Visas

In addition to a valid passport, all visitors to Cuba must have a valid visa. The type of visa will depend the nature and purpose of your visit and can be obtained from Island Travel & Tours, Ltd. (ITT), or the Cuban Interests Section (CIS), in Washington, DC:

Visa's For Non-Cuban Americans:

Tourist Visas

Standard tourist visas are usually sufficient for most types of visits to Cuba for non-Cuban, U.S. citizens and residents. To obtain a tourist visa from ITT, please contact us at 858-756-4857. Tourist visa's cost $50.00 each, plus shipping.

A-2 Visas

Individuals who were not born in Cuba, but who have immediate relatives in Cuba (parents, children, siblings, or spouses) whom they wish to visit or travel with to Cuba must obtain an A2 visa from the CIS. Application Instructions.

Journalist Visas

Individuals who are regularly employed by a news-reporting agency and you are going to Cuba for specific journalistic activities, must apply for a special visa. Please contact the Cuban Interests Section at 202-797-8609 for more information.

Academic Visas

If traveling to Cuba for academic purposes, you may be required to apply for an academic visa from the Cuban Interests Section. Please contact us at 858-756-4857 for more information, or contact the CIS directly at 202-797-8609.

Other Visas

If traveling to Cuba to meet with Cuban professionals or government officials, a special visa may be required. ITT can help you decide whether or not you need a special visa for your trip or you can contact the Cuban Interests Section at 202-797-8609 for more information.

Visa's For Cuban Americans:

Cuban Visas

Persons who permanently left Cuba prior to January 1, 1959 can obtain a Cuban visa valid for a stay of 30 days. Applicants must show evidence of residence in the United States prior to 1959. This type of visa is issued by the CIS. Application Instructions. With this type of visa, you can travel with a US passport or a Cuban Passport.

Multiple Visit Visas

Individuals traveling with a Cuban Passport can apply for a multiple visit visa from the CIS, valid for a stay of 90 days, for each trip to Cuba, within a two year period. This visa can be renewed two more times ($100.00 each time), every two years, for a total traveling period of 6 years. Application Instructions. For information regarding renewing your multiple visit visa, please contact the Cuban Interests Section at 202-797-8609 for more information.

Humanitarian Visit Visas

Individuals traveling to Cuba to visit their direct relatives (parents, children, siblings, or spouses) for humanitarian purposes, must obtain a visa from the CIS. The relative in Cuba must first ask be granted permission for the visit from their local Dirección de Inmigración y Extranjería. If permission is granted, the Cuban-American can then contact the Cuban Interests Section to apply for the visa ($60.00). For more information call the Cuban Interests Section at 202-797-8609 for more information.

Application Instructions

If applying for a visa from the Cuban Interests Section, payment must made with a money order, in US Dollars, made payable to the Cuban Interests Section. See below for information regarding the cost of each type of visa and whether you need to provide additional documentation. You must also provide a prepaid, self addressed envelope. We suggest you use a traceable mailing service such as Federal Express or Airborne Express, to ensure the safe delivery of your visa. Please mail your application to the Embassy of Switzerland, Cuban Interests Section, 2630 16th Street N.W., Washington, DC 20009. (Tel: 202-797-8609, Fax: 202-986-7283). We also recommend that you mail your application using a traceable mailing service, to ensure delivery.