Is it safe to travel to Cuba right now?

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Cuba’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Cuba set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Cuban Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Cuba, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and 3 months after your planned departure date.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

If you’re visiting Cuba as a tourist, you need to get a tourist visa, also known as a tourist card, before you travel. Apply through the Cuban Embassy in the UK or check with your travel agent or tour operator. You can also apply for an electronic visa through the eVisa-Cuba site. When your application is approved, you will receive a ten-character code which should be entered as you fill in your advance passenger information on the DViajeros platform (see below). This will generate a QR code to be presented to the immigration authorities at the border. The electronic visa will be linked to the applicant’s passport.

You must also show proof of onward or return travel. See Cuba’s consular services information for details.

For more information and advice about other types of visas, contact the Cuban Embassy in the UK.

Overstaying your visa

The authorities take any breach of immigration rules seriously. You could be detained if you overstay your visa.

Checks at border control

You must complete an online arrival form on the D’Viajeros traveller information portal within 72 hours before entering the country. You’ll get a QR code by email. This must be shown to the authorities on arrival as an electronic or printed version. Airlines will check completion of the form at check-in.

You should download or print your completed DViajeros form as a PDF, as wifi may not be accessible to do so on arrival in Cuba.

Travelling from the USA to Cuba

US regulations do not authorise tourist travel to Cuba from the US. Travellers departing the US for Cuba are generally required to certify that their travel falls within one of the 12 categories for which the US authorities approve direct travel to Cuba.

For more information see the US State Department’s travel advice for Cuba.

Travelling from Cuba to the USA

You cannot travel from Cuba to the USA without a US visa.

Vaccine requirements

You must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Cuba guide.

Customs rules

There are rules about the types of goods you can take into and out of Cuba. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Art and antiques

Some art and antiques require an export permit from the Country Heritage Office (‘Bienes Culturales’). Ask the vendor if they have the required permit for the item you are buying. At the airport, you may need to show the receipt.

Photography equipment

You may need an import licence for photography equipment, as well as the appropriate journalism visa.

Drones

You are not allowed to bring drones into Cuba. They will be confiscated on arrival and not returned until your departure. The process for getting your drone back could be lengthy.

Food items

You cannot take meat products, milk, fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds or organic matter into Cuba, with some exceptions.

Electrical items and GPS on mobiles

Some electrical items with heavy power consumption may be confiscated on entry to Cuba.

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are subject to import requirements. Mobile phones, tablets and laptops can be taken to Cuba, but you must turn off any inbuilt GPS.

Complete a customs form if items are confiscated on your arrival so you can collect them on your departure date.

Taking money into Cuba

The Cuban national peso (CUP ‘moneda nacional’) is the official currency and cannot be exchanged outside of Cuba. Declare foreign currency you’re taking into Cuba if the value is more than 5,000 US dollars.

It is illegal to exchange money anywhere other than Cadeca exchange houses. See ‘Money’ on the Safety and security page.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for the expected duration of your stay in Cuba.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: required
Family visa: required
Business visa: required

Canadian tourists travelling to Cuba need a visa, which allows for stays of up to 90 days.

The tourist visa is generally included in holiday packages provided by tour operators or airlines providing direct flights from Canada.

If you travel to Cuba via a third country, including on flights with stopovers in a third country, you must obtain a Cuban electronic visa ahead of time. A 10-character code will be provided, which you must include when filling out the online customs form.

Tourist visas – Government of Cuba

Length of stay

You may stay in Cuba for up to 6 months, but you must request an extension of stay if you intend to stay longer than the initial 90-day period allowed by the standard tourist visa.

D’Viajeros traveller information portal – Government of Cuba

Online customs form

You must provide information on your stay in Cuba via an online customs form before entering the country. You may complete it as early as 72 hours before entry.

Once done, you will receive a QR code by email.

You must show an electronic or printed version of the QR code upon check-in and to authorities upon arrival.

D’Viajeros traveller information portal – Government of Cuba

Cash controls

You cannot leave Cuba with more than $5,000 USD or the equivalent in any currency. You also cannot leave Cuba with more than 5,000 CUP.

Health insurance

You must be able to show proof of medical insurance upon entry to Cuba. If you don’t have proof of health insurance or if the proof you present doesn’t satisfy the Cuban immigration authorities, you may have to obtain health insurance from a Cuban insurance company upon arrival. This insurance may have limited coverage.

Canadian provincial health care coverage provides very limited coverage outside Canada. It will not pay for medical bills up front and does not include air evacuation.

Cuban authorities won’t let you leave the country with outstanding medical bills. You will need to remain in Cuba until all debts are paid. Medical bills are payable in cash (U.S. dollars) only.

• Make sure you purchase the best health insurance you can afford
• Ensure the insurance includes medical evacuation and hospital stays

Trip interruption and travel health insurance

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them:

• a return or onward ticket
• proof of accommodation

Dual citizenship

If you’re both a Canadian and Cuban citizen, you must:

• present your valid Cuban passport to the immigration authorities to enter Cuba
• have a valid Canadian passport to return to Canada

If you were born in Cuba, you should contact a Cuban government office in Canada before you leave to ensure compliance with Cuban regulations, regardless of your current citizenship. Failure to do so may result in your being refused entry into Cuba or being detained upon entry.

Canadian permanent residents

You will not be able to leave Cuba if you are a Canadian permanent resident and are without a valid permanent resident card. If your card is lost or stolen, you must contact the Embassy of Canada to Cuba, in Havana, to obtain a travel document that will allow you to leave the country.

This procedure can take up to 10 working days. Once the document is ready, you'll need to make an appointment with the immigration section of the Embassy of Canada to Cuba to collect it before returning to Canada.

Permanent resident travel document: How to apply

Health screening

You may be subjected to a medical screening or interrogation by public health authorities when you enter or exit Cuba, or when reporting for domestic flights.

You may be subject to a mandatory quarantine for medical observation for up to 7 days if local authorities believe that:

• you have symptoms of a serious illness, such as:
  • COVID-19
  • Dengue
  • Ebola
  • H1N1
  • Zika
  • you have come into contact with a suspected carrier of one of these viruses
  • you’re arriving from a country with a known epidemic

Restricted goods

Personal effects and medicine

You should bring all personal goods, including toiletries and medication, that you may require for the duration of your travel. Many of these items may be difficult to find in Cuba.

Cuban customs officials will decide if the amount is suitable for your personal use. They may apply steep tariffs for personal baggage exceeding the allowable amount.

Art objects

Some art objects, including artifacts and paintings purchased in Cuba, must be accompanied by an export permit. It’s usually provided by state-owned galleries. If you plan on buying art from a gallery, always confirm that you will be able to leave the country with it.

Electronic devices

Electronic devices with GPS technology may be confiscated upon entry and returned upon exit.

Satellite telephones are forbidden.

Electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers

You cannot bring electronic cigarettes or personal vaporizers to Cuba.

Customs officials will seize these items upon arrival.

Children and travel

Children and travel

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).