Cuba Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USA | Yes | Yes | Yes/1 |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Australian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| British | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Passports
Visas
Visas for Cuba are required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
The required tourist visa, known as a tourist card, allows the holder to stay in Cuba for 30 days and is valid for a single entry. You must also have a passport valid for the length of your proposed duration of stay, as well as proof of a confirmed return flight and booked accommodation. Alternatively, passengers arriving by air can apply for an e-tourist visa instead of a tourist card. The e-tourist visa will eventually replace the tourist card.
In addition, all travelers are required to fill in electronically the passenger information form "Declaración Jurada de Salud" within 72 hours before departing for Cuba. Travelers will then be provided with a QR code, which they must show in an electronic or printed version to authorities upon arrival. The electronic passenger information form replaced the following documents in their printed versions: International Boarding and Disembarkation Card, Customs Declaration Form and the Traveller's Health Affidavit.
Nationals of about 20 countries do not require a visa to visit Cuba, although the amount of time they can spend in Cuba varies; below is the list:
Citizens of these countries can stay in Cuba without a visa for up to 28 days: Barbados and Dominica.
Citizens of these countries can stay in Cuba without a visa for up to 30 days: Antigua and Barbuda, Belarus, Mongolia, Singapore, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis.
Citizens of these countries can stay in Cuba without a visa for up to 60 days: Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Citizens of these countries can stay in Cuba without a visa for up to 90 days: Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kenya (once in a calendar year), Malaysia, Montenegro, Namibia, North Macedonia, Russia (can be extended to 180 days), Serbia, United Arab Emirates.
Citizens of Namibia can stay in Cuba without a visa for an undisclosed period.
In addition, there are several exceptions, like nationals of Venezuela with a normal passport can visit Cuba without a visa if they are travelling on duty under the Cooperative Integration Agreement. Nationals of China and Vietnam can also visit Cuba without a visa if they carry a passport for Public Affairs.
Please note that the visa regulations are being updated regularly, hence it is best to check with the nearest Cuban consulate before your trip.
To apply for a Cuba tourist card, contact the Cuban consulate listed on this official Representaciones Diplomáticas de Cuba en el Exterior website.
Visa Note
Nationals of (1) the USA are subject to the Cuban assets control regulations enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC; http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/pages/cuba.aspx). Travel for touristic purposes is still prohibited. That said, it's possible to visit Cuba as an American if you're visiting for one of 12 specified reasons. The permitted reasons are: family visits; official business of the US government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organisations; journalistic activity; professional research and professional meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials; and certain authorised export transactions.
Validity
The tourist card is valid for one entry of 30 days within 180 days of issue and can be extended in Cuba for a further 30 days.
Transit
Passengers who hold a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to another country within 72 hours and can show documents required for the next destination may be allowed to transit in Cuba without a visa.
Application to
Consulate (or consular section at embassy) in person or by post. You can get the contact information of the Cuban consulate in your country by visiting this official Representaciones Diplomáticas de Cuba en el Exterior website.
Working days
Allow for up to four weeks for visa processing.
Entry Documents
All visitors to Cuba are required to prove they have travel insurance covering medical expenses from approved foreign companies during their period of stay, or they will have to buy it from Cuban vendors on arrival in the country. US travel insurance policies are not accepted.
Extension of stay
You can extend your tourist card by an additional 30 days with the immigration office.
Entry with children
Parents travelling with children may be required to show proof of parental rights or guardianship.
Entry with pets
Bringing pets to Cuba is possible, but it can be time-consuming and costly. You need an international (or in the case of licensed travellers from the USA, a state) veterinary certificate, completed no more than ten days before travel to Cuba, along with proof of a rabies and distemper vaccination administrated at least 30 days before entry.
This page reflects our understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel to the said country. However, please note that each authority sets and forces entry rules, hence we strongly recommend that you verify critical information with the relevant embassy before travel.
