How can I get a Cuba Tourist visa?

Are you going to Cuba in the near future? You should know that unless you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you need to get a Cuba visa to cross the border. There is more than one way to do that. You can either go to the nearest Cuban diplomatic mission, or you can apply online for a Tourist card. However, you need to be aware of the fact that not all nationalities are eligible for a Tourist card. 20 nationalities do not have access to it, so to know for sure, we recommend that you use iVisa’s Visa Checker, a tool that lets you know which category you are in.

The first option involves a trip to a Cuban embassy. You should check the embassy’s website to learn what you need to apply, and then go there and fill in an application form. It is a bit more complicated than applying online, but when you do not have other options, this is the best thing you can do. The second option applies to people who are eligible for a Tourist card. If you qualify for this a Tourist card, you can apply online using the services provided by iVisa. The process is entirely online, and you can get your visa in as little as 1 business day.

What do I need?

Applying for a Tourist card does not involve too many requirements. In fact, the only two requirements are a passport that is valid for at least another 6 months from your date of arrival in Cuba and an application form that you can fill in online. However, when you get to Cuba, you need to have the following documents:

• Passport – the passport needs to be valid for another 6 months from your date of arrival in Cuba.
• Tourist Card – the one that you get from iVisa after you apply.
• Your flight itinerary
• A copy of your travel insurance – this has become a mandatory requirement since 2010.

As for the application form, iVisa designed it so that you should not spend more than 10 minutes filling it in. It is simple but comprehensive. There are two easy steps you need to go through, and if you need help, iVisa’s support service is available 24/7. The first one will ask you to insert your personal information and your passport’s expiry date. You need to choose a processing time as well, but keep in mind that the choice you make affects the document’s cost. iVisa gives you three options:

• Standard processing – your application will be processed and your Tourist card delivered in 3 to 5 business days.
• Rush processing – your Tourist card will arrive within 1 to 3 business days.
• Super Rush processing – you will have your Cuba Tourist card in 1 business day.

The second step will ask you to make the payment using one of the multiple available payment methods. You can use a credit/debit card, but you can use PayPal, WeChat, and Alipay as well. Furthermore, you are required to take a quick look at the information you provided in step one so that you can make sure no mistakes were made. After that, all you can do is submit your application, and wait for the confirmation letter and the Tourist card. The former arrives via e-mail, while the latter arrives via a delivery method of your choice in the timeframe you selected.

The bottom line is that you can get a Cuban Tourist visa at a diplomatic mission, but you should first check if you are eligible for a Tourist card and apply online. It would definitely make things easier for you. The Tourist card allows you a 30-day stay in Cuba (except for Canadians who can spend 90 days inside the country,) and a single entry.