Cuba Visa Information

Tourist visas for anyone, as long as you were not born in Cuba or are not visiting Cuban relatives, are easy to obtain and come as a part of your travel package when you buy your ticket.

Visas for journalists and researchers declared as such are a separate matter and require an application to the Cuban Consulate in your country ( Washington , DC for the US ).

Cuban Americans born in Cuba also need to get special permission.

When arriving to Cuba visitors should possess a valid passport or a trip document stating their names and the corresponding visa or Tourist Card. The countries which have Visa Free Agreements with Cuba are excepted.

Tourist Cards can be requested at the Cuban consular representations and also in travel agencies and airlines. They are of two types: for individual tourists or for tourists travelling in groups. Businessmen, journalists coming to work and Cuban born citizens, non-residents or having another nationality, must request a visa from their local Cuban Embassy.

The tourist visa is valid for an entrance and exit from Cuba and last for 30 days. The counting starts on the arrival date to Cuba , with the possibility to extend it for other 30 days. This can be done in the Cuban Immigration Office (Dirección de Inmigración y Extranjería), located in 20 Street between 3rd. and 5th., Miramar, Havana; paying the USD 25 fixed charge in stamps that can be acquired in any branch of the Credit and Commerce Bank (Banco de Credito y Comercio).

Be sure to understand some essentials of Cuban law. You will need to have a hotel room or private accommodation arranged in Cuba before you get there or at least have one to declare to Immigration when you arrive.

The requirements and documents required by the Cuban immigration authorities for those who wish to visit the country are the following:

AS TOURISTS:
Valid passport or equivalent document with a validity of at least 6 months.
Visa ("Tourist Card"). Entry in Cuba will be registered with a s tamp on the "Tourist Card", not on the passport.
Embarcation- disembarcation card for citizens from countries with which Cuba has signed a visa exemption agreement.
To declare his/her whereabouts while in Cuba , at the frontier control.
Return or continuation ticket.
Economic solvency.

AS PASSERS-BY:
- Valid passport or equivalent document with a validity of at least 6 months.
- Visa.
- Embarcation- disembarcation card.
- Return or continuation ticket.

PEOPLE IN TRANSIT OR TRANSFER:
- Valid passport or equivalent document.
- Visa, should his/her stay exceed 72 hours.
- Confirmed hotel reservation.
- Confirmed ticket for the itinerary to continue travel.
- Economic solvency.

BUSINESS VISA:
- Valid passport.
- Visa.
- Round or continua tion ticket.

Nonresident Cuban citizens: they must ask for an Entrance Permission in the Cuban embassy or consulate in its country of residence, which will be transacted by the Cuban Immigration Office.

United States Residents (not born in Cuba): they will have to previously acquire the tourist visa in the Cuban Interests Office in Washington or through a travel agency that has bought it. For more information related to visa procedures, visit the site of the Cuban Interests Office in the USA.

The following nationals DO NOT require a visa: for stays up to 90 days by nationals of Bulgaria, Liechtenstein, Serbia & Montenegro & Switzerland, For stays up to 30 days by nationals of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Czech Rep, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Namibia, Russia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan & Ukraine, For stays up to 28 days by nationals of Barbados, Holders of a valid re-entry permit , Holders of 'Tarjeta del Turista' (Tourist Cards).