Can Americans travel to Cuba? Traveling to Cuba on a US Passport
Preparing:
Contrary to popular belief, traveling to Cuba as an American is very simple. In order to travel to Cuba, an individual would need to fall under 1 of the 12 categories for a General Licenses as required by OFAC (U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL).
Once you’ve determined the category you are eligible for, you can buy a ticket through one of the major USA airlines such as United, Jetblue, Delta, and American Airlines. While purchasing your ticket online, the airline will ask you to provide the reason you are going to Cuba, choosing from 1 of the 12 categories. As long as the individual is eligible to travel using 1 of the 12 categories, they are not required to apply for a visa or special approval from OFAC or the Cuban Embassy.
The only 2 requirements are a Cuban Entry Permit (this will be purchased at the airport before your departure flight) and healthcare (for most airlines, this is already included in the cost of your airfare). After you purchase your ticket, pack your bags and prepare for your trip!
My Experience:
Initially I thought traveling to Cuba as an American would be a very complicated process. However, after doing research on the travel requirements and reading about other travelers experience, I was enlightened as to how simple the process was.
There are 12 categories, through which Americans can travel to Cuba. I flew to Cuba using United Airlines and under the general license “Support for the Cuban people”.
Under this category it is required that:
“Each traveler under this travel category engages in a full-time schedule of activities that result in meaningful interaction with individuals in Cuba. Such activities must also enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people's independence from Cuban authorities. Renting a room in a private Cuban residence (casa particular), eating at privately owned Cuban restaurants (paladares), and shopping at privately owned stores run by self employed Cubans (cuentapropistas) are examples of authorized activities; however, in order to meet the requirement of a full-time schedule, a traveler must engage in additional authorized Support for the Cuban People activities.”
Furthermore, “OFAC is also amending this general license to exclude from the authorization certain direct financial transactions with entities and subentities identified on the State Department’s Cuba Restricted List. The traveler’s schedule of activities must not include free time or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full-time schedule in Cuba.”
Resources:
In preparation for my trip, below are some helpful articles that provided clarity on the 12 categories of approved travel to Cuba, the embargo, and the restricted list of entities and subentities in Cuba:
