The Nicaraguan government has reinstated the visa requirement for Cuban nationals, effectively ending the visa-free travel policy that had been in place since 2021. However, there remains a significant exception for potential travelers.
This decision was confirmed this past Sunday via an official statement released by Nicaragua's Ministry of the Interior on social media platforms.
The Ministry specified that citizens holding an ordinary Cuban passport are now once again among those nationalities that must obtain a consultative visa to enter the Central American country.
According to the announcement, visa applications must now be submitted online through the institutional email address, solicitudes@mint.gob.ni, and can be processed from anywhere globally, provided that the legal requirements set by Nicaragua are met.
Importantly, for Cuban citizens carrying an ordinary passport, these consultative visas will be issued without any fee.
This reinstatement of the visa policy occurs amidst increasing international pressure on the Nicaraguan administration, led by President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo.
In recent years, Washington has accused Managua of functioning as a transit point for migrants who subsequently continue their journey to the United States, including Cubans, Africans, and Asians.
The initial visa-free policy for Cubans was introduced in 2021 to "promote tourism" and support what was termed a “humanitarian family relationship,” coinciding with a notable increase in irregular migration from the island.
This new measure, enacted this past Sunday, comes at a time of heightened pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump on the Cuban government, following the cessation of Venezuelan oil supplies, exacerbating the island's energy crisis.
Nicaragua's Visa Policy for Cubans: Key Questions Answered
Why has Nicaragua reinstated the visa requirement for Cubans?
The reinstatement of the visa requirement is likely in response to international pressure and accusations from Washington that Nicaragua serves as a transit point for migrants heading to the United States.
Are there any costs associated with the new visa for Cubans?
No, the consultative visas for Cubans with ordinary passports will be issued at no cost.
How can Cubans apply for a visa to Nicaragua?
Cubans must submit their visa applications online via the institutional email provided by the Nicaraguan Ministry of the Interior, and they can apply from anywhere in the world.