Another indispensable requirement to enter Cuba is the visa corresponding to your reason for travel. We will tell you in detail everything related to this issue.
Let’s start with the basics: who needs a visa to enter Cuba?
If you were born in Cuba, whether or not you reside on the island, then you are exempt from this procedure. For the rest of almost all the people who want to arrive in the country (including citizens of European Union countries), it is a mandatory and indispensable entry requirement, except for those who have visa-free agreements specified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cuba (mostly agreements for diplomats or service officers). You can find information about this here. Minors will also need their own visa,
In general, citizens from any part of the world may visit the country by completing the procedure corresponding to their type of visa, according to the particularities of their stay. In spite of being a mandatory procedure, it is a simple and fast process, which does not require much time in advance nor is it common to be denied, unless they are citizens being prosecuted by international justice related to terrorist activities, drug trafficking or other crimes.
Types of visas to enter Cuba:
As we mentioned before, the procedure for the type of visa will be in correspondence with the reason for your trip. There are three categories of visas to enter the country: A (visitors), D (for professional activities) and E (for non-temporary stays).
Let’s look at each of these in detail.
- Type A visa.
Within this category we find the visa for family visits; events, business and non-remunerated services (participation in meetings); for transit and transshipment; for crew members and the well-known Tourist Card . The latter is the type of visa most requested by foreigners, since it is for all those visitors who need to enter the country for leisure and tourism.
It is valid to clarify that all these permits are granted by means of a tourist card, but the document will contain the particular reason for the stay depending on the case or if it is a transitory stay in the national territory.
Below is some important information about the Tourist Card.
- Type D visa.
This type of visa is established specifically for professional activities. It accredits a 30-day stay in the country, although it can be extended for another 30 days and can only be processed at a Cuban consulate abroad. This type of visa must be requested if you want to enter the country to work as a technician, scientist or student. Also for artists and sportsmen; journalists; religious trips; medical treatments, and for political asylum seekers and refugees.
The application for visas in this category has the particularity of the obligation to present proof and documentation that accredits the activity to be carried out in Cuba.
- Type E visa.
This visa is requested by those who want a non-temporary stay on the island, constituting a residence permit.
The so-called E1 is the one requested if you wish to reside on the island if you have direct relatives there, and the E2 is the one requested if you do not have any relatives residing in the country.
Tourist Card
Having clarified the subject of the types of visas, let’s go into everything related to the Tourist Card, which is definitely the most requested type of visa and the one we are interested in if we want to visit Cuba as tourists.
This rectangular paper card consists of two parts (left and right) with personal data to be filled in: nationality, name, surname, date of birth and passport number. Once you have arrived in the country, this documentation will be the first thing to be checked by the country’s immigration authorities, together with your passport, so it is advisable to keep it in your hand luggage and not to attach it or stamp it to your passport or any other travel document. There, a part of it will be cut off and the other part will be given to you again.
This card is valid for a single entry to the island, so you need one for each entry you are going to make. It allows a stay of up to 30 days in the country , extendable at the immigration offices at destination for a maximum of another 30 days, for a total of 60 days of stay. To make an extension the visa must be active and not expired.
It is valid for six months (180 days) from the date of issue. At the end of this period of time, if you have not traveled to the island, you must apply for it again.
An important fact to bear in mind is that depending on the origin of the visitor, a Tourist Card different from the standard one (green color) may be required. This is the case of travelers coming from the United States, who will need a specific Tourist Card (pink color) due to the restrictions and relations between the United States and Cuba. In general, the pink card has a higher cost than the green card. Passengers arriving in the country from a flight with a stopover in the United States will also need the pink card .
The requirements you will need to apply for a Tourist Card are:
- Valid passport with more than 6 months since arrival. Here we comment everything related to this topic.
- Airline tickets to and from Cuba.
- Filling in personal data.
- Payment of the corresponding fees.
- Declare the place of lodging.
Both the Cuban Consulates abroadTravel Agencies, the counters of some airlines authorized by a Cuban consulate and online, are some of the variants to make the application for such card, being able to choose the most suitable for you according to your interests and conditions.
If you reside in Spain and wish to carry out this procedure in one of the existing diplomatic offices in the country, you will have to do it in person in one of these: Consulate General in Madrid, Consulate General of Cuba in the Canary Islands, Consulate General of Cuba in Barcelona, Consulate General of Cuba in Seville, Consulate General of Cuba in Santiago de Compostela. If you live far away from these offices, this may not be the most convenient option for you.
If you travel with us remember that the visa is included free of charge in all our programs, only contemplating the cost of shipping. If you need a visa application for you and your family members or an urgent visa, do not hesitate to contact one of our travel assistants so they can process it for you and give you all the required information.
The costs of tourist visas vary according to the country or region where the visitor resides and the way in which the application is made.
Some time ago there was the option of paying the visa at destination once you arrived in Havana, but this service is no longer available. We always recommend to keep informed about the current events in Cuba if you are planning to visit us before making any arrangements. Being a local and specialized agency we keep our contents updated, do not hesitate to take a look at our website in the section of essential documents and useful tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I am a citizen of the European Union, what type of visa do I need to go to Cuba for tourism?
Standard Tourist Card (green)
If I was born in Cuba but emigrated at a very young age and I have another nationality, do I need a visa?
You do not need a visa if you are Cuban, whether or not you reside in the country, what you do need is to enter with a Cuban passport. We recommend you to get information about it here.
If I visit another country before going to Cuba, what kind of visa do I need?
The standard Tourist Card will work as long as the country you are visiting beforehand is not the United States. If you are traveling from the United States to Cuba you will need the Specific Tourist Card (pink).
Can I apply for the Pink Tourist Card at a Spanish consulate?
No, it is issued from the United States, but you can contact us. We have an office based in the United States and we can do it for you.
If I leave and re-enter Cuba, can I use the same Tourist Card?
No, the Tourist Card is valid for a single entry, so you must apply for two visas if you expect to make a combination of destinations.
If I am a Spanish resident but I am a citizen of another non-European country, can I apply for my visa in Spain?
Yes, if you are traveling from Spain, the Tourist Card can be issued.
Can I bring a photocopy or digital visa?
No, it is mandatory to submit the original documentation to the immigration office.
If I make a stopover in any country, can I use the standard Tourist Card in Spain?
Yes, as long as the stopover is not in the United States. In that case you will need the specific Tourist Card (pink).
If I only have a stopover at an airport in Cuba but it is not my final destination, do I need a visa?
Yes, you will need a type A visa for transit and transshipment.
If I am going to Cuba for more than 60 days, should I apply for another type of visa?
Yes, the Tourist Card is only valid for 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days. Do you have any other questions? Remember that you can contact our office in Barcelona, our travel assistants are trained to provide you with any help or advice you may need regarding this issue.
