Visit World - French Citizens Traveling to Cuba: Entry Rules, Visa Requirements & Regulations

When heading to Cuba, a tourist must have a valid passport or travel document issued in his name and a Visa or Tourist card.

With the exception of countries with which Cuba has visa-free agreements.

Tourist cards can be ordered at Cuban customs offices. Also, in travel agencies and airlines. There are two types: for individual tourists or for tourists traveling in groups.

All tourists, including Cuban citizens residing outside of Cuba, must have valid return tickets and proof of health insurance. Non-Cuban passport holders must also provide proof of financial solvency of at least 50 US dollars per day. Visitors from many countries must have a passport valid for at least two months from the date of arrival.

All travelers must fill out a digital form on the new "DViajeros" portal. The digital form will include personal information, health information, immigration and customs information in a 5-step digital format. After completing the form, a QR code will be emailed in a PDF file that the traveler must show upon arrival in Cuba (on device or printed). The use of the portal will be mandatory.

More information: https://salud.msp.gob.cu/nota-informativa-del-ministerio-de-salud-publica-5/

Visa-free regime

Citizens of the following 19 countries can visit Cuba without a visa:

90 days: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kenya, Malaysia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, United Arab Emirates
60 days: Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
30 days: Antigua and Barbuda, Belarus, Mongolia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Singapore
28 days: Barbados, Dominica
indefinite term: Namibia

Tourist card

Citizens of all other countries must purchase a Visa / Tourist Card (Visa - Tarjeta de Turista) prior to arrival, which can be purchased at Cuban offices, travel agencies, airlines or licensed online stores. The tourist card allows a maximum stay of 30 days (90 days for Canadian citizens) and can be extended once for the same period in Cuba. Those flying to Cuba from US airports should purchase a "Pink Tourist Card", which is mainly available in the US, and fill out a form, US airlines will be able to provide more information on how to purchase a Pink Tourist Card. These pink tourist cards are required for anyone flying directly from the US to Cuba. Those entering Cuba from non-US airports must purchase a "green tourist card." They are not stamped or placed in the passport.

Visa

Citizens of the following 20 countries are not eligible for a tourist card and must obtain a Cuban visa: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iran, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Uzbekistan, Yemen

However, they are eligible to travel to Cuba with a tourist card if they also have a valid visa or permanent residence permit issued by Canada, the United States, or an EU member state.

More information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Cuba#Tourist_card_required

You can apply for a visa to Cuba in one of the following ways:

Submit the application yourself to the Cuban consulate in your country, if there is one.

If not, you can go to the nearest one, for example, to a neighboring country.

Mail the application and required documents to the Cuban consulate.

In this case, check the consulate's website to see if they require you to send copies of documents or originals, as different consulates have different requirements.

Include a prepaid envelope with sufficient stamps and an address where the consulate can return your documents.

Appoint a representative to apply on your behalf (ie an authorized visa application agency).

If you are applying for a Cuban tourist visa (tourist card), you can get a Cuban visa in one of the following ways:

At the Consulate of Cuba, as described above.
You can get it online through an authorized visa agency.
Through a travel agency or travel group that organizes trips to Cuba.
At the airport, but not all airports offer this service.

When applying for a Cuban visa, you must pay the Cuban visa fee in cash or by bank transfer, depending on the requirements of the specific consulate. Fees range from 25 to 75 dollars, but if you apply through a visa agency or online, you may have to pay an additional fee for the service.

To apply for a visa to Cuba, you must have:

The questionnaire for obtaining a visa to Cuba, which can be downloaded from the website of the Cuban consulate.
A recognized passport or travel document valid for at least two months from the date of departure from Cuba.
Proof of travel medical insurance covering sudden illness, accidents and repatriation.
Your passport size photo.
Any documents related to the purpose of your trip.

More information: https://visaguide.world/north-america-caribbean/cuba-visa/

For a child (under 18):

2 color photos (3.5 x 4.5 - 60-70% of the face, on a light background).
Original + copy of birth certificate (notarized)
Notarized permission (original) of the parents for the departure of a child traveling without parents or with one of the parents, indicating the accompanying person and the phrase "for travel to the countries of the Schengen Agreement" (issued at the notary's office if the child's birth certificate and parents' passports are available).

Passengers in transit are exempt from visa or travel card requirements if their transit time does not exceed 72 hours. They are allowed to enter Cuba.

(APHIS 7001) is an integral part of a cat or dog's passport.

This document must also be translated into Spanish, which is the official language in Cuba. The translation must be completed prior to approval by the government.

Requirements for animals traveling with tourists:

Proof of current rabies vaccination given at least 30 days and no more than 12 months prior to entry.
Veterinary certificate for Cuba completed by a licensed veterinarian shortly before entry. It is recommended that a USDA or CFIA licensed veterinarian complete the APHIS Form 7001 and have it approved by the USDA or CFIA if traveling from the United States or Canada. If you are traveling from another country, the animal import and export authority must validate the forms.
A copy of the rabies certificate should also be attached for verification.
Screening: All domestic dogs and cats must be free of any disease that can be transmitted to humans when screened for entry into Cuba. If your dog or cat is not in good health, a further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at the tourist's expense.
Other animals: birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to rabies vaccination but may need to meet other requirements and have a health certificate to enter Cuba. If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, you should make sure that it is not protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. If so, you will need to apply for additional permits.

Failure to comply with these rules will mean that your pet will be refused entry or returned to the country of origin or placed in quarantine at the expense of the person responsible for your pet.

More info: http://www.thecaribbeanpet.com/pet-travel-to-cuba/

The customs of Cuba has some peculiarities. They should be taken into account when transporting luggage across the border.

Cuban customs laws prohibit any importation of pornographic materials, narcotics, live animals and firearms, although these last items may be authorized by the organization responsible for this type of tourism if they are intended for hunting. Any storage, consumption and circulation of narcotic drugs and other substances is punishable, except for personal cases accompanied by a corresponding doctor's prescription.

1. It is allowed to bring to Cuba by plane:

Any amount of foreign currency. Amounts over USD 5,000 are subject to declaration.
Duty-free up to 200 pcs. cigarettes or up to 250 g of tobacco.
Perfumes, medicines and household items within the limits of personal needs.
1 photo and video camera per person, 1 binocular, 1 portable music center, 1 portable computer (subject to mandatory export).

2. It is prohibited to import into Cuba:

Cars, motorcycles and spare parts for them.
Pornography.
Narcotic substances and medicines without indication of the manufacturer's brand.
Explosives and weapons.
Some foods.

3. It is prohibited to export from Cuba:

Singing and exotic birds.
Bark and wood of valuable species.
Skins and feathers of exotic animals and birds
Precious metals.
Sea shells.
Antiquities and cultural values, as well as books and documents of historical value or printing of libraries or other organizations.
Durable goods, jewelry or crocodile leather goods without an export license, which can be obtained from the seller.

The minimum car rental and driving age in Cuba is 21 for a foreign traveler with a valid national driver's license and international driver's license. Otherwise, you will not be able to rent a car and drive on Cuban roads.

You need to have the following documents:

Driver's license (original): international and national
Passport (original)
VISA or MasterCard for deposit and additional insurance
Car rental voucher

Are local driving licenses valid in Cuba?

Foreign travelers with a valid national driver's license and international driver's license are allowed to drive on Cuban roads. This is a mandatory condition for you to travel in Cuba. You must have these two important documents. The local driver's license will be valid as long as it is accompanied by an IDP.

If you use your national driver's license exclusively in Cuba, it is invalid, as are international driver's licenses. These two main documents must be used and submitted to the authorities together for them to come into force. Your national driver's license will only be invalid if you plan to work and live in the country, as this requires obtaining the driver's license required by Cuba.

Travelers do not need to take lessons or attend a driving school in Cuba to obtain an IDP; with the help of the International Drivers Association, a fast and paperless operation is carried out.

No license is required for travelers driving in Cuba. Your national and international driver's license is enough to drive around Cuba and its roads, but if you plan to stay for a long time, want to apply for residency or apply for a job, you need to get a Cuban license.

106 for the Police Department
105 for the Fire Service
104 for Ambulance

You can find Cuban Embassies in different countries at the following link: https://www.embassy-worldwide.com/country/cuba/

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