El Capitolio, Havana — Cuba's landmark national capitol building
Travel Essentials

Cuba Visa Guide: Everything You Need to Enter Cuba

📅 Updated March 2026 ⏱ 5 min read ✈️ All nationalities

Quick Answer: Do You Need a Visa?

Most travelers don't need a traditional visa — you need a Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista). It's a simple pink or green slip of paper, costs $25–$100 depending on your nationality, and is valid for 30 days.

US citizens also need to travel under one of 12 authorized OFAC categories. Keep reading for the full details.

1. Do You Need a Visa for Cuba?

Technically, Cuba does not issue traditional tourist visas. Instead, most visitors enter on a Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista) — a simple document that authorizes a 30-day leisure stay. Think of it as a landing permit, not a full visa application.

The good news: the Tourist Card doesn't require embassy appointments, no interviews, no waiting weeks for approval. You can often get it at the airport on the day you fly.

Who Needs What

  • Most nationalities (EU, UK, Canada, Latin America) — Tourist Card only
  • US citizens — Tourist Card plus an authorized OFAC travel category
  • Some nationalities (e.g., certain African, Asian countries) — may require a full Cuban visa from the consulate
  • Cuban nationals or residents — different entry rules apply; consult the Cuban consulate

💡 Pro Tip

Check the Cuban embassy website for your country, or ask your airline — they'll know exactly what you need. Most major airlines flying to Cuba are very familiar with the tourist card requirements.

2. The Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista)

The Tourist Card is a single-page document — literally a slip of card stock — that serves as your entry permit. You fill it out on the plane or at the airport, hand one half to Cuban immigration, and keep the other half for your exit.

🟢 Green Card
Non-US Travelers
$25–$50
Most nationalities. Widely available at airports and airlines.
🩷 Pink Card
US Citizens
$50–$100
Required for Americans. Often sold by airlines at the gate.

Key Facts at a Glance

Validity: 30 days from date of entry

Extendable: Yes — one 30-day extension at a Cuban immigration office ($25)

Single entry: Standard tourist cards are for a single entry only

Purpose: Tourism only — not for business, journalism, or research

Don't confuse the Tourist Card with a Cuban visa — they're separate documents. A "Cuban visa" (D-8 or A-2 type) is issued for specific purposes like business, study, or working in Cuba, and requires a consulate application. For leisure travel, the Tourist Card is all you need.

For a deeper dive into requirements, see our full Cuba Visa Guide.

3. How to Get Your Tourist Card

There are four main ways to get your Tourist Card. Choose whichever is most convenient — you don't need to get it in advance if you're flying with an airline that sells them at the gate.

  1. From Your Airline

    Many airlines (American, JetBlue, Southwest, Air Canada, etc.) sell Tourist Cards at the departure gate or check-in counter. Often the easiest option — just ask when you check in.

  2. At the Airport (In Cuba)

    If you arrive without one, Tourist Cards are sometimes sold at Havana José Martí International Airport before immigration. However, this can cause delays — better to have it in advance.

  3. At the Cuban Consulate / Embassy

    Visit the Cuban consulate nearest you. Useful if you want everything sorted before travel. Requires a short application and a small fee. Processing is usually same-day or next-day.

  4. Online Services

    Several third-party services ship Tourist Cards directly to your home. Convenient but costs more ($50–$75 with shipping). Good option if your airline doesn't sell them or you're leaving from a smaller airport.

✈️ Airline Tip

If flying from the US, American Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, and United all sell Tourist Cards at the departure gate for flights to Havana. Prices range from $50–$100. Always double-check before your trip — policies change.

4. Green Card vs Pink Card — What's the Difference?

The color of your Tourist Card tells Cuban immigration where you're traveling from. It's not just cosmetic — using the wrong card can cause problems at immigration.

Which Card Do You Need?

  1. 🟢 Green Tourist Card For travelers not departing from the United States. This includes Canadians, Europeans, Latin Americans, and anyone flying via a third country (e.g., Mexico, the Bahamas, Panama).
  2. 🩷 Pink Tourist Card For travelers departing directly from US soil. Required for US citizens and any non-US citizen flying from a US airport to Cuba. This includes Canadians or Europeans connecting through Miami or New York.

Flying through Mexico? If you're a US citizen traveling via Cancún or Mexico City, technically you may be able to use a green card — but this comes with additional considerations regarding US Treasury regulations. We recommend traveling with the pink card and being transparent about your US origin.

5. For US Citizens: OFAC Travel Categories

US law prohibits pure "tourist" travel to Cuba under the US embargo (Helms-Burton Act). However, the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) permits travel under 12 authorized categories. You must select one when booking and comply with its requirements.

Most Common Category for US Travelers

"Support for the Cuban People" — Requires a full-time schedule of activities that support independent Cuban businesses: staying at casas particulares (private homestays), eating at paladares (private restaurants), and engaging with local culture. This is the category most independent travelers use.

All 12 OFAC Authorized Travel Categories

  1. Family visits
  2. Official US government business
  3. Journalistic activity
  4. Professional research & meetings
  5. Educational activities
  6. Religious activities
  7. Public performances, clinics, workshops
  8. Support for the Cuban People ★
  9. Humanitarian projects
  10. Activities of private foundations / institutes
  11. Exportation, importation, or transmission of info
  12. Certain export transactions

⚠️ Important for Americans

  • Keep a travel itinerary and receipts — you don't need to file paperwork, but should be able to demonstrate compliance if asked
  • Credit/debit cards generally do NOT work in Cuba — bring enough USD or EUR cash
  • Stay in casas particulares, eat at paladares — it satisfies OFAC requirements AND gives your money to real Cubans
  • Read our full US Citizens Cuba Travel Guide for more details

6. Passport Requirements

Cuba's passport requirements are standard for international travel, but make sure your documents are in order before you fly:

Passport Checklist

  • Valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates — airlines and Cuban immigration will turn you away if it expires sooner
  • At least 1–2 blank pages for entry/exit stamps and the Tourist Card
  • Undamaged — torn, water-damaged, or heavily worn passports can cause entry issues
  • Cuba does NOT stamp US passports upon request — ask the immigration officer and they will stamp only your Tourist Card instead (important if you're concerned about evidence of Cuba travel)

Dual nationals with both US and another citizenship: Cuba recognizes your non-US passport for entry purposes. However, you must enter and exit the US on your US passport. Many dual citizens present their non-US passport to Cuban immigration to avoid the pink Tourist Card requirement — though regulations vary and this approach carries some risk.

7. Travel Insurance — It's Required

Cuba legally requires all visitors to have travel medical insurance with Cuban coverage. This is not optional — Cuban immigration may ask for proof at the airport.

What You Need to Know

Minimum coverage: Medical expenses and emergency evacuation while in Cuba.

At the airport option: If you don't have insurance, you can buy it at Havana airport for approximately $2–$3 per day. It's basic but meets the legal requirement.

Better option: Buy comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Prices range from $30–$80 for a 2-week trip and cover cancellations, lost baggage, and medical emergencies — not just the Cuban requirement.

💡 Tip

Many travel insurance providers (World Nomads, Allianz, Travel Guard) now include Cuba in their standard policies. Check that "Cuba" is explicitly listed as a covered destination before purchasing. Some older policies exclude it.

8. What to Expect at Cuban Immigration

Arriving at José Martí International Airport (HAV) or other Cuban airports is straightforward if your documents are in order. Here's what the process looks like:

  1. Fill Out Your Tourist Card

    On the plane or at the airport, fill in both halves of your Tourist Card — name, passport number, flight info, address in Cuba (use your casa particular or hotel). Keep the half marked "Immigration" to surrender at the desk; keep the other half.

  2. Join the Immigration Queue

    There are usually separate lines for Cuban nationals and foreign visitors. Join the foreign visitors line. Wait times are typically 20–45 minutes.

  3. Present Your Documents

    Hand over your passport, Tourist Card, and if required, proof of travel insurance and a return ticket. The officer will take your Tourist Card half, stamp your passport (or Tourist Card only if you ask), and send you through.

  4. Customs & Baggage

    After immigration, collect baggage and proceed through customs. Random bag checks do occur. Declare anything over Cuba's import limits (electronics, large cash amounts, commercial goods).

  5. Exit the Terminal

    Welcome to Cuba! Official taxis, tourist buses, and pre-arranged casa pickups wait outside. Negotiate taxi prices before getting in, or use your host's arranged pickup.

🧳 Don't Lose the Other Half

Hang on to your Tourist Card stub for your entire trip — you'll need to surrender it when you exit Cuba. Losing it can cause serious delays at the airport on departure day. Keep it with your passport.

9. Extending Your Stay in Cuba

Fell in love with Cuba and want to stay longer? Good news — you can extend your Tourist Card for an additional 30 days (60 days total) without leaving the country.

How to Extend Your Tourist Card

  1. Where to go: Visit any Cuban Immigration office (Inmigración). In Havana, the main office is at Calle 17 y K, Vedado. Your hotel or casa owner can direct you to the nearest location.
  2. Cost: Approximately $25 CUP equivalent in stamps purchased at a bank beforehand. The process requires buying "fiscal stamps" (sellos fiscales) at a nearby Banco Metropolitano or CADECA.
  3. What to bring: Your passport, your Tourist Card stub, proof of accommodation (your casa contract or hotel booking), and the stamps.
  4. Timing: Apply before your current card expires — don't wait until the last day. Offices can be slow; give yourself 2–3 days of buffer.
  5. Staying beyond 60 days: Requires converting your status to a different visa type. This is complex and rarely done by tourists. If you're planning a longer stay, consult a Cuban immigration lawyer or the consulate before you go.

🏡 Casa Tip

Your casa particular host almost certainly knows this process well and can guide you to the right office. Many hosts have accompanied dozens of guests through extensions — just ask them.

Continue Planning Your Cuba Trip

🏛 Official Government Resources

Always verify visa and entry requirements with official sources before traveling:

This site is an independent travel guide. The links above go to official government websites that we do not control. See our Disclaimer for details.

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