How to go to Cuba under current restrictions on Cuba travel for Americans?

On June 9, 2022, the Department of The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published new amendments to the 1963 Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 CFR part 515 (“Regulations”) to further implement President Biden's policy toward Cuba.

The Regulations have been amended by most US administrations since they were first introduced back in 1963 under the Trading with the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C 4301- 4341) for either to relax or to restrict travel to the island, financial transactions, business and certain other activities. The most positive amendments were made under the administration of former President Barrack Obama.

After the publication of the new amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (31 CFR Part 515) on June 9, 2022, none of the existing 12 categories of Cuba legal travel have been eliminated, the US embassy in Havana will remain open and commercial flights from USA will continue to Havana and resume to other Cuban destinations such as Holguin, Matanzas (Varadero), Santa Clara, Camaguey and Santiago de Cuba. American Airlines remains the largest US carrier to Cuba.

OFAC reinstated the general license for the attendance at, or organization of professional meetings or conferences in Cuba. This general license authorizes, subject to conditions, professional research in Cuba relating to a traveler’s profession, professional background, or area of expertise. Persons subject to US jurisdiction can travel to Cuba to attend or organize professional meetings or conferences and to conduct professional research as long as such professional meetings and research relates to the traveler’s profession, professional background, or area of expertise.

It is possible for US citizens to go to Cuba legally under the General License for Educational Activities (515.565), the General License for Professional Research (515.564), the General License for Support for the Cuban People (515.574), and others still in place.

For further information, please visit our How to Travel to Cuba from the USA page.