Cuba visa for US citizens: All about the Pink Tourist Card
by | March 16, 2023
If you wish to travel to Cuba from the US, you will need to follow certain guidelines to make sure your entrance to the country will be allowed. Here you will find all the information about getting a Cuba visa for US citizens.
Who can travel to Cuba from the US?
American citizens are allowed to travel to Cuba as long as they follow the rules and regulations established by the US and Cuban governments.
In terms of the American government, the Office of Foreign Assets Control allowed 12 reasons for visiting Cuba with a visa for Cuba from USA. They include:
- Family visits
- Educational or religious activities
- Cultural activities
- Official work for the US government
- Involvement in sporting events or any kind of competition/exhibition
- Humanitarian projects
Every citizen traveling to Cuba from the United States will need a Cuba tourist visa, a valid passport and health insurance. It is important to check the current regulations before traveling to Cuba to avoid any problems at the border.
Visa requirements for Cuba for US citizens
There are quite a few Cuba travel requirements to follow, but American citizens have their own special procedures due to the particular history between the two countries.
Every tourist wishing to visit Cuba needs:
- A Cuba Visa or a pink Tourist Card
- They need to make sure that their passport does not expire for at least six months after entering the country
- They will also need travel insurance for Cuba for the duration of their trip
It is important to keep in mind that, for the most part, US credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba. According to the US government, its citizens need to bring enough dollars for the entire trip in cash, which can then be exchanged to Cuban peso. This can be done at hotels, airports and exchange houses.
Last but not least, American tourists need to make sure that the reason for their trip falls into one of the 12 categories established by the Department of Treasury that were shared before.
How to get a Cuba visa for US citizens
American citizens will need a Tourist visa (Pink Tourist Card) to visit Cuba.
The Tourist Card is available for purchase online on visagov.com, or it can be bought in person at the airport. It is not only for people from the US: every tourist needs one before going to Cuba. The online visa cost ranges from about $30 to $50.
The Pink Tourist Card is specific for American citizens, and it must be acquired in person at a Cuban embassy in the United States. The reason for the trip may change the requirements for the Pink Tourist Card, but they usually involve a letter from a person or organization from Cuba that explains why they wish to visit the country.
And if you wish to travel from Cuba to the US?
Every Cuban citizen wishing to visit the United States needs a visa. It must be purchased in person at the American embassy in Cuba.
What will they need? The procedure changes according to the kind of visa they wish to get, but it usually involves an in person interview and some documents to verify the reason for the trip. Cuban tourists will also need a valid passport, a photograph and their current email address.
