Everything about the new procedure.
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Cuba has officially introduced a new system to enter the country: the e-visa. The e-visa is a simplified and more straightforward process for those travelers who require a tourist card to enter the island nation. In other words, it will no longer be necessary to carry the physical tourist card that was required in the past. However, for those travelers who have already obtained a physical tourist card, it will still be valid until the 31st of December 2024.
Entry requirements for Cuba for most visitors:
- Valid passport.
- Health insurance: Visitors are required to have a valid health insurance. Sometimes the authorities request proof upon arrival.
- E-visa: Must be obtained online. It is only valid for arriving via plane. Once approved, you will receive via email a visa code with which you can complete the third entry requirement. Can be requested in advance since it is valid for 90 days.
- D´Viajeros entry and Custom Declaration: This is the third entry requirements which can be completed within 7 days before your flight is due to land in Cuba. You must fill out this online form, enter your visa code, and show the PDF or QR code upon arrival to Cuba. Below the links where you can access these forms:
Who must obtain a visa directly with a Cuban consulate?
The following nationalities must obtain a visa directly from a Cuban consulate:
Who is visa-exempt for Cuba?
Citizens of the following countries are visa exempt: Namibia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Kenya, Malaysia, Russia, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, United Arab Emirates, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Mongolia, Saint Lucia, Belarus, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Barbados, Dominica. *** For more precise information if you are visa exempt, we recommend contacting the Cuban consulate in your country to be 100% sure since this could change.
Who requires an e-visa for Cuba?
If you are not a citizen of the above countries, then you can apply for the simplified e-visa. This the case for citizens of the United States, Canada, the European Union, among others.
Process to obtain the e-visa:
- You need to visit the site (e-Visa Cuba) and start an application. You need a valid passport number, an email address since they send you the visa code via email.
- You need to choose your nationality from a list of countries and also the consulate you wish to apply to.
- The price and the method of payment will depend on your nationality. At the moment, it is not possible to pay via credit card, but you can transfer the visa fee to the chosen Cuban consulate.
- You fill out the form with your personal data.
- You transfer the money and upload proof of payment with your application.
- Within 3 working days you will get an email with the visa code, unless the Cuban authorities decide otherwise.
What to keep in mind?
- The e-visa is valid for 12 months from the moment you receive it. However, the e-visa authorizes you to enter the country for only 90 days upon arrival. This means, you can apply for the e-visa well in advance to travel stress-free.
- The e-visa alone is not all you need, DO NOT FORGET to fill out the D´Viajeros Form within 7 days before your flight to Cuba. You will need to enter the e-visa code. The Cuban authorities will demand this form upon arrival.