How to Get a Visa for Cuba from the US [2025]
Last updated April, 2025
American travellers and tourists visiting Cuba via the US now need an electronic visa (e-visa) instead of a pink visa formally known as a tourist card, or entry permit and now known as the e-visa. These all refer to the same permission that is required to enter Cuba for tourism reasons.
The e-visa is valid for 90 days, and you can renew it locally for another 90 days, giving you the possibility to stay 180 days in Cuba. The e-visa is not issued for a particular date, so if your plans change you can still use it within a year from when you purchased it.
Cuba's New eVisa for US travelers
To fly from the US to Cuba, you need an e-visa and a general license, whether or not you are a US citizen.
When you receive the e-visa you will also receive a link to the D’Viajeros online customs and immigration form. This form must be filled out no more than 7 days before your arrival date in order to validate your e-visa. Follow our step-by-step instructions for filling in the form.
How to get the Cuba e-Visa in the US
US travellers have a couple of options for purchasing the e-visa that vary in price and convenience
1) Buy the Cuba e-Visa from Cuban Adventures
You can apply for the e-visa with Cuban Adventures when booking your tour, or purchase the evisa alone without any other service. This is the fastest and easiest way to purchase your e-visa with a credit card. You will typically receive a confirmation email and instructions for the e-visa within 1-3 days of purchase.
2) Buy the e-Visa from the Cuban Embassy
A cheaper way to get a Cuba e-Visa is also the least convenient. You can buy in advance directly from the Cuban Government on the eVisa website. The website should walk you through the procedure, but here is a summary:
- Fill out the form for the e-Visa
- Purchase a US$50 US Postal Service money order and make it out to:
Embassy of Cuba in Washington D.C., U.S.A
As of now, this is the only option for payment; you cannot pay by check or credit card. - Take a photo of the money order and upload it to the website.
- Mail the money order to:
Embassy of Cuba in Washington D.C., U.S.A.
2630 16th Street,
NW Washington D. C. 20009 USA - Once you have submitted the form and the money order is received they will email you your e-visa and a link to the D’Viajeros form. If you have questions about the process or are experiencing technical difficulties, you will need to email or call the Cuban Embassy, we are unable to assist you.
- Contact the Cuban Embassy for any questions you have about your e-visa. The Cuban Embassy usually does not answer the phone, travellers have had more luck emailing them. This is the contact information from the visa website recepcion@usadc.embacuba.cu, phone number 202-797-8520.
In an emergency: There is Cuba Travel Services (CTS) staff on-site in Miami and Houston airports at the ticketing counters and the gate to help you purchase the visa and fill in the D'Viajeros form, but it is a purely online process. The Tampa airport does not have staff to assist you, just the QR code for you to complete the process yourself. We do not recommend waiting until you arrive at the airport to purchase the evisa, it is more for travelers who were unaware of the requirements. The cost is US$85-100, depending on the airline, and you will pay with a credit card.
Here are airline-specific pages to purchase the e-visa:
The eVisa for Travelling to Cuba from a Third Country
If you are a US citizen but are flying from Mexico, Canada, Panama, Colombia or any other country except for the US, here are our suggestions for where to get the e-visa.
Visa vs License
Many Americans use these words interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. The general license for Cuba is a legal requirement of the US government, the visa is a Cuban Government requirement.
Entry Requirements for Cuban Citizens
All Cuban-born travellers are subject to special requirements. Check the Cuban Embassy website for current information.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuba e-Visa
When should I get my Cuba visa?
You can buy the e-visa the day of travel, but sometimes the website may be glitchy or down, which could add stress to your travel day, so we recommend purchasing a few weeks in advance.
When does the Cuba e-visa expire?
The e-visa is good for one year, for one entry of 90 days or less.
Do I still need a tourist card if I have the e-Visa?
No, these are the same.
My e-Visa isn’t linking to my D’Viajeros form, what should I do?
Email or call the Cuban embassy using the contact information on the visa form, or if you are purchasing from a reseller, contact the company you purchased from.
I’m a US Citizen but am not flying from the US to Cuba, which visa do I need?
You can get the e-visa from the Cuban government or through any authorized reseller. It is not mandatory to purchase a Cuba visa issued in the US.
I activated my e-visa on the D’Viajeros form, but now I need to postpone my trip, what should I do?
The e-visa should still be valid if you travel within the year if you haven’t submitted the D’Viajeros form. If you have submitted the form, contact the Cuban embassy or your provider for assistance.