Visas for U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba

As you may already know, traveling to Cuba from the United States is possible, but it requires understanding some processes and getting well informed about the necessary documentation to enter the country. Not only you need to know the 12 authorized travel categories, but you should understand that visas to Cuba for U.S. citizens are not the same as for the rest of the world and so some other entry requirements.

In this post we will solve your doubts on this subject and tell you how to process your visa to travel to Cuba. In addition, we inform you about the documentation you will need to prepare and many other details that you should take into account before leaving the U.S. Are you ready to embark on your trip to one of the most amazing countries in the Caribbean?

1. Can Americans travel to Cuba?

Yes, U.S. citizens may travel to Cuba, however, they must expect certain restrictions due to U.S. government regulations. Technically, travel for tourist purposes directly from the United States to Cuba is prohibited. However, Americans may visit Cuba under one of the 12 categories authorized by the U.S. Treasury Department. We will discuss these categories later in the post.

The process of traveling from the U.S. is not complicated, but it takes some preparation. Have patience and join us in this post where we tell you how to process the visa and the authorization of the 12 categories. We assure you that the effort is worth it 😉

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.

2. What types of visas are there?

To access any country in the world that requires a visa, you must choose the type of visa that suits the type of trip you are going to take. In the case of Cuba, these are all the visas available:

• Tourist visa: for leisure travel. There are two types, the pink visa and the blue visa. We will elaborate on these later.
• Visa for Visiting Cuban Relatives: allows visits to relatives by blood or marriage.
• Transit visa: for short stays of up to 7 days for logistical purposes.
• Stopover Visa: allows you to make change of means of transportation, also for up to 7 days.
• Crew Member Visa: intended for workers on aircraft, ships and other vessels.
• Event Visa: for those attending private or unofficial events.
• Business Visa: to offer services and develop business with no state ties.
• Specific Residential Visas: include categories for technicians and workers hired by Cuban entities, students and academics in exchange programs, athletes and their technical teams, artists, asylum seekers and refugees, journalists, commercial representatives with activities authorized by Cuban entities, participants in religious activities, persons seeking medical treatment under approval of the Ministry of Public Health, and other specific categories for particular needs.

In this regard, U.S. travelers, like everyone else, will be able to apply for the visa that suits them best depending on the reason for their trip.

3. What type of visa do Americans need to travel to Cuba?

If you are traveling to Cuba for pleasure you should know that there are two types of visas depending on whether you are traveling from the U.S. or from any other country in the world.

The green (or blue) visa is the standard visa that travelers from around the world can apply for as long as they are not traveling from U.S. airports. The visa allows an initial stay of up to 90 days, with the option to extend it for another 30 days (and up to additional 90 days for Canadian citizens). The validity of the visa is 6 months from the date it is issued.

On the other hand, the Pink Visa allows entry to Cuba from any U.S. airport, regardless of the nationality of the bearer. This visa is valid for stays of up to 90 days, with the option of requesting an extension for additional 30 days. From the date of issue, the visa is valid for a period of 6 months. It is important to note that, if your trip includes air connection in the United States, even for a short period, you will need to obtain the Pink Visa in addition to the ESTA. Also traveling from the United States requires a specific authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). In this article, you will find detailed information on the procedures and documentation required to travel from the U.S.: What do I need to travel to Cuba from the United States?

How to apply for the pink visa?

There are several ways to obtain a visa for Cuba, which is an advantage as it offers flexibility and last minute options. However, it is important to remember that each process requires a processing time and have different costs. Here we leave you a list with all the options:

• With the purchase of your airline ticket: in the US, several airlines such as American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, Jet Blue, and Air Canada, offer visa processing along with the purchase of the ticket at an additional cost of between $75 and $100. This method in some cases may be cheaper if you compare it to direct processing or through an agency, so it is worth reviewing the options.
• Directly at the embassy or consulate: You can choose to process your visa in person at the Cuban embassy or consulate. This procedure costs between $26 and $46 but it is necessary to bring all the necessary documents already filled out without errors. There is also the option of doing it by mail with an extra cost for the management.
• Online: is the most convenient way, allowing you to process the visa through the official website and receive it by email in less than a week, in about 3 days.
• Through a travel agency: If you travel with an agency, they will usually arrange the visa for you and it is already included in the package price. However, it is advisable to check it to avoid surprises.
• At airports in Cuba: although there is the possibility of obtaining a visa upon arrival in Cuba, it is not usually recommended as many flights require a visa for boarding. In addition, you will lose time at the airport with the processing instead of investing it in exploring the country. The cost is $25.

How much does the pink visa cost

One of the annoyances of traveling from the United States is that the pink visa is somewhat more expensive than the green visa. The price starts at $100 or 95€. The green visa on the other hand costs 35€ or 37$. If you plan to visit another South American country before Cuba, we recommend you to start with the other country, so you can apply for the green visa instead of the pink one and save some money.

What documents do I need to prepare to apply for a visa to Cuba

At the time of processing the visa, either online, when buying the flight or through an agency, you must have these documents ready:

• Passport: You will need to provide your passport number, as well as the issue and expiration dates, and the issuing country. In addition, you will need to include a photograph of the front page of your passport.
• Personal information form: the application form will require your full name, telephone numbers (both landline and mobile) and an email address.
• Work information: Although not required, information about your place of work is requested, including telephone, fax and e-mail address.
• Travel Details: It is essential that you provide details of your flight, including the date of departure to Cuba, the date of entry into the country, the country and airport from which you are departing, as well as the airline company used. You must also attach a photo of your round-trip airline ticket.
• Information about your stay: You will need to specify the duration of your visit, the name and address of your accommodation, as well as the municipality and province where you will be staying. It is mandatory to attach the confirmation of your hotel reservation.

4. The 12 categories of travel to Cuba

We have already discussed the regulations imposed by the Cuban government to access their country, now we need to discuss the regulations imposed by the U.S. government. As discussed in this post previously, the Cuban Assets Control Regulation, established on July 8, 1963, prohibits U.S. citizens from engaging in travel for tourism purposes to Cuba.

Fortunately, as the years have gone by, the regulations have been loosened, and today, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) allows travel to Cuba as long as it is justified within one of the 12 categories allowed by the legislation. In this post we tell you everything you need to know about the travel categories: 12 legal travel categories for Cuba.

We already told you that the most common categories to “disguise” travel for tourism purposes are the Support for the Cuban People and Humanitarian Projects. Because of its ambiguity, U.S. travelers will be able to justify their trip only by participating in cultural activities or otherwise supporting the Cuban people.

5. Other tips for traveling to Cuba?

• Before you leave for Cuba, be sure to keep in mind the essential information we’ve shared in this article.
• The currency used in Cuba is the Cuban peso.
• Although Spanish is the predominant language, English is also widely understood.
• It is advisable to carry a first aid kit with essential medicines, due to possible shortages in pharmacies.
• Remember that credit and debit cards issued by U.S. banks are not accepted in Cuba; therefore, it is necessary to carry cash to exchange into the local currency.
• Hedge against medical emergencies with mandatory travel insurance. Choose a good travel insurance, such as Mondo.
• To avoid health problems, consume only bottled water.
• Sun protection is a must, along with appropriate clothing for the heat that also protects you from sun exposure. And staying well hydrated is vital.
• Keep your travel documents always accessible.
• U.S. citizens must keep all receipts for their expenses in Cuba for a period of 5 years.

6. How to organize a trip to Cuba

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Check out important information for traveling to Cuba and necessary documents.
• Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or typology (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information of the trip.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app to 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 have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you can share travel tips on how to get visas to Cuba for U.S. citizens.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

7. Frequently asked questions about important information for traveling to Cuba