The U.S. Naval Academy has implemented a new policy prohibiting the use of foreign passports as valid identification for campus visitors, aligning access rules with broader federal security standards.
The change, announced without fanfare on the U.S. Navy’s website, took effect this week. Under the updated requirements, visitors must present a Real ID-compliant driver’s license, a state-issued ID card, or a U.S. passport to enter the academy grounds. Foreign passports are no longer accepted.
Naval District Washington declined to provide a statement.
On Tuesday evening, Naval Support Activity Annapolis, the installation responsible for providing base support services to the academy, posted a notice on Facebook detailing the new access restrictions for foreign nationals.
“Non-US citizens can only visit the U.S. Naval Academy and Naval Support Activity Annapolis when escorted by a U.S. citizen who has Department of Defense credentials and escort privileges and only for official U.S. Naval Academy or Naval Support Activity Annapolis sponsored events,” the notice stated.
It added, “Even when properly escorted or sponsored, non-US citizens must still present an official passport upon request.”
It remains unclear how the new identification restrictions will affect upcoming Commissioning Week activities, a major event that draws thousands of attendees to Annapolis each year. Typically, 15 to 20 foreign midshipmen graduate with each class, and the updated policy may significantly limit their families’ ability to attend key traditions such as the Color Parade, the Blue Angels flight demonstration over the Yard (if they choose to watch from the Yard), and the graduation ceremony itself–although Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is owned by the private entity, UA Naval Academy Althletic Association. The restrictions could also affect families of 4th class midshipmen in the Class of 2028, particularly during events like the Herndon Monument Climb, a long-standing rite of passage marking the end of Plebe Year. Without unescorted access, foreign relatives may miss these milestone moments unless they secure a U.S. citizen sponsor with Department of Defense credentials, a requirement that presents both logistical and practical challenges.
The new identification policy may have a significant impact on tourism to the U.S. Naval Academy, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Official tours, including guided historical and admissions-focused visits, are a major revenue source for the Naval Academy Business Services Division. In recent years, the Academy has seen strong international interest, with foreign nationals regularly participating in campus tours and visiting the Naval Academy Museum. While specific data on the number of foreign visitors is limited, a 2019 report by Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County noted that international tourists made up a notable share of the region’s 5 million annual visitors.
With foreign nationals now restricted from unescorted access to the Naval Academy, the policy may not only reduce international visitation to the campus itself but could also have broader consequences for Annapolis tourism. As the Academy is a central draw for out-of-town visitors, particularly those from overseas, decreased access is likely to lead to fewer overnight stays, restaurant visits, and retail spending in the area. That decline would directly impact local businesses and could contribute to erosion of the city’s tax base, which relies in part on tourism-generated revenue.
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