Cuba
 

Do the restrictions on tourist visits to Cuba apply to LPR? L1/2? or just to US citizens?

thank you!

Re: Cuba
 

I read somewhere it applies to those under US jurisdiction, which would include those with PR status.

Serious lol @ the Land of the Free preventing people from traveling to a neighbouring country..

Re: Cuba
 

The US has never prevented anyone, including US citizens, from travelling to Cuba. The restriction was on spending money in Cuba... which was the US government's default assumption for people wanting to travel there.

In other words - to go to Cuba, you'd need to prove that you weren't going to spend any money there... and since you can't, philosophically speaking, prove a negative, you were effectively barred from travelling even though the restriction wasn't on the actual travel.

Ian

Re: Cuba
 

Interesting. I guess they call it 'trading with the enemy' or something similar?

Re: Cuba
 

not quite right. From https://cu.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen...eling-to-cuba/


"Travel to Cuba for tourist activities remains prohibited by statute. However, the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued general licenses for 12 categories of travel. Individuals who meet the regulatory conditions of the general license they seek to travel under do not need to apply for an additional license from OFAC to travel to Cuba. The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba are: family visits; official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; journalistic activity; professional research and professional meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials; and certain authorized export transactions."

So if I as LPR wanted to visit Cuba as the last leg of a caribbean trip before returning to US, would I have to avoid mentioning the word "tourist"? What about non- LPR visa peeps? Are they subject to the restrictions above?

Re: Cuba
 

The sanctions against Cuba were specifically financial sanctions, with a prohibition on sending money to Cuba, or using money to pay for things beneficial to Cuba.

As Ian said there was no prohibition on physically traveling to Cuba, but taking cash, exchanging USD for other currency to take to Cuba, or using credit or debit cards or checks in Cuba, or causing money to pass through the US banking system on it's way to Cuba was prohibited. There were small exceptions for Cubans resident in the US to take/spend money while visiting family in Cuba or to send remittances to family members in Cuba.

Re: Cuba
 

Yes - but that's because tourists spend money... and it's easier to say that the travel is prohibited when, in fact, it's not. The website provides simple, but not complete, information.


I would think so, yes... but you'd also need to be prepared to tell them which of the 12 categories you were in.


My gut reaction is yes... but I don't know for sure.

Ian

Re: Cuba
 

If they are using American cards or cash, most definitely yes, but in practice if you take other currency, such as euros or C$ then you can visit Cuba with little concern. .... Canadians have been for years and plenty of Americans have been sneaking over the border into Mexico and flying to Cuba too. So while visiting might still be legally dubious, there is very little real risk of traveling there even IF you are a US citizen.

Re: Cuba
 

I thought the sanctions had been removed a year or so ago?

Anyway, LPR or not, as a British citizen, I'm pretty sure you are NOT restricted to travel as a tourist to Cuba. The US has no right to stop you doing so. Travel may be more difficult as not to many commercial flights are established yet.

However, they CAN restrict you bringing anything Cuban into the US (cigars, coffee, etc.).

Re: Cuba
 

No, the US State Department web page on Cuban sanctions still starts off: "The United States maintains a comprehensive economic embargo on the Republic of Cuba. In February 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed an embargo on trade ......"

There were some amendments under executive order fairly recently. Whether they will still be in place by the end of next January is anyone's guess. ..... It probably depends on whether there is a deal in place for a Trump Tower and Casino in Havana. :lol:

Re: Cuba
 

Haha. :rofl:

Re: Cuba
 

I've moved your thread over to the US forum as it doesn't involve immigration to the US. :)

Re: Cuba
 

I know a number of people who've been to Cuba over the last few years - always on educational or cultural groups. But just going on your own is more problematic for the reasons mentioned.

Re: Cuba
 

Not sure "sneaking over the border into Mexico" is a good idea... but USC can legally cross in to Mexico and I saw boat trips to Cuba offered for sale in Cancun.

Re: Cuba
 

Travel from Canada :lol:
Seriously many have as Cuba will not stamp your passport on entry.
TBH Cuba has its advantages but knowing American tourists most would find Cuba somewhat of a let down and would absolutely be shocked with the food at the all inclusive resorts passing themselves off as a 5 star rating.

Great beaches, friendly people, very little serious crime though I would expect a rise in pickpocket type thefts off tourists, lots of old 1950s vehicles.
Been there done that would do it again but Im Canadian and we just need a break from winter.
I have noticed that the prices for all inclusive resorts being sold on Canadian travel sites have increased somewhat since the US allowed more US residents to travel.

Re: Cuba
 

We went via jamaica when we were on L1 2 years ago. No issues coming back in - the CBP officer didn't mention it when we had it on our customs form that we had visited

Re: Cuba
 

I know there are flights from Florida to Cuba, and American citizens of Cuban descent are permitted to visit family (maybe once a year).

I'm under the impression that a US citizen can also apply for a visa to visit Cuba, but must book through a travel agent for a package holiday, which does not permit free movement in Cuba.

I looked into visiting Cuba as a UK citizen, but it seems the visa is only valid if I fly from London (could be wrong, or things have changed since I looked).

Re: Cuba
 

You don't need a visa as a UK citizen, are you a PR in the US? If so you'd be under the same restrictions no matter where you arrived from.

Re: Cuba
 

Don't think you have to use a travel agent and package anymore. With the loosening of things and some scheduled flights now permitted, seems using Jetblues website anyhow, one can just book the flights directly on their website.

They start HAV to FLL in a couple weeks.

(Obviously one would still need to be allowed to go to Cuba, but doesn't appear you need to use a travel agent for these new scheduled flights.)


American will let you directly book as well but unlike Jetblue, they remind you before booking about the 12 reasons you would be permitted to go.

Family visits
Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments and certain intergovernmental organizations
Journalistic activities
Professional research or professional meetings
Educational activities and people-to-people exchanges
Religious activities
Public performance, clinics, workshops, athletic or other competitions and exhibitions
Support for the Cuban people
Humanitarian projects
Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials
Travel related to certain authorized export transactions

Re: Cuba
 

UK citizens do need a visa to travel to Cuba. It's called a tourist card and isn't permanently fixed to your passport (possibly because they're aware of the difficulties this might cause with US authorities on entry to the US, who knows!) but it's a visa nonetheless.

Re: Cuba
 

So realistically, a US resident / USC cannot easily take a holiday or go site seeing in Cuba.
"Criminal penalties for violating the Regulations range up to 10 years in prison, $1,000,000 in corporate fines, and $250,000 in individual fines. Civil penalties up to $65,000 per violation may also be imposed."

Re: Cuba
 

Easily? Yes they can, if they join an educational or cultural tour, which are offered by many providers. Considering the number of my friends and acquaintances who've been in recent years, some on an annual basis, I'm guessing it's fairly "realistic."

Just one example - 2017 International Book Fair of Havana: a Cuban Journey for Librarians, Bibliophiles and Writers