How to get tourist visa for Cuba?

breathtaking architecture and one of the most historical backgrounds, in case if you still have not guessed the country that we are heading for today's journey, all these features belong to Caribbean Island, Cuba! The northern Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean all intersect in Cuba. Havana is the largest and capital city, although Santiago de Cuba and Camaguey are other important cities which by no cost you should be ignored during your trip to Cuba. With nearly 11 million current residents, Cuba is the Caribbean's most populated country. Cuba is a Latin American country in terms of culture. It is a multi-ethnic country with people, culture, and customs from a variety of ethnic groups, including the Tano Ciboney. The Cuban archipelago is located in the Insular Caribbean's westernmost region. It consists of Cuba's main island, the Isle of Youth, plus about 4,000 islets and cays. Not very surprisingly, natural beauty is one of the main features of the Cuban Island. This massive island boasts over 5,000 kilometres of coastline, much of which is surrounded by beautiful beaches that, of course, are open for both locals and visitors. Cuba is one of the Caribbean's most adventurous islands, with its rich history and natural beauty, as well as excellent diving and fishing. Cuba has had a turbulent recent history, with Fidel Castro's socialist rule and Cuban revolution defining the modern historical period of this island country. And that is the main reason why right now, many museums on the island provide insight into the island's history, which is a great opportunity for tourists to learn more about the country and its exciting historical background. However, if you want to visit Cuba, make your plans as soon as possible before it's too late and everything changes as the country are in a period of dramatic changes. We already guess that one of the main thoughts in your mind right now is to pack your luggage and dive into the amazing adventure that Cuba offers to tourists, however before you do that, there is one more thing that visitors need to take care of, and yes you are completely right, we are talking about the visa! And this article, as you can see from the title, will be about Cuba tourist visa. We will also answer questions such as "how to get a visa for Cuba?", "do I need a tourist visa for Cuba?" and most importantly, we will go through the main Cuba tourist visa requirements, so do not forget to take notes! Also, unless they have formal documents proving that they no longer have Cuban nationality, those born in Cuba must travel with their Cuban passports. But before we go any further, let's find out one thing, "do I need a tourist visa for Cuba?" To answer this question in the simplest way possible, let us separate all the countries around the world into three groups. The first group of nationalities are the ones that need to showcase a Cuban visa. Countries like China, Ethiopia and India are located on this list. Meanwhile, second groups countries' nationals can visit Cuba just with a tourist card; detailed information about the tourist card for visiting Cuba is given below. And last but not least, the countries in the third group, which are known as visa-exempt countries. Some members of this group include countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, and North Macedonia. Even though we have mentioned only the name of a couple of countries for each group, in order to check the whole list and allocate your country's name in one of the groups, do not forget to check the "visa policy" section on our website. By acquiring a Cuba visa, you may make your vacation to Cuba a reality. For short-term travel reasons, foreign citizens can apply for short-term visas for Cuba. Some of these reasons include tourism, business, for example. However, you can apply for a Cuba long-term visa if you wish to stay on the island for a longer amount of time for reasons such as study or work. What about the tourist card? From the date of issue, the Cuba Tourist Card is valid for 180 days. Tourist Cardholders are allowed to stay in Cuba for 30 days from the day of their arrival. Also, it is worth mentioning that holders of tourist cards can request an extension at the immigration authorities' office to prolong its validity for the following 30 days. However, some nationals who are not eligible for the Cuba Tourist card will definitely need to apply for Cuba tourist visa. However, if we count this case as an exemption, usually when someone mentions "Cuba Tourist Visa" in any other context, they are most likely referring to the "Cuba Tourist Card." Cuba tourist visa apply online entails filling out a short form. Travellers who have a Tourist Card do not need to apply for Cuba tourist visa, which is a more time-consuming process that requires them to visit a diplomatic mission in person. Interestingly enough, there are two types of tourist cards available in Cuba. A Green Cuba Tourist Card will be provided to visitors from most parts of the world. However, a Pink Cuba Tourist Card is required for those flying from the United States. And bear it in your mind that it is critical to use the proper colour. If a visitor from the United States comes to Cuba with a Green Tourist Card, they may be denied admission, unfortunately. The Cuba visa is a paper card that is divided into two halves. You fill it with your nationality, first name, last name, date of birth, and passport number on both the left and right sides. One part will be ripped off and removed after arriving in Cuba by the border control police. However, the other half must be given to the police again before leaving the country. Also, bear in mind that it is better if you do not stick it in your passport; instead, keep it separate. However, what are the Cuba tourist visa requirements? Firstly, you will need a Cuba tourist visa application form. The application form must be completely filled out in English or Spanish, and the candidate must sign and date it. Secondly, a signed passport that is valid for at least two months beyond the departure date from Cuba is another one of the requirements. In addition, the passport must be no more than ten years old and have at least one or two free "visa pages." Two photos - should be no more than six months old, with a frontal view of the face covers 70-80% of the shot and includes distinct facial features and eyes, not obscured by hair or glasses frames. Also, do not forget about the copy of your ID card with a minimum validity of two months after your departure date from Cuba. Other important documents that need to be submitted include photocopies of your passport's main page, copies of previous visas, and a copy of your ultimate destination's visa. Travel itinerary and overseas medical insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 € and repatriation that is valid for the whole term of the requested visa is important, as well. However, how to get a visa for Cuba? On a usual basis, a Cuba Tourist Card takes between one and 20 calendar days to process. However, the processing time might vary as it is solely dependent on the country from which you are applying for a visa. The Cuba tourist visa fees range from $20 to $75, and as it was with the processing time, Cuba tourist visa fees can vary depending on your country and nationality. Additionally, depending on the nation and location where your documents are being submitted, you may also be required to pay additional administrative costs. Non-Cuban passport holders must additionally provide proof of at least US$50 per day financial stability. If you do not qualify for a Tourist Card, you can still apply for regular paper visas to visit Cuba for a trip taking a short period of time. Tourism, visiting family or friends are all valid reasons to apply for this sort of visa. You will apply for a Cuba tourist visa at one of the responsible institutions, which most likely can be Cuba visa application centres, embassies, or consulates in your country of residency, whichever accepts Cuba tourist visa application. Unfortunately, none of them exists in your homeland, then in the worst-case scenario, the best option for you will be to apply for a visa in one of the neighbouring countries.