Introduction
Dreaming of exploring the vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and rich history of Cuba? As a U.S. citizen, to travel to Cuba, understanding the intricacies of obtaining a Cuban visa or travel card is crucial before embarking on your adventure. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps, requirements, and essential information you need to know to ensure a smooth and unforgettable travel experience.
Table of Contents:
- Understanding the Basics
- The U.S. Embargo on Cuba
- Approved Travel Categories
- Types of Cuban Visas
- Cuban Travel Card
- General Categories for Travel
- Applying for a Cuban Visa
- Acquiring a Cuban Travel Card
- Documentation and Information Needed
- Some Considerations
- Returning to the U.S.
- Customs Declaration and Cuban Goods
1. Understanding the Basics:
The U.S. Embargo on Cuba:
Before planning your trip, it’s important to be aware of the U.S. embargo on Cuba. This policy impacts travel and trade between the two countries.
The U.S. embargo against Cuba, enacted in the early 1960s, is a comprehensive economic, commercial, and financial restriction imposed by the United States on Cuba. The embargo’s primary objective was to pressure the Cuban government, led by Fidel Castro, to change its political and economic system. It aimed to isolate Cuba internationally and limit its trade relationships.
The embargo prohibits most trade and financial transactions between the U.S. and Cuba, including exports, imports, and financial assistance. It restricts travel and has had significant impact on Cuba’s economy by limiting its access to U.S. markets and financial institutions. However, the embargo has also been the number one excuse the Cuban Government uses to cover up their massive failures and incompetence. It is a fact that Cuba has trade beyond the US Embargo with most other countries, including the US that in recent years has become one of the top 5 exporters to Cuba.
Approved Travel Categories:
U.S. citizens can travel to Cuba under specific categories, including family visits, official government business, journalistic activities, educational purposes, and more. Ensure your travel plans align with these categories.
2. Types of Cuban Visas:
Cuban Travel Card:
Unlike traditional visas, U.S. citizens need a Cuban Travel Card to enter Cuba. It’s typically valid for 30 days and can be obtained through airlines or travel agencies.
However other airlines like JetBlue, Delta or Southwest, either recommend third party vendors or the service is only available when checking in right before your flight to Cuba:
JetBlue
Delta
General Categories for Travel:
Depending on your travel purpose, you might need a specific license from the U.S. government, allowing you to visit Cuba for activities like research, humanitarian projects, or journalism.
A general license allows U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba without applying for a specific license, as long as their travel falls under certain approved categories such as family visits, journalistic activities, professional research, educational activities, religious activities, and more.
Obtaining a Specific License: If your travel doesn’t fit the general categories, you might need to apply for a specific license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Here are some scenarios where you might need a specific license to travel to Cuba from the U.S.:
- Travel for Business: If your purpose of travel involves business transactions, negotiations, or investments that are not covered by the general license categories, you might need a specific license. This could include attending conferences, trade shows, or exploring business opportunities.
- Public Performances or Workshops: If you’re planning to participate in public performances, workshops, or other artistic activities that aren’t related to journalism, education, or religious activities, you might require a specific license.
- Humanitarian Projects: While certain humanitarian projects are covered under the general license, if your project falls outside these predefined categories, you may need a specific license to engage in activities such as disaster relief efforts, community development, or healthcare initiatives.
- Research or Academic Activities: If your research or academic activities are not directly related to the categories listed in the general license, you might need a specific license. For instance, if your research doesn’t align with educational programs or professional research, a specific license could be necessary.
- Non-Commercial Exchanges: Certain non-commercial exchanges, such as sports competitions or cultural events that don’t fit the predefined general license categories, might necessitate a specific license.
3. Applying for a Cuban Visa:
Acquiring a Cuban Travel Card:
Airlines often provide Cuban Travel Cards for purchase. You can buy them at the airport before departure. This card grants you entry upon arrival in Cuba. Also, American Airlines offers this service online linked to Cuba Travel Services. AA Visa Card – Cuba Visa Services
Visa prices range from $ 50 to 130. Right on the Airline counter prior to departure tends to be cheaper, online requests from AA or Any other Agency, Cuba Travel Services, iVisa, Caribbean Tours, ViaHero, or any other third-party vendor will apply extra fees and shipping charges. However, it is worth paying a few extra bucks and get your visa secured ahead of your trip. Processing time takes 3 to 5 business days.
Documentation and Information Needed:
Prepare documents such as a valid passport, health insurance, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, and a detailed explanation of your travel purpose.
About the valid passport, ideally, it should be valid for a minimum of 2 to 6 months after you leave Cuba.
Insurance: All US flights to Cuba include the mandatory Cuban medical health insurance in the ticket price (from ESICUBA). This will be valid for only 30 calendar days from the date of entry into Cuba. It is recommendable to dig out more information about this through the airline, or the ESICUBA website in English.
So, your flight ticket should include one of these plans, (as far as I am aware, it is the special Travel Plan):
Economic Travel Plan (US$1.00/day):
- Sickness and accident medical expenses up to $7,000.
- Repatriation (sanitary or funeral) and transportation up to $15,000.
- Advance funds.
- Accident insurance (death or permanent total disability included).
- Baggage and document management1.
Super Travel Plan (US$1.50/day):
- Higher coverage:
- Sickness and accident medical expenses up to $12,000.
- Repatriation (sanitary or funeral) and transportation up to $15,000.
- Same additional benefits as the Economic plan1.
Special Travel Plan (US$2.00/day):
- Highest coverage:
- Sickness and accident medical expenses up to $25,000.
- Repatriation (sanitary or funeral) and transportation up to $15,000.
- Same additional benefits as the other plans
The following image is a capture of the insurance plans offered by ESICUBA and their coverage.
4. Some other Considerations
Travel Affidavit: Some airlines may require you to fill out a travel affidavit confirming that your trip aligns with an approved category.
Record-Keeping for Financial Transactions: Maintain detailed records of financial transactions related to your Cuba travel, as you might need to provide this information upon your return to the U.S.
5. Returning to the U.S.:
Customs Declaration and Cuban Goods:
Upon returning to the U.S., declare any Cuban goods you acquired during your trip, agents may ask directly. Familiarize yourself with customs regulations to avoid any issues.
· Normal Personal Use:
- U.S. citizens were allowed to bring back Cuban goods for personal use as part of their accompanied baggage.
- These goods should be intended for personal consumption and not for resale.
· Value Limit:
- For travelers returning to the U.S., there was a value limit for the goods they could bring back from Cuba as accompanied baggage for personal use.
- This limit was $800 per person, including alcohol and tobacco products.
· Artwork and Handicrafts:
- Artwork and handicrafts from Cuba were generally allowed as personal imports, but any artwork with cultural significance might require special documentation or clearance.
· Customs Declaration:
- When returning to the U.S., travelers were required to declare all goods acquired abroad, including those from Cuba, on their U.S. Customs Declaration form (CBP Form 6059B).
· Record-Keeping:
- Travelers were advised to keep records of their transactions and receipts for purchased items, as U.S. Customs and Border Protection might request this information for verification.
Conclusion
Obtaining a Cuban visa or travel card as a U.S. citizen is a fairly simple process nowadays. It requires planning and adherence to regulations; however, it is far from being as difficult as some may think. On the other hand, travel to Cuba could be life-changing, eye-opening and demystifying.
