traveling and if the result was negative. He will be able to attach evidence of this test. The form will also include details of the origin of the passenger, contact information, and the location of where he will stay during his stay in Puerto Rico, among others.
- You must present evidence of a negative result in a molecular test performed 72 hours or less before your trip to Puerto Rico.
- You will need to quarantine for 14 days or until you have a negative molecular test result.
- If you do not present evidence of a negative result of a molecular test carried out 72 hours or less before the trip
- And If you only have a negative result from a COVID-19 serological test (rapid test) but have not taken the molecular test,.
- If it shows positive in the serological test at the airport
- After arrival on the island, the molecular test can also be carried out in one of the laboratories identified by the Department of Health (whose expenses will be borne by the traveler). If they opt for this alternative, they must comply with the quarantine until they obtain a negative result from the molecular test.
- The use of a mask or material to cover the mouth and nose is mandatory for everyone in Puerto Rico at all times. The Government warned that whoever fails to comply with this guideline is exposed to a fine of up to $5,000 or other penalties.
Puerto Rico travel declaration form
According to Executive Order 2020-52 (which will take effect on July 15, 2020), the following will be exempt from complying with the requirements of molecular tests and the form:
- Aviation mechanics or members of the flight crew who will not be on the island for more than 72 hours
- military personnel
- Other people authorized by the DS
Download Executive Order 2020-52 here.
The Governor and her work team indicated that the authorities’ priority is to avoid the exponential increase in infections among people who travel to Puerto Rico. In addition, they urged those who are going to receive travelers —understood: family members, hotels, inns, and temporary rental spaces (such as Airbnb and others)— to notify them of the new rules for visiting the island.
It might interest you: Guide for Passengers visiting the SJU Airport
The authorities emphasized that those who have to travel to Puerto Rico take the molecular test before doing so. “If you can stay in your states while the emergency passes, do so. But if you have to travel, get tested to protect yourself and our citizens,” the Governor said.
Aerostar continues to be in constant communication with the Government of Puerto Rico and the DS to offer any additional assistance that contributes to protecting our people from the pandemic.
The National Guard and DS-assigned personnel will continue to conduct monitoring efforts at SJU Airport for the duration of the Executive Order.
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People who travel to Puerto Rico must fill out the Traveler’s Declaration Form
Any person traveling to Puerto Rico must comply with the health guidelines recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and also comply with the protocols implemented at the local level. To travel to Puerto Rico, the person will be required to fill out a Traveler’s Declaration and provide evidence of a COVID-19 molecular test result upon arrival on the Island.
If these requirements are not met, the traveler will have to self-quarantine for 14 days or the duration of their trip, whichever is shorter. The traveler himself will pay for the stay during this mandatory quarantine. The Traveler’s Declaration is intended to comply with Law 81 of 1912 Article 81 and by Executive Order 2020-058 to obtain information that allows adequately addressing the situation of COVID-19 in Puerto Rico.
The Government of Puerto Rico establishes that while on the Island, the traveler is responsible for self-isolating and undergoing medical tests if they become ill or develop symptoms associated with COVID-19. You must also wear a mask or cloth face covering at all times while in public places.
The local protocol also states that you should wash your hands and clean frequently used surfaces. Similarly, you should follow safe social distancing practices and minimize your interaction with others. You should also keep a list of the people you interact with and visit places.
How to fill out the Traveler Declaration to Travel to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico requires the completion of a Traveler’s Declaration to enter its territory, regardless of nationality, age or destination of origin. This declaration is part of the travel requirements required as a result of the pandemic. In this statement, the Puerto Rican authorities collect general data about the traveler, the reason for the trip, health status, and compliance with the virus testing and vaccination requirements.
We have prepared a video tutorial to fill out this Traveler Declaration step by step.
Where is the Traveler Declaration filled out?
To fill out the Traveler Declaration, you must access the official portal provided by the Puerto Rican authorities:
Who must fill out the Traveler Declaration?
All passengers without exception must fill out this declaration, regardless of age, nationality, or country of origin. In the case of minors traveling alone, an adult must complete the declaration before traveling.
Where do I learn how to fill out the Traveler’s Declaration?
We have prepared a video tutorial where we explain how to fill out the Traveler Declaration step by step. Click here
How to apply for an ESTA visa waiver for Puerto Rico
You are probably wondering if you need a visa for Puerto Rico. You should first make sure that you are part of one of the eligible countries to apply for the ESTA to Puerto Rico.
The first requirement is to have the nationality of one of the 40 countries part of the visa waiver program, including Spain, Andorra, Chile, and most countries of the European Union, Australia or South Korea. In addition, if you are eligible for ESTA, you will need a valid biometric passport. Next, you must fill out the ESTA form for Puerto Rico online.
If you are not a national of one of the visa-exempt countries, you will need to apply for a US tourist visa, a longer process than the ESTA application. To apply for the ESTA to travel to Puerto Rico, you must complete the form with your personal and passport information and answer the security questions.
You can fill out the electronic form from the comfort of your home or office since you only need an Internet connection. If you need a consular visa, you will have to make an appointment at the nearest embassy or consulate and present a series of documents according to the reason for your trip.
Once the application has been completed, and the payment for your ESTA has been made, you will receive the confirmation at the email address provided in the form. The system processes applications in a matter of minutes, and you will receive your ESTA in the United States immediately.
However, it is always recommended to fill out the ESTA form at least 72 hours before the flight if a request requires additional time to verify the traveler’s details. Those who travel with their relatives can process the ESTA travel authorization for families. It will save them time and make the application process more manageable.
Do you need a visa to travel from Spain to Puerto Rico?
If you are a Spanish citizen, have a valid passport, and wish to travel to Puerto Rico for tourism or business reasons, you do not need a visa to travel from Spain to Puerto Rico. The ESTA will help you enter and leave Puerto Rico for short stays.
However, if you are not a Spanish national and do not belong to a member country of the visa waiver program, even if you live in Spain, you will most likely need a visa to travel from Spain to Puerto Rico.
Non -ESTA eligible foreigners who wish to go to the Caribbean country for tourism, business, or medical treatment must apply for a B1 or B2 visa.
On the other hand, the ESTA is not valid to stay in Puerto Rico to work, study, or live. With this, those Spaniards who wish to remain in Puerto Rican territory must process the corresponding visa at the embassy or consulate.
Requirements to travel to Puerto Rico from Spain
As we have mentioned, the laws of Puerto Rico are governed by the same immigration laws as the other states of the United States.
If you belong to a country in the visa waiver program, such as Spain or Chile, you can travel without a visa to Puerto Rico for 90 days for two consecutive years with the ESTA travel authorization.
If you do not belong to said program, you will need to apply for a regular tourist visa and go to an interview with the nearest consulate or embassy for acceptance.
Requirements to enter Puerto Rico from Spain.
The steps to take to travel from Spain to Puerto Rico will be the following:
- Fill out the ESTA form for Puerto Rico .
- Answer questions honestly and wait for THIS approval.
- Complete the Traveler Declaration or Puerto Rico Travel Declaration Form
What is the Traveler Declaration form for Puerto Rico?
All people who wish to travel to Puerto Rico must fill out the Puerto Rico Travel Declaration Form or THC.
This traveler’s declaration is a mandatory form for entering the country that was introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The declaration collects data on the traveler’s health status at the time of entry into the country, airline information, and seat number.
It allows the authorities to determine who may or may not travel to the country during the pandemic and to prove that the traveler:
- A PCR or antigen test will do 72 hours before traveling to Puerto Rico
- You will undergo a PCR or antigen test in Puerto Rico within 48 hours of arrival
- Has a history of recovery from COVID-19, generated in the last 90 days of making the trip
- It is exempt personnel (crew, military, and federal agents)
When uploading the COVID documentation in the Puerto Rico Travel Declaration Form, the system will automatically issue an airport exit confirmation number and a QR code that you must present when entering the country.
Significant: THC from Puerto Rico only allows you to fill out declarations individually.
ESTA form to enter Puerto Rico
To visit Puerto Rico and any American territory, it is necessary to complete an ESTA form. This process is done entirely online.
It will not take you more than 10 minutes to complete it as an electronic procedure.
Said format comprises several questions related to the visitor’s data and their trip to Puerto Rico. It also includes questions of a general nature.
If you are not eligible for an ESTA in Puerto Rico, you must conventionally process a visa for Puerto Rico at the nearest embassy or consulate. In this case, we recommend contacting your consular representation for more information and access procedures.
ESTA form to Puerto Rico
What information must I fill in to obtain the ESTA visa exemption to Puerto Rico?
To obtain the electronic travel authorization, you will have to fill out the ESTA Form for Puerto Rico, with the following information:
- Applicant data: name, date, sex, and place of birth.
- Contact information: address, telephone, and email.
- Family data: name and surname of the parents or legal guardians.
- Contact information in case of emergency: the owner’s name, email, and telephone.
- Employment: company name, address, and phone.
- Generic questions: about illnesses, previously denied visas, terrorist activities, social networks, etc.
- Travel information: accommodation address once you get there.
Puerto Rico travel declaration form
