Academic Cuba Trips

Information about Cuba trips for academic and educational reasons

Check out our Cuba Trips Calendar page for more information on legal trips to Cuba.

Latin America Working Group

You may qualify for an academic Cuba trip according to the Latin America Working Group...

Accredited schools and universities will no longer need to apply for a Specific License for travel by their students, faculty and staff (including adjunct faculty and part-time staff) to Cuba. Under a General License ( no application necessary) the following travel is now permitted:

Participation in a structured educational program as part of a course offered for credit by the sponsoring U.S. institution. Participants must carry a letter on official letterhead, signed by a designated representative of the institution, stating that the travel is part of a structured educational program of the sponsoring institution and that the individual is a member of the faculty or staff or a student currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate degree program and that the study in Cuba will be accepted for credit to-ward that degree. There is no longer any minimum length of time which must be spent in Cuba. As long as a student is receiving credit towards his/her degree at his/her own academic institution, he/she may now participate in a study program arranged by another school, provided that institution offers credit to its own students for that course. Relatives of students studying in Cuba may now send them money (via Western Union for instance).

Non-commercial academic research specifically related to Cuba and for the purpose of obtaining a graduate degree. The graduate student must carry a letter on official letterhead, signed by a designated representative of the institution, stating that the student is currently enrolled in a graduate degree program and that the research in Cuba will be accepted for credit toward that degree.

Participation in a formal course of study at a Cuban academic institution provided the formal course of study in Cuba will be accepted for credit toward the student’s graduate or undergraduate degree. The student must carry a letter on official letterhead, signed by a designated representative of the institution, stating that the student is currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate degree program and that the study in Cuba will be accepted for credit toward that degree. There is no longer any minimum length of time which must be spent in Cuba.

Teaching at a Cuban academic institution by an individual regularly employed in a teaching capacity at the sponsoring U.S. academic institution, provided the teaching activities are related to an academic pro-gram at the Cuban institution and provided the duration of the teaching will be no shorter than 10 weeks. The teacher must carry a letter on official letterhead, signed by a designated representative of the institution, stating that the individual is regularly employed in a teaching capacity at that institution.

Sponsorship, including the payment of a stipend or salary, of a Cuban scholar to teach or engage in other scholarly activity at the sponsoring U.S. academic institution. It is still necessary to obtain a State Department visa for entry into the United States.

The organization of, and preparation for, all the activities described above by faculty and staff of the sponsoring U.S. academic institution (including adjunct faculty and part-time staff). Individuals must carry a letter on official letterhead, signed by a designated representative of the institution, stating that the individual is a member of the faculty or staff of the institution and is traveling to engage in the organization of, and preparation for the activities described above.

You, as a student, may also attend another academic institution’s study abroad program (as long as you are currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate degree program) even if the institution is not where you are pursuing your degree. However, the credits from the study abroad program must be transferred and accepted by your home academic institution.

If you fulfill one of the criteria listed above, the regulations authorizes you to travel on a general license and you do not require permission from OFAC. However, it is a requirement of the general license that you carry a letter on official letterhead signed by a designated representative of your sponsoring academic institution.

Cuba People to People

According to Cuba People to People, any higher education institution can create a one or two week intercession, spring break or summer program that provides one credit toward graduation for its own students and those from other schools. The only requirement is to obtain the normal standing for any academic course. 

Also covered is Spanish language and other "study at a Cuban academic institution, provided the formal course of study in Cuba will be accepted for credit toward the student’s graduate or undergraduate degree." Schools that offer independent study may see that also as, "a structured educational program in Cuba as part of a course offered for credit."

Each student, teacher, adjunct or full or part-time staff simply has to "carry a letter on official letterhead, signed by a designated representative of the sponsoring U.S. academic institution."

Graduate students can travel with a letter from a responsible university official stating that the trip is for research in Cuba that will be accepted for credit toward a degree.

A travel agent or tour operator can assist a school in developing a course, but only licensed Travel Service Providers or third country agents at present can book flights and accommodations.