Visa Requirements for Cuban Citizens

Cuban citizens can visit 28 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival in 2025. Popular visa-free destinations include Russia (90 days), Belarus (30 days), Malaysia (90 days), Singapore (30 days), Thailand (60 days), Fiji (120 days), Nicaragua (90 days), Guyana (90 days), Barbados (28 days), Antigua and Barbuda (30 days), Grenada (60 days), Trinidad and Tobago (90 days), and Botswana (90 days). Several Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan also offer visa-free access.

The US B1/B2 tourist and business visa costs $185 for Cuban applicants. This is a non-refundable application fee. Due to limited consular services in Havana, many Cuban citizens apply for US visas at embassies in third countries such as Mexico, Guyana, or Panama, which adds travel and accommodation costs to the total expense.

The UK Standard Visitor Visa costs £127 for Cuban citizens applying for stays up to 6 months. Priority processing is available for £500 extra (5 working days) or £1,000 for Super Priority (next working day). Cuban applicants typically apply through the British Embassy in Havana or VFS Global centers in nearby countries.

Schengen visa processing for Cuban applicants typically takes 15 to 45 calendar days from the date of application. During peak travel season, processing can extend further. The Schengen visa fee is €80 and allows travel to all 29 Schengen member countries. Spain is the most common Schengen entry point for Cuban travelers due to historical and cultural ties.

Standard visa requirements for Cubans include: valid passport with 6+ months validity and 2 blank pages, recent passport-size photographs (specifications vary by country), bank statements or proof of financial support, employment letter or business documentation, confirmed flight itinerary and hotel bookings, travel insurance (mandatory for Schengen), invitation letter from family or sponsor if applicable, and cover letter explaining travel purpose and ties to Cuba.

The US visa approval rate for Cuban applicants varies significantly and is generally lower than for many other nationalities, estimated at 50% to 65% based on available data. Approval rates are influenced by the applicant's ties to Cuba, purpose of travel, financial documentation, and immigration history. Having family in the US, while common for Cubans, can sometimes raise concerns about immigrant intent.

Yes, Cuban citizens can obtain visas on arrival in several countries including Bolivia, Cape Verde, Maldives, Seychelles, and several African nations. Additionally, many countries offer e-visa programs for Cubans, including Turkey, Kenya, India, and UAE. These options provide more accessible travel alternatives compared to traditional embassy visa applications.

Cuban applicants face higher rejection rates for visas to the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Schengen countries compared to applicants from many other nations. Common rejection reasons include insufficient proof of ties to Cuba, concerns about immigration intent, incomplete financial documentation, and limited travel history. The US historically has had particularly complex visa relations with Cuba.

To maximize visa approval chances: apply at least 8 to 12 weeks before travel, provide comprehensive bank statements showing stable income or financial support, include proof of employment or business ownership in Cuba, document property ownership or other significant ties to Cuba, show a clear and specific travel itinerary with confirmed bookings, provide evidence of previous international travel and return compliance, include a detailed cover letter explaining your travel purpose, and if visiting family abroad, clearly demonstrate your intention to return home.