Traveling to Cuba with an Indian passport
Ever since I returned from Cuba, quite a few people have messaged me asking for details around how to travel to Cuba with an Indian passport. I hope this post will be helpful if you are planning your travel to Cuba. It’s always advisable to check the latest on visa policies, but at the time of writing this is accurate.
Getting a tourist card to Cuba
Essentially, anyone can visit Cuba without having to apply for a visa. You do, however, need to buy a tourist card before boarding your plane to Cuba. I have heard definitive reports around tourist cards being sold on some of the flights leaving from Mexico, such as Interjet. Also, the tourist cards may sometimes be sold on arrival at the Habana airport. I recommend not taking a chance, an most likely the airlines will ask for it before you board.
Flying from Mexico to Cuba with an India Passport
I flew from the US to Cancun, Mexico and took an Interjet flight to Habana. I flew from Mexico for a couple of reasons. I wanted to do cave diving at Dos Ojos cenote for a long time, and hadn’t been able to plan a trip. Secondly, I didn’t want to have any documented visits to Cuba (although the US immigration authorities have been pretty relaxed about trips to Cuba off late). The tourist card is available at one of the counters when you check-in for your flight at the Cancun airport. You pay USD 20, or in Mexican pesos, put your name on the card, and that is your visa to Cuba. No visa on your passport.
Flying directly from the US?
I met a few folks who had flown in directly from the US, with direct flights from Newark and Miami, and Delta planning to expand to other cities. At the time of writing, you still had to fall under one of the approved categories for travel to Cuba. Travelers easily got around it by showing a family exchange by staying at one of the many home-stays and showing their reservation as evidence. The tourist card costs you USD 100 if you fly directly from the US.
Arrival in Cuba
The arrival and immigration process is similarly straightforward if you are a tourist. You show the tourist card, and ask the immigration officer not to stamp your passport. They made no fuss about it, and happily stamped my tourist card instead.
Enjoy Cuba – A Photographer’s Paradise!
All in all, a very straightforward process without a lot of planning or visa forms to fill. I can highly recommend flying from Cancun, as it makes for a great stopover. Although I hate Cancun, there are some real gems around in that area. Look forward to hearing about your Cuba experience or any Cuba related questions. Cheers!
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13 thoughts on “Traveling to Cuba with an Indian passport”
Hey Praveen – very good post on Cuba travel. Did you declare in US customs form while returning “Countries visited in this trip” – mexico and Cuba? or only Mexico? Assuming they probably have every information while you exit US and it is better to write down both?
hey Akshay – I didn’t write down Cuba, just Mexico.
Hi Praveen,
Thanks for the info. I would like to fly USA-Mexico-Cuba-USA, in Sept 2017. I am wondering if there has been any change in policies since you wrote this post. Also, any info about taking a direct flight from Cuba to USA and how the immigration officials treat that would help please? I will be traveling on a B1/B2 visa to USA.
Hi Archana, it doesn’t seem like there has been any change in policy so far. I think you will be fine as long as you can show that you were not in Cuba for tourism/business.
Praveen, Are you in the U.S. on a Green card or a work visa? I ask because I hear that for those with a U.S. work visa, they need to apply for a Cuban A-1 visa rather than a tourist card.
If you are on a work visa, I was wondering if you had any trouble with the tourist card once you were in Cuba.
Hi Matt – had no issues at all when I traveled back in 2016. Haven’t heard of any changes to the policy.
Hi There
I live in Seattle on an h1b and my wife on an h4 visa. we are Indian passport holders,
we are traveling to Cuba in December and there is a lot of confusion about getting a tourist card vs getting an actual visa from the consulate.
Our flight is via ft Lauderdale. Can you tell me if we need a visa or if we can travel on a tourist card?
Hi,
Do you have an Indian passport? I read a couple of reviews saying Indians needs an A-1 visa. Please clarify. Thanks.
Hi!
yes, I have an Indian passport, and didn’t need a visa. I recommend giving the Cuban embassy a call to check the latest!
Hi…sir I want to go cuba for take a treatment is it possible
Hi Prabhu, I am sorry, I am not able to comment on what it takes to go for a medical treatment.
Hi sir it’s possible for getting work visa for indian passport