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Havana Entry Requirements

Havana Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Every arrival in Havana needs a current passport, proof of onward travel, and travel insurance that covers medical costs in Cuba. Immigration staff at José Martí International Airport and the cruise port in Havana hand out a tourist card (Tarjeta del Turista) to qualified passengers or stamp a visa already inside the passport. Expect queues after landing. Set aside 30, 90 minutes from aircraft door to baggage belt. Bags are X-rayed again on the way out of the customs hall in Havana, so keep medicines and electronics within easy reach for inspection. Cuba runs on two currencies: Cuban Pesos (CUP) for residents and Cuban Convertible Pesos (MLC cards or foreign cash) for visitors. Bring euros, Canadian dollars, or pounds sterling; U.S. dollars are accepted yet carry a 10 % surcharge at official exchange desks in Havana. Credit and debit cards issued by U.S. banks do not function anywhere in Cuba, so plan on cash. ATMs are thin on the ground outside central Havana. Withdraw at the airport on arrival if you need more.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Visa-Free Entry
90 days, extendable once for another 90 days inside Cuba

Citizens of these countries receive a 90-day tourist card on arrival at Havana's airport.

Includes
Russia Malaysia Singapore Saint Kitts and Nevis Antigua and Barbuda Mongolia Montenegro Serbia Kenya Namibia

Travel must be for tourism. Business or journalism requires a different category.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
90 days from date of entry into Havana

Most travelers, including U.S., UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders, need a Cuban Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista).

Includes
United States United Kingdom Germany France Italy Spain Netherlands Canada Australia Japan Mexico Argentina Brazil Chile Colombia
How to Apply: Apply on the official Cuban eVisa portal, through authorized airlines (Air Canada, Copa, KLM, Iberia), or via Cuban consulates. Processing ranges from 3 to 15 business days.
Cost: Budget-friendly: around the same price as a mid-range dinner in Europe

Some airlines include the tourist card in the ticket price on flights bound for Havana. Check at booking.

Visa Required
30 days, extendable to 90 inside Cuba

Citizens of certain countries must obtain a stamped visa from a Cuban embassy or consulate before departure.

How to Apply: Submit passport, photo, flight itinerary, hotel voucher or invitation letter, and proof of travel insurance to the nearest Cuban consulate or embassy.

Nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eritrea, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Yemen, and others fall under this category. Confirm with the nearest embassy because the list changes.

Arrival Process

Arrivals at José Martí International Airport (HAV) or the cruise terminal in Havana pass through immigration, baggage claim, and customs in a single flow.

1
Immigration Control
Present passport, tourist card or visa, and proof of onward travel. Officers may ask for your accommodation address in Havana.
2
Baggage Claim
Collect bags, then place all luggage on a second X-ray machine before exiting to arrivals hall.
3
Health Declaration
Hand the completed Sanitary Customs form (given on the plane or ship) to staff; temperature checks are random.
4
Currency Exchange
CADECA exchange booths operate 24 h in Terminal 3; rates are fixed nationwide. Exchange only what you need for the first day, rates in Havana city are identical.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport
Must be valid for at least two months beyond departure from Havana. One blank page is required for the entry stamp.
Tourist Card or Visa
Pink card for U.S. travelers, green card for others. Keep the departure stub safe, you need it to leave.
Travel Insurance Certificate
Must specify coverage in Cuba. Random checks happen at immigration in Havana.
Return or Onward Ticket
Air, bus, or cruise ticket out of Cuba within 90 days.
Accommodation Confirmation
Hotel voucher, casa particular reservation, or host invitation letter with full Havana address.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Print all documents; Wi-Fi in Havana airport is slow and paid by the hour.
Fill out the Sanitary Customs form on the plane to skip the clipboard queue.
Keep at least 25 CUC equivalent in small bills for the taxi from the airport to Old Havana.

Customs & Duty-Free

Cuban customs in Havana allows duty-free personal effects and limited quantities of select items. Anything above the allowance is subject to 100 % duty.

Alcohol
3 liters of spirits and 6 liters of wine
Travelers must be 18 or older.
Tobacco
50 cigars or 200 cigarettes
Loose cigars must be in original, sealed boxes to avoid confiscation.
Currency
Unlimited but declarations required over USD 5,000 equivalent
Cash must be declared on arrival and departure. Keep the stamped form to avoid fines on exit.
Gifts/Goods
Up to USD 50 equivalent total
Electronics for personal use (phone, tablet, laptop) are duty-free; second devices may be taxed.

Prohibited Items

  • Satellite communication equipment, illegal to import without a permit
  • Drones, confiscated at customs in Havana airport
  • Fresh meat and produce, banned for biosecurity

Restricted Items

  • Prescription medication, carry original packaging and doctor's letter in Spanish. Narcotics require additional permit from Cuban health authorities

Health Requirements

Cuba requires travel health insurance for all visitors entering Havana. Vaccination rules are minimal for tourists but recommendations align with CDC and WHO guidance.

Required Vaccinations

  • None for tourists arriving from any country

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A
  • Typhoid
  • Routine boosters (MMR, DPT, flu)

Health Insurance

All travelers must show proof of medical coverage valid in Cuba. Cuban companies sell Asistur insurance at the airport for those arriving without coverage.

Current Health Requirements: COVID-19 entry protocols were lifted in April 2023; requirements can change quickly, check the Cuban Health Ministry site before departure.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Find your country's embassy or consulate
Check your government's travel advisory website
Immigration Authority
Dirección de Identidad, Inmigración y Extranjería (DIIE)
For visa applications and official information: www.mitrans.gob.cu
Emergency
Police, ambulance, fire
Dial 106 from any phone in Havana

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Minors traveling with one parent or guardians need a notarized letter of consent from the non-traveling parent(s) translated into Spanish. Birth certificate copies speed entry.

Traveling with Pets

Dogs and cats require an endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, rabies vaccination, and treatment for internal and external parasites. Pets enter Havana only via cargo, not in cabin.

Extended Stays

Extend a tourist card once for another 90 days at immigration offices in Havana (Plaza de la Revolución). For longer stays, switch to a temporary residence permit (Residencia Temporal).

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