Starting July 1, 2025, all travelers wishing to enter Cuba will need to apply for an electronic visa, as mandated by the island's Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR).
The new requirement, announced through an official statement on its Facebook page, establishes that the digital visa will be the only valid way to enter the country, with no exceptions.
The document must be obtained prior to the flight, through the official portal evisacuba.cu, where the steps to manage the visa are detailed.
The agency insists that the measure aims to "digitalize and centralize" the entry process, but the decision is also set against a backdrop of deep crisis in the Cuban tourism sector, which is struggling to regain historical visitor numbers while facing increasing criticism for the poor conditions of its services.
Although the process will be mandatory for everyone, Canadian tourists are exempt from paying for the visa, as the cost is included in their airline ticket.
However, they must complete the D’Viajeros form (dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu) in the week leading up to the trip.
For travelers coming from third countries, the process is twofold: first, they must obtain the electronic visa and then fill out the corresponding form.
The Cuban government also warned about fraudulent websites that impersonate the official portal and charge fees for free services.
MINTUR warns travelers to only use authorized websites and to avoid sharing banking information with unverified platforms.
This change in entry requirements comes amid a concerning decline in tourism on the Island, with official figures reflecting a 30% drop in visitor arrivals during the first quarter of 2025. The previous year, only 2.2 million people visited the country, the lowest number in two decades.
The decline in tourist appeal is not only reflected in the numbers: the experience of those who still choose Cuba has become increasingly negative, with reports of food shortages, power outages, poor hotel maintenance, and high prices in both the private and state sectors.
An emblematic case was that of Caroline Perreault, a Canadian tourist injured in April 2024 after the collapse of a pergola at a hotel in Cayo Guillermo. Despite the seriousness of her condition, she received inadequate medical care and faced obstacles in pursuing justice, which led to a lawsuit against Sunwing.
While the Cuban regime attempts to project order and efficiency with this digital measure, the reality points to a deep-seated crisis in its tourism system: a lack of investment, low quality of service, and an increasingly uncertain environment for visitors.
The mandatory implementation of the electronic visa is, therefore, an effort to modernize the immigration process, but it does not address the structural problems that have led the sector to its worst moment in decades.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Electronic Visa for Traveling to Cuba
When will the electronic visa be mandatory to enter Cuba?
Starting from July 1, 2025, all travelers wishing to enter Cuba will need to obtain an electronic visa. This measure aims to digitalize and centralize the entry process into the country, being the only valid way to enter, without exception.
How can one obtain the electronic visa to travel to Cuba?
The electronic visa must be obtained through the official portal evisacuba.cu. There, the steps to manage the visa are outlined. It is important to complete this process before the flight and to avoid unauthorized websites that may be fraudulent.
What special requirements are there for Canadian tourists traveling to Cuba?
Canadian tourists are exempt from paying for the electronic visa. The cost is included in their airline ticket. However, they must complete the D’Viajeros form within the week prior to travel.
What is the current situation of tourism in Cuba?
Tourism in Cuba is facing a significant crisis, with a 30% decrease in visitor arrivals during the first quarter of 2025. Factors such as food shortages, power outages, and poor hotel maintenance have contributed to a negative experience for many tourists.
What are the warnings from the Cuban government regarding fraudulent websites related to the electronic visa?
The Cuban government has warned about the presence of fraudulent websites impersonating the official portal that charge fees for services that are free of charge. Travelers are advised to use only authorized pages and not to share banking information with unverified platforms.
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