Cuba is a captivating tourist destination that entices visitors with its rich historical and cultural heritage, beautiful natural scenery and welcoming community. However, if you’re reading this, you probably already know that travelling from the United States can be a challenge due to government restrictions. Fortunately, there are several authorised travel categories and in this case we’re talking about the category of Humanitarian Projects in Cuba, one of the most common ways to make up a tourist trip.
The Humanitarian Projects category allows you to travel to Cuba for the purpose of participating in medical, construction, environmental, small business entrepreneurship and education projects. As you will see, it is not as broad a category as Support to the Cuban People, but it can be easily justified as discussed below.
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How to acquire the Cuba entry permit with the category of Humanitarian Projects?
As we tell you in the following paragraphs, obtaining authorisation to enter Cuba under the category of Humanitarian Projects requires a little more attention than if you were travelling from another country in the world. This is due to the restrictions imposed by the US government, which prohibits travel for profit-making purposes in Cuba. Below you can read about the permits and documentation to enter the country with the Humanitarian Projects authorisation.
1. Pink visa
To travel to Cuba it is mandatory to obtain the Cuban Tourist Visa, or the pink visa, which allows you to stay in the country for 90 days. This permit can be obtained in two ways: through a form on the Cuban embassy’s website or directly at Havana airport. However, processing it at the airport may cause delays in your entry into the country.
To apply you will need to present a valid passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry to Cuba and complete some personal details.
It is recommended that you start the process at least 20 to 15 days before your trip, although visas are usually granted in less than 48 hours. The cost of a visa for travel from the United States is $120. Read more about visas to Cuba in this post: Cuba travel visas: How to obtain a visa to travel to Cuba
2. Travel medical insurance
For travel to Cuba it is necessary for all visitors to have valid health insurance that covers medical expenses in case of illness or injury during their stay in the country. This insurance is a mandatory entry requirement and is verified upon arrival at the airport in Cuba.
We recommend you compare and read up on what each company offers so you can choose the best option.
3. Organise your itinerary
On the form, in order to apply for authorisation under the category of Humanitarian Projects, you will need to submit a detailed itinerary. Include where you will be at all times during your stay in Cuba and what activities you will be undertaking. Remember that these activities should be related to the category. You should also include accommodation, restaurants and shops where you will be spending money.
4. Accommodation in Cuba
In the travel itinerary that you will submit, the accommodations where you will stay during your visit must be included. Remember that the US government has a list of restrictions that prohibits many hotels, restaurants and shops on the island, all of which are clearly for recreational purposes. It is therefore recommended that you check that your hotel is not on the Restricted Accommodation List before booking.
5. Application for a Licence to Support the Cuban People
Once you have completed the previous steps, you can apply for Humanitarian Project Authorisation through the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury (OFAC). If you travel with a travel agency, they can handle the process on your behalf, although they may charge extra.
In addition, some US airlines that operate flights between the United States and Cuba, such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines and Spirit Airlines, offer the possibility of arranging this authorisation.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What requirements need to be justified in order to obtain the Humanitarian Projects category?
If you want OFAC to grant you Humanitarian Projects authorisation to travel to Cuba, you must demonstrate that your travel is directly related to the category and does not contribute to the Cuban government or the Cuban armed forces. Here are some requirements and activities you should consider justifying this category.
Firstly, you must choose the humanitarian project with which you will justify your trip to Cuba. Here are all the alternatives:
- Medical and health-related projects.
- Construction projects intended to benefit the local population.
- Disaster preparedness, relief and response.
- Historic preservation.
- Environmental projects.
- Projects involving formal or non-formal educational training, inside or outside Cuba, on the following topics: Entrepreneurship and business, civic education, journalism, advocacy and organising, adult literacy, or vocational skills.
- Community-based grassroots projects.
- Projects suitable for small-scale private enterprise development.
- Projects related to agricultural and rural development promoting independent activities.
- Microfinance projects, except loans, extensions of credit or other prohibited financing.
- Projects aimed at meeting basic human needs.
It is also essential to keep comprehensive records of all activities you undertake in Cuba. This includes detailed documentation of dates, locations, persons involved and the purposes of each activity. These records will serve as concrete evidence that you are complying with the requirements set out in the Humanitarian Project category in case verification is required.
How much does it cost to apply for the Humanitarian Projects category?
The authorisation process is free of charge. When completing the application form, you will need to attach all the required documentation as mentioned above, but no payment is required throughout the process. However, it is important to note that obtaining a pink tourist visa costs $120.
What permissions do I get in Cuba when entering under the category of Humanitarian Projects?
Although tourism is technically not permitted in Cuba from the United States, the Humanitarian Projects authorisation gives you the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities, as long as they are justified under the category. Here are just a few examples:
- Accommodation: You have the option to stay in hotels, Airbnbs, flats or private homes, as long as they are not on the List of Restricted Accommodations in Cuba.
- Restaurants: similar to hotels, you can enjoy meals at any restaurant provided they are not included in the List of Restricted Entities and Sub-Entities Associated with Cuba.
- Shopping: You are free to explore shops and purchase souvenirs of your trip, as long as you comply with customs regulations.
- Cultural activities: during your stay you can visit museums, join guided tours and participate in a wide variety of cultural activities that can enrich your experience in Cuba and support your project.
- Participate in humanitarian projects: under this category you will also be able to volunteer in local projects for the welfare of the Cuban people.
What should I take into account before processing the Humanitarian Projects category?
When applying for Humanitarian Project authorisation, it is essential to consider several things to ensure your travel is approved. Before completing the form, carefully review these points:
- Define your travel itinerary: You should detail all the activities you plan to do during your visit. Indicate the hotels you will stay in, the restaurants you will eat at and the cities you will visit. The more complete your plan is, including specific dates and days, the better your chances of obtaining authorisation.
- Select the right accommodation: Make sure that the accommodation you include in your itinerary is not on the List of Restricted Accommodation in Cuba.
- Avoid Prohibited Establishments: Verify that the shops, restaurants and businesses you plan to interact with during your visit are not included in the List of Restricted Entities and Sub-entities Associated with Cuba.
- Keep a record:You should keep all receipts and invoices related to your trip for at least 5 years. These may be required by the US authorities at any time.
Where can you advise me on how to get the Humanitarian Projects category or know which one suits me?
For detailed information on the procedures required to obtain Humanitarian Project authorisation, we recommend that you consult the Cuban embassy in the United States, where they will be able to provide you with accurate and up-to-date guidance on the necessary formalities.
You can also consult this information directly on the OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) website. Although the OFAC website is intended to deter travellers intending to travel to Cuba for tourism purposes and can be somewhat confusing, it is an official source of reliable information.
You are advised to consult other sources as well, such as travel blogs. These blogs not only provide details on the necessary procedures, but also practical advice that will make it easier to organise your trip. In this post you can read in detail about all the travel categories: 12 legal travel categories for Cuba.
What restrictions should I be aware of when entering Cuba with the Humanitarian Projects category?
Under both the Humanitarian Projects category and the other 11 categories, you will have to respect certain restrictions imposed by the Cuban and US governments. Below you can read about all the entry and exit restrictions in Cuba. For more information we encourage you to visit this post: List of travel restrictions to Cuba
- Cash limit: You must declare any amount over 5,000 Cuban pesos (or any other currency) in cash when entering Cuba. And you are not allowed to leave the country with more than 5,000 pesos.
- Baggage allowance: travellers are entitled to carry up to 30kg of baggage, which includes both carry-on and checked baggage. In addition, you may carry up to an additional 10kg of medication in its original packaging. If you exceed the maximum weight, an additional charge will apply. In addition, it is prohibited to bring into the country items such as weapons, drugs, narcotics, psychotropic substances, precursors, explosives or blood products.
- Prohibited Accommodations: There is a specific list of accommodations in Cuba that should be avoided, the List of Restricted Accommodations in Cuba. It is important to check that the hotel you plan to book is not included on this list.
- Restricted businesses: The United States has established a list of businesses and restaurants that it considers recreationally related. Be sure not to include any of these establishments in your travel itinerary.
- Credit Card Limitations: In Cuba, US credit cards are only accepted in some shops, restaurants and accommodations that are not on the List of Restricted Entities and Sub-entities Associated with Cuba. However, be aware that in these places the fees for using US credit cards are often high. Therefore, it is recommended that you carry cash.
- Activities related to the category: Under the category of Humanitarian Projects it is important to remember that you are not allowed to work, study in official institutions or participate in activities not related to community support.
Other travel tips to Cuba?
- The currency of Cuba is the Cuban peso.
- The official language is Spanish, but you can also communicate in English.
- US credit and debit cards don’t work in Cuba; you’ll need to bring cash and exchange it for Cuban pesos.
- Travel with a first-aid kit with basic medicines, there may be shortages in pharmacies.
- Get your travel insurance for medical emergencies.
- Always drink bottled water.
- Wear sunscreen, especially in the summer months, as well as light but sun-protective clothing and stay hydrated.
- Always carry your travel documents with you.
- If you are a US citizen, you must keep all tickets and receipts from Cuba for 5 years.
How to organise a trip to Cuba?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries
- Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information about the trip.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
- Add the stops that most interest you, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
- Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app so that you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation.
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your own tips on how to travel to Cuba under the category of Humanitarian Projects
If you have any doubts about how to do this, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about traveling to Cuba from the US
To travel to Cuba you will need your passport, visa, travel medical insurance, return flight ticket, customs and health form, and if you are travelling from the United States you will also need an Office of Foreign Assets Control Travel License.
To travel from the United States you will need a Pink Visa, which allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days.
US citizens will be able to travel to Cuba provided they present the necessary documents and authorisation under one of the 12 legal categories.
The category will depend on the type of trip you are going to make, but if your objective is to travel for tourism purposes, the best option is to select the category of “Support to the Cuban People”.
To enter the country you need to have medical insurance that covers health incidents. It is not necessary to cover aspects of the trip such as flight delays or lost luggage.
The authorisation is free of charge, but remember that the visa costs $120.
To obtain a travel permit under this category, you must fill in an online form and submit a detailed itinerary of your activities on the island.
The Support to the Cuban People category authorises travel to Cuba that promotes direct contact and activities that benefit the Cuban people, encouraging cultural and humanitarian interactions.
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