Tips On Traveling To Cuba: Getting Your Cuban Tourist Visa

Tips On Getting Your Required Cuban Tourist Visa

I recently booked a trip and traveled to Cuba for the very first time, learning some vital tips along the way that I would like to share with you now. If you’re thinking about traveling to Cuba, or are in the process of planning your first trip to the Caribbean island then take heed to these tips. They can make your traveling plans and your trip go off without a hitch. Here’s the first in the three part series: Tips on getting the Cuban tourist Visa, which is still required by Americans who wish to travel to Cuba.

Also Up:
Part 2: How To Prepare Your For Money Concerns – Cuban Currency
Part 3: Tips For Making It In Cuba, Where To Stay & How To Play

Booking A Flight & Getting Your Visa For Cuba
For many this is the scariest part and they think the process of getting a Cuban tourist Visa to travel to Cuba is a lot harder than it actually is. This was my process for booking the flight and getting my Visa:

1. I booked my flight through Delta Airlines. After I called their Visa line and the process was surprisingly quick and easy. They asked my travel dates, verified my confirmation number, and asked for $50 to cover it. That was it!
2. On the day that you are flying out it is essential that you arrive early! Go to the check in desk to pick up your Visa and fill out the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) form. Check the box that says “Education: People to People” OR “Support Cuban People”.
3. DO NOT MAKE A MISTAKE ON YOUR VISA or you will have to pay for a new one at the gate in the US for $50 or in Cuba for $80. One thing to watch out for on the VISA is that they ask for the dates of your travel by asking “day, month, year”, which is not how we are used to providing dates in the States.)
4. Thats it, get on the plane. VIVA LA CUBA!

*To clarify tip #2:
Travel to Cuba for tourist activities remains prohibited by statute. However, the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued general licenses for 12 categories of travel. Individuals who meet the regulatory conditions of the general license they seek to travel under do not need to apply for an additional license from OFAC to travel to Cuba.

The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba, as explained by the U.S. Embassy In Cuba are: family visits; official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; journalistic activity; professional research and professional meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials; and certain authorized export transactions.

You Can choose any of these for your visa, but for general travelers from the United States, Education might make the most sense.

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