Cuba Visa Requirements – Who can apply, Fees and Duration

Are you going to apply for a Cuba visa? Before you begin the process, you need to know all the Cuba Visa Requirements. However, it is much more necessary to understand what is involved before you can start planning your visa application.

Cuba is one of the most exciting countries in North America. It has lots of beaches and good weather for the most part. Additionally, it has free healthcare and a low cost of living compared to other Latin American countries. 

A Cuba visa permits you to legally enter Cuba for a predetermined period and reason. For example, your stay could be limited to a month or year, depending on the visa you apply for. No matter what visa it is, there are documents you must provide and other requirements you must fulfill when you apply for a Cuba visa. We shall look at them consequentially to help you plan right.

Who Needs a Visa to Visit Cuba?

It would be best to consider whether you need a visa to enter Cuba. Under normal circumstances, all foreign nationals who wish to visit Cuba must obtain a visa. However, Cuba has certain agreements that permit citizens of some countries to enter the country with only their national passports.

Citizens of about 20 countries enjoy visa-free travel benefits for a given number of days. Your country of origin determines how long you can stay. Below is the list of countries and the number of days they can visit Cuba without a visa;

• Namibia; for a disclosed number of days.

90 Days

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Kenya
• Malaysia
• Montenegro
• North Macedonia
• Russia
• Serbia

60 Days

• Grenada
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

30 Days

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Belarus
• Mongolia
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Singapore

28 Days

• Barbados
• Dominica

Requirements and Documentation for Cuba Visa

Once you’ve confirmed that you need a visa to travel to Cuba, the next thing to do is gather all the documents you need to apply for the visa. There are several kinds of Cuba visas, depending on why you plan to travel to Cuba. Note that all your documents must be in Spanish when submitting them. If they’re not, get a professional Spanish translator to reorient them for you.

Cuba Tourist Visa Requirements

A Cuba tourist visa is a Category A; it is only valid for 30 days. The tourist visa is given to people who intend to visit Cuba for tourism, vacation, etc. Here are the requirements for a Cuba tourist visa;

• A Cuban tourist visa application form, filled out.
• Your original national passport is valid over two months from the date you intend to leave Cuba.
• Two passport-sized photos that meet the right size and color specifications.
• Proof of accommodation, e.g., a hotel reservation.
• A round-trip flight ticket, proving you have an intended return date.
• A Cuban travel health insurance plan.
• One prepaid envelope, self-addressed with enough stamps (if you apply via mail).
• Proof that you’ve paid the Cuba Tourist Visa fee.

The tourist visa is also called the Cuba tourist card.

Cuba Business Visa Requirements

The Cuba Business visa is a category A visa for foreigners who intend to visit Canada for business and other commercial reasons. The Cuba visa requirements for getting a business visa include;

• A Business visa application form, filled out and signed.
• Two passport-sized photographs, no more than two months old.
• Your national passport; must be valid for up to two months beyond your stay in Cuba.
• A valid Cuba travel health insurance plan.
• A travel authorization from the Cuban Embassy’s commercial office.
• Proof that you have paid the Cuba business visa fee.
• One prepaid envelope, self-addressed with enough stamps (if you apply via mail).

Cuba Study Visa Requirements

A Cuba study visa (or academic visa) is for international students who wish to come to Cuba and study in any of Cuba’s higher institutions. This visa also covers scientists and technicians for research or other academic purposes in Cuba.

The Cuba visa requirements for a student visa include;

• Student visa application form.
• Two recent passport-sized photographs.
• A valid national passport.
• Proof of payment of the Cuba academic visa fee.
• Your government-issued birth certificate.
• A high school diploma or an equivalent result from your country.
• Proof of proficiency in the Spanish language (for foreigners not from Spanish-speaking countries)
• A health certificate, containing all the necessary tests (blood, AIDS, radiography, x-ray, etc.). The test must be no older than six (6) months.
• One prepaid envelope, self-addressed with enough stamps (if you apply via mail).

Cuba Work Visa Requirements

This visa is for those foreigners coming to Cuba for paid labor. The Cuba visa requirements for the work visa are similar to any other Category D visa. They are as follows;

• A completed and signed work visa application form
• Two recent passport-sized photographs.
• A valid national passport.
• A valid health certificate, containing all the necessary tests.
• Relevant certificates/proof of job qualification.
• Proof of funds; usually a bank account statement or the offer letter showing how much you’ll earn in Cuba.
• Permission of residency for Cuba, to be obtained at the Cuban embassy/consulate where you apply.
• Your police report/criminal record from the police in your country.
• Proof that you’ve paid the visa fee.
• One prepaid envelope, self-addressed with enough stamps (if you apply via mail).

Cuba Family Visa Requirements

The Cuba family visa is issued to foreign nationals whose direct relatives are citizens or residents of Cuba. Below are the required documents for applying for this visa;

• A filled-out and signed family visa application form.
• Two recent passport-sized photographs.
• A valid national passport.
• Legal certificates that prove your direct relationship with the Cuban citizen/resident (e.g., Birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.).
• A valid travel health insurance plan.
• Permission of residency for Cuba, to be obtained at the Cuban embassy/consulate where you apply.
• Proof of payment of the visa fee.
• One prepaid envelope, self-addressed with enough stamps (if you apply via mail).

Cuba Journalist Visa Requirements

The Cuba journalist visa is for foreign journalists and other media professionals coming to Cuba on official duty, usually to cover international events. The Cuba visa requirements for this visa include;

• A completed Cuba journalist visa application form.
• Two recent passport-sized photographs.
• A valid national passport for up to two months beyond your intended stay in Cuba.
• A letter from your employer confirming you’re traveling on duty and that they will sponsor your trip.
• Authorization from the Cuban Embassy’s Press Office, permitting you to enter Cuba for journalism.
• A valid travel health insurance plan.
• A letter containing your statement of purpose; that is, what events you intend to cover and the full extent of your travel reasons.
• Proof of payment of the visa fee.
• One prepaid envelope, self-addressed with enough stamps (if you apply via mail).
• Finally, you’ll need a list of all the journalism equipment you will travel with.

Cuba Medical Treatment Visa Requirements

The Cuba Medical Treatment Visa, as the name implies, is for foreign nationals coming to Cuba for special medical attention. The requirements for this visa include;

• Medical visa application form duly completed and signed.
• Two (2) passport-sized photographs.
• A valid national passport.
• An invitation letter from a medical institution in Cuba.
• A valid travel health insurance plan.
• Proof of funds for the medical process.
• Medical report/certificate with all the necessary tests.
• Police report/criminal records.
• One prepaid envelope, self-addressed with enough stamps (if you apply via mail).
• Proof of payment of the visa fee.

How to Apply for a Cuba Visa

Once you have the Cuba visa requirements, depending on which type of visa you’re applying for, the Cuba visa application procedure is not so difficult afterward. It can be broken down into a few definite steps;

1. Contact the Cuban embassy or consulate in your country or closest to your country. Different embassies have policies that differ a little from one another. Therefore, you should ensure they don’t require any extra documents or fees or have a different payment method. You can also find out if they accept applications via mail or in person and if you need to mail originals or copies.
2. Gather all your required documents and make the payment (either via bank or transfer).
3. Following the instructions, you got from the embassy, visit the embassy or mail the documents to them. If you take the mail option, include the prepaid envelope with the right stamps and addresses for sending the documents back to you.
4. If your visa is approved, you’ll be notified, and it will be mailed back to you. Else, you can either reapply or appeal the decision. Contact the embassy to know their appeal procedure.

Cuba Visa Fees and Processing Time

Cuba visas have different fees; however, the range is from $25 to $75. Note that you will pay additional postal charges if you submit your application via mail. If you apply through a travel agency, you’ll also pay additional fees to them.

On average, the Cuban embassy usually takes about 30 days to process visa applications. Hence, a wise move would be to apply for the visa up to two months before your intended travel date, so you don’t fall prey to any procedural delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1. Can anybody apply for a Cuba visa?

Citizens of every country can apply for a Cuba visa, except for Kosovo. This is because Cuba does not yet recognize Kosovo as a country of its own; hence citizens of Kosovo can’t enter Cuba by applying with their national passport.

#2. Do I need a visa to transit through Cuba?

You do not need a transit visa to stop over temporarily in Cuba before taking a connecting flight. As long as you don’t intend to stay in Cuba for more than 72 hours, you don’t need a transit visa even if you leave the airport. However, you will need to present your connecting flight ticket as proof that you are indeed in transit.

#3. Can I extend my Cuba visa?

You can extend your Cuba visa if it expires and you still have unfinished business there. You can apply for an extension at the Cuban Immigration Authorities office or, in some cases, at the hotel where you stay. The Cuba visa is valid for 30 days, but you can get an extra 30 days to stay with an extension.

#4. Can I get a visa on arrival in Cuba?

You can get a visa on arrival in Cuba. However, applying online is much safer than getting a Cuba e-Visa. If you come in hoping for a visa on arrival, you must land at the Havana airport in Cuba. Otherwise, you’ll be sent back home by the immigration authorities.

#5. Is Cuba safe for travelers?

Cuba is generally considered a safe country for travelers. You don’t expect to run into any more nuisance than the next country; terrorists or insurgents do not ride it, so you have nothing to fear.

Conclusion

Before traveling to Cuba, you must get all the documents you need. This article provides specific requirements for all the different visa types, but certain things differ by the consulate, and you will need to confirm from them. You should have a pretty straightforward application process. Enjoy your Cuba visit.

Read out a more detailed article on the different kinds of Cuba visas.