Will I be questioned when I arrive back to the U.S.?

We ask our travellers to tell of their experience passing through border security on their return to the U.S. after visiting Cuba. The comments below are from real travellers who have visited Cuba. Were they asked questions by the immigration official, and if so, which questions? Were they asked to show paperwork? What was the reaction by the immigration official?

When returning to the U.S. you need to have your trip itinerary, travel affidavit, trip diary, and know the name of the license category of your legal trip to Cuba. See more about how to make a legal trip to Cuba

Real comments from returning travelers

Date of return: January 28, 2026
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

I was not asked any questions about my trip when coming back to the US.

Date of return: January 28, 2026
Were you asked to show your license? Yes

Comments:

They laughed when I stated my reason for going to Cuba was "for support of the Cuban people"
I thought that was funny. I have travelled quite a bit and was curious about this part of the trip as the US does not allow their citizens to go their without special permission. There was nothing different about re-entry into the US.

Date of return: January 21, 2026
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

None. Just go through the customs directly.

Date of return: January 21, 2026
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

Ridiculously easy! We were first off the plane so we basically just walked right through (Global Entry).

Date of return: January 21, 2026
Were you asked to show your license? Yes

Comments:

Easy

Date of return: January 18, 2026
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

Date of return: January 18, 2026
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

None - no questions asked.

Date of return: January 18, 2026
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

Breezed right through

Date of return: January 14, 2026
Were you asked to show your license? Yes

Comments:

They had a lot of questions and I had to give them a photo of my job and the website. I only had a photo because there had been a rainbow outside of work recently. Also, another American at immigration, not on my tour, that was retired had a lot of difficulty explaining that to them. They seemed confused that she didn't work or go to school.

Date of return: January 13, 2026
Were you asked to show your license? Yes

Comments:

I foolishly purchased a bottle of Aquadiente at the Cuba airport, which was confiscated in the US. The customers agent asked me if there was any running water in Cuba.

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