Beginning March 1, 2004, U.S. citizens must enter Barbados using a valid U.S. passport. No visa is needed to enter Barbados for stays up to 28 days. U.S. citizen visitors who enter Barbados before March 1, 2004 without these items, even if admitted by immigration authorities, may encounter difficulties in boarding flights for return to the United States. U.S. citizens entering Barbados before March 1, 2004 with documents other than U.S. passports should take special care to secure those documents while traveling. It can be time-consuming and difficult to acquire new proof of citizenship to facilitate return travel. There is a departure tax for travelers over the age of twelve.