When do I need a visa to Cuba?

The Republic of Cuba is a great place for recreation, entertainment and study. A Russian citizen does not need a visa to Cuba in all cases. This article discusses in detail the issues of paperwork, entry, border crossing, stay in the country.

Visa-free entry

In 2017 and 2018, Russians were allowed to enter Cuba under a visa-free regime. The period of stay is up to 30 days.

Consular and visa fees are not charged from citizens of Russia entering Russia under a visa-free regime. You only need to pay an airport tax when leaving Cuba - 25 Cuban pesos (CUC) per person. The Cuban peso is approximately equal to the US dollar.

travel documents

Despite the absence of the need for a visa for short-term entry into Cuba, there is a list of documents required to be presented at the border:

• international passport valid for a month or more after the trip.
• Round trip flights. A return ticket is a guarantee of returning to your home country before the expiration of the allowable period of stay in Cuba.
• Attestation solvency: bank statement, income statement. Not required by package travelers from travel agencies.

Important! USD 50 is the minimum amount required per night of stay.

• Insurance. The sum insured in 1000 dollars is enough for the trip;
• 2 completed migration cards. Forms are issued on the plane / in the border zone of the airport after arrival. Tourists give the first of the copies at the airport for passport control. The second is kept until the end of the trip, presented at the time of entry into the territory of Russia.

How to fill out a migration card

Migration cards are mandatory for every tourist, including minors.

The filling language is English, the data is entered without errors and typos.

If you have any difficulties, it is advisable to ask the flight attendant for a sample. It is worth entering information while on board the aircraft in order to save time at passport control after arrival.

Customs regulations

There are no restrictions on the import/export of foreign currency. Amounts from 5,000 USD require a declaration / bank receipt confirming legal receipt.

Export of local currency - up to 100 Cuban pesos, up to 200 converted pesos.

Important! Difference: the sphere of use of the converted peso is mainly tourism, the Cuban peso is used by Cubans. The visual difference is the inscription "convertable" on the converted pesos.

Permissible import norms per person without declaration.

Important! The condition that allows you to import a laptop / netbook is the obligatory export of the gadget to Russia at the end of the trip.

It is forbidden to import:

• Cars, motorcycles.
• Auto-, moto-parts.
• Pornographic materials.
• Drugs.
• Explosive substances.
• Certain foods.
• Weapon.
• Medicinal products without manufacturer's instructions.

It is forbidden to export:

• Skin.
• Exotic materials, substances: bird feathers, valuable wood, valuable tree bark, etc.
• Precious metals.
• Shells.
• Singing, exotic birds.
• Items of historical and cultural value.
• Antiques.

It is allowed to take out without declaring up to 25 cigars per person. If you exceed the norm, you must present a check-receipt, pay a fee.

Important! Cigars - in the original packaging, with stamps, with a holographic print.

Carrying jewelry, crocodile skin products, durable goods - present a special license allowing you to export items. The license is taken from the seller.

Important! Such licenses are usually not issued in Cuban markets, therefore, it is undesirable to purchase such goods there.

Extension of visa-free stay

There are two ways to extend the period of stay for visa-free travelers to Cuba.

First way: contact the Migration Service on the island. The maximum possible extension period after 30 days of the allowed period of stay is 60 days. The renewal price for every 30 days is 25 Cuban dollars.

Important! Those extending the period of stay are issued a new migration card instead of the old one.

Second way no time limit, but more expensive. Flying to neighboring states where a visa is not required - Jamaica, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic - and then returning to Cuba allows you to reset the period of stay, and the 30-day countdown starts over. The cost of one round-trip flight is about 300 Cuban dollars.

When do Russians need a visa to Cuba?

Visitor visa

Issued by those wishing to visit relatives, friends, acquaintances who are legally in Cuba.

Documentation

• Passport valid for six months from the date of crossing the border.
• Two photographs 3x4 cm. Color / black and white are allowed.

Important! The face area in the photo is 70% of the space.

• Photocopies of round-trip air tickets.
• Invitation of friends, relatives, acquaintances from Cuba.

Important! The invitation is official, notarized, signed by the inviter.

• Those planning to stay in a hotel / hotel are allowed to present a room reservation.
• Confirmation of payment of the consular fee.
• Original, photocopy of the insurance policy.

Important! The entire list of documents is submitted immediately. Lack of documents, errors, inaccuracies are fraught with refusal and the need to submit an application, pay the consular fee again. In case of refusal, the consular fee is not refundable.

Processing time

Consideration is fast - approximately 5 working days.

Registration cost

30 USD - the amount of the consular fee paid by the applicants personally. Applying documents through a travel agency - 50 USD.

Validity

Length of stay - 1 month. The visa is valid for six months.

Study visa

Such a visa is needed for those planning to participate in cultural, educational, educational programs or receive education in Cuba.

Documentation

• Passport valid for six months after the end of the trip.
• A photocopy of the internal Russian passport.
• Two photographs 3x4 cm.
• Completed visa application form.
• School certificate.
• Proof of solvency: bank statement, income statement of the student/sponsor of the trip, traveler's checks.

Important! Optional for students traveling on a grant program with a scholarship to cover expenses.

• Certificate of non-conviction.
• Medical certificate confirming the absence of infectious diseases.

Important! A certificate issued by a medical institution certified by the Embassy of Cuba is required.

• Original, copy of the applicant's invitation to study, educational event.
• Evidence of payment of the consular fee.

Processing time

Manufactured within five working days.

Registration cost

Applying documents personally - 30 US dollars, through intermediaries - 50 US dollars.

Validity

Applies to the period of study in Cuba.

Child visa

The conditions for obtaining a visa for a child depend on how old he is.

To apply for a child visa, you need:

• Children under the age of fourteen - a passport, birth certificate. It is allowed to enter the child in the parent's passport.

Important! If the child recorded in the parent's passport is over six years old, a current photo must be pasted.

• Children over the age of fourteen are required to have their own passport.

Other documents for issuing a visa for minors:

• Children traveling with one parent - the official written permission of the second.
• For children not traveling with their parents, official written permission from both parents/guardians to take the child to Cuba.

Nuances, denials

Applying for a visa in person takes longer.

Visa applicants require insurance in the amount of $30,000 or more. It is issued in insurance companies that have ties with the Cuban insurance company Asistur. It is allowed to purchase insurance at the border of customs control.

Transiting through Cuba - the transfer airport does not change. Leaving the airport is prohibited. The maximum stay is 24 hours.

• unmarried girls.
• Married women who kept their maiden name.
• Unemployed.

Common reasons for visa refusal:

• Having a criminal record.
• Low salary.
• Lack of work.
• Providing an incomplete package of documents.