Travel to Cuba via the US after June 2019 (Non-US Citizen)
I'm hoping to visit Cuba for a few days during my trip to the US. I'll be staying in Tampa, so a direct flight to Havana is possible, and probably the cheapest option. I've read about the travel restriction if you leave from the US, and how they have changed earlier this year. I will try to find a way to travel under the "support-for-the-Cuban-people" category.
I'd like to hear from non-US citizens who have travelled successfully to Cuba from the US since July 2019.
What is an example of an acceptable itinerary? I'd like to stay at a casa particular, which falls into that category, but I'm unsure of other activities. I'm going to plan this myself and not use a travel company.
Also, as a non-US citizen, what process will I go through at the border when I leave, and when I return? Do I need to provide an itinerary when I leave (and how much detail does it need), and do I need to provide proof of my activities when I return (and what should I show)?
What kind of consequences are there if on my return to the US if I don't have enough supporting evidence?
Best Answer
I've since been and returned on my trip to Cuba departing from the US.
On my outbound journey, I was asked at the check in desk what the purpose of my travel was. I replied "support for the Cuban people" and that was it, I was allowed to travel.
On my return entry to the US, I was asked the usual entry questions (why are you here, when are you leaving), and I was allowed to re-enter.
Hence, from my experience, the actual leaving and entering is unlikely to require discussion of your travel itinerary. Of course this could be dependent on the check in staff or border control officer you encounter.
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Can non US citizens travel to Cuba?
Due to the travel restrictions applied by the US government traveling to Cuba for tourism from or through the US is officially not allowed, regardless of the nationality and citizenship of the traveler.Can you still travel to Cuba in 2021?
Yes, Americans can travel to Cuba\u2014there are flights between the United States and Havana. Anyone traveling to Cuba just has to keep a couple of things in mind. Vaccinated travelers can enter Cuba without a negative PCR test. Unvaccinated travelers will need to present a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours old.Is it legal to travel between the US and Cuba?
Can Americans travel to Cuba? Yes, but it's complicated. U.S. officials have said that a popular authorized way for groups of travelers to visit Cuba \u2014 called \u201cpeople-to-people\u201d trips \u2014 will be back at some point. The Trump administration eliminated the option in mid-2019.Is Cuba open for travel 2022?
As of May 2022, there are approximately a dozen flights a day between the US and Havana departing from the Florida cities of Miami, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale. Operating airlines include American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue. More Cuban airports will likely open up to US flights in the coming months.How to LEGALLY travel to Cuba with the 2019 US regulation
More answers regarding travel to Cuba via the US after June 2019 (Non-US Citizen)
Answer 2
Staying at a casa particular in and of itself doesn’t qualify as support for the Cuban people, as defined in §515.574 of the regulations https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&&mc=true&n=sp31.3.515.e&r=SUBPART&ty=HTML#se31.3.515_1561
(a) General license. The travel-related transactions set forth in §515.560(c) and other transactions that are intended to provide support for the Cuban people are authorized, provided that:
(1) The activities are of:
(i) Recognized human rights organizations;
(ii) Independent organizations designed to promote a rapid, peaceful transition to democracy; or
(iii) Individuals and non-governmental organizations that promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba; and
(2) Each traveler engages in a full-time schedule of activities that:
(i) Enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people's independence from Cuban authorities; and
(ii) Result in meaningful interaction with individuals in Cuba.
(3) The traveler's schedule of activities does not include free time or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full-time schedule
I was told recently by an American Airlines representative that travellers are required to provide proof at check-in in the US that they qualify to travel under one of the general licence categories. Record-keeping and penalties for violating OFAC regulations relating to Cuba are published here https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=&mc=true&r=PART&n=pt31.3.501#se31.3.501_1701
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