Entry/Exit Requirements
"The Cuban Assets Control Regulations are enforced by the U.S.
Treasury Department and affect all U.S. citizens and permanent residents
wherever they are located, all people and organizations physically
in the United States, and all branches and subsidiaries of U.S.
organizations throughout the world. The Regulations require that
persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed to engage in any
travel-related transactions pursuant to travel to, from, and within
Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable.
This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through
a third country such as Mexico or Cuba. U.S. law enforcement authorities
have increased enforcement of these regulations at U.S. airports
and pre-clearance facilities in third countries. Travelers who fail
to comply with Department of Treasury regulations could face civil
penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States.
General licenses are granted to the following categories of travelers,
and they are permitted to spend money for Cuban travel and to engage
in other transactions directly incident to the purpose of their
travel, without the need to obtain a specific license from the U.S.
Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC):
Journalists and supporting broadcasting or technical personnel
(regularly employed in that capacity by a news reporting organization
and traveling for journalistic activities).
Official government travelers on official business.
Members of international organizations of which the United States
is also a member (traveling on official business).
Full-time professionals whose travel transactions are directly related
to research in their professional areas, provided that their research:
1) is of a noncommercial, academic nature;
2) comprises a full work schedule in Cuba; and
3) has a substantial likelihood of public dissemination.
Full-time professionals whose travel transactions are directly
related to attendance at professional meetings or conferences in
Cuba organized by an international professional organization, institution,
or association that regularly sponsors such meetings or conferences
in other countries. An organization, institution, or association
headquartered in the United States may not sponsor such a meeting
or conference unless it has been specifically licensed to sponsor
it.
The purpose of the meeting or conference cannot be the promotion
of tourism in Cuba or other commercial activities involving Cuba,
or to foster production of any bio-technological products.
Travelers who do not qualify for a general license may be eligible
for a specific OFAC license if their travel falls under one of the
following categories:
Specific Licenses to Visit Immediate Family Members in Cuba
OFAC will issue specific licenses authorizing travel-related transactions
incident to one visit lasting no more than 14 days to immediate
family members who are nationals of Cuba per three-year period.
For those who emigrated to the United States from Cuba, and have
not since that time visited a family member in Cuba, the three-year
period will be counted from the date they left Cuba. For all others,
the three-year period will be counted from the date they last left
Cuba pursuant to the pre-existing family visit general license,
or from the date their family visit specific license was issued.
Travelers wishing to visit an immediate family member in Cuba who
is authorized to be in Cuba, but is not a national of Cuba, may
be granted a specific license in exigent circumstances provided
that the U.S. Interests Section in Havana concurs in the issuance
of such a license.
Specific Licenses for Educational Institutions
Specific licenses may be issued by OFAC to authorize travel transactions
related to certain educational activities by students or employees
at U.S. undergraduate or graduate institutions. Such licenses must
be renewed after a period of one year. Once an academic institution
has applied for and received such a specific license, the following
categories of travelers affiliated with that academic institution
are authorized to engage in travel-related transactions incident
to the following activities without seeking further authorization
from OFAC:
Undergraduate or graduate students participating in a structured
educational program lasting at least 10 weeks as part of a course
offered at a U.S. undergraduate or graduate institution. Students
planning to engage in such transactions must carry a letter from
the licensed institution stating: 1) the institution’s license
number; 2) that the student is enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate
degree program at the institution; and 3) that the travel is part
of an educational program of that institution.
Persons doing noncommercial Cuba-related academic research in
Cuba for the purpose of qualifying academically as a professional
(e.g., research toward a graduate degree). Students planning to
engage in such transactions must carry a letter from the licensed
institution stating: 1) the institution’s license number;
2) that the student is enrolled in a graduate degree program at
the institution; and 3) that the Cuba research will be accepted
for credit toward that graduate degree.
Undergraduate or graduate students participating in a formal course
of study lasting at least 10 weeks at a Cuban academic institution,
provided that the Cuban study will be accepted for credit toward
a degree at the licensed U.S. institution. A student planning to
engage in such transactions must carry a letter from the licensed
U.S. institution stating: 1) the institution's license number; 2)
that the individual is a student currently enrolled in an undergraduate
or graduate degree program, or a full-time permanent employee at
the institution; and 3) that the Cuba-related travel is part of
a structured educational program of that institution that will last
at least 10 weeks.
Persons regularly employed in a teaching capacity at a licensed
U.S. undergraduate or graduate institution who plan to teach part
or all of an academic program at a Cuban academic institution for
at least 10 weeks. An individual planning to engage in such transactions
must carry a letter from the licensed institution stating: 1) the
institution’s license number; and 2) that the individual is
regularly employed by the licensed institution in a teaching capacity.
Cuban scholars teaching or engaging in other scholarly activities
at a licensed college or university in the United States. Licensed
institutions may sponsor such Cuban scholars, including payment
of a stipend or salary. The Cuban scholar may remit all such stipends
or salary payments back to Cuba.
Full-time employees of a licensed institution organizing or preparing
for the educational activities described above. An individual engaging
in such transactions must carry a letter from the licensed institution
stating: 1) the institution’s license number; and 2) that
the individual is regularly employed by the institution.
Specific Licenses for Religious Organizations
Specific licenses may be issued by OFAC to religious organizations
to authorize individuals affiliated with the organization to engage
in travel transactions under the auspices of the religious organization.
Applications by religious organizations for such licenses should
include examples of the religious activities to be undertaken in
Cuba. All individuals traveling pursuant to a religious organization’s
license must carry with them a letter from the licensed organization
citing the number of the license and confirming that they are affiliated
with the organization and that they are traveling to Cuba to engage
in religious activities under the auspices of the organization.
Other Specific Licenses
Specific licenses may be issued by OFAC, on a case-by-case basis,
authorizing travel transactions by the following categories of persons
in connection with the following activities:
Humanitarian Projects and Support for the Cuban People –
1) Persons traveling in connection with activities that are intended
to provide support for the Cuban people, such as activities of recognized
human rights organizations; and 2) Persons whose travel transactions
are directly related to certain humanitarian projects in or related
to Cuba that are designed to directly benefit the Cuban people.
Licenses authorizing transactions for multiple trips over an extended
period of time are available.
Free-Lance Journalism – Persons with a suitable record of
publication who are traveling to Cuba to do research for a free-lance
article. Licenses authorizing transactions for multiple trips over
an extended period of time are available for applicants demonstrating
a significant record of free-lance journalism.
Professional Research and Professional Meetings – Persons
traveling to Cuba to do professional research or to attend a professional
meeting that does not meet the requirements of the relevant general
license (described above). Licenses authorizing transactions for
multiple trips over an extended period of time are available.
Religious Activities – Persons traveling to Cuba to engage
in religious activities that are not authorized pursuant to a religious
organization’s specific license. Licenses authorizing transactions
for multiple trips over an extended period of time are available.
Public Performances, Athletic or Other Competitions, and Exhibitions
– Persons traveling to participate in a public performance,
athletic or other competition (that does not meet the requirements
of the general license described above), or exhibition. The event
must be open for attendance, and in relevant situations participation,
by the Cuban public, and all profits from the event after costs
must be donated to an independent nongovernmental organization in
Cuba or a U.S.-based charity with the objective, to the extent possible,
of benefiting the Cuban people.
Amateur or semi-professional athletes or teams traveling to participate
in Cuba in an athletic competition held under the auspices of the
relevant international sports federation. The athletes must have
been selected for the competition by the relevant U.S. sports federation,
and the competition must be one that is open for attendance, and
in relevant situations participation, by the Cuban people.
Activities of Private Foundations or Research or Educational Institutions
– Persons traveling to Cuba on behalf of private foundations
or research or educational institutes that have an established interest
in international relations to collect information related to Cuba
for noncommercial purposes. Licenses authorizing transactions for
multiple trips over an extended period of time are available.
Exportation, Importation, or Transmission of Information or Informational
Materials – Persons traveling to engage in activities directly
related to the exportation, importation, or transmission of information
or informational materials.
Licensed Exportation – Persons traveling to Cuba to engage
in activities directly related to marketing, sales negotiation,
accompanied delivery, or servicing of exports of health care products
or other exports that may be considered for authorization under
existing Department of Commerce regulations and guidelines with
respect to Cuba or engaged in by U.S.-owned or controlled foreign
firms.
Applying for a Specific License
Persons wishing to travel to Cuba under a specific license should
send a letter specifying the details of the proposed travel, including
any accompanying documentation, to the Licensing Division, Office
of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500
Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20220. Academic institutions
wishing to obtain one of the two-year specific licenses described
above should send a letter to the same address requesting such a
license and establishing that the institution is accredited by an
appropriate national or regional accrediting association. Religious
organizations wishing to obtain one of the specific licenses described
above should send a letter to the same address requesting such a
license and setting forth examples of religious activities to be
undertaken in Cuba.
The United States maintains a broad embargo against trading with
Cuba, and most commercial imports from Cuba are prohibited by law.
The sale of certain items, including medicine and medical supplies,
and agricultural commodities have been approved for export by specific
legislation. The Department of the Treasury may issue licenses on
a case-by-case basis authorizing Cuba travel-related transactions
directly incident to marketing, sales negotiation, accompanied delivery,
and servicing of exports and re-exports that appear consistent with
the licensing policy of the Department of Commerce. The sectors
in which U.S. citizens may sell and service products to Cuba include
agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices. The Treasury
Department will also consider requests for specific licenses for
humanitarian travel not covered by the general license, educational
exchanges (of at least 10 weeks in duration), and religious activities
by individuals or groups affiliated with a religious organization.
Unless otherwise exempted or authorized, any person subject to
U.S. jurisdiction who engages in any travel-related transaction
in Cuba violates the regulations. Failure to comply with Department
of Treasury regulations may result in civil penalties and criminal
prosecution upon return to the United States.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting:
Licensing Division
Office of Foreign Assets Control
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Treasury Annex
Washington, DC 20220
Telephone (202) 622-2480; Fax (202) 622-1657
Internet users can log onto the web site at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac.
Should a traveler receive a license, a valid passport is required
for entry into Cuba. The Cuban government requires that the traveler
obtain a visa prior to arrival. Attempts to enter or exit Cuba illegally,
or to aid the irregular exit of Cuban nationals or other persons,
are contrary to Cuban law and are punishable by stiff jail terms.
Entering Cuban territory, territorial waters or airspace (within
12 miles of the Cuban coast) without prior authorization from the
Cuban government may result in arrest or other enforcement action
by Cuban authorities. Immigration violators are subject to prison
terms ranging from four years for illegal entry or exit to as many
as 30 years for aggravated cases of alien smuggling. For current
information on Cuban entry and customs requirements, travelers should
contact:
Cuban Interests Section (an office of the Cuban government)
2630 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Telephone (202) 797-8518
Fax (202) 797-8521
Consular Section (part of Cuban Interests Section)
2639 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Telephone (202) 797-8609/8610/8615
Fax (202) 986-7283
In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments
have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include
requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for
the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present.
Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate
entry/departure.
The Cuban Air Force shot down two U.S.-registered civilian aircraft
in international airspace in 1996. As a result of this action, the
President of the United States and the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) issued an “Emergency Cease and Desist Order and Statement
of Policy,” which allows for vigorous enforcement action against
U.S.-registered aircraft that violate Cuban airspace. Additional
information is available through the FAA's web site at http://www.intl.faa.gov,
(Click on ‘Americas/Spain’ and then ‘Cuba’)
or by telephone at 202-267-3210.
In addition to the appropriate general or specific license, aircraft
and vessels seeking to travel to Cuba must obtain a temporary sojourn
license from the Department of Commerce. Temporary sojourn licenses
are not available for pleasure boaters. Additional information is
available at http://www.bis.doc.gov.
Pursuant to an Executive Order issued after the 1996 shoot-down
incident, boaters departing south Florida ports with the intention
of entering Cuban territorial waters also must obtain permission
in advance from the U.S. Coast Guard. The U.S. Coast Guard provides
automated information at 1-800-582-5943." - US State Dept
For non-US Citizen requirements, please contact
us for updated information.
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