![]() ![]() Most customers traveling under a general license will only need a Cuban entry permit, available for purchase at the airport. ![]() Please contact the Cuban Consulate in Washington, D.C., well in advance of your flight to determine which type of visa you will need for your travel. ![]() Please note it may take several weeks to obtain all the necessary documents from the Cuban Consulate.Īll other customers will need to obtain a Cuban entry permit or Cuban visa before travel. If you have a valid Cuban passport, or if your passport reflects that you were born in Cuba, please review the Cuban Consulate website for details on the additional documents you must hold in addition to your passport. Department of the Treasury's OFAC FAQ page for more information. All license applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. You will not qualify for a general license if the reason for your travel is not listed above, and you will be required to apply for a specific license from the U.S. There are 12 categories of general licenses related to Cuba travel: If you meet the regulations and conditions of a general license, you will not need to apply for a specific license. There are currently two ways to gain permission to travel to Cuba: with a general license or with a specific license. If you’ve visited any of these countries in the past, you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa to enter the US.When you book or check in for your flight, you will be asked to certify the reason for your visit. There are currently three other countries on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list: North Korea, Iran and Syria. Could other countries cause problems for visitors to the US? Having an Esta doesn’t guarantee you entry into the US though, so you should contact your nearest US embassy if in doubt. If your visit was on or after this date, you will need a visa to enter the US. However, because Cuba was temporarily taken off the State Sponsors of Terrorism list before being reinstated, if you visited the country before January 1, 2021, you should still be eligible for an Esta. But instead of a $21 Esta, you’ll have to apply for a tourist visa through the US embassy, which will cost you a hefty $160. You’re not barred from entering the US altogether. This ban includes transit, where you’re flying on to another country. And under the terms of the Esta (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), you cannot enter the US using an existing Esta, or apply for a new Esta, if you’ve previously visited a country on this list. This is because Cuba is currently on the US’s State Sponsors of Terrorism list. The UK doesn’t have any sanctions against Cuba but British passport holders are still affected by US policy if they want to travel there after visiting Cuba. The Church and Monastery of Saint Francis in Trinidad, Cuba (Getty Images) I’ve been to Cuba - am I barred from the US? While President Biden has yet to formally abandon the sanctions against Cuba, moves have been made to ease travel between the two nations in certain circumstances. But under President Trump, the US policy toward Cuba was reversed and the ban on tourism to Cuba was reinstated. US travellers were also able to visit the Caribbean island for tourism purposes for the first time. Relations thawed somewhat under President Obama, with cruise ships and regular flights restarting between the two nations. In the context of the Cold War, these actions ultimately led to a trade embargo being imposed on the country by President Kennedy - one that’s remained in place since. By establishing the country as a socialist state, strengthening its ties with the Soviet Union and introducing tariffs against US imports, Castro distanced Cuba from the US. The frosty relationship between Cuba and the US is long and complicated but can be traced back to 1959, when Fidel Castro came to power. Main photo: travellers at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (Alamy) What’s the background? Here’s what you should know before booking a Cuba or US trip. However, you may not be able to enter the US on an Esta after you visit Cuba, even in transit instead you’ll need a more expensive visa. The UK places no restrictions on entering Cuba - and it’s easy enough to get to as a tourist. You can go to soak up the history, or spend your days lounging on the beach then salsa the night away, all with a mojito or two in hand. Cuba is one of the most vibrant destinations in the Caribbean. ![]()
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