Do I need an E-visa to travel to Cuba?

Every person going to Cuba as a tourist needs a passport valid for at least one month beyond the date of your expected departure from Cuba, and a Cuba tourist card or Cuba Electronic Visa (Cuba E-VISA).

The Cuba tourist card (Cuba E-Visa) is generally provided by airlines, or can be obtained from a Cuban government office abroad in the case of privately organized flights.

Most US airlines offer the Cuba Tourist Card (Cuba E-VISA) as an add-on after booking a flight. JetBlue, Delta and Southwest provide your Cuban Tourist Card (Cuba E-Visa) at an extra fee of $50 USD. American Airlines and others charge $85 USD.

Most Canadian airlines include the cost of the Cuba Tourist Card (Cuba E-VISA) in the cost of your ticket. Please, double check with your airline about this requirement.

Cuba Tourist Cards (Cuba E-Visas) are available in two different colors: pink and green. The color of the card depends on the country from where you are traveling. If you are traveling directly from the United States to Cuba, you will be required to obtain a pink Cuban Tourist Card (Cuba E-Visa). On the other hand, green Cuban Tourist Cards (Cuba E-Visas) are designated for travelers who have a layover in a non-U.S. country before reaching Cuba.

Differentiating between the two colors is a simple task, but deciding which one to purchase can be more complex, particularly if you are embarking on a multi-leg journey. Prior to making your online purchase, take a look at your travel itinerary and identify the airport from which you will be departing last. This specific airport will determine the color of the card you should acquire.

The tourist card (E-Visa) allows its holder to stay in Cuba for 30 days (90 days for Canadians) from the date of entry into the country, and is valid for 1 entry into Cuba. For a stay of more than 90/ 30 days, you can request an extension of another 3 months at any tourism office in Cuba, for a maximum stay of 6/4 months. Children, regardless of their age, also require a tourist card (Cuba E-Visa), even if they are registered on their parents' passports.

Please note that a tourist card (E-Visa) can only be used if you are staying at a hotel or renting a private house (Casa Particular) in Cuba. If you plan to stay at a friend's place, you will need to apply for a personal visa instead. In certain situations, such as traveling for business, journalism, and family purposes, you may need a regular visa (not a tourist card) for Cuba. Additionally, if you are traveling as a student or for special events, the Cuban government may require you to obtain a visa.

The above information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Cuban authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time.

It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Canada, USA and respective countries for up-to-date information.