Can I travel to Cuba?

Cuba Travel Guidelines

On April 19, 2011, new Cuba travel guidelines from OFAC were published as directed by the Obama Administration. Some of the revised Cuba travel guidelines topics are:

General Licenses

Specific Licenses

How to Apply for a Specific License

Arranging Authorized Travel to Cuba

Authorized Travel-Related Transactions; U.S. Interests Section

Guidelines by Category of Travel Activity

Family Visits
Official Government Travel
Journalistic Activities
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

Summary of reasons that qualify Americans who can travel to Cuba:

"People to People" Associations/Organizations

Cuban Americans

Academic Institutions

Religious Organizations

Educators, Undergraduate/Graduate Students

Journalists

Government Officials

Professional Research/Meetings/Conferences

Telecommunications Companies

Agricultural or Medical Companies

Visits to Non-Cuban National Relatives

Humanitarian

Public Performances, Athletic/Non-athletic Competitions, Exhibitions

Clinics and Workshops

Cuban American Travel to Cuba

Cuba Travel Services provided this summary of who can travel to Cuba:

All Cuban born travelers are entitled to hold a Cuban passport if they wish so and comply with Cuban Immigration regulations (meaning they left Cuba legally).

Whether naturalized US citizens or legal US residents (green card holders), all Cuban born travelers require a Cuban document (Cuban passport with "habilitación" or PE-visa) to travel to the island.

If they are naturalized US citizens, left Cuba legally before 1970, and do not wish to have a Cuban passport, they can travel with their US passport and a special visa called PE-11. This visa is valid for only one trip in a period of 90 days from the date of issue.

To process such PE-11 visa, travelers are required to provide a legible photocopy of US passport, one (1) recent passport size photo, proof of departure from Cuba before December 1970 (any document will do) and a consular form filled out and signed. There is a fee for this service and it will take about four weeks.

If they left Cuba legally after 1970, whether naturalized US citizens or legal US residents (green card holders), it's mandatory that they hold a valid and updated Cuban passport with the "habilitación" (Cuban permanent visa).

To renew an expired Cuban passport, travelers are required to provide the expired Cuban passport, two (2) recent passport size photos and the attached consular form filled out and signed. Cost: $400 and processing time takes about 8-10 weeks. If they also require "habilitación", processing time can take up to 3 months or more.

To issue a Cuban passport for the first time with "habilitación", travelers are required to provide an original birth certificate, two (2) recent passport size photos and the consular form filled out and signed. There is a cost for this service and processing time takes up to 3 months. CubaCityHall.com offers a Cuban document retrieval service can assist with the acquisition of Cuban birth certificates.

In all cases, as per current OFAC regulations, Cuban American travelers are required to have close relatives in Cuba to travel under the general license for family visit. Qualifying individuals are those related to a national of Cuba by links of blood, marriage, or adoption who is no more than three generations removed from that person or from a common ancestor with that person.

Please contact with any Cuban passport related questions and we will forward to the right person at Cuba Travel Services.