Beginning July 1, 2025, all individuals traveling to Cuba will be required to secure an electronic visa, as announced by the island's Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR). This new mandate, shared through an official statement on their Facebook page, designates the digital visa as the sole valid entry document for the nation, leaving no room for exceptions.
Travelers must acquire this visa prior to their flight via the authorized portal evisacuba.cu, which provides detailed instructions on how to apply. Although the Ministry promotes this change as a step towards "digitalizing and centralizing" the entry process, it also comes amid a significant downturn in Cuba's tourism sector, which is striving to regain past visitor numbers while facing mounting criticism over poor service conditions.
While this requirement is mandatory for all visitors, Canadian tourists are exempt from the visa fee, as it is incorporated into their airline ticket. However, they must still complete the D’Viajeros form (dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu) one week before their trip. For travelers from other countries, the process involves obtaining the electronic visa and completing the aforementioned form.
The Cuban government has also issued warnings about fraudulent websites that impersonate the official portal and charge fees for free services. MINTUR advises travelers to use only authorized websites and to avoid sharing banking details with unverified platforms.
This shift in entry requirements is happening amidst a troubling decline in tourism on the island, with official figures indicating a 30% drop in visitor arrivals during the first quarter of 2025. The previous year saw just 2.2 million people visiting Cuba, marking the lowest number in two decades.
The diminishing appeal of Cuba as a tourist destination is evident not only in numbers but also in visitor experiences. Reports highlight issues such as food shortages, power outages, poor hotel maintenance, and high prices in both private and state sectors. A notable incident involved Caroline Perreault, a Canadian tourist injured in April 2024 after a pergola collapse at a Cayo Guillermo hotel. Despite the severity of her injuries, she encountered inadequate medical care and obstacles in seeking justice, resulting in a lawsuit against Sunwing.
While the Cuban regime attempts to portray order and efficiency with this digital measure, it underscores a deeper crisis within its tourism system, characterized by lack of investment, poor service quality, and an increasingly uncertain environment for visitors. Thus, the mandatory implementation of electronic visas is an effort to modernize immigration procedures but fails to address the fundamental issues driving the sector to its lowest point in decades.
FAQs on Electronic Visa Requirement for Cuba
What is the new entry requirement for Cuba starting July 2025?
From July 1, 2025, all travelers to Cuba must obtain an electronic visa as the only valid entry document.
Are Canadian tourists exempt from the new electronic visa fee?
Yes, Canadian tourists do not need to pay for the electronic visa, as the fee is included in their airfare. However, they must fill out the D’Viajeros form before traveling.
How can travelers apply for the electronic visa to Cuba?
Travelers must apply for the electronic visa through the official portal evisacuba.cu before their flight to Cuba.
What issues are currently affecting Cuba's tourism sector?
Cuba's tourism sector is facing challenges such as food shortages, power outages, poor hotel maintenance, and high costs, contributing to a decline in visitor numbers.