Travel Visa For Cuba: Where To Buy Safely

Cuba is a popular tourist destination, but before you go, it's important to know about the country's visa requirements. Almost all tourists need a 'visa' to enter Cuba, which is also known as a Cuban Tourist Card. This is a small card that needs to be manually filled out with your details and shown to the immigration authorities when entering and exiting the country. It is valid for 90 days, and you will not be able to leave Cuba without it. There are different types of visas, including the 'pink' and 'green' cards, which depend on the last place you depart from before arriving in Cuba. US citizens or those travelling through the US to Cuba will need a different 'pink' Visa and will need to complete additional documentation.

Buying a Cuban tourist card online

The Cuban government requires all travellers arriving on the island to have a Cuban Tourist Card, also known as a Tourist Visa. This applies to all travellers, regardless of their country of origin, with the exception of citizens of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bosnia, China, Dominica, Georgia, Grenada, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Namibia, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

The Tourist Card allows travellers to remain in Cuba for 30 days, with the possibility of a 30-day extension. There are two types of Tourist Cards: pink and green. The pink Tourist Card is for travellers arriving in Cuba from the United States, while the green card is for travellers arriving from any other country. The colour of the card depends on the last place you depart from before arriving in Cuba, regardless of your citizenship or passport country.

You can purchase your Cuban Tourist Card online, from your airline, travel agent, tour company, or the nearest Cuban embassy. Buying your Tourist Card online allows you to skip the lines for Tourist Cards at the airport, especially if you have a connecting flight to Cuba. Here are some options for purchasing your Cuban Tourist Card online:

• Online Tourist Card: This website offers the best rates for the pink Cuban Tourist Card required for travellers arriving from the United States. They ship cards anywhere in the contiguous US via UPS, with various shipping options available.
• Easy Tourist Card: This website offers the green Cuban Tourist Card required for travellers arriving from countries other than the United States. They ship worldwide via DHL, with only one shipping option available.
• Cuba Visa Services: This website offers an online application for the Cuban E-Visa, which is required for all travellers to enter Cuba. They provide consular services for Cuban-born US citizens and offer assistance with any questions regarding the Cuban visa.
• Visa Cuba: With over 20 years of experience, Visa Cuba is recommended by TUI, Lonely Planet, and TripAdvisor. They offer Cuban tourist eVisas for anyone, regardless of location, and provide transparent pricing.

Buying a Cuban tourist card in person

Cuban tourist cards, also known as Cuban tourist visas, are required by the Cuban government for all travellers to Cuba. There are two types of tourist cards: pink and green. Pink tourist cards are for travellers flying to Cuba from the United States, regardless of nationality, and green tourist cards are for travellers flying to Cuba from countries other than the United States.

There are several ways to buy a Cuban tourist card in person. The first option is to purchase the card from the airline you will be flying with. Many airlines that fly to Cuba sell tourist cards, including American Airlines, Delta, Copa Airlines, and Air Canada. The cost of the tourist card varies depending on the airline, ranging from $20 to $125. For example, American Airlines charges $85 if the card is purchased online in advance, and $125 if purchased at the airport. Delta charges $85, and Copa Airlines charges either $20 or $30, depending on the departure airport. Air Canada includes the cost of the tourist card in the price of the plane ticket, and the card is distributed to passengers in-flight.

Another option for buying a Cuban tourist card in person is to purchase it at the airport. For travellers flying to Cuba from the United States, the card can be purchased at the airport before boarding your flight. The cost of the card is between $50 and $100, and the transaction is quick, usually taking just a few minutes.

Finally, travellers can also buy a Cuban tourist card in person from their nearest Cuban embassy. The process and cost for this option vary depending on the country. However, it is generally not recommended due to potential bureaucracy and delays.

It is important to note that the Cuban government introduced electronic visas (e-visas) in 2024, which are valid for travellers from eligible nationalities. The e-visa can be purchased online and is linked to the traveller's passport. The e-visa is expected to fully replace the paper tourist cards by the end of 2024.

Buying a Cuban tourist card at the airport

If you are a US citizen or are travelling to Cuba from a US airport, you will need a 'pink' tourist card. You can buy this at the airport before you board your flight to Havana. The cost of the card is between $50 and $100 USD, and the transaction only takes a few minutes. Some US airlines will also allow you to buy the card in advance and have it sent to your home.

If you are flying from any other country to Cuba, you will need a 'green' tourist card. These can be purchased at the airport for $20-50, though the cost can vary depending on the airline and the city of departure.

It is important to note that the Cuban government has recently introduced an electronic visa (e-visa) to replace the paper visas. The e-visa can be purchased online and is valid for a single entry and a stay of up to 90 days. It is recommended to work with an authorized Cuba travel expert to ensure that you have completed all the necessary travel requirements.

Additionally, all travellers entering Cuba are required to fill out a D'Viajeros form, which can be completed online 7 days before departure. This form is linked to the e-visa and must be submitted before the e-visa becomes valid.

While it is possible to purchase a Cuban tourist card on arrival, it is not recommended as airlines may not allow you to board your flight to Cuba without a tourist card in hand. It is best to purchase the card in advance through an online service or directly from your airline.

Buying a Cuban e-Visa

Electronic visas (e-Visas) are available for anyone travelling to Cuba and can be purchased through the Cuban government website or a third-party seller. The price and method of payment for the e-Visa depend on the consulate you have selected for your application, which does not necessarily need to be your nationality. The e-Visa costs $50 plus a $35 processing fee, and all purchases are non-refundable.

To apply for an e-Visa, you will need to enter your personal and travel information. The e-Visa will then be sent to you via email. The process of applying for a Cuban Tourist Card or Visa is very simple and straightforward and can be done online, by phone, or in person at a Cuban consulate in your country of residence. You will need to provide a few details, including your passport number, postal address, the address of where you plan to stay in Cuba, and a copy of your return flight tickets.

If you are flying from the US to Cuba, you will need a different "pink" Visa and will also need to complete the documentation to make a legal visit to Cuba under US rules. This is because US legislation prohibits direct travel from the USA to Cuba for tourism purposes. This regulation applies to US citizens and foreign nationals who are residents in the USA or transiting through the USA. If you are flying from the US, you must obtain the special US-issued e-Visa. Not all e-Visa resellers provide this type of e-Visa, and it costs more than the ordinary green Cuba Tourist Card.

The "pink" card is required if you are flying directly from a US airport to Cuba, regardless of your nationality. If you are flying from Latin America or the Caribbean (e.g. Mexico, Panama, or the Cayman Islands) to Cuba, you can purchase your visa at the airport during check-in for your flight. The cost is approximately US$25-30, and it takes only a few minutes. If you are flying from Canada, the visa is usually included with your flight. For those flying from Europe, the easiest way to get your visa is to buy from a third-party service provider.

It is important to note that the Cuban Tourist Card or Visa is valid for 90 days and must be presented to immigration authorities upon entry and departure from Cuba. You will not be allowed to leave the country without it.

Buying a US-issued Cuban e-Visa

To buy a US-issued Cuban e-Visa, you will need to be a US citizen or passport holder. The e-Visa is an official document that allows non-Cuban citizens to enter Cuba for tourism purposes. It is important to note that this type of visa is not valid for individuals born in Cuba. As of July 1, 2024, Cuban-born citizens must hold a Cuban passport to enter the country.

Where to Buy

There are a few official providers of the Cuban e-Visa, including Cuba Visa Services and Visa Cuba. These companies offer an easy and efficient way to obtain your visa, with some offering additional consular services for Cuban-born US citizens. The cost of the e-Visa is $50, plus a $35 processing fee, and purchases are generally non-refundable.

What You Need

To apply for the e-Visa, you will need to provide personal and travel information. This will include your name, date of birth, address, and other identifying details, as well as your travel plans, such as dates and flight information.

Additional Requirements

In addition to the e-Visa, you will need a valid passport to enter Cuba. It is important to note that citizens of certain countries may be required to carry an A-1 Visa. These countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iraq, Iran, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Yemen. If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you should contact the Cuban Consulate in Washington for more information.

Visa Waiver

It is worth noting that citizens of specific countries are exempt from obtaining a tourist visa for Cuba. These countries include Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Dominica, Georgia, Grenada, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, North Macedonia, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, Singapore, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. However, it is always recommended to verify this information with your local Cuban Embassy or Consulate, as requirements may change.

Frequently asked questions