How To Get An Evisa Or Tourist Card For Cuba (Easy Guide 2024)
Wondering how to get a tourist card for Cuba (also called a Cuban tourist visa) for your once-in-a-lifetime Cuba holiday? You are at the right place!
I have traveled to Cuba for five years and entered Cuba at least two dozen times, including from the United States, so I have done that process a few times – but as of right now, the process has gotten a lot simpler for most travelers.
As of August 2024, the Cuban authorities have issued an Evisa option to replace the Cuban tourist card, or tourist visa, that you previously had to buy and have sent to your home in paper format.
Now you can get it online! The Evisa is still not an option for US citizens traveling to Cuba; Americans still need to buy the physical pink tourist card. But everyone else can now get an Evisa online within 72 hours.
Here is how!
What Is A Cuban Tourist Card?
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.
Now, most travelers can get a tourist visa as an E-visa and no longer have to wait until it arrives in their mailbox or get one at the airport of departure.
The exception is American citizens, who still need the PINK tourist card for Cuba on paper.
Evisa For Cuba
You can get your Evisa from an online provider, and it will arrive in your email within 12-72 hours.
You simply buy it from a service provider prior to traveling to Cuba, as having a tourist card is one of the entry requirements set by the Cuban government.
Getting a tourist card or E-visa for Cuba is still necessary for all travelers, but it is a formality for all travelers; no one needs to apply for and get approved to obtain.
The Evisa for non-US travelers will be valid for one year at a time.
This Is The Evisa Process
- Travelers request an eVisa code online
- Then, you receive the eVisa code via email
- Complete the d’Viajeros entry form 72 hours prior to departure for Cuba. In this form, you link the eVisa code to your passport. The d’Viajeros page generates a PDF with a QR code you use to enter Cuba.
The physical US citizen pink Cuban tourist card is still valid for one single entry, and you can stay in Cuba for up to 90 days + 90 days in-country extension on one visa.
Best Ways To Get A Tourist Card For Cuba!
📍 Here is the where-to-buy list:
- Buy your Cuban electronic tourist card from a secure online provider.
- Buy from the Cuban Embassy or Cuban Consulate in your country (which still requires a bit of work and can take up to 14 days)
- Buy from selected airports upon check-in.
Do I Need A Tourist Card For Cuba?
Yes, you probably need a tourist card for Cuba.
Most foreign nationals, including US nationals and every Canadian citizen, need a Cuba tourist card to enter the island.
Americans need the pink tourist card, while almost the rest of the world needs the Evisa to enter Cuba.
Cuba Visa For Indians
Indian citizens are also eligible for the Cuban tourist card, so Indian travelers can buy a green tourist visa for Cuba to visit for up to 90 (+90 extension) days.
India is currently not listed among the nationalities eligible for the new Evisa for Cuba, so travelers from India will likely need to contact the Cuban Embassy in India to apply for and buy the Cuban tourist card.
The following nationalities can now get an Evisa to enter Cuba
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
Some nationalities are exempt from having a visa to visit Cuba, among other travel documents.
Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bosnia, Dominica, Grenada, Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, Mongolia, Namibia, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Serbia, Singapore, and Vietnam.
How Do I Get A Tourist Card For Cuba?
Online Providers Cuba Visa Application Form
Several trustworthy providers offer visas for Cuba through an online Cuba visa application form. Don’t worry about the application bit; this is only a formality; you don’t really apply to enter Cuba.
I normally use Easy Tourist Card, which has secure and fast payment, and the Evisa will arrive within 12-72 hours.
Shipment of the pink tourist card to the US will normally take 3-7 days.
You will probably also be able to get a tourist card or Evisa from the nearest Cuban embassy in your country, but that might be a bit more bureaucratic and might take around 14 days.
To do this, contact the Cuban Embassy in your country or check out their home page and ask for an application form that you will need to fill out and return to them.
Then, you need to wait for the payment to be registered before you can pick it up (if it is in your city) or have it sent to your address or email for a charge.
Selected Airlines
Some airlines also provide tourist cards; check with yours to find out if that is an option for you.
US citizens:
You will receive the pink tourist card in a blank form, and you will need to fill out the required information by hand.
While you are in Cuba, you need to keep your filled-out pink tourist card, as you will be required to show it again when you are leaving the country!
Cuban Embassy or Consulate
The Cuban Embassy or Consulate in your country can provide Cuban tourist cards as one of their services.
Find their home page and order one if possible, or send an email or call them for information.
Traveling with a travel agency or tour operator.
Travel Agencies and tour operators that offer tours to Cuba normally include the Cuban tourist card in their tour packages.
If they do not, for some reason, they will most likely sell the tourist card separately.
Tourist Card For Cuba Application Form
If you contact the Cuban embassy in your country, they will probably send you a Cuba tourist card application form to complete and return to the embassy for approval.
This form may be available on the embassy home page.
A private online provider like Easy Tourist Card will have a digital form on the home page, along with immediate payment. This is not an application, just an order form.
Just fill in the required fields and provide a photo of the required documentation, and the tourist card will be sent to your home address.
Green vs Pink Tourist Card Cuba
The green tourist card for non-US citizens will no longer be offered by the end of 2024.
US citizens and travelers in transit via US airports still need the PINK tourist card for entry also after 2024.
NOTE: Americans are technically not allowed to visit Cuba for tourism purposes but can choose from a list of 12 pre-approved reasons to travel to Cuba without any further application or paperwork.
Pre-Approved Reasons For Cuba Travel
You will probably be asked to state your reason for visiting when you book your flight online as part of the booking process and upon check-in at the airport.
Most travelers choose “in support of the Cuban people” as their reason for travel.
Apart from that, 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 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.
How Long Does A Tourist Card For Cuba Last?
After November 1st, 2022, the Cuban regulations changed, and the pink tourist card for Cuba is now valid for a 90-day entry to the island.
If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you can extend the tourist card for another 90 days while in Cuba.
Bring the required documents and go to an immigration office close to where you are staying.
To extend your Cuban tourist card, you do not need an appointment; you just need to show up at the Cuban immigration office, stand in line, and present your mission.
To extend your Cuban tourist card, you do need to bring your passport and documentation of valid travel insurance, including health insurance.
Also, bring the booking form and address of the hotel or casa particular you are staying, and documentation of your plane ticket out of the country.
You may extend your tourist card only once, for another 90 days, so you can stay for up to 180 days in Cuba without leaving the island.
How Much Does A Tourist Card To Cuba Cost?
From online providers like Easy Tourist Card, an Evisa for Cuba is 45 euro. This is the version of the tourist card most travelers to Cuba need now.
The pink tourist card for US citizens card is pricier due to the situation between the US and Cuba).
The most hassle-free option is to buy your tourist card from an online provider, like Easy Tourist Card, and have it sent to your home address. Their price for the pink tourist card is 95 euros ($105).
NOTE: US citizens of Cuban origin will still be considered Cuban nationals upon entry to Cuba within local laws, even if they have a different passport and citizenship.
For information about this and regulations for family visits, contact your nearest Cuban embassy.
What Airlines Sell Cuban Tourist Cards?
Some airlines with international flights to Cuba also offer passengers the option to buy a Cuban tourist card online or an Evisa before the flight or at certain airports.
The price normally is lower if you buy online in advance before your trip.
American Airlines Cuba Tourist Card
American Airlines has daily flights from Miami (where 70% of the population is Cuban!) to Cuban airports.
At Miami International Airport, you can buy a tourist card for Cuba online or when you check in with American Airlines or Delta Airlines.
Both airlines have direct flights to Cuba.
The price at the American Airlines counter in Miami International Airport is $100.
If you fly American Airlines from any other destination in the US, do not expect they are familiar with the Cuban tourist card everywhere.
Some people, even staff in airports, are not always familiar with the tourist card layout, rules, online registration, or the 11 pre-approved reasons for travel.
So when you fly to Cuba from an American airport, the best way is to ensure you arrive early and have some extra time to allow any unenlightened staff to catch up with the current rules.
NOTE: There are still regulations for Americans traveling to Cuba, including the prohibition on US citizens using their credit cards in Cuba.
Air Canada Tourist Card For Cuba
With Air Canada, the Cuban tourist card is included in your flight ticket when you book your trip to Cuba.
If you fly to Cuba with Air Canada, contact the airline to find out how you receive the Cuban Evisa if you are eligible.
For US citizens flying from Canada (or any other airport) with Air Canada, they still need to get the physical pink tourist cars.
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Delta Airlines Tourist Card For Cuba
Delta Airlines offers passengers the Cuban tourist card at the final airport you’ll stop at prior to departure for Cuba, including Miami, where you only get the pink Cuba tourist card.
Please contact Delta Airlines directly to learn about the new Evisa for Cuba.
Cuban Tourist Card from JetBlue
You can buy the Cuban Tourist Card from JetBlue at the airport for $50 when you check in. Please contact JetBlue directly to ask about the new Evisa for Cuba.
You’ll need the following in order to buy the tourist card at the airport:
- Your boarding pass
- Valid passport at least six months ahead
- You need to pay with a credit or debit card
Other Visas For Cuba
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.
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 (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
Do I Need A Passport To Go To Cuba?
Yes, you need a passport to enter Cuba.
Your U.S. passport is valid in Cuba. You must also make sure your passport is valid for at least another six months from the date of entry!
Pre-Arrival Online Registration
You also need to register your entry to the country electronically online prior to arrival.
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.
Cuba Travel Insurance Requirement
First of all, yes, you need travel insurance to travel to Cuba.
If you are asked to show documentation of travel insurance at the passport control (random checking) and don’t have it, you will be required to buy Cuban travel insurance before you enter the country.
What travel insurance company you choose is up to you, but you must choose one with health insurance, as that is mandatory for travel to Cuba. If someone asks, travelers to Cuba must provide proof of both medical and health coverage.
I use Medical Travel Insurance (IMG), but I have not yet needed their help.
IMG does have excellent reviews throughout from people who have been unlucky and needed their travel insurance provider to step up!
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.
Also read: How To Get A Cuba Visa For Indians: Easy Guide!
FAQs Cuba Travel
Do EU Citizens Need Visa For Cuba?
Yes, EU citizens need a visa to enter Cuba as tourists or for any other form of stay. A handful of nationalities are exempt from the visa requirement for Cuba, listed earlier in this article.
Is Cuba Visa Easy To Get?
Yes, it is easy to buy a visa for Cuba. Several online providers, as well as airlines, provides a tourist visa or tourist card for Cuba – now also an Evisa.
Does Cuba Have Evisa?
Yes, as of August 2024, non-US citizens can buy an Evisa for Cuba.
Why are US citizens not allowed to travel to Cuba?
This is NOT correct. US citizens ARE ALLOWED to travel to Cuba.
Americans can choose a reason for Cuba travel among 12 pre-approved reasons for traveling to Cuba, determined by the US Government.
Can US citizens travel to Cuba as a tourist?
Technically, US citizens are NOT allowed to travel to Cuba as a tourist.
Americans choose between 12 pre-approved reasons for Cuba travel, among which the most common one is “to help the Cuban people.”
U.S. citizens still need to buy a tourist card, also called a tourist visa, to enter Cuba.
What are the 12 requirements to travel to Cuba?
You can read about the 12 pre-approved reasons to travel to Cuba for US citizens here.
The easiest and most common reason for Cuba travel is “to help the Cuban people”. There is no paperwork or application process connected to this; you just choose your reason and state that reason if anyone asks.
What happens if a U.S. citizen travels to Cuba?
Nothing happens if a U.S. citizen travels to Cuba, hopefully, the U.S. citizen will have a fabulous holiday and encounter with Cuban culture.
U.S. citizens need to choose one of the pre-approved reasons to travel to Cuba and need to buy the PINK tourist card, also called a tourist visa.
Selected airlines sell this visa/tourist card, or you can buy one online.
What documents do I need to travel to Cuba?
You need the following documents to travel to Cuba:
- Passport valid for 6 months after date of entry
- Tourist card / tourist visa / Evisa
- Proof of travel insurance, including health insurance
- Fill out the d’viajero.cu digital document before your journey
Do Americans need to be vaccinated to enter Cuba?
No, specific vaccines are not required before entering Cuba. Your country’s health department probably has recommendations for what vaccines you should consider.
How Do I get a tourist card for Cuba?
You can buy a tourist card online from Easy Tourist Card, from selected airlines, or from the Cuban embassy in your country.
You might also be able to buy a Cuban tourist card online from your airline or at the airport prior to departure.
A tourist card can be bought at Miami International Airport’s check-in counter for American Airlines and Delta Airlines.
How Do I Get A Tourist Visa For Cuba?
A tourist visa is the same as a tourist card for Cuba. You can buy it from the following places:
- Buy one online from Easy Tourist Card
- Buy one from your airline if they offer this
- Buy one at the airport of departure if they offer this
- Buy one from the Cuban Embassy in your country
Is Travel To Cuba Allowed Right Now?
Yes, Cuba travel is allowed right now.
In addition, American citizens must choose one of the 12 pre-approved reasons for traveling to Cuba (Americans can not travel as “tourists”) and follow some simple guidelines for traveling in Cuba.
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Wrap-Up How To Get A Tourist Card For Cuba!
Now, you should have all the information you need about how to get a Cuban tourist card to confidently get a hold of both the tourist card for Cuba and all the other documentation you need before your amazing Cuba holiday.
And suddenly it has gotten a lot easier for most travelers, as Cuba has approved an Evisa to enter the island.
I hope you will love your stay in Cuba!
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