Cuba Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other EU | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USA | Yes | Yes | Yes/1 |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Australian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| British | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Passports
A passport valid for two months beyond the proposed duration of stay is required for British nationals.
Visas
Visas for Cuba are required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
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.
Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.
Visa Note
Nationals of (1) the USA are subject to the Cuban assets control regulations enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC; www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/pages/cuba.aspx). Although sanctions have been eased, travel for touristic purposes is still prohibited. That said, it's possible to visit Cuba as an American if you're visiting for one of 12 specified reasons. The permitted reasonsd are: family visits, official business of the US government, journalistic activities, professional research, educational activities, public performances, athletic and other competitions, humanitarian projects, exportation, importation and transmission of information.
Types and Cost
Tourist card: £39 (you can only apply by post and the application form is here); business visa: £69.
Validity
The tourist card is valid for one entry of 30 days within 180 days of issue and can be extended in Cuba for a further 30 days.
Application to
Consulate (or consular section at embassy) in person or by post. Please note that in the UK, you can only apply it by post and use this official form for your tourist card. If you aren't in the UK, you can obtain application forms for tourist visa cards from certain tour operators and travel agents or from the consulate/embassy.
Working days
Allow up to four weeks for visa processing.
Entry Documents
All visitors to Cuba are required to prove they have travel insurance covering medical expenses from approved foreign companies during their period of stay, or they will have to buy it from Cuban vendors on arrival in the country. US travel insurance policies are not accepted.
Extension of stay
You can extend your tourist card by an additional 30 days through your hotel reception or with the immigration department.
Entry with children
Parents travelling with children may be required to show proof of parental rights or guardianship.
Entry with pets
Bringing pets to Cuba is possible, but it can be time consuming and costly. You need an international (or in the case of licensed travellers from the USA, a state) veterinary certificate, completed no more than 10 days before travel to Cuba, along with proof of rabies and distemper vaccination.
This page reflects our understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel to the said country. However, please note that each authority sets and forces entry rules, hence we strongly recommend that you verify critical information with the relevant embassy before travel.
Embassies and tourist offices
British Embassy in Cuba
Telephone: +53 7 214 2200.
Website: http://www.ukincuba.fco.gov.uk
Address: Miramar, Calle 34, no. 702 e/7ma y 17, Havana, 11300,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0800-1615. Due to security considerations, public access is by appointment only. Telephone: Mon-Thurs 0800-1600; Fri 0800-1300.
US Embassy in Cuba
Telephone: +53 7 839 4100
Website: https://cu.usembassy.gov
Address: Vedado, Calzada, Havana, ,
Opening times:
Mon-Thurs 0800-1630; Fri 0800-1530. Public access by appointment only. Telephone: Mon-Thurs 0900-1000 and 1400-1500.
Embassy of Cuba in the UK
Telephone: 020 7240 2488; 020 7420 3100.
Website: http://misiones.minrex.gob.cu/en/united-kingdom/embassy-cuba-united-kingdom
Address: , 167 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6PA,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0900-1230 and 1400-1600.
Cuban Tourist Board in the UK
Telephone: (020) 7240 6655.
Website: http://www.travel2cuba.co.uk
Address: , 167 High Holborn (Embassy of Cuba), London, WC1V 6PA,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0900-1700.
