The Caribbean state of the Republic of Cuba or Liberty Island is primarily attractive for tourist trips and for recreation on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. To go on vacation Russians do not need a visa to Cuba provided that their stay does not last more than one month. If you need to travel for any other purposes, you will need a visa previously issued at the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba. The Embassy office is located in Moscow and everyone needs to submit documents here.
A Cuban visa is almost 100% guaranteed for Russian citizens.
Visa-free entry
There are certain regulated procedures and rules for foreigners entering Cuba. Despite the fact that tourists do not need a visa to Cuba, immigration legislation still stipulates a minimum set of documents with which visa-free entry is possible. In the absence of any mandatory paper, a foreigner simply will not be able to cross the border.
Documents required for visa-free entry:
- A current and valid international passport of any type: ordinary, diplomatic or official, there are no additional requirements for its remaining validity period;
- Air tickets, from which it is obvious that the return dates fall within the permitted time frame, you can only show a copy of the round-trip air tickets;
- Correctly completed migration card in two copies;
- Any confirmation of the availability of money in the amount of 50 dollars per person per day, you can simply show a certificate from the bank where the currency was purchased. It should be noted that this rule does not apply to tourists who have purchased ready-made package tours;
- Medical insurance.
Filling out the migration card
A migration card is a special type of document that is introduced by states that practice visa-free entry; Cuba is no exception in this regard. All foreigners who are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Cuban visa in advance and who plan to cross the border must present a completed migration card to authorized officials.
Decoding the fields of the migration card for a visa to Cuba
There are usually no problems when filling it out, since all the questions on the card are duplicated in English and basic knowledge is usually enough to cope with this task. In the migration card you need to enter your personal data, passport details, information about the hotel where you have a reservation, or about another place of residence and the city from which you are flying.
The first copy of the card must be given to the border officer, and the second copy must be kept for yourself and it is advisable not to lose it until you leave the state.
Features of stay under visa-free entry
Despite the fact that a visa to Cuba is not required for Russians who come as tourists, there are still some restrictions on the visa-free regime:
- You can stay for 30 days without a visa;
- You cannot get a job or conduct commercial activities.
Visa-free transit
If it is necessary to transit through international airports of the Republic of Cuba, visa-free entry rules also apply to Russians. At the border, all the same procedures are followed as during a tourist visit. The migration card indicates the airport of the last rather than the first departure.
Extension of stay
After the end of the thirty-day period, the tourist has the right to apply to the Immigration Service to extend his stay. As a rule, the authorities agree to this without any problems and, for an additional fee, allow the foreigner to stay for another month.
In this case, a specialized sticker is pasted into the passport, which is called Prorroga - this is a so-called temporary visa, which gives the right to legally stay in Cuba. You can extend your stay again for two months, but in this case you need to have a good reason.
Some experienced travelers do this: in order not to re-apply for an extension, they travel outside the island, for example, to Cancun, Mexico, and then return. A new border crossing – plus another thirty days of visa-free stay.
Customs regulations
For all foreigners, as well as for the citizens of Cuba themselves, certain customs regulations apply, which determine what can be imported/exported from the country and what is prohibited.
Import bans are standard - you cannot bring into the country anything dangerous to the life and health of people, as well as incriminating materials. You also cannot import spare parts for cars, the cars themselves, and some food products.
Allowed for duty-free import:
- 200 cigarettes or 250 gr. tobacco;
- One photo and video camera per person;
- One computer per person.
Permitted for export:
- Duty free – currency up to $5,000. If more is exported, the amount must be declared;
- Cigars;
- Souvenirs;
- Exotic goods and jewelry upon presentation of a special export license, which is issued in stores upon purchase;
- Cloth.
Prohibited for export:
- Exotic birds;
- Wood and bark of valuable tree species;
- Precious metals;
- Sea shells;
- Cultural values.
Types of visas
To start applying for a visa, you will first need to select its type. Visas are issued for Ukrainians only for a single visit. As a rule, these include:
- Tourist – for travel, for the purpose of recreation and tourism.
- Guest - for visiting relatives or friends living in Cuba.
- Business visa (or business visa) – for a visit to the country to meet business partners, attend conferences and other business events.
- Transit visa - intended for crossing the border of a country with the purpose of further travel to a third country.
- Study visa (or student) - intended for students, applicants and students who wish to begin or continue their studies at one of the educational institutions in Cuba.
- Family – to visit relatives, spouses or children living in Cuba.
- Press visa – intended for journalists and reporters.
Let us immediately draw your attention to the fact that visas such as tourist, guest, family, business and press visas have a validity period of no more than 1 month. A transit visa is valid for only a few days. Other types of visas are issued for a period of more than one month. You can get all the necessary information on types of visas, as well as choose the most suitable one for your trip, with the help of our visa managers.
How to get a tourist visa to Cuba?
A tourist visa to Cuba is also called a tourist card. It is not pasted into the traveler’s international passport, but is a separate card confirming the legality of stay in Cuba. Both adult tourists and children can apply for a visa. A separate card is opened for each person.
A tourist visa is valid for 30 days. The visa holder has no right to work or study during this time. A foreign citizen can only get acquainted with cultural and historical attractions. A tourist visa is allowed to be extended once for a month after contacting the migration service.
Documents required to open a tourist visa to Cuba:
- valid international passport;
- visa application form;
- 2 color photographs;
- airline ticket reservations with entry and return dates;
- hotel reservation for the duration of your stay in Cuba;
- insurance policy;
- receipt for payment of the consular fee.
There is no need to go through an interview with a consul. You can submit documents yourself, by mail or through third parties. For mailing, please include a stamped and addressed envelope for the return of the visa. Registration through proxies and by mail is paid separately. Payments are made by bank transfer; postal transfers cannot be sent.
Applying for a work visa to Cuba
Work visas must be requested by foreign nationals interested in working in Cuba.
You should apply for a work visa to Cuba at the consulate during working hours and visiting days. The basis for opening a work visa is an invitation from a Cuban company or organization and a concluded contract. In some cases, you will need a certificate from the Ministry of Internal Affairs confirming no criminal record.
Foreign nationals hired to work in Cuba by a local company, agency, or branch must obtain a work permit. The competent authority for issuing work permits in Cuba is the Ministry of Labor and Security of Cuba (MLSO).
A foreigner can apply from his home country, but will only receive a work permit after arriving in Cuba. After receiving the document, he can obtain migration status as a temporary resident of Cuba.
A work visa to Cuba is valid for a year, with the right to extension. The maximum duration of a work permit is also one year from the date of issue. After the expiration date, you will have to renew it. To do this, 45 calendar days before the end date, you need to send a corresponding request to the department.
Journalists who plan to work in Cuba for local media will need to apply for a separate special D-6 visa. Its extradition must be coordinated and approved by the press service of the Cuban Embassy. If you do not plan to work in Cuba, but are traveling for business purposes, it is enough to obtain a business visa.
How much does a visa to Cuba cost?
The price of a visa to Cuba depends on the category of visa you need to open, the planned duration of the trip and the method of application. The cost of a visa to Cuba from the Tour-Partner company includes:
- assistance in preparing the necessary package of documents;
- consultations on registration and submission of an application;
- Hotel reservation;
- air travel booking;
- payment of consular fees;
- obtaining a visa at the embassy;
- sending a visa by courier delivery service.
How much a visa to Cuba costs depends on the urgency of its opening. The cheapest cost is standard processing within 7 working days. The cost of a visa to Cuba opened in 3 days will be more expensive. The price for urgent processing within 1 day will include an additional payment for urgency.
How much a visa to Cuba costs for Ukrainians directly depends on the size of the consular fee set by the embassy. In 2021, its value is 30 and 55 US dollars, depending on the urgency.
Cuba visa processing time
You can get a visa to Cuba at any convenient time. If the trip is not planned soon, you can order a regular visa within the standard period of up to 7 working days.
The preparation time for a visa to Cuba can be reduced to 1-3 days. Contact the visa consultants of the Tour-Partner company, and they will tell you what is the optimal period for obtaining a visa to Cuba for you personally. After all, the processing time is influenced by some individual factors: filling out the application form, availability of the necessary documents, compliance of the photo with the requirements of the Cuban Embassy.
You will be advised and checked that all documents are correct and up-to-date. You can submit and receive documents at the consulate without an appointment. It is possible to submit without the personal presence of the applicant. Once your application has been reviewed and your visa is ready, you will be able to pick up your passport.
Photo requirements for a Cuba visa
To obtain a visa to Cuba, the applicant must prepare 2 color photographs. The card format must be strictly 35 x 45 mm. You should not submit photographs taken more than 6 months ago for a visa to Cuba.
The face in the photo should occupy 60-70%. The image is taken against a light background, without shadows or patterns. The entire head and part of the shoulders should be included in the frame. A hat or headscarf is permitted for persons who wear head coverings for religious reasons. Hair should not cover part of the face or eyes.
Expression of emotions on the face is not advisable: excessive laughter, sadness, a slight smile with a closed mouth is allowed. Eyes are open, without squinting, blinking, gaze is directed clearly at the lens. The effect of “red” pupils must be eliminated.
Cloudy or unclear photographs will not be accepted. Retouching or adjustments are not permitted. Printing is done on high quality photo paper.
How to correctly fill out a visa application form to travel to Cuba?
The application form for a visa to Cuba consists of one sheet and contains a minimum of information:
- date of completion;
- last name and first name in English and Ukrainian;
- city and date of birth;
- nationality;
- family information: full name, year of birth of spouse, children;
- passport details;
- contacts: home address, telephone, e-mail;
- Place of work, position;
- dates of previous entries into Cuba;
- information about the trip: purpose, dates of travel, place of residence in Cuba.
A photo should be pasted in the right-left corner. The completed information is certified by a personal signature. A separate application form is filled out for each tourist, including minors. One parent or legal guardian signs the form for the child.
There is space at the end of the application for working notes. The notes are filled out by consular department employees.
Creating a visa to Cuba yourself
A visa to Cuba for Ukrainian citizens has a simplified procedure for opening. The Cuban government is interested in increasing the flow of foreign tourists. There are no complex requirements for the visa application procedure. Getting a visa to Cuba on your own is not difficult.
Entry permits for Ukrainians are issued by employees of the Cuban Embassy in Kyiv. To obtain a Cuban visa, you need to prepare a package of documents:
- foreign and Ukrainian passports;
- completed visa application form;
- 2 color photographs measuring 35 x 45 mm;
- health insurance policy.
The Embassy reserves the right to require additional documents. It is advisable to provide a copy of the certificate to the pensioner, and to the entrepreneur – a certificate of registration of the SPD.
If you have questions or difficulties with obtaining a visa to Cuba, please contact the professional team of the Tour-Partner company. They will suggest a more accurate list of documents depending on the purpose of the trip, and advise on all stages of the procedure for obtaining a visa and paying the consular fee.
How to quickly obtain a visa to Cuba?
To obtain a visa to Cuba, you must submit an application and personal documents to the consular department. Obtaining a visa to Cuba for Ukrainians takes 7 days. At the end of the specified period, the applicant applies to the embassy for a visa.
To avoid possible refusal and disruption of your trip at the last moment, you can order an urgent visa to Cuba service from the Tour Partner company. Expedited processing requires payment of a higher consular fee. But the document will be ready in 1 or 3 days.
Do you need a visa to Cuba?
Tour-Partner visa agents will tell tourists whether they need a visa to travel to Cuba. Due to the fact that the Cuban government imposes different entry requirements for citizens of different countries, Ukrainians do not know whether they need a visa to Cuba or not.
Whether you need a visa to Cuba depends on your citizenship. There is no doubt whether Ukrainians need a visa. After all, Ukraine does not have a visa-free regime with Cuba.
It is advisable to find out in advance whether you need a visa to Cuba from Ukraine. It will take one week to process it. And if you have a business trip, a flight disruption can be costly.
In some cases, citizens of Ukraine do not need a visa to Cuba. Diplomats and holders of official special passports can fly to the Republic without visas.
Do Russians need a visa to Cuba? There is a visa-free regime for citizens of the Russian Federation. Tourists can stay in Cuba for no more than 30 days. To enter Cuba, Russians must have the following documents:
- a valid passport for the duration of the trip;
- return ticket for a date within the next month;
- insurance policy;
- 2 migration cards: tourists hand over the second copy of the card upon departure from Cuba.
For how long do Ukrainians obtain visas to Cuba?
A visa to Cuba allows you to stay in the country for a period of no more than thirty days. A Cuban tourist visa is valid for up to six months. A visa to Cuba is issued for six months; if during this period you do not use the entry permit, it will be canceled.
Ukrainian citizens who have received a tourist visa can stay in Cuba after thirty days. To do this, you must renew your visa at the local migration service. If you have not violated the requirements of the country’s legislation, your stay in Cuba will be extended without any problems. You will be asked to provide:
- confirmation of hotel accommodation – long-term room reservation;
- valid insurance for the planned period of stay;
- pay for the production of the visa form.
A double-entry visa to Cuba allows two trips for a total duration of 3 months in six months. Also, with a multiple-entry visa, you can stay in Cuba for up to 90 days, with an unlimited number of entries. Multiple visas are issued for 3, 6 and 12 months.
Who needs a visa when traveling to Cuba?
Citizens of Ukraine must obtain a visa to enter Cuba. To do this, you should collect the necessary papers, fill out a form and submit documents to the consular department. You can do this yourself, or entrust the turnkey visa processing to the specialists of the Tour-Partner company. Managers will tell you who needs a visa to Cuba and how to get it as soon as possible.
You must pay the consular fee when submitting documents. It is not necessary to have a personal interview with the consul. To obtain visas, minor travelers at the consulate must present a notarized parental consent for the child to travel abroad. Holders of diplomatic and official passports are exempt from obtaining a visa to Cuba.
How to get a visa to Cuba for Ukrainians?
To obtain a visa to Cuba, citizens of Ukraine need to prepare a package of necessary documents, fill out a visa application form, and submit an application to the Cuban Embassy. To obtain a visa, it is necessary to sign a medical insurance agreement for traveling abroad. Without a policy, your documents will not be accepted for consideration.
If you are planning a trip to Cuba, make sure to obtain the appropriate visa in advance. Tour-Partner employees are ready to advise clients in more detail on how to obtain a visa to Cuba. After all, the correctness of filling out the application affects the issuance or refusal of a visa. Qualified assistance will help you avoid rejection of your application. Visa consultants have up-to-date information and are familiar with the requirements of the Cuban consulate.
Processing times and cost of a visa to Cuba
For its clients, the Tour Partner company offers both standard and urgent visas to Cuba. If you need only partial assistance, for example, when filling out a visa application, then you can order only this service from us.
You will be able to obtain the necessary entry permit within 7 days. An urgent visa is issued by our specialists within 1 working day. But the cost of a visa, in this case, will cost you much more. You can check the prices right now by calling our contact phone number.
You can order a visa after filling out a simple order form on this page of the website. Managers will immediately contact you and discuss all the details of cooperation.
Traveling with children
If the whole family is going on a trip, then parents naturally wonder whether Russian children need a visa to Cuba and, if so, how to get it. Everything is very simple here - visa-free entry also applies to children . A family with a child can safely go on a trip; the Cuban authorities do not require any additional documents. If the child is over 14 years old, then he needs his own passport, but if less, an entry in the mother or father’s passport and his photograph there will be enough.
Russian visa legislation provides for some nuances when a child travels abroad. If a minor is traveling with only one of his parents, without a notarized consent to leave from parent No. 2, he will simply not be released from Russia. So if the family is not traveling to Cuba as a whole, then you need to take care of having such a document. If a child is traveling with other people, then both parents must sign the consent to travel.
Applying for a student visa
For those who want to visit Cuba for the purpose of receiving additional education, or participating in any educational events taking place on the island, or participating in special educational programs in Cuba, a student visa is provided.
What documents do I need to provide?
To apply for a student visa you will need the following:
- A foreign passport valid for another six months after the end of the trip;
- Photos 3x4, two pieces;
- A completed application form;
- Copies of an identity document of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
- Certificate of completion of secondary education;
- Certificate of good conduct. Issued by competent authorities;
- Medical certificate confirming the absence of various infections. Issued only by a doctor recommended by the embassy;
- Certificate of economic solvency. Such a certificate is optional only in the case when the student is provided with a scholarship and accommodation from the university;
- An original and a copy of a letter from a university or other educational institution in Cuba regarding enrollment, sent personally to the applicant;
- Insurance policy and its photocopy;
- Proof of payment of the consular fee;
Registration period
The visa is issued within 5 working days.
Registration cost
The consular fee for a student visa is also $30 for personal submission of documents and $50 for submission by third parties.
Validity
The validity period of a student visa is equal to the period of study at the educational institution.
Types of visas
Still, there are situations when the Republic of Cuba needs to be visited not only for tourism purposes; sometimes there is a need to visit relatives, go there for work or study. In all these situations, a visa to Cuba for Russians in 2021 is still needed and there are relevant documents that must be submitted when applying for it.
Cuban visas come in business, personal visit and student visas. Each is suitable for specific purposes and is requested by the applicant exclusively at the Cuban Embassy. Each of these visas has its own set of required documents.
Cuban visa photo
What are the rules for tourists in Cuba?
The restrictive measures that are in force in the country are also part of the rules for visiting Cuba in 2021. They are not very different from the usual restrictions in force in Russia. This includes mandatory wearing of medical masks in public places, periodic measurement of body temperature not only at the airport, but also in the hotel. And, of course, care and cleanliness of hands, and maintaining the recommended distance from employees and local residents.
Is there quarantine in Cuba for arrivals?
If those arriving on the island did not arrive in an organized manner (on their own), then they will need to spend 5 days in quarantine. If travelers arrive on a package tour, the quarantine lasts one day - until a second test for Covid comes (a swab taken at the airport).
Required documents
As a rule, the list of documents is not very long. The island's authorities issue a visa to Cuba to Russians quite willingly, because the long history of friendly and partnership relations between Russia and the Republic of Cuba is reflected.
Basic list of documents for all types of visas:
- Completed visa application form;
- A foreign passport, in which just one blank page will be enough;
- Original civil passport of the Russian Federation;
- Copy of Russian passport;
- Two photographs 30 by 40 mm;
- Copies of round-trip plane tickets, these tickets can also be for a ship;
- Medical insurance;
- Receipts for payment of consular fees;
- Confirmation that you have a hotel reservation or place to stay.
For a business visa you need to have:
- A business invitation from the Cuban side, which states the purpose of the visit and the dates of the foreigner’s stay in Cuba;
- A certificate from the receiving party’s place of work, duly signed and certified, stating that the employee is going on a business trip.
For a student visa you will need:
- Certificate issued by the school;
- Letter of acceptance for study from a Cuban educational institution;
- Medical certificate, which must be issued by a doctor approved by the Cuban Embassy;
- Certificate of no criminal record.
For a guest visa, you additionally need an invitation with the signature of the inviter and the seal of the relevant Cuban authority, which is competent in these matters.
To obtain a student/business visa, the validity of the foreign passport must be at least six months after the planned date of return to Russia.
It should be noted that for none of the Cuban visas do you need to provide bank statements, certificates confirming your financial situation, or any papers from work where your salary appears. In this regard, Cuban visa legislation is very flexible. More information about visa types can be found on the Embassy website.
Visa application
To travel to Cuba to visit relatives or friends, for business and work visits, or study, you must obtain a visa. This can be done at the Cuban embassy in Russia.
A visa to Cuba consists of two parts: the first will be taken from you at the border, and the second must be left until the end of the trip.
What does a Cuban visa look like?
During transit there will be additional inspection, so some things may be confiscated, in particular purchases from Duty Free from the previous airport.
List of documents
- A completed application form.
- International passport valid for the entire period of stay and 1 blank page and a copy of all pages.
- Copy and original passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.
- Two photographs 3*4.
- Printing of return/return tickets.
- An invitation from a company or individual, or a hotel reservation.
- Insurance.
- Receipt for payment of the fee.
Cost and terms
Registration of documents takes no more than 5 days. When submitting documents to the consular department, the fee will be $30. Usually the visa is issued for a period of one month, but is valid for six months.
When traveling to Cuba, do not take cash in dollars with you, due to unfavorable exchange rates you will lose 10-20%. It is more profitable to take euros or Canadian dollars.
With a Cuban entry stamp on your passport, you may have problems obtaining citizenship or a visa to the United States. Usually, such a mark is placed only at your request, and the passport will simply show that you traveled abroad and returned, without indicating the country.
Self-receipt
The process of obtaining a visa to Cuba for Russians on their own is not too complicated. You just need to decide for what purposes an entry permit is required, collect a very small package of the necessary papers that are required, and take them to the Embassy for review.
There should be no difficulties, and if you have questions, it is better to call the Embassy or write to them by email and voice the points with which you have difficulties, or study the relevant information on the website.
Types of short-term visas
A short-term visa is a visa under which the total period of stay in Cuba does not exceed three months.
Short-term visas are divided into:
- Single entry visa. A visa that allows you to make only one trip to Cuba;
- Double entry visa. You can make two trips to the island. The main thing is that no more than six months pass between the first trip and the second. The total time a person spends in Cuba should not exceed ninety days;
- Multiple entry visa for three months. Valid for three months. During this time, you can come to Cuba as many times as necessary;
- Multiple entry visa for six months. Valid for six months. During this time you can come to Cuba many times. The main thing is that the total time spent on the island does not exceed ninety days;
- Multiple entry visa for one year. Valid for a year. During this time you can come to Cuba many times. The total length of stay should also not be more than ninety days.
Cost of a visa to Cuba
The amount of consular fee that Russians will need to pay for a visa to Cuba is not very high. It is charged only if the visa is pre-issued at the Cuban mission in the Russian Federation.
| Type of visa | Amount of consular fee |
| Visa-free entry | Free, upon departure from Havana airport there is a fee of 25 Cuban pesos. |
| Extension of stay | 65 Cuban pesos |
| Repeated extension of stay | 25 Cuban pesos |
| Business and guest | 30 US dollars |
| Student | 30 US dollars |
It is better to find out more about the possibility of paying the fee in rubles. It is possible that payment in rubles will not be available.
Tours and hotels in Cuba
Holidays in exotic Cuba are the dream of many Russians. People come here for pleasant impressions, a high level of service and a luxurious beach holiday. Any tourist can find entertainment in Cuba.
People often relax here with children or a large group. But in order for your vacation on Liberty Island to leave only good memories, you need to choose the right tour and hotel.
When traveling to Cuba, the question of whether Russians need a visa arises very often. Until recently, the visa-free entry period was only 1 month, but this was not always enough to have a good holiday in Cuba. Therefore, the period was increased to 3 months. It can be extended several more times.
In other cases, you need to apply for standard long-term visas at the consulate.
Validity
Each visa to Cuba has its own validity period. Current data can be found in the table.
| Type of visa | Validity period, how many days stay is allowed |
| Visa-free entry | 30 days |
| Extension of stay | 30 days |
| Second extension of stay | 30-60 days |
| Guest/business | Six months or a year, you can stay in the country for a total of 90 days |
| Student | The entire training period |
Cuban visas are single-entry, double-entry or “multi-entry”, that is, multiple-entry.
Applying for a child visa
To apply for a child visa, you must provide the embassy with:
- International passport. Valid for at least six months after crossing the Cuban border;
- Copies of an identification document of a citizen of the Russian Federation (passport or legally certified copy of a birth certificate);
- Photos 3x4, two pieces;
- Photocopies of round-trip plane tickets;
- Proof of payment of the consular fee;
- Insurance policy and its copy;
- If the departure is made with one parent, then permission from the second parent, certified by a notary.
The processing time, cost and validity of a child visa are the same as for an adult visitor visa.
Refusal
Situations of refusal to enter Cuba are, of course, possible, but quite rare. The following persons are at risk:
- Young girls who are not married;
- Married but not taking their husband's surname;
- Persons with a criminal record;
- Unemployed and with low income.
It should be noted that it is difficult to get a refusal; in the end, to do this you need to appear as a completely unreliable person in the eyes of decision-makers or be a violator of the Cuban immigration regime.
