Comments on: Cuba visa information for Indians (and anyone else)

By: Rahul

Rahul — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 17:04:43 +0000

I have a flight from India to Paris, Paris to Havana and then from Havana to Cayman Islands. I will be arriving to Havana Airport at terminal 3 and departing to Cayman Islands from terminal 2. My layover at Havana is less than 24hrs. Since I have to move from terminal 3 to terminal 2, will I be needing a visa? I am an Indian passport holder. Please help.

By: harji

harji — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 18:56:18 +0000

hi, we are indian nationals. group of 3 friends planning to travel to cuba. what are the guidelines to follow and how can we avail the visa. also to be noted 2 of us are from canada holding permanent resident status and the 3 one holds indian passport and resides in india.

By: Sim

Sim — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 20:57:48 +0000

Hi all,

In 2016 I had a Work Permit in Canada, and in spite of the airline ticket including the Tourist Card cost, I was denied boarding because Temporary Resident in Canada with an Indian passport requires a visa beforehand issued by the Cuban Consulate.

I was able to travel to Cuba last month as I now have my Permanent Residence and no questions were asked so just had to show them my PR card to be allowed to board the flight.

I am not sure about how it works via USA or Mexico, but as of now, airlines in Canada do check your documents and ultimately it is at their discretion on who can or cannot board the flight. Tourist cards are provided inflight.

Cheers,

Sim

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 20:34:10 +0000

The Cuba visa rules require you to obtain one before your flight, from a Cuban embassy or consulate.
However most flights from Canada hand out Tourist Cards after boarding, as the cost of the Tourist Card (which is also called a visa) is included in the ticket price.
Confirm this with your carrier before flying.

By: naren patel

naren patel — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 19:29:19 +0000

Hi Guys
i need help to clear my doubts about Cuba Visa
i have indian national passport and currently i leave in canada on work permit
i am travelling to cuba (varadero) through air canada on 10th april 2019 just want to confirm i need to get the visa in advance from the embassy or i can get the tourist card on boarding to flight or at the Varadero Airport

any information on this will greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Ren P

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 23:04:04 +0000

There were many post over the past 2 years which covered your circumstances.
The correct answer is that you need a visa issued by a Cuban Embassy. It is unlikely the airline will allow you to travel to Cuba on a Tourist Card. However, check the airline’s policy for your circumstances as some airlines are more lax with the rules.

By: Kunal

Kunal — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 14:57:22 +0000

Hi ashray. Kunal here.
I am traveling to cuba in jan 2019. I am going to newyork n then to cuba. Is it possible to buy the tourist card on newyork airport? I have indian passport and am flying from taiwan-ny-cuba n Back. Please help. Thank u. Ur work is really great.

By: Rob

Rob — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 20:22:24 +0000

First, the VISA has two versions: One is applied for at a Cuban Embassy and “stuck” in your passport (some countries still use a “stamp”. The other is a TOURIST CARD, and this is issued by carriers (airlines and cruise ships) for a fee, except for those flying from Canada where the fee is incorporated in the fare.
In theory you are not a permanent resident of Canada and are supposed to apply to a Cuban Embassy for your visa.
In practice, contact your airline and ask if they will issue you a tourist card as ultimately they decide if you qualify.

By: Rati

Rati — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 18:12:59 +0000

Hello,

Apologies if this question has been answered before.
However, I have come across numerous posts only to get confused – I am an Indian passport holder, however have a temporary Canadian visa/ Work Permit and reside in Canada. I am planning to fly to Varadero from Toronto.

I wanted to confirm, if under such circumstances, I would require a visa in addition to the Tourist Card.

Thanks in advance.

By: Umesh

Umesh — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 08:56:57 +0000

Hi all I am an Indian passport holder and recently travelled to Havana in Cuba. Me and my friend obtained tourist card in Mexico and travelled in Interjet flight from Cancun to Havana. We had absolutely no problem and had wonderful time in Havana. Even while entering Cuba the immigration officer greeted with warm smile and really had a good time in Cuba

By: Taara

Taara — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 01:02:14 +0000

UPDATE– I just got back from the cruise and had an amazing time in Havana. I wanted to make a post in case anyone else was wondering about cruise immigration in Cuba. As mentioned before, I have a Greencard and live in the U.S. but I do have an Indian passport. Immigration was super simple in Havana and they did not even ask me to show my Greencard, they just looked at my passport and stamped it. I gave them a filled out pink tourist card same as all American citizens. Hope this helps anyone who is traveling on a cruise.

Thanks!

By: Taara

Taara — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 14:59:44 +0000

Thanks Rob! I’m guessing maybe the people answering the phones for the cruise line are not aware of exact regulations and just say the “safest” answer to cover themselves. Hopefully it’s not an issue when I try to board. They also told me I need a visa for Mexico, which I absolutely don’t as I’ve been to Mexico without one just fine.

I appreciate your quick response!

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:34:35 +0000

Hi Taara
As you are have permanent residency you follow the same rules as any other traveller from the USA. Your cruise line’s advice is not correct, and I do not know where they get it from. Airline travel information is found here: http://cms.olympicair.com/timatic/webdocsI/spdbmainv.html – add your details and it confirms what I have said. And yes, the same travel rules would apply if by cruise or aeroplane.

If the cruise line tell you differently, just insist that you have received official advice from the Cuban Embassy in Washington that they only require the “pink” visa issued by the cruise line.

By: Taara

Taara — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 16:33:32 +0000

Does anyone know if cruise lines (Royal Caribbean in particular) follow the same rules as airlines? I’m a permanent U.S. resident with an Indian passport, traveling to Cuba. I’ve called/emailed many different places and keep getting contradicting answers. The cruise line folks say I will need to get the A-1 separately, even if I’m a permanent resident, since I have an Indian passport.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

By: Zeno

Zeno — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 19:15:16 +0000

Hey everyone, I’m an Indian national currently in Mexico. I have come here on work, on a Canada Business-Tourist visa and my Mexico Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM-Mexico tourist card) says I can stay here for 180 days. I would love to visit Cuba on a weekend. Will I have to surrender my current Mexico FMM when I leave Mexico? What if on return to Mexico, I am not granted the same stay of 180 days? It’s a little problematic since I am on work.