Havana Entry Requirements

Children, including infants, require their own passport and Tourist Card or visa. Minors (under 18) traveling without both parents should carry notarized parental consent letters from the absent parent(s) authorizing the child to travel, including travel dates and destinations. This is particularly important if the child is traveling with only one parent or with non-parental guardians. The letter should be in Spanish or accompanied by a certified Spanish translation. Cuban-born children or children of Cuban parents face additional requirements and should consult a Cuban consulate well in advance. Custody documents may be required if parents are divorced or separated.

Bringing pets to Cuba requires advance planning and specific documentation. You must obtain an import permit from the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture before travel. Required documents include: a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel, proof of current rabies vaccination (administered at least 30 days but not more than 12 months before travel), and vaccination records for other diseases. Upon arrival, pets undergo veterinary inspection and may be quarantined if documentation is incomplete. Airlines have specific requirements for pet carriers and advance notification. Service animals have additional requirements. Contact the Cuban consulate and your airline well in advance - at least 60 days before travel.

Tourist Cards are initially valid for 30 days and can be extended once for an additional 30 days (60 days total). To extend, visit an immigration office (Dirección de Identificación, Inmigración y Extranjería) before your initial 30 days expire. Bring your passport, Tourist Card, proof of accommodation, and payment (approximately 25 CUC). Extensions are usually granted but not guaranteed. For stays longer than 60 days, you must apply for a different visa type (temporary residence, student visa, work visa, etc.) before arriving in Cuba or leave and re-enter, though frequent re-entries may raise questions. Long-term stays require sponsorship from a Cuban entity or family member and involve more complex application processes through Cuban consulates.

U.S. citizens face unique requirements due to U.S. regulations, not Cuban ones. You must travel under one of 12 authorized categories defined by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The most commonly used category is 'Support for the Cuban People,' which requires engaging with private Cuban businesses (casas particulares, paladares, private taxis) rather than government-owned entities. Keep detailed records of your activities, receipts, and itinerary for five years as required by U.S. law. U.S. credit and debit cards generally don't work in Cuba; bring sufficient cash in USD, EUR, or CAD (USD incurs a 10% conversion penalty). Americans can fly directly from several U.S. cities to Havana. Upon return to the U.S., you can bring back Cuban goods including rum and cigars up to $800 value for personal use.

Individuals born in Cuba or holding Cuban citizenship (even if they also hold another nationality) are generally treated as Cuban citizens by Cuban authorities, regardless of other passports held. This means you must enter and exit Cuba using a Cuban passport, even if you hold another country's passport. Cuban-born travelers who left Cuba legally may need to apply for an HE-11 permit (Habilitación de Pasaporte) to enter, which can take several months to process. Those who left illegally face more complex requirements. Dual nationals cannot use foreign passports for Cuban entry/exit. Contact a Cuban consulate well in advance if you were born in Cuba or have Cuban parents, as requirements are complex and processing times are lengthy.

Professional journalists, photographers, videographers, and media crew require a special journalist visa (D-6 visa) rather than a Tourist Card. This requires applying through a Cuban consulate with a letter from your media organization explaining the purpose of your visit, proposed itinerary, and areas you plan to cover. Processing can take several weeks to months. Entering on a Tourist Card and conducting journalism activities is illegal and can result in detention, equipment confiscation, and deportation. Academic researchers may also require special visas depending on their field of study. Apply well in advance and be transparent about your professional activities.

Business travelers should obtain a business visa rather than using a Tourist Card, especially for repeated or extended business trips. Requirements include an invitation letter from a Cuban company or organization, description of business activities, and company documentation. Business visas can be single or multiple entry and are typically valid for 30-90 days. Bringing commercial samples or professional equipment may require additional permits and customs documentation. U.S. business travelers must ensure their activities comply with U.S. sanctions regulations. Contact a Cuban consulate for specific requirements based on your business activities.