Puerto Rico (PR)

For US citizens: the primary travel document. Puerto Rico is US domestic travel — no passport required between Puerto Rico and US mainland. Passport Card is sufficient for air travel between PR and US states.

For non-US citizens: valid passport required. Puerto Rico immigration follows US federal rules — a valid US visa (or visa waiver eligibility) is required for most non-US nationals.

Required for employment, opening bank accounts, enrolling in benefits programmes, and filing Puerto Rico tax returns. Apply through the Social Security Administration (SSA) if you do not have one.

Issued by DTOP (Department of Transportation and Public Works). Required for driving in Puerto Rico. Out-of-state US licenses are valid but must be exchanged within 60–90 days of establishing PR residency.

Puerto Rico birth certificates (Registro Demográfico) are required for school enrollment, marriage, passport applications and government benefit access. Non-Puerto Rico certificates need apostille for local use.

Required for name change on PR driver's license, joint tax returns, insurance beneficiary updates, and spousal benefit applications. Foreign marriage certificates require apostille and Spanish translation.

Required for school enrollment in public or private schools, applying for US Social Security numbers for children, and Medicaid/CHIP enrollment.

Non-US citizens must have a valid US visa appropriate to their purpose (B-1/B-2, H-1B, F-1, etc.). Puerto Rico is US territory — US immigration law applies fully. Apply at US Embassy/Consulate in home country.

Degree certificates and transcripts. For licensed professions (medicine, law, engineering, nursing), credentials must be evaluated and approved by Puerto Rico's relevant licensing board.

Required for non-US citizens who are not permanent residents. Issued by USCIS. Required before beginning work for any employer in Puerto Rico.

For non-US citizens with permanent residence. Must be renewed every 10 years (2-year for conditional). Required for employment, benefits, and most official transactions.

Required for any business operating in Puerto Rico. Register with the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Hacienda) before commencing business activities. Also needed for IVU (sales tax) collection.

For bringing pets from the US mainland: USDA-accredited veterinarian health certificate within 10 days of travel. From international locations: US federal import requirements apply plus Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture inspection.

If applying for Act 60 (formerly Acts 20/22) incentives: file with Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC). Decree is a binding contract with Puerto Rico government specifying tax incentive terms.