CUBA - Q&A

Published Wednesday, February 15th 2017 - Updated Thursday, February 16th 2017
Q: Who is eligible to travel to Cuba?
A: U.S. (including Cuban-born) and international guests are eligible to travel to Cuba from the U.S. if they either i) meet at least one of twelve categories of authorized travel; or ii) obtain a specific license issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”).
 
Q: What are the twelve categories of authorized travel?
A: 1. Family visits;
2. Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations;
3. Journalistic activity;
4. Professional research and professional meetings;
5. Educational activities, including People-to-People exchange programs. People‐to‐people tours are education‐based trips designed to promote interactions between travelers and the Cuban people. People‐to‐people travel allows for little, if any, free time, as your time will be spent experiencing Cuba at its most authentic, through visits to Cuba’s most sought after destinations.
6. Religious activities;
7. Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions;
8. Support for the Cuban people;
9. Humanitarian projects;
10. Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes;
11. Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials; and
12. Certain authorized export transactions.

Q: Will travelers be required to have a visa/passport to travel to Cuba?
A: All guests (including international guests) will be required to have a passport. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will not allow U.S. guests to travel to Cuba with a driver’s license and birth certificate. Passports must be valid for six months after their travel to Cuba. The required tourist visa, known as a tourist card, allows the holder to stay in the Cuba for 30 days and is valid for a single entry. You must provide proof of confirmed return flight and booked accommodation.
 
Q: Is the zika virus in Cuba?
A: The CDC has issued a travel alert for certain countries (including Cuba) where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.

Q: What is illegal in Cuba that travelers may not be aware of?
A: It is illegal to buy cigars on the street; other than at approved retail stores as well as to exchange U.S. dollars into Cuban CUCs (Cuban Currency) any place other than at an official CADECA (Currency Exchange Houses) and hotels.

For more information on traveling to Cuba, visit travel.state.gov

 

Leave a Reply

indicates a required field

Saving data...