Travel Documents & Airport Requirements

Entry Requirements

If you are a citizen of a country other than the United States or if you were born in Cuba regardless of your citizenship, contact CGEE for further information. CGEE will assist you in reviewing information, but the responsibility for obtaining and paying for a proper Cuban visa is yours. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must also carry with you all necessary documentation to re-enter the United States (visa, green card, etc.).

• Passport Book: Keep any documents inserted into your passport or given to you by immigration officials upon arrival in Cuba. You will need to present them upon departure.

• Travel Restrictions: U.S. law places restrictions on travel to Cuba. Under U.S. government regulations only persons whose travel falls into certain categories may be authorized to spend money related to travel to, from, or within Cuba. Currently, CGEE facilitates educational programs in Cuba under the licenses of Educational Activities or Support for the Cuban People. You will receive detailed information on licensing requirements before departure and are required to comply with them. Please see the website of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for further information. 

•  Visa & Entry Requirements: Foreigners seeking to enter Cuba must have an entry visa. U.S. citizens participating in CGEE programs must obtain a Cuban tourist visa to enter Cuba. Typically CGEE will include visa processing for U.S. citizens in our programming and send participants their Cuban tourist visa prior to departure. If CGEE is not arranging visas, then the institution or individuals would be responsible for acquring their Cuban tourist visas. A copy of your valid passport is required to begin visa processing. Cuba Visa Services provides this service online. 

• Medical Insurance: All foreigners who visit Cuba are required to purchase medical coverage from the Cuban government. This coverage is normally included in the price of your flight. Please check with your airline to make sure this coverage is included in the cost of your airfare. The boarding pass for the flight on which you arrive in Cuba is evidence of this medical insurance coverage, so hold on to it. Take it with you (or have it on your phone) if you go to see a doctor or receive medical treatment in Cuba.

• Cuba's Custom & Immigration Form- D'Viajeros- In order to check in at your first departing flight in the U.S. and also to enter Cuba, you will be required to show the confirmation page of your completed D'Viajeros form. This form can be completed online up to 7 days before your first departure flight. You must have the confirmation page in hand (also save the electronic form on your phone) in order to check into your flight before going through airport security. You will need information such as your passport number, flight details, where you'll be staying in Cuba, and if you have symptoms of any illness. Lodging information will be provided by CGEE in the pre-departure letter about a month prior to departure. 

Air-Travel Arrangements

If you are an Augsburg University student, CGEE will arrange your air travel between Minneapolis and Cuba. In all other cases, the sponsor of your trip is responsible for making flight arrangements. Kindly check with CGEE or with the person or institution organizing your trip if you have questions about how flights for your particular group are being handled. 

In the event that illness, strikes, terrorism, weather, or other causes require a change in your return flight to the United States, such a change will be made to ensure the well-being of all participants. Depending on the circumstances, additional expenses, if any, will be the responsibility of individual travelers or the institution sponsoring your trip, although CGEE will make every effort to minimize such expenses.

When you arrive at the airport in Cuba:

• When you arrive in Cuba: You will be asked to show your D'Viajeros form (they will scan the QR code). You may be asked by Cuban officials about your itinerary and daily schedule. If so, simply respond: you don't yet know your schedule. (You will receive a schedule of program activities from your guide upon arrival.) Identify yourself as a tourist; the official purpose of your trip is tourism. Watch your bags and documents at the airport.

Luggage:

Flights to and from Cuba have additional fees for checked bags and overweight bags. All fees are your responsibility. Check the website of your airline for specific information.