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: October 19, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

Non-eventful.

Date of return: October 19, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? Yes

Comments:

Date of return: October 19, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? Yes

Comments:

I was questioned as to where I arrived from and the purpose of my visit.

Date of return: October 13, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

they asked the purpose of the visit. is said, "to support the cuban people." they asked what that meant. he didn't ask for any documents or the itinerary, and i wasn't sure what to say. i said we stayed in casas and stayed away from "government stuff." he aske about money and purchases, let me go through.

Date of return: August 02, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

Only one of our group was asked any detailed questions and none were required to show any paperwork.

Date of return: July 24, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? Yes

Comments:

No problems at all.

Date of return: July 23, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? Yes

Comments:

Lacked WiFi

Date of return: July 23, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

On my return, the immigration officer asked me how long I was in Cuba, purpose of visit "business or tourism?" I replied "support for the Cuban people" and then the officer asked me how I had supported the Cuban people and so I explained how I had avoided governmental sites but instead stayed at private residences and shopped and ate at private enterprises. The officer seemed okay with that and sent me on my way.

Date of return: July 18, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

Very fast (30 seconds - Global Entry). No questions except whether we had anything to declare - we did not.

Date of return: July 18, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

We were prepared well thanks to your website and FB group. Returning was a breeze with Global Entry.

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