How to travel to Cuba legally

General License in Support for the Cuban People

FAQs for US Citizens planning a trip to Cuba

• Can US citizens travel to Cuba at all?

  Yes. Although travel to Cuba for ‘tourism’ is not permitted under current US government regulations, US citizens can travel to Cuba so long as they comply with the requirements of one of 12 categories for which the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) has granted under a general license.

• How can I travel to Cuba from the US?

  So long as you choose a tour which complies under one of the permitted categories, you are free to travel. OFAC has issued a general license for each of 12 categories of authorized travel. Individuals who comply with the conditions of the general license do not need to apply for an additional license from OFAC to travel to Cuba but they must keep a copy of their itinerary as proof that their tour was compliant with one of the 12 categories.

  For more information on legal travel to Cuba please read our blog Can US Citizens travel to Cuba Legally?

• What are the categories of authorized travel to Cuba?

  The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba are now (see also the US Embassy in Havana’s website):

  “family visits; official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; journalistic activity; professional research and professional meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials; and certain authorized export transactions.”

  Many individual and group travellers to Cuba will now seek to comply with the ‘Support for the Cuban People’ general license. To see information about compliance under ‘Support for the Cuban People’ in particular together with some helpful examples, please refer to §515.574 of the Code of Federal Regulations here.

  There is more information about traveling to Cuba on the US Treasury’s website here (FAQs related to Cuba, Section II).

• What if I am not an American citizen but I am thinking of traveling to Cuba via the US?

  If you are not an American citizen but are intending to travel to Cuba via the US you will be subject to compliance under the same regulations as an American citizen. You cannot use a visa (Tourist Card) purchased outside the US but have to buy a ‘pink’ Tourist Card, sold only in the US at a US airport or from a US travel agent.

  Travelling to Cuba via the USA means you will no longer be permitted to enter the USA under the ESTA visa waiver programme and will need to apply for a B1/B2 visa instead. For more information on regulations on entry to the USA after a visit to Cuba please read our blog Can Europeans travel to the USA if you have traveled to Cuba?

• What kind of visa do I need?

  If you’re a US citizen or simply someone who booked a direct flight from the US to Cuba, you’ll need to buy a Pink Tourist Card. This is a Cuban government requirement and has nothing to do with US Sanctions on Cuba. The Pink Card simply states that the passenger entered Cuba from USA. Your airline in the USA should be able to sell you a visa directly. If not, you should be able to purchase the pink visa card at Miami Airport (or whichever airport you fly from) or you can purchase online ahead of time at Cuba Travel Services. If you’re traveling to Cuba direct from the USA, you’ll need to satisfy US authorities that your trip complies with OFAC regulations.

• What are the entry requirements to Cuba?

  Cuban authorities require all visitors to have valid Health Insurance cover before entering the country. Many airlines include health insurance cover with the flight ticket so please check before buying more insurance.

• When is the best time to visit Cuba from the US?

  Any time!

  If you’re looking to avoid the hurricane season and enjoy the beautiful Cuban winter, come to Cuba November–April. May -October can be hot and humid but these are great months to visit if you prefer fewer crowds. Historically, September and early October are the months when you’re most likely to experience tropical storms and hurricanes but these are infrequent.