Entry Requirements

Travel to Cuba for tourist activities remains prohibited by statute.  There are, however, 12 categories of authorized travel.  The Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued general licenses in all 12 categories of authorized travel, subject to appropriate conditions.  This means that individuals who meet the regulatory conditions of the respective general license they seek to travel under do not need to apply for a specific license from OFAC to travel to Cuba. 

The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba are: family visits; official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; journalistic activity; professional research and professional meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials; and certain authorized export transactions.

For specific information on the Cuba sanctions regulations, including fact sheets on recent changes regarding Cuba, applying for an OFAC license online, and more guidance regarding travel to Cuba please visit this Department of Treasury webpage.  For travel-specific questions, please see 31 C.F.R. 515.560, as well as OFAC's Frequently Asked Questions. 

Please note that neither the U.S. Embassy in Havana nor the U.S. Department of State in Washington DC processes Cuban visa applications.  To apply for a Cuban visa or for any questions regarding Cuban consular services, please contact the Cuban Embassy in Washington DC:

Embassy of the Republic of Cuba     
2630 16th street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Website: http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/eeuu/EN/Home.aspx
E-mail: recepcion@usadc.embacuba.cu
Phone: 202 797 8518 – Ext. 600 

Registering with Embassies

The U.S. Embassy in Havana recommends that all U.S. citizens in Cuba register with the American Citizens Services Unit.  Travelers can register their visit in person or on-line by visiting the STEP website.

Important message on U.S. debit and credit cards

U.S. Credit and Debit cards do not currently work in Cuba, so remember to bring enough cash with you to last you your whole trip. U.S. Dollars can be exchanged into Cuban convertible currency at the airport, hotels, or exchange houses. There is usually a 10% charge on exchanging U.S. dollars.