As of July 2021, the travel requirements for US citizens traveling to Cuba are as follows:
General License: US citizens can travel to Cuba under one of the 12 categories of authorized travel without obtaining a specific license. These categories include family visits, educational activities, professional research, journalistic activities, humanitarian projects, and more. It is important to ensure that your travel falls under one of these categories.
Health Insurance: All US travelers to Cuba are required to have non-US-based health insurance that covers medical expenses in Cuba. This can be obtained through a travel insurance provider or by purchasing a Cuban health insurance policy upon arrival in Cuba.
Tourist Card: US citizens traveling to Cuba need to obtain a tourist card, also known as a visa card. This can be obtained through the airline or travel agency you are using to travel to Cuba. The tourist card allows for a stay of up to 30 days and can be extended for an additional 30 days while in Cuba.
It is important to note that travel restrictions and requirements can change, so it is recommended to check the latest information from the US Department of State or consult with a travel agency specializing in travel to Cuba before planning your trip.
CHECKLIST: WHAT TO PREPARE FOR YOUR TRIP TO CUBA
✅ Roundtrip Ticket or Onward Flight
✅ DViajeros QR Code
✅ Affidavit for Travel
✅ Turista SIM Card
✅ Cuban Tourist Card (Cuban Visa)
✅ Booked Accommodations
✅ US Dollars in Cash (~$100 per day)
✅ A Copy of your Itinerary
✅ Valid US Passport with 6+ month
Cubania Travel
THE CUBAN TOURIST CARD
Travel to Cuba as an American requires a Cuban Tourist Card (the equivalent of a visa). This can be ordered in advance and they do overnight shipping. Or you can get it right at the gate, with the “Cuba Ready” tourist card stand popping up an hour before boarding. I traveled with American Airlines to Cuba and paid $100 for the visa at my gate. It took less than 5 minutes since I had a “Cuba Ready” green sticker on my ticket from showing all the required documents at check-in. No joke, this was the easiest visa process I’ve ever been through and you don’t need extra time at the airport to get your visa. Flights from the USA receive a pink visa that you will fill out yourself.
The tourist card is what is stamped upon arrival and you must keep the two tourist visas with you at all times since this is what is collected upon departure. The best way to figure out your visa needs is through the airlines’ website. DO NOT call an airline call center about the Cuban visa due to misinformation. See the following carriers’ websites for accurate details on purchasing your visa:
Travel to Cuba for tourist activities remains prohibited by statute. However, the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued general licenses for 12 categories of travel. Individuals who meet the regulatory conditions of the general license they seek to travel under do not need to apply for an additional license from OFAC to travel to Cuba. The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba are: family visits; official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; 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 authorized export transactions.
For details on Cuba sanctions regulations, including fact sheets on recent changes and information about applying for an OFAC license, please visit this Department of Treasury webpage on Cuba sanctions. The Department of State also provides information on Cuba sanctions and travel restrictions on its webpage on Cuba sanctions.
In accordance with the National Security Presidential Memorandum on Strengthening the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba of June 2017, the State Department also publishes a list of entities and subentities that are under the control of, or act for or on behalf of, the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services or personnel and with which direct financial transactions would disproportionately benefit the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services or personnel at the expense of the Cuban people or private enterprise in Cuba – the State Department’s List of Restricted Entities and Subentities Associated with Cuba (“Cuba Restricted List”). Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction will now be prohibited from engaging in certain direct financial transactions with entities and subentities identified by the State Department on the Cuba Restricted List. Certain transactions will be excluded from this prohibition pursuant to exceptions detailed in the NSPM.
Please note that neither the U.S. Embassy in Havana nor the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. process Cuban visa applications. To apply for a Cuban visa or for any questions regarding Cuban consular services, please contact the Cuban Embassy in Washington, D.C.:
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba 2630 16th Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20009 Website: http://misiones.minrex.gob.cu/en/usa Phone: (202) 797 8518 – Ext. 600
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