Do Russian citizens need a visa to Cuba?

Associated with the sea and the sun, magnificent tropical beaches and cities with interesting sights. There is summer all year round and exotic Caribbean cuisine. All this attracts a huge number of tourists from Russia, but the first question arises - do Russians going there need a visa to Cuba?

According to an agreement concluded many years ago between the two countries, as well as to Panama, subject to a stay in the country for up to 30 days.

The agreement continues today, so you only need to take with you the documents presented when crossing the border:

• any type of foreign passport (ordinary, diplomatic, etc.), the validity of which exceeds the travel time by 1 month;
• air tickets purchased for a round-trip trip, and the return date must be within a 30-day period;
• migration card. It is required to fill in 2 copies in English. One copy will be given when passing through passport control at the entrance, the second - at the exit;
• financial guarantees. These are any banking documents - a certificate of purchase of currency, account status, checks, etc. The main thing is that the total amount ensures living in the country with spending $50 every day. If the trip is carried out on a travel agency ticket, then these documents are not needed;
• medical insurance policy. Its presence is mandatory.

No cash contributions are taken when crossing the border for entry. The previously charged financial fee at the exit is now included in the ticket price.

Important: staying in Cuba during a visa-free period should exclude any official work or commerce.

Filling out the migration card

This is usually done on the plane, shortly before arriving on the island. Only blue or black ink is allowed. You need to enter basic information about yourself and your place of residence in Cuba. You need to write in block letters, using the Latin alphabet. Filling is made for each entrant, not excluding children. As a rule, the procedure does not cause problems.

Entry with children

All children visiting the island must also bring their birth certificate with them. It is allowed to include a child in the passport of one of the parents. If the child has already overcome the age of 6, then his recent photograph is placed in the parent's document.

In the event that a minor travels with one of the parents, then if there is a second one, you must take with you his notarized consent to leave the Russian Federation for the child.

When a child travels with other accompanying persons, such consent to the person who is with him must be obtained from each parent.

What needs to be done to extend the visa-free stay

If there is a need to extend your stay in Cuba, for this you can visit the Cuban Migration Service. There is a contribution of 25 Cuban pesos for 30 days, and the time spent on the island will be extended. But, in any case, the stay is limited to another 60 days.

How to prepare for your visit:

1. Ask for a certificate from the hotel to confirm the location.
2. Buy an insurance medical policy for a month.
3. Purchase special stamps from the bank, total value of 65 Cuban pesos. This amount also includes the price of the insert (Prorroga), which will be pasted into the passport.

There is a more exotic but expensive way to stay in the country without a visa. To do this, after two months, you can leave for a nearby country with a visa-free regime for Russians, such as, for example, the Dominican Republic, and return to Cuba. The period of stay upon arrival will begin to count again, as at the first entry.

Visitor or regular visa

If the trip is not a tourist trip, but is connected with visiting relatives or friends, then the question arises: do such Russians need a visitor visa to Cuba? Definitely needed. This visa is processed at the Cuban embassy.

The Embassy of the Republic of Cuba is located in Moscow, the consulate is in St. Petersburg. Reception hours are specified on the official website. It is allowed to take a package of documents personally or through persons on whom there is a power of attorney.

A regular visa to Cuba for Russians in 2019 necessitates the submission of the following documents to the embassy:

• a passport, the relevance of which must be maintained for six months after the start date of the trip, and copies of all its pages;
• original and photocopy of all pages of the internal passport of the Russian Federation;
• recent photos size 3.5x4.5 in the amount of 2 pieces. Suitable for color and black and white;
• printouts of air tickets in both directions;
• invitation issued by the host. You can limit yourself to a printed document confirming the hotel reservation;
• application forms;
• medical insurance policy.

Important: ordinary Cuban visas are not pasted into the passport. They are an insert, divided into two halves. One is torn off at passport control, the second is kept until the end of the stay with the traveler.

The representative institutions of the Republic of Cuba limit the validity of ordinary visas to 6 months. During this time, the total stay in the country can last 30 days, which can be extended for the same period at the Migration Service.

The paid consular fee will be $30. If the issuance of visas is made to persons by proxy, and not personally, the fee increases to $50.

Russian citizens do not have to wait long to receive a visa. Subject to the submission of correct documents, it will be ready in a maximum of 5 days, excluding weekends and holidays.

student visa

Sometimes Russians entering Cuba may need a student visa. It is issued when people are going to take part in training programs, become students of courses on various topics.

In addition to the documents required for a visitor visa, you will need:

• documents confirming the presence of secondary education - a certificate;
• a certificate stating that the person requesting the visa has no criminal record;
• a medical certificate from a doctor recommended by the embassy;
• financial guarantees (not needed if the student is provided with a local scholarship and housing);
• a personal letter from a Cuban educational institution and its photocopy.

The terms of receipt and consular fees are the same.

Business visa

A visa is also required for Russian citizens who have business contacts in the Cuban state.

To obtain a business visa, you additionally need:

1. Business invitation. It is drawn up by the inviting organization on a letterhead, in which the goals and timing of the visit must be spelled out.
2. A certificate taken at the place of work or study, where the provision of vacation days will be noted. Individual entrepreneurs - a copy of the business license and tax declaration. Pensioners - a certificate issued by the Pension Fund.

The Embassy of the Republic of Cuba is engaged in the production of visas for 7 days, sometimes they can delay its issuance for another 7. It is considered with weekends and holidays. The fee is kept at the same level.

With such a visa, with a total validity of 6 months, you can live on the island for a month. An extension of the stay for another 60 days is allowed.

Visa denials

Cuba is a country whose government agencies are very loyal to the Russians, and almost never refuse them visas.

Although it is possible to distinguish groups of citizens who are at a certain risk of not obtaining permission to enter:

• people who do not have a permanent job or with low incomes;
• convicted citizens;
• girls and women at a young age who have the status of unmarried;
• women who are married but have left their last name.

Visa refusals do not provide for the return of the consular fee, however, you can apply to the embassy again with an appeal.

Important: all documents must be collected and submitted at the same time, strictly following the rules. Otherwise, a refund with re-issuance is possible.

Customs restrictions

There are not many restrictions at Cuban customs, but it is advisable to study the rules in order to avoid trouble when crossing the border.

It is forbidden to import into the country certain foodstuffs, machines and spare parts for them, items that pose a danger to others.

You can import duty-free by one person:

• cigarettes in the amount of not more than 200 pcs. and tobacco 250 g;
• photo and video equipment - 1 item;
• computer - 1.

Export permission:

• no more than $5000. If the amount is exceeded, it is subject to declaration;
• Cuban cigars and souvenirs;
• rare goods and precious things, with a special permit license obtained from the store.

Export Prohibition:

• tropical birds;
• shells of sea mollusks;
• samples of valuable tree species;
• cultural values;
• precious metals.

In general, it should be noted that it is not difficult to obtain visas to Cuba, and visa-free entry adds to the attractiveness of travel, as well as a beautiful tropical island, from where Russians will definitely bring a lot of positive impressions.