As of August 2024, the largest of the Caribbean islands, Cuba, has implemented an Evisa option to enter Cuba instead of the former Cuban tourist card issued on paper.
I have traveled regularly to Cuba for five years and purchased the Cuban tourist card lots of times (including from the embassy), so I would say I have some experience in this!
The thing is, not all nationalities are currently on the list of travelers who can get an Evisa for Cuba online within hours. India is one of the travelers that still needs to acquire the green tourist card for Cuba on paper.
But don’t worry, it is not hard, and here is how to do it!
How To Get A Cuba Visa for Indians (2024)
A Cuba tourist card, also called a tourist visa (and “tarjeta del Turista” in Spanish), is the physical document you used to need to enter Cuban territory as a tourist or visitor.
Although many nationalities can now get the Evisa, a Cuba visa for Indians still needs to be the paper version of the Cuba tourist card or tourist visa.
That is not a real problem; it just means that you need to plan a little more in advance.
As most international online providers of the Cuban tourist visa have stopped providing the green paper version, it is likely that you need to contact the Cuban Embassy in Delhi to obtain the green Cuban tourist visa after August 2024.
Cuban Embassy In Delhi India
On the Cuban Embassy in India home page, it is likely that you will find a visa application form for Indian passport holders.
If you are unable to find it, you can call the embassy or send an email to:
- +91 11 26262477
- +91 11 26262470
- +91 11 26262468
- secretaria@embacubaindia.com
If you are an Indian passport holder, you just fill out the Cuba visa application (that is not really an application, more a booking), and provide what is requested in the Cuba visa requirements.
Evisa For Cuba
For those of you who are not Indian passport holders, it is quite possible that you are on the list of nationalities that can now buy the Evisa for Cuba and get it to your email inbox in 12-72 hours.
The nationalities that currently can get the Evisa for Cuba are:
Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City
The following nationalities do NOT need a visa for Cuba
FYI, Some nationalities are exempt from having a tourist visa to visit Cuba, among other travel documents.
Here are the current visa-exempt countries:
Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bosnia, Dominica, Grenada, Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, Mongolia, Namibia, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Serbia, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Visa For Cuba From The US
When you acquire a tourist visa for Cuba, it really does not matter where you travel from; what matters is your nationality and the country in which you are a passport holder.
The only exception is if you travel to Cuba and have a United States Airport as your last stop before you enter Cuba.
In that case, you still need to get the PINK Cuban tourist card, which is still only available on paper.
This tourist card gives you a single entry to Cuba with a valid stay for up to 90 days, and you can extend while in Cuba for another 90 days at an immigration office.
So if you are an Indian citizen and passport holder, and you fly via Miami or any other US airport, make sure you have the PINK Cuban tourist card with you for your last flight!
When you enter Cuban immigration, you might also be asked to show proof of your return flight and your departure from Cuba.
Lastly, be aware that if you enter Cuba with a pink paper tourist card, you need to take care of it while in Cuba and return it to passport control when you depart from the country.
Also read: Is Solo Female Travel To Cuba Safe?
Pre-Approved Reasons For Cuba Travel
When you travel via the US, you will probably be asked to state your reason for visiting Cuba when you book your flight online as part of the booking process and upon check-in or transit at the airport.
That is because US nationals need to choose one of 12 “pre-approved reasons for Cuba travel”, as they can not travel as tourists, per see.
Most travelers choose “in support of the Cuban people” as their reason for travel.
There is no formal paperwork required in order to comply with this rule; you just state your reason for visiting Cuba if anyone asks – it is not more difficult than that!
The restrictions also regulate what accommodations US travelers or US passport holders can use while in Cuba and what services they are not at liberty to use, as defined in the Cuba Restricted List.
The short explanation is that Americans are not allowed to visit hotels, restaurants, or shops that are owned by (51% or over) or associated with the Cuban state.
Cuba Travel Checklist
📍 Quick guide for Cuba travel:
- Buy a Cuban Tourist Card
- If you are a U.S. national or travel via the U.S., you need to get the PINK tourist card
- If you are a U.S. national or travel via a U.S. airport, you need to choose one of the preapproved reasons for Cuba travel. The most common reason is “travel to help the Cuban people”.
- Get travel insurance with health coverage
- Book the flight, and a casa particular, or a hotel
- Register your entry to Cuba online on d’viajeros
- Consider getting a VPN that works well enough in Cuba
- Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months more
- Remember that you will only be able to get Cuban peso CUP when in Cuba. Bring all the foreign currency you plan to spend in cash, Canadian dollars, US dollars, or euros.
- Bring all the medicine you sometimes or regularly use. Cuban pharmacies are empty; you will not be able to get anything when in Cuba
- Bring a water bottle with a filter to ensure you always have access to drinking water
- Check out my best advice for Packing for Cuba here!
- Also read about Money In Cuba & Wifi In Cuba before you go!
Traveling To Cuba With A Travel Agency Or Tour Operator.
Travel Agencies and tour operators that offer tours to Cuba sometimes include the pink Cuban tourist card in their tour packages, so check if that is the case for you.
If they do not, for some reason, they will possibly sell the tourist card separately.
If you have other plans than visiting Cuba as a tourist or traveler within one of the 12 US pre-approved reasons for travel to Cuba, you need to apply for an appropriate visa that suits your intentions.
📍 EpicNomadLife Tip: A top-rated small-group tour company I have traveled with three times that has small group tours in Cuba is G Adventures. I recommend you check out their programs and itineraries!
Other Visas For Cuba
There are a variety of special visas to apply for in order to visit Cuba.
The other types of visa you can apply for to travel to Cuba are:
- Family visa Cuba (A2)
- Journalist visa (D6)
- Business visa
- Work visa (D1)
- Student visa (D2)
- Medical treatment visa (D10)
Visa For Long Term Stays In Cuba
Different countries have different requirements for applying for a long-term visa to stay in Cuba for studies, work, or other purposes.
If you are planning a long-term stay in Cuba, you need to contact the nearest embassy or consulate and ask for information on how to go about this.
In order to apply for a long-term stay in Cuba, you normally will have to provide the following:
- A certificate of police clearance from your country, issued within the past three months and legalized
- Medical screening, including blood tests, AIDS tests, and radiographic examinations of the thorax. The results cannot be older than six months and must be legalized.
- A letter that states the reason for the application
- Any relevant documents connected to your application, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, etc.
- A passport-size photo
- A photocopy of your passport
FAQ Cuba Visa For Indian Citizens
Do I Need A Passport To Go To Cuba?
Yes, you need a passport to enter Cuba.
A U.S. passport is also valid in Cuba. Whatever nationality you have, you must make sure your passport is valid for at least another six months from the date of entry!
Do I Need To Do Pre-Arrival Online Registration?
Yes, you also need to register your entry into the country electronically prior to arrival, plus you need the Cuba visa for Indians.
You will find the registration form here on the D’viajeros page; complete the registration before you go to the airport.
Some airlines will ask to see documentation on this registration in order to complete your check-in, so make sure you don’t forget.
How Much Does A Tourist Card To Cuba Cost?
From online providers like Easy Tourist Card, an Evisa for Cuba is 45 euros. This is the version of the tourist card most travelers to Cuba need now.
The pink tourist cards for US citizens are pricier due to the current situation between the US and Cuba.
Indian nationals currently need to buy a tourist card for Cuba from the Cuban Embassy in Delhi, India. The price is not stated on their home page.
Do I Need Travel Insurance For Cuba?
Yes, you need to have valid travel insurance when traveling to Cuba in addition to a Cuban visa, which is required to enter Cuba (although not often checked). Your travel insurance also needs to cover health issues and potential hospitalization.
My two favorite travel insurance companies when I travel are:
- Health focus: IMG Medical Travel Insurance
- Digital nomad/longer journeys:
Do I Need Vaccinations For Cuba?
You are not required to have specific vaccinations to enter Cuba
However, the general recommendation is that there are some vaccines you should take before your holiday in Cuba.
The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccines for Cuba:
Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, and influenza.
Check with the health authorities in your country whether these recommendations apply to you.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Cuba?
The most popular period to visit Cuba is during the dry season; the peak season starts in Cuba in December and runs through to April.
In May, the wet season starts, and then in August through October (November), it is the hurricane season in the Caribbean region.
Summer is excruciatingly hot and humid, and the winter has pleasant, warm days and maybe a bit chill in the evening (Cubans don’t swim during winter, as they think it is cold!).
My favorite period in Cuba is shoulder seasons, so March through to May, and then towards the end of September through to November (even with the rain, I don’t mind).
Shoulder seasons have fewer tourists and nice temperatures (although a little rain), and are perfect for exploring this unique island.
Wrap-Up Cuba Visa For Indians
That was that!
I hope you have a clear picture of how to get your hands on a Cuba visa for Indians after reading this article!
It is not hard, but as India is still not on the list of approved Evisa nations, it might take a bit of time from your purchase to the visa is in your mailbox.
So make sure you buy it (or send the application form and pay for the visa) ahead of time so you don’t need to deal with any stress right before your departure.
Happy Travel Planning!
Related blog posts:
Currency in Cuba From A Local: Can You Use Dollars In Cuba?
Is There Wifi In Cuba 2024? | Complete Guide About Internet In Cuba From A Local
