Is a visa for Cuba required for travellers from the UK?

Are you a UK citizen planning to go on holiday to Cuba soon? If so, you may be wondering whether you need to carry a visa to Cuba. In fact, as we will see, the UK is not a visa-free country for Cuba. You will therefore need to carry a tourist card to visit the country during your holiday.

What is a visa to Cuba for a traveller from the UK?

A visa for Cuba is therefore required for all travellers from the UK as it is for other EU nationals. Remember that the visa requirement also applies to minor children who must have their own visa for Cuba.

If you wish to go to Cuba for a tourist trip you can make this request directly online using the form proposed by the official site or the partner site that we propose on this page.

For travellers from the UK, the visa for Cuba is actually a two-part paper card, also known as a tourist card. The card must show your nationality, first name, surname, date of birth and passport number. One part of this card will be kept by the authorities once you arrive in Cuba and the other part will be handed in when you leave the country. It is therefore essential to have this card in paper format when you travel.

However, as we will see below, it is no longer necessary to go to the Cuban Consulate or Embassy to apply for a visa. It is now possible to do this 100% online and obtain a visa for Cuba from the UK in less than three days.

What conditions must a UK traveller meet to obtain a visa for Cuba?

To obtain a visa for Cuba, you must first of all, of course, apply for one. But this is not the only condition to obtain this famous document that will allow you to successfully complete your trip to Cuba.

You will also need to present a valid passport, the number of which must be the same as that mentioned in your visa. This passport must also be valid for at least seven months after the date of arrival in the country.

The tourist card for travelling to Cuba will not allow you to work in the country. It is also possible to obtain a business visa online for a business trip, but similarly this will not allow you to work in Cuba. To work in Cuba, you will need to apply for a work visa from the Cuban embassy in your country.

Where and how to apply for a visa to Cuba from the UK?

The good news for British nationals wishing to travel to Cuba is that they no longer need to go to the Cuban embassy or consulate in the UK to obtain a visa for Cuba.

You can apply for a tourist visa directly online in a few minutes, by filling in a simple form. Once the form has been completed, you simply pay the processing fee for your visa by credit card on a secure server.

It is possible to apply for your visa for Cuba well in advance of your trip, as it does not mention any date of arrival in the country. Although it is possible to obtain this document within an average of 3 working days, we recommend that you apply several weeks in advance to ensure that you have it with you at the time of your departure.

Once you have obtained your Cuban visa, you will be able to use it whenever you wish and for a single trip to Cuba. In fact, it is a single-entry visa that will allow you to enter the country only once.

The visa for Cuba is valid for 30 days. This means that once you enter the country, you can stay for one month without having to re-apply. It is also possible to extend the validity of your visa for Cuba by going to an immigration agency in the country once you are in Cuba. Your visa can then be renewed for another 30 days.

What are the different types of Cuban visas for British citizens?

British citizens wishing to travel to Cuba have several visa options. Each of these visas is designed for a specific purpose and can be obtained depending on the needs and objectives of the applicant.

• Tourist Visa: This visa is designed for tourists who wish to visit Cuba for holiday or personal reasons. It is valid for 30 days and can be extended once for an additional 30 days. Applicants for this visa must present a return air ticket and proof of accommodation, such as a hotel reservation or an invitation from a friend or family member.
• Work visa: This visa is for people who wish to work in Cuba for a Cuban company or for a foreign company based in Cuba. Applicants for this visa must present a letter of employment and proof of qualification for the job in question. They must also prove that they have sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay in Cuba.
• Study visa: This visa is for people who wish to study in Cuba as part of an academic exchange programme or professional training. Applicants for this visa must present proof of acceptance into a Cuban educational institution and proof of financial ability to cover tuition and living expenses during their stay in Cuba.
• Business Visa: This visa is intended for people who wish to travel to Cuba for professional reasons, such as business meetings, trade negotiations, etc. Applicants for this visa must present an invitation from a Cuban or foreign company and proof of their professional status and commitment to that company.
• Residence visa: This visa is intended for people who wish to settle in Cuba for an extended period of time, usually for a renewable period of one year. Applicants for this visa must present proof of their stable and sufficient financial situation, as well as proof of permanent accommodation in Cuba.

Adeline HARMANT
As a web writer and globetrotter with a passion for travel and tourism, I have acquired in-depth knowledge of the procedures that are essential for travellers. I help travellers to complete all the formalities required for a successful trip, particularly when it comes to obtaining a visa online. With several years' experience in this field, I'd like to offer you some valuable advice to help you discover the world with complete peace of mind.