If you are planning to travel to Cuba in the near future, please be aware that Cuba will probably require a visa to enter its territory. This applies to Latin American countries and others in the rest of the world. TheCuban visa has certain requirements, such as when flying from the United States, where a special type of visa with other requirements is required.
ACuban visa is a personal and non-transferable permit which must be requested by those interested in entering Cuban territory. This provision applies to both adults and minors, with the latter always needing a visa independent from that of their parents, which must be included in their own passport.
Where can I get a visa for Cuba?
To apply for your Cuban visa you can choose from 3 different instances depending on your needs and circumstances.
- Embassies and consulates abroad:this option may be considered as the least convenient as it may involve queues and/or uncomfortable physical travel.
- Tour operator or consulate representative agency:certainly the most competitive option thanks mainly because of its speed and time saving for the client, as in most cases you can apply for your visa online in less than 10 minutes.
Many operators include the processing of documentation as part of their service, which can be performed in an authorised agency, even if you have already purchased your flight to Cuba. - At the counters of an airline authorised to sell tourist trips to Cuba: This is a very good option, but only available in a few countries, unfortunately.
Tourist visa to Cuba
The A-1 Tourist Visa will not expire, however it can only be used for a single entry into Cuban territory.
To apply for a visa extension (only applicable while in national territory), you must go to the offices of the Directorate of Identification, Immigration and Foreigners in Cuba.
However, it is not possible to get a tourist visa without appearing at the consulate if:
- The applicant was born in Cuba
- Nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iraq, Iran, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Yemen.
If you left Cuba before January 1, 1971, then you can apply for an Entry Permit HE-11 and travel with a foreign passport.
Cuban business visa
If you are travelling to Cuba for business, studies or to attend a congress, you will need to attach the communication sent by the Migration Authorities directly to the Cuban consulate in the country you are coming from.
Pink visa to fly to Cuba from the USA
This visa is required if you are flying to Cuba from the United States (regardless of nationality) or if you are a US citizen. Tourist visa from the USA. is different from the one issued in other countries, affecting its cost and accessibility.
We advise you to have a clear understanding of your flight itinerary in order to avoid difficulties in getting to Cuba.
Visa requirements
In all cases the traveller must meet the following requirements in order to apply for a Cuban visa:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Buy a return ticket to Cuba ( using an agency or on your own).
We also suggest, for more safety during your visa application:
- Having booked a place to stay safely during your stay in Cuba, whether in a hotel or a private home.
This last information is not required in all cases, but it is highly recommended to have it in case you are asked for it.
Which other requirements exist for travelling to Cuba?
Mandatory travel health insurance
As a foreigner, you should be aware that you are not entitled to use the free Cuban medical care that nationals benefit from. For this reason, you will need to have good insurance cover for the costs involved for any incident.
If you travel to Cuba without insurance, you can get it done there using a Cuban company. Payment for this service shall be made by credit card only.
Filling in the passenger entry form
This must be completed 48 hours before your arrival. There you will need to attach travel, health and flight information. At the end of the process you will receive a QR code that you must present on paper upon arrival in Cuba.
Applying for a Cuban visa using Opapeleo
You can buy your tourist or visa card with Opapeleo for a price of $70 USD plus shipping and handling with a very simple process.
Please fill in the form existing in the section Visas to Cuba, on the Opapeleo website. Just choose your shipping method, complete the payment and Opapeleo will send you your visa by post.
About Us
Opapeleo is your agency for procedures 100% online or telephone. We are in Washington DC 150 meters away from the Cuban Consulate. We provide services for the Extension and Renewal of Cuban passport, Legalisations, Powers of attorney on all kinds, Authorisations for minors to leave the country, DVT, Visas to Cuba, Top-ups, applications for Cuban certificates, delivery of official documents and all kinds of procedures related to Cuba.
