Digital Visa in Cuba?

[JohnnyO]

Hello all. Heard some conversations about a digital Tourist Visa that has started in Cuba. Does anyone have experience with this or know the web site to apply for it? John

[NSXCIGAR]

https://visacuba.com/blog/post/cuba-tourism-visa-electronic-fitcuba2024-melia-muthu-cubanacan-grancaribe

Between May 6th and June 30th, Cuba will roll out a fresh electronic visa system for tourism, replacing the existing tourist card, as announced by Juan Carlos García Granda, the Cuban minister of the sector, at the opening ceremony of the 42nd edition of the International Tourism Fair (fitCuba 2024).

He further mentioned that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration will oversee the implementation of this system, enabling tour operators and end users to conveniently handle their applications from any internet-connected device.

During the Fair's inauguration, Manuel Marrero Cruz, a member of the Political Bureau of the Party and Prime Minister, reflected on Cuban tourism's growth of over 50% in 2023 compared to the previous year but noted its incomplete return to pre-COVID-19 levels.

"Despite the challenges ahead, our commitment to tourism development persists, recognizing its paramount role in economic recovery for the betterment of our populace," he stressed.

The Head of Government underscored how the evolution of tourism in Cuba is shadowed by the heightened blockade enforced by the United States Government. He pointed out that Cuba remains the sole Caribbean destination where American citizens are legally barred from visiting as tourists.

Nevertheless, he observed, the island boasts a robust tourist infrastructure, with all services and destinations operational, demonstrating rapid recuperation and a highly skilled workforce.

Additionally, in the Prime Minister's presence, hotel chains such as Meliá Hotels International and MGM Muthu Hotels & Resorts finalized business agreements with Cuban entities Gran Caribe and Cubanacán S.A., respectively, for infrastructure management and marketing.

[JohnnyO]

1 hour ago, NSXCIGAR said:

https://visacuba.com/blog/post/cuba-tourism-visa-electronic-fitcuba2024-melia-muthu-cubanacan-grancaribe

Between May 6th and June 30th, Cuba will roll out a fresh electronic visa system for tourism, replacing the existing tourist card, as announced by Juan Carlos García Granda, the Cuban minister of the sector, at the opening ceremony of the 42nd edition of the International Tourism Fair (fitCuba 2024).

He further mentioned that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration will oversee the implementation of this system, enabling tour operators and end users to conveniently handle their applications from any internet-connected device.

During the Fair's inauguration, Manuel Marrero Cruz, a member of the Political Bureau of the Party and Prime Minister, reflected on Cuban tourism's growth of over 50% in 2023 compared to the previous year but noted its incomplete return to pre-COVID-19 levels.

"Despite the challenges ahead, our commitment to tourism development persists, recognizing its paramount role in economic recovery for the betterment of our populace," he stressed.

The Head of Government underscored how the evolution of tourism in Cuba is shadowed by the heightened blockade enforced by the United States Government. He pointed out that Cuba remains the sole Caribbean destination where American citizens are legally barred from visiting as tourists.

Nevertheless, he observed, the island boasts a robust tourist infrastructure, with all services and destinations operational, demonstrating rapid recuperation and a highly skilled workforce.

Additionally, in the Prime Minister's presence, hotel chains such as Meliá Hotels International and MGM Muthu Hotels & Resorts finalized business agreements with Cuban entities Gran Caribe and Cubanacán S.A., respectively, for infrastructure management and marketing.

I read this article earlier but it seems like they want to mail you the Visa from the UK. That doesn't seem to digital to me. John

[NSXCIGAR]

1 hour ago, JohnnyO said:

I read this article earlier but it seems like they want to mail you the Visa from the UK. That doesn't seem to digital to me. John

I think this is just a news article on the site that does online Visas for UK citizens. I saw a few other articles indicating the system is being introduced but won't actually be in use until next year. 

[JohnnyO]

They are using the eVisas as I heard a Immigration official in T3 talk about it but was in such a hurry to get out of there that I didn't take the time to get the ins and outs. There is likely a Cuban government website. John

[NSXCIGAR]

19 minutes ago, JohnnyO said:

They are using the eVisas as I heard a Immigration official in T3 talk about it but was in such a hurry to get out of there that I didn't take the time to get the ins and outs. There is likely a Cuban government website. John

I think eVisas have been used for a while for Cuban-born individuals or dual citizens and you go through the embassy.gov site. Other countries may have it as well but not for standard US travellers. 

This seems like a Cuban project for eliminating the paper visas altogether. 

[JohnnyO]

Found it:

 

visasonline.cubaminrex.cu/en

 

John

[NSXCIGAR]

1 hour ago, JohnnyO said:

Found it: visasonline.cubaminrex.cu/en

Interesting. I'm heading over next month so I'll try it.