For tourism purposes, anyone who travels to Cuba must get a Cuba Tourist Visa, also known as a Cuba Tourist Card. The Cuban Tourist Card is, as the name implies, a document that is different from your passport. In fact, it comes in the form of a card, either in a light green or pink color. It is not affixed to your passport. For tourism purposes, it enables the holder to access the country. So if you are planning to visit Cuba for tourism, you will require a Tourist Card. Here's all the Cuba Tourist Card Information that you need to know before applying for a Tourist Card.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CUBA TOURIST VISA AND CUBA TOURIST CARD
The terms Cuba Tourist Card and Cuba Tourist Visa are synonymous in certain cases. However, in one such situation, there is a disparity between the two. The Tourist Card for Cuba can be obtained, as explained above, in a variety of ways, including online or through travel agencies.
READ ALSO: CUBA VISA TYPES
WHO NEEDS A CUBA TOURIST CARD
Before traveling to Cuba, people of most countries must receive a tourist passport. However, with certain countries, Cuba has a visa-waiver arrangement that enables citizens of those countries to enter Cuba without a tourist card. In addition, certain countries are unable to enter Cuba on a tourist card, instead, they need to receive a tourist visa from a Cuban consulate (see below) to visit Cuba.
However, there are some countries that only allow applicants to get a Cuba Tourist Visa from their country's Cuban consulate, not a tourist card. Those nations are:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Cameroon
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Syria
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
Therefore, you must procure a Tourist Visa from the nearest Cuban consulate if you are from one of the above-mentioned countries. In all those cases, other than this one, they presumably mean "Cuba Tourist Card" when someone says "Cuba tourist visa" and vice-versa.
HOW TO GET A CUBA TOURIST CARD
There are 4 major ways by which you can apply for a Tourist Card. They are as following:
- By applying in person for one at your country's Cuban consulate. If your country does not have a Cuban representation, you can fly to the closest one, such as in a nearby country. On the consulate's website, check the consulate's opening hours and working days in advance. Often, confirm if an appointment has to be made.
- By posting the application and the necessary documentation to the Cuban Consulate. Include a pre-paid envelope with sufficient stamps and an address where the consulate can return your documents if you apply by post. Check the website of the consulate to see if you need to submit copies of your documentation or the originals since there are different criteria for different consulates.
- Online via Tourist Visa Online. It's a very convenient choice and you get your tourist card very quickly. All you have to do is fill up the Cuba Tourist Card application form and upload all the necessary documents and pay the fees via Debit/Credit Card and you will get your Tourist Card through your registered Email ID.
- By applying at the airport you're traveling to Cuba from. Not all airports, though, give their passengers Cuba Tourist Visas, so contact them to make sure.
REQUIREMENTS OF CUBA TOURIST CARD
- Completed Application form.
- A valid passport and should have a validity of at least 6 months. Scanned pages of the first and the last page of your passport, if applying online.
- Two Passport size photographs with a white background and neutral facial expressions.
- Proof of accommodation in Cuba.
- Return flight tickets to your home country.
- Health insurance for travel is also required. For the duration of your stay, the Cuba travel insurance provisions specify that the insurance coverage must cover sudden illness, injuries, and repatriation.
READ ALSO: CUBA VISA REQUIREMENTS
CUBA TOURIST CARD PROCESSING TIME
The processing time for a Cuba Tourist Visa depends on the consulate you apply to. These can take 7-14 working days, while some can take longer or up to a month to complete. You will be able to receive the Cuba Tourist Card faster if you apply online via Tourist Visa Online. You will be able to get it on the very next day at certain airports.
VALIDITY OF CUBA TOURIST CARD
A Cuba Tourist Card is valid for a maximum of 30 days, except for Canadian citizens for whom a maximum of 90 days is valid. You can visit Cuba within 180 days, beginning with the issuance of the Cuban Tourist Card. You can enter only once, which is a single-entry visa.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GREEN CUBA TOURIST CARD AND PINK CUBA TOURIST CARD
For US citizens or someone traveling from the US, the Pink Cuba Tourist Card is needed. The price is also higher for the pink Cuba Tourist Card than for the green one. The Tourist Card for Green Cuba is for all those nationals who do not travel from the US. As many US citizens travel to another country and get a green tourist card there, the color of the Cuba tourist card depends on the place you are traveling from.
EXTENSION OF CUBA TOURIST CARD
You can apply for a Cuba Tourist Card extension from the Cuban immigration authorities for an extra 30 days, ensuring you can stay in Cuba for a period of 60 days. You may extend your Cuban tourist visa for an extra 90 days if you are from Canada, and get permission to stay in Cuba for up to six months (180 days).
READ ALSO: CUBA VISA EXTENSION
CONCLUSION
The above-mentioned article covers mostly everything about the Cuba Tourist Card Information.
