ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS
CUBA
Permission to enter another country is the sole prerogative of that country. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. Contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited and obtain the specific requirements for entry. Conditions are subject to change.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Cuba. We recommend that the passport be valid for at least one week beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. In order to avoid problems you should also: (1) carry a tourist card or a business or student visa; (2) always have a return air ticket; and (3) have evidence of sufficient funds for the duration of your stay.
Canadian tourists who were born in Canada may stay in Cuba for up to 6 months, and will have to check-in with immigration authorities prior to the 90th day of their stay to apply for an extension. Canadian tourists who were born outside of Canada can be treated differently by Cuban officials and may be informed that they can only stay for 30 days, even though they are travelling on a Canadian passport.
Dual citizens (of Canada and some other country) may have difficulty entering Canada with their non-Canadian passport and proof of Canadian citizenship if a visa is required for their non-Canadian passport. Canadian citizens will not be given a visa for their non-Canadian passport. The citizenship card is not a travel document and has few security features to prevent tampering. A valid Canadian passport is preferred to returned to Canada.
Cuba insists that Cuban-Canadians who left Cuba after 1971 must re-enter Cuba on their Cuban passport. They must show a valid Canadian passport in order to return to Canada. Cuba does not recognize dual citizenship, and under its laws anyone born in Cuba is considered to be a Cuban citizen while in Cuba. Cuba will not accept passports that do not indicate the place of birth. Under Cuban law, the Government of Canada can be prohibited from providing full consular services to Canadian nationals or to landed immigrants with Cuban citizenship. Further information may be obtained from the nearest Cuban government office in Canada.
People residing in the United States, including Canadian citizens, are subject to U.S. laws regarding travel to Cuba. According to U.S. law, residents are prohibited from spending money (in any currency) relating to Cuban travel unless they are licensed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Furthermore, they can be fined if they travel to Cuba and get caught without a licence from the OFAC. For more information about the Cuban sanctions program, contact the OFAC, U.S. Department of the Treasury, at (202) 622-2520 (Washington, D.C.) or (305) 810-5140 (Miami). The OFAC also operates a free automated fax-on-demand service that can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (202) 622-0077.
The U.S. government has announced that it will closely monitor boat traffic in the Straits of Florida and that officials will seize any vessel without an OFAC licence if they believe it is headed for Cuba. Canadians who dock their Canadian-registered boats in Florida are subject to these measures, whereas those Canadian boats simply en route to Cuba via the U.S. will be exempt. Expect to be thoroughly searched and questioned if you are in the latter category.
Visitors are prohibited from undertaking business activities when travelling on a tourist visa. Anyone planning to do business must have the appropriate Cuban business visa. Business visa applicants can request that the visa be stamped (1) in their passport; or (2) on a separate business visa card.
Tourist Visa or Tourist Card: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required
Cuban tourist cards are generally provided by tour operators or airlines, or can be obtained from a Cuban government office in Canada in the case of privately organized flights. A tourist visa is required if you plan to stay at a private residence.
The airport tax, 25 convertible pesos, that travellers are required to pay before boarding their flights can only be paid in Cuban convertible pesos.
Art objects (including artifacts and paintings) purchased in Cuba must be accompanied by an export permit. State-owned galleries will usually provide customers with the document. Otherwise, the item must be registered with the Registro Nacional de Bienes Culturales (National Registry of Cultural Goods, country and area codes: 53-7/tel.: 3-9658).
You may export up to 23 cigars without producing any receipts. If you exceed that amount, you will have to show the official receipt upon leaving. The cigars must still be in their original boxes with all official seals, including the new holographic seal.
Due to a continuing spate of thefts from luggage, including locked suitcases, valuables should be removed prior to check-in at all airports. To reduce tampering with your luggage, use airport shrink-wrap facilities, which are available at a nominal charge.
For further information, contact the Embassy of the
Republic of Cuba,
388 Main Street,
Ottawa, ON,
K1S 1E3
(tel.: 613-563-0141/ fax: 613-563-0068/ e-mail: cuba@embacuba.ca/ Web site: www.embacuba.ca) or call the Cuban Consulate in Montreal (514-843-8897/843-8941) or Toronto (416-234-8181/234-8884).