Current US Legal Requirements for Travel to Cuba (DELTA )5/1/2018
OFAC Certification: U.S. law restricts travel to Cuba to certain authorized travel categories. Each passenger will be required to submit a signed form certifying the passenger is traveling under one of the 12 travel categories authorized by Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The traveler is responsible for qualifying under one of these travel categories.
The 12 travel categories are general categories, but each requires travelers to meet certain requirements. Anyone planning travel to Cuba should review the legal restrictions contained in the Cuban Asset Control Regulations at 31 CFR § 515. Links to the specific requirements for each travel category are provided below. More information can be found in the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Cuba FAQs .
OFAC Travel Categories
Links.
Family Visits
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=068324bdbf52078106ba1cae84f1a635&mc=true&node=se31.3.515_1561&rgn=div8
Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=002773db728358cdf8cb594a773db757&mc=true&node=se31.3.515_1562&rgn=div8
Journalistic activity
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=db7ed0405936c89cac6cb39bc9a9950b&mc=true&node=se31.3.515_1563&rgn=div8
Professional research or professional meetings
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=e1022ae33d46f60c530d554d2a254040&node=se31.3.515_1564&rgn=div8
Educational activities and people-to-people exchanges
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=e1022ae33d46f60c530d554d2a254040&node=se31.3.515_1565&rgn=div8
Religious activities
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=068324bdbf52078106ba1cae84f1a635&mc=true&node=se31.3.515_1566&rgn=div8
Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=068324bdbf52078106ba1cae84f1a635&mc=true&node=se31.3.515_1567&rgn=div8
Support for the Cuban people
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=068324bdbf52078106ba1cae84f1a635&mc=true&node=se31.3.515_1574&rgn=div8
Humanitarian projects
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=068324bdbf52078106ba1cae84f1a635&mc=true&node=se31.3.515_1575&rgn=div8
Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=068324bdbf52078106ba1cae84f1a635&mc=true&node=se31.3.515_1576&rgn=div8
Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=07ab16622c8bc5ff840ebd57d1d38e92&mc=true&node=se31.3.515_1545&rgn=div8
Travel related to certain authorized export transactions
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=07b6c942b714deb2dee98f945bb674ee&mc=true&node=se31.3.515_1533&rgn=div8
and
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=160a64fc75f33324dcb35feb870055ff&mc=true&node=se31.3.515_1559&rgn=div8
Please refer to the U.S. Department of State for more information and recommendations.
9. Do all passengers need to sign the OFAC certification?
Yes, all passengers (U.S. and non-U.S.) traveling on a U.S. carrier must sign the OFAC certification.
10. Is travel to Cuba for tourist activities permitted?
No, travel for traditional tourist activities is prohibited. Travel to Cuba is only permitted for the 12 categories authorized by OFAC, and travelers are expected to maintain a full-schedule of activities related to their category of travel.
11. Are all passengers required to have a visa for travel to Cuba?
Yes. Cuba requires all U.S. and non-U.S. citizens (excluding Cuban-born) to have a visa (e.g. tourist card, business visa, etc.) to enter the country.
12. How much does a tourist card cost?
The cost for a tourist card is $50.
13. How long is the tourist card for Cuba valid?
A tourist card can be used once within 180 days after the date of issue. The tourist card is valid for a single-entry for a period of up to 30 days.
Upon arrival in Cuba, a portion of the tourist card is retained by immigration authorities, and the remaining portion is collected at the airport prior to departure from Cuba.
14. Are there any additional requirements if a passenger is traveling to Cuba for business?
In lieu of the tourist card, business passengers traveling to Cuba may require a business visa that can be obtained through the Cuban Embassy. Any passenger without a valid visa will be required to purchase a tourist card.
Questions about this business visa requirement should be directed to the Cuban Embassy .
15. Do passengers need medical insurance while traveling in Cuba?
Yes, Cuba requires visitors to obtain Cuba-specific medical insurance, and a temporary policy will be automatically included in the cost of the passenger’s fare (a $25 surcharge). Passengers must retain their boarding pass during their stay in Cuba. The boarding pass will serve as evidence of the insurance policy should any emergency medical services be required during the trip.
16. How much does a temporary policy for Cuba-specific medical insurance cost?
The cost for a temporary medical insurance policy is $25, which will be automatically included in the cost of the passenger’s fare.
17. How long is the temporary medical insurance policy for Cuba valid?
These temporary medical insurance plans are valid for a period of up to 30 days. If a medical insurance policy is required for more than 30 days, subsequent policies may be purchased while in Cuba.
18. How does a passenger obtain a tourist card and medical insurance to travel to Cuba?
Travelers may obtain a visa (e.g. tourist card, business visa, etc.) through the Cuban Embassy or via third-party vendors prior to travel. If not purchased in advance, travelers will be required to purchase a tourist card (Cuba’s entry visa) for $50 at the gateway departure gate, prior to boarding.
Delta is also working toward an electronic solution to simplify the process for Cuba-bound travelers to purchase their Cuba tourist card prior to travel. Additional details regarding the process for purchasing and presenting tourist cards will be provided as the process develops.
A temporary Cuba-specific medical insurance plan will be automatically included in the cost of the passenger’s fare (a $25 surcharge). The passenger’s boarding pass serves as evidence of insurance and should be retained during the passenger’s stay in Cuba.
19. When purchasing the tourist card, what form of payment is accepted?
Delta accepts credit and debit cards. Debit cards must bear a major credit card logo to be valid for acceptance.
20. Do minors need a tourist card and Cuba-specific medical insurance for travel to Cuba?
Yes. All individuals (excluding Cuban-born) traveling to Cuba must have a visa (e.g. tourist card, etc.), regardless of age and all travelers, regardless of age, are required to purchase Cuba-specific medical insurance. The cost of the medical insurance will be collected with the passenger’s fare (a $25 surcharge).
21. What are the OFAC regulations with regard to Cuba? How does a passenger qualify for an OFAC license?
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has authorized a general license for travel fitting within 12 categories of authorized travel that previously required a specific license (i.e., an application and a case-by-case determination).
Travel-related transactions are permitted by general license for certain travel related to the following activities, subject to specific criteria and conditions in each travel category:
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 information materials
Certain authorized export transactions.
For more information regarding OFAC’s regulations regarding Cuba and guidelines for the OFAC license, please refer to the U.S. Department of the Treasury . More information can be found in the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Cuba FAQs .
22. Who is required to submit an OFAC certification?
Any traveler (including both U.S. and non-U.S. passport holders) flying on a U.S.-based airline to Cuba will be required to sign and submit an OFAC certification prior to travel.
23. How does a passenger complete and submit the OFAC certification?
Delta is working toward an electronic solution to simplify the process for Cuba-bound travelers to submit their signed OFAC certification to Delta. Electronic submission will be available through delta.com, online check-in and My Trips in February 2017. In 2Q 2017, customers will also be able to submit electronically via airport kiosks. These enhancements will allow customers to pre-submit OFAC certification to Delta electronically prior to travel.
Until the automated process has been fully instituted, Delta will provide a paper form at the gateway departure gate, for the traveler to complete, sign, and submit. All travelers must submit an OFAC certification or they will not be permitted to travel.
24. Do passengers need to prove the reason for travel that is selected on the OFAC certification to Delta Air Lines?
No, Delta Air Lines only requires passengers to fill out and sign the form, which Delta will maintain for five years, as required by U.S. law. The passenger traveling is responsible for ensuring that the passenger qualifies under the applicable OFAC license selected on the form.
25. Where can I go to learn more?
There are a number of considerations for travel to Cuba. Please keep in mind any requirements or additional documentation that the traveler may be required to have. Stay up-to-date on any additional or evolving travel requirements. Additional travel information can be found on the websites of the U.S. and Cuban governments:
U.S. Department of the Treasury
U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Cuba FAQs
Embassy of Cuba in the USA
26. Are there any restrictions for foreign nationals traveling to Cuba from the U.S.?
Foreign nationals traveling to Cuba from the United States are required by U.S. law to comply with the same requirements as U.S. citizens. All passengers traveling on U.S. carriers may only travel to Cuba for one of the 12 OFAC authorized travel categories. All passengers, including foreign nationals, will be required to certify their reason of travel is within one of the 12 travel categories authorized by OFAC. Leisure travel is currently prohibited from the U.S, and thus, is not one of the OFAC categories. Foreign nationals traveling to Cuba for tourist purposes should not attempt to book travel on a U.S. carrier.
Initially, Delta will restrict international connecting traffic from flights to/from Cuba to avoid any potential lapses in communication regarding the U.S. law restrictions. After Delta’s Cuba operations are satisfactorily established and communications processes for foreign travelers are developed and verified, Delta will remove the international connection restrictions.
In addition, all passengers traveling on U.S. carriers will be required to purchase medical insurance from ESICUBA (the Cuba government insurance provider), which will be sold as part of the cost of the ticket. If the foreign national has medical insurance that is accepted in Cuba, they may request a refund directly from ESICUBA. Delta will not issue refunds for Cuban medical insurance.
Travelers without a valid travel document for entering Cuba (e.g., tourist card, business visa, Cuban passport, etc.) will also be required to obtain a visa or tourist card, with the exception of Cuban citizens or dual citizens born in Cuba. Delta will make tourist cards available for purchase at the U.S. gateway departure gates prior to boarding on the day of departure.
27. What do I need to know about departing from Cuba?
Upon departing from Cuba, you’ll need to present your passport, the boarding pass for your departing flight and the other half of your tourist card to Cuban immigrations authorities. You will not be allowed to leave Cuba without presenting the remaining portion of the card.
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