Universal Dependencies - English - GUM

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Get in

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For information specific to U.S. citizens see Americans in Cuba

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Visa and legal issues

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A tourist visa card (visa de tarjeta del turista) is necessary for travelers from most nations.

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This visa, which is really little more than a piece of paper on which you list your vital statistics, costs between 15 - 25 CUC (or € 15 - 25), depending on where purchased.

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It can be purchased at the Airport in Cuba on arrival, however it should be noted that many airlines will require a valid tourist visa card before boarding flights.

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It is usually valid for 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days at any immigration office in Cuba (for 25 CUC) - beyond this you would need a flight out of Cuba within the extended visa period.

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Canadians are the exception, getting 90 days on arrival and can apply for a 90 day extension.

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Your passport needs to be valid at least six months past the end of your planned return.

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Canadian passports must be valid for at least one month beyond the date of expected departure ([2]).

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From Canada, the tourist card is normally provided on the flight.

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It can also be purchased from most Latin American gateway airports if departing from there (Cancun: 250 MXN, Mexico City: USD 25).

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Please note that if departing from Europe (this may apply to other countries), you will require to have the visa before boarding the plane.

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Some times, the airline provides these at the airport, however check first that this is the case.

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Without a valid visa, boarding will be denied (the airline would otherwise get a $ 1,000 fine from the Cuban immigration authorities).

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Country-specific advise

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UK: Applying for the visa is a very simple process and can be done by post or in person at the Cuban embassy in London.

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When applying to the Cuban Consulate by post, there is a new charge introduced in 2011 which is a £ 25 for a non-personal transaction.

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If you cannot go to the Cuban Consulate you may consider using VisaCuba ([3]) because it may be cheaper.

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Through them it may cost £ 20 in total per person.

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If you apply in person to the Cuban Consulate, you get the visa straight away.

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It can also be done through online agencies as mentioned before although they may be slightly more expensive (normally £ 15 + £ 15 admin fee and additional postage).

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Germany: You can obtain the tourist card through the Cuban embassy in post.

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Travel agencies may often offer cheaper and quicker services though.

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Regular tourists who renew their 30 day visa are eligible to depart the country (to any destination) and return immediately enjoying a further 60 days (30 days plus a 30 day extension).

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You are only allowed two consecutive stays in this manner.

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If you want to stay with friends or family in Cuba you have to go with your intended host within two days after arrival to a migration office and pay 40 CUC for a 30 days family visa.

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Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda (28 days), Barbados (28 days), Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, CIS (except Ukraine and Uzbekistan), Dominica, Grenada (60 days), Liechtenstein (90 days), Macedonia, Malaysia (90 days), Mongolia, Montenegro (90 days), Namibia, Singapore, Slovakia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia (90 days), Turkmenistan who can stay 30 days without visa.

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(The source of the previous sentence is unknown.

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Aeromexico staff at Cancun airport claim that only citizens of China and Russia need no visa.

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It is important to note that there is also a departure tax of CUC 25, to be paid in cash when departing Cuba by airplane; this is not required for boat departures.

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This tax is not well publicized but it is essential to remember it.

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You will run into significant difficulties if you do not have enough cash to pay this tax when leaving the country.

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An ATM and currency exchange are available at Havana airport, but these facilities are not as reliable in Cuba as in other places.

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Cuban customs can be strict, though they sometimes go easy on tourists.