Cuba welcomes an increasing number of visitors each year. If you wish to make a tourist stay in this country, you will need the tourist card which is compulsory, appearing on your passport. We tell you everything there is to know about this document in this article!
What you need to know about the tourist map
The tourist card serves as an entry visa to Cuba. It is obligatory. You will need to present it at the airport of your country of departure, as well as at the immigration station in Cuba. This is a document that is only valid for entry into Cuban territory. A tourist card does not expire until you use it in Cuba. It authorizes you to stay in the territory only for a period of 90 days.
Once there, you can renew it. Your stay will thus be extended by another 90 days. It is important to ensure that you do not exceed the stay periods set on your card, otherwise you will have problems with Cuban customs and immigration services.
Having a tourist card allows you to travel without the traditional stamp on your passport which could block your entry to other countries, such as the USA.
How to get the tourist card for Cuba
To obtain your tourist card, you have several options.
Request your card online
This is the solution most used by travelers. There are many sites through which you can apply. It is generally necessary fill out a form stating your nationality, date of birth and passport number. Booking a hotel is not mandatory for the process. You will receive your card within 5 days by mail. The cost here varies from one provider to another, but we advise not to pay more than 50,00 € for this approach.
However, it is important to be careful of sites that do not have any accreditation and could scam you. Numerous abuses are regularly denounced.
Go through the Cuban embassy or consulate in your country
The process here is somewhat more restrictive. You will need to submit the following documents:
- your valid passport with an expiration date more than 6 months after your return
- your return plane ticket, an electronic ticket or a certificate from the travel agency
- proof of health or repatriation insurance taken out which covers you during your stay
You must then plan to pay the consular fees for your application. Make sure you have all the above-mentioned documents in your possession. Otherwise, your application will be rejected, which may impact your trip. Finally, you will need to complete a form which provides your personal information and the reasons for the trip.
Please note that the tourist card is only valid for tourist and leisure stays. As much as possible, avoid making erasures while filling out the form. Otherwise, your identity could be called into question during your trip. It is also important to check that your information on the card is identical to that in the passport.
