Do Russians need a visa to Cuba: a guide to applying

America

Sunny Cuba has always attracted a lot of tourists from our country. Even a long flight across the globe does not frighten those wishing to visit Liberty Island. And this is not surprising, because the Republic of Cuba is stunningly beautiful and so bright that it is simply unrealistic to describe it. Beaches that can be found in Cuba will not be seen anywhere else. There are a lot of retro cars in local cities. And houses are decorated with banners of the revolution.

Cuba is beautiful at any time of the year. The climate of the state is warm and sunny. This is a paradise for tourists who prefer to relax in exotic places. Rest in these places will allow you to spend time calmly and serenely, this time will never be forgotten. But as with any other trip, you should first familiarize yourself with the requirements for documents.

Our article will tell you what necessary documents Russians will need to present when entering the country, whether a Cuban visa is required, and will also disclose information regarding the visa regime in the country.

The main attractions of Cuba

UNESCO World Heritage Site - Havana Vieja or Old Havana. This is the historical part of Cuba. While walking through the streets, looking at the cobbled streets and neoclassical buildings, you can understand what life was like in Cuba 200 years ago. Constant reconstruction helps to breathe fresh life into historical monuments.

The city of Trinidad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a huge historical heritage. Buildings and streets have been restored and are now reminiscent of colonial times. The vast majority of the buildings here were erected from the 17th to the 19th century. During this period, Trinidad prospered by trading in sugar and slaves.

Trinidad is now the most popular tourist destination in Cuba. The streets of this city are constantly full of tourists from other countries. Here you can see the Neoclassical Church of the Holy Trinity, the Monastery of St. Francis with a beautiful bell tower, the Museum of Colonial Architecture, an art gallery and the Brunete Palacio, which was built in 1812.

Of course, Cuba is famous for its beaches of stunning beauty, but among them the Paradise Beach of the island of Cayo Largo del Sur stands out. This place is distinguished by white sands and a soft blue sea that outlines the western side of the island.

It is here that it merges with Sirena Beach. Cayo Largo del Sur is the best holiday destination for people who love sun, sea and dry climate. Hundreds of kilometers of beautiful beaches, hotels, and resorts will not leave anyone indifferent.

Viñales National Park is a beautiful valley in the north of Pinar del Río. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hills add color to the landscape. The bottom of the valley is used for agriculture, tobacco, fruits and vegetables are grown there. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking and horseback riding in the hills.

The best preserved Spanish fortress from the 17th century, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located on the Bay of Santiago, about 10 kilometers southwest of Santiago de Cuba. Erected on a high cliff, it took decades to build, and the construction was completed at the end of the 17th century.

It was intended to protect against English pirates who regularly attacked the harbors of Cuba. Now it houses a museum of the history of piracy.

Features of visa-free entry for Russians

To cross the border with Cuba, you will need to follow a regulated procedure. Russia and Cuba long ago concluded an agreement under which citizens of the Russian Federation do not need a visa to enter the republic for a period of up to 30 days for the purpose of tourism. When entering the country without a visa, commercial activities or employment are prohibited.

At the end of the 30-day period, Russians have the right to apply to the Immigration Service for an extension of the period of stay. For a nominal fee of 65 pesos, such a permit will be issued. There are no fees for entry, but an airport tax of 25 Cuban convertible pesos (CUC) per person will be required when leaving the country (rate ~ 1USD = 0.75 CUC). It is better to set aside this amount initially.

The extension is confirmed by a visa with a proroga. This is a white sticker that is placed on the pink visa insert. The yellow insert, which was issued upon arrival, is taken away.

After that, the visa can be extended for the third and fourth months. To do this, you will need to purchase a new proroga worth 25 pesos. But the third and fourth month extension is possible with a good reason.

Required documents for entry

For an adult

The migration legislation has established a certain list of documents that will be required for visa-free entry to Cuba:

Valid passport.
Airplane tickets, return ticket date must be within the allowed period.
Correctly executed migration card in 2 copies.
Confirmation of the availability of the necessary financial resources, at the rate of $ 50 per day for one person. For tourists who have purchased a ready-made tour, this condition is optional.
Medical insurance.

per child

Minors under the age of 14 are allowed to visit Cuba on a personal passport or on the parental passport in which they are included. If the child is included in the parent's passport, then it is necessary to present his birth certificate. Children who have reached the age of 14 travel on their own passport.

When a minor crosses the border with one of the parents, formal written consent from the other parent will be required. If the child travels with a third party, written consent from both parents is required.

Rules for filling out a migration card

The migration card should be drawn up in Latin block letters, in blue or black ink. Two copies of the document must be filled out correctly. Including the child. The best option would be to fill out paperwork on board during the flight.

The migration document consists of the following items:

Pp. 1-2. Last name and first name are indicated.
Pp. 3. Write down the gender of the tourist.
Pp. 4. Date and place of birth.
Pp. 5. Nationality, series and number of the passport.
Pp. 6. List your profession.
Pp. 7. In this paragraph, it is necessary to indicate the purpose of the visit to the state.
Pp. 8. The city from which the flight to Cuba will be made, and the Cuban city to which you are arriving.
Pp. 9. Country to which the trip is made.
Pp. 10. Not filled.
Pp. 11. Place of residence in Cuba (name of the hotel).
Pp. 12. Address of residence in Russia.
Pp. 13. Not filled.

Types of visas

Business

This type of visa is issued to foreigners who travel to Liberty Island for the purpose of conducting business negotiations or for work. Registration takes up to seven calendar days.

The price is about 30 dollars. The period of validity is up to 30 days, an extension is possible for another two months. The general validity period is six months.

Student

For those who enter Cuba for educational purposes or to participate in educational conferences on the territory of the state, a student visa is offered. The processing time is 5 business days. The consular fee for this document is $30. The visa is valid for the duration of the course.

Guestbook

Designed to visit relatives or close friends. The cost is about 30 dollars. Valid for up to six months.

For personal visits

For personal visits, you can also apply for a visitor visa, it has a lot of advantages:

Low price.
Processing speed.
Validity.

You can draw up such a document both independently and with the help of a representative.

List of required documents

For an adult

The list of documents for obtaining a visa is as follows:

Completed application form.
A passport that will be valid for at least six months from the date of crossing the Cuban border.
Passport of the Russian Federation.
Photo (2 pcs).
Photocopies of plane tickets in both directions.
Confirmation of payment of the consular fee.
Booking a hotel room.
Medical insurance and its copy.

Attention! A complete set of documents must be submitted immediately. If any of the documents is missing, you will have to re-send the entire package of papers.

per child

Children are allowed visa-free entry, no additional paperwork is required. When a child is over 14 years old, he will need a separate passport. For a child under 14, a passport photo of one of the parents will suffice.

If a child is brought to Cuba by one of the parents, then the consent of the other spouse is required. When entering a minor with a third person, permission from both parents is required.

Additional package

To apply for a business visa, you will additionally need:

Business invitation from the host. It must indicate the specific purpose of the visit and the duration of the foreigner's stay in Cuba.
Certificate from the employer from the Russian Federation, which states that the employee was sent on a business trip.

A student visa will require:

School certificate.
Letter of invitation to study from an educational institution from Cuba.
Medical certificate from a specialist approved by the Cuban Embassy.
Certificate stating that the candidate has no criminal record.

Visitor visa will require an additional invitation signed by the host.

Important! Issuing a student and business visa will require a valid passport for at least six months after the predicted return to the Russian Federation.

It should be noted that none of the Cuban visas require confirmation of the financial solvency of the candidate.

To apply for a child visa, the following documents are required:

Foreign passport, which will be valid for at least six months from the moment of crossing the Cuban border.
Copies of documents that confirm the identity of the child in Russia (passport or birth certificate, notarized copy).
Photos (2 pcs).
Photocopies of tickets in both directions.
Consular fee payment confirmation.
Medical insurance policy (and its copy).
When leaving with one of the parents, a notarized permission from the other parent is required.

The processing period and price for a child visa are the same as for a visitor adult visa.

Document Requirements

A photo

The photo can be either color or black and white. Its size should be 3 * 4 cm. It is important that the face occupies at least 70% of the image.

Cuba has a tropical climate and high solar activity. The epidemiological situation in the country is quite calm, but nevertheless there is a high risk of catching a fever.

Therefore, a health insurance policy will need to be issued in advance at special institutions that have links with insurance companies from Cuba. The minimum coverage must be at least 30 thousand euros.

Finance

Confirmation of financial solvency can be provided in any convenient form: bank statement, currency exchange receipt, etc. Based on 50 USD per person per day.

Ways to get a visa

Documents for a visa are submitted independently, through a representative or a travel agency that has a power of attorney to the Consular Section of the Embassy of Cuba in Moscow. The Cuban visa is not affixed to the passport. It is a separate insert, which is formed from two parts.

At the time of crossing the Cuban borders, one part of the liner remains with the border guards, the second remains with the foreigner. He must keep it until the end of the visit.

Personal visa processing will be more economical than the procedure for processing through third parties. At the same time, self-filling of all the documentation and the procedure for their transfer to the Consulate often takes a long time in queues. This method is permissible for those who have a lot of time and the desire not to make unnecessary expenses.

Obtaining a visa through intermediaries is preferable for those who have little time. In such a situation, a Cuban visa will cost significantly more. But this option will not require extra effort, it will be enough to collect photographs and the necessary papers. The application will be submitted for the candidate. It remains only to get a ready-made visa document.

Each citizen can independently choose the method of obtaining a visa that is convenient for him. Of course, the use of agency services saves time and effort on paperwork, but does not require additional material costs.

The procedure for issuing a visa

The procedure for obtaining a visa to visit Cuba by Russians is not very complicated:

First of all, it is necessary to decide what goals require obtaining a document.
After that, you need to prepare a list of documents.
Bring the package of documents to the Embassy for consideration.
After the transfer, it remains to wait for a decision on the request.
When a decision is made, the applicant will be notified.

Difficulties in this procedure should not arise. If you have questions, you need to make a call to the Embassy, or write an e-mail and clarify the information of interest.

Cost and terms

Customs rules

Without payment of state duty, it is allowed to import the currency of other states in the amount of not more than 5000 USD and personal items worth not more than 250 USD. Any passenger can import no more than one unit of household appliances and equipment (TVs, vacuum cleaners, etc.), subject to the availability of papers for its purchase.

If a large amount of equipment is found during customs control, it will be seized and returned upon departure from Cuba. The requirements do not apply to laptops, cameras, camcorders. There are restrictions on the import of food and medicines.

The export of Cuban cigars is strictly regulated. Without documents that confirm the purchase, one person can export no more than 50 cigars. Export of tobacco products in large quantities will require contacting specialized stores that will prepare export documentation.

Export is not allowed:

Book copies that were released over 50 years ago.
Animals, plants and stuffed animals.
Objects of artistic and cultural value, antiques (without special documents).
Medications (without a prescription).

Prohibited transportation (at the entrance and exit):

Narcotic, explosive, psychotropic substances.
Weapons and ammunition.
pornographic products.
Rare animals and plants (without relevant documentation).

Refusal

The following groups of candidates may refuse to issue a visa document:

Young and unmarried girls.
Those who, while married, did not take their husband's surname.
If there is a criminal record.
unemployed or with low income.

Attention! In case of refusal, the paid consular fee is not refundable.

If denied, there is an option to appeal. When the reason for the refusal is incorrect documentation, it is possible to send a second application. Rejections are very rare.