How Long Does It Take To Get A Visa To Cuba? [2024 Guide]

If you’re planning a trip to Cuba, you’re probably wondering if you need a tourist visa to visit the island – and curious as to how long it will take to get one! While the process of getting a visa to Cuba can be a bit confusing, it’s a relatively easy process – for the vast majority of travelers.

As a long-time Cuba visitor turned expat, I’ve gotten the tourist visa to Cuba countless times in almost every way imaginable. Read on for all the details about how to get the visa you need for Cuba – and how long it takes to get a visa to Cuba, the most important of the entry requirements for Cuba.

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Visas To Cuba

Every traveler headed to Cuba without a Cuban passport – regardless of nationality – needs some kind of visa to enter the country. For the vast majority of travelers, this will mean a tourist visa.

Though there are numerous types of visas to Cuba including journalistic visas, business visas, permanent residency, and more, for the purposes of this article, we will just be focusing on how long it takes to get a tourist visa to Cuba – and how to best do it!

Also known as a Cuban tourist card, the Cuban tourist visa is generally quite easy to obtain. Most travelers are able to get their tourist visa to Cuba quite simply and quickly, though the amount of time it takes to get a tourist visa to Cuba depends on the method you use.

These are the most common ways to get a tourist visa to Cuba:

• Getting a Tourist Visa to Cuba Online from EasyTouristVisa
• Getting a Tourist Visa to Cuba from Your Airline
• Getting a Tourist Visa to Cuba from the Cuban Embassy

Depending on the method you use to get your tourist visa to Cuba, it takes anywhere from twenty minutes to more than a month to obtain a tourist visa to Cuba – choose wisely to both save time and effort as you plan your trip to Cuba! 

How Long Does It Take To Get A Visa To Cuba?

Getting a Tourist Visa to Cuba Online from EasyTouristVisa 

How Long Does It Take to Get a Tourist Visa to Cuba? – 7-10 business days 

We generally recommend that travelers who plan their trip to Cuba at least a month in advance get their tourist visa to Cuba online ahead of their trip. This is an easy, straightforward process you can complete in less than 10 minutes online with EasyTouristVisa. Within 7 to 10 business days, you’ll receive your tourist visa to Cuba, delivered directly to your home in time for your trip.

Getting a Tourist Visa to Cuba from Your Airline

How Long Does It Take to Get a Tourist Visa to Cuba? – 20 minutes

If you haven’t planned far enough in advance to secure your tourist visa for Cuba online from EasyTouristVisa, there’s an alternative way to get it. The tourist visa to Cuba is one of a few entry requirements to Cuba, and airlines won’t let you board your flight to Cuba, so most airlines that fly to Cuba will sell you a tourist visa to Cuba at your departure gate. This process usually takes less than 20 minutes!

However, the process is totally different for every airline and even every airport! Some airlines charge more for their tourist visa to Cuba than others, for example, while others offer tourist visas from kiosks at the airport rather than from airline workers at the departure gate.

It’s an additional step to complete before you board your flight, so if you’re traveling with a tight connection or would rather just take care of this step ahead of time, it’s better to secure your tourist visa to Cuba online.

Getting a Tourist Visa to Cuba from the Cuban Embassy

How Long Does It Take to Get a Tourist Visa for Cuba? – At least 15-30 business days

You can also apply for and obtain a tourist visa to Cuba from the Cuban embassy in your country of residence, usually in between 15 to 30 business days.

However, we generally don’t recommend this option to travelers; dealing with embassy bureaucracy is notoriously challenging and uncertain time-wise. When you can easily get a tourist visa to Cuba online or from your airline, there’s simply no need to visit a Cuban embassy for the exact same document.

Tourist Visas to Cuba – FAQ

Can You Get a Tourist Visa to Cuba Online?

While Cuba doesn’t offer an all-digital “e-visa” at the moment, you can order your physical tourist visa to Cuba online from EasyTouristVisa, to be shipped directly to your home within 7-10 business days. 

How Much Does a Tourist Visa to Cuba Cost?

A tourist visa to Cuba can cost anywhere from $20 to $110. This wide range of costs is due to the fact that there are two different types of tourist visas to Cuba, and the one you need will depend on the country from which your flight to Cuba originates. Make sure to read our ultimate guide to the Cuban tourist visa for more information on the different types of tourist visas to Cuba that you might need.

Read More: Cuban Tourist Visas: Ultimate Guide

What If I Need Another Type of Visa to Cuba?

If you need another type of visa to Cuba, such as a student visa, permanent residency, etc. you will need to visit your nearest Cuban embassy for this process. Check online to find the one that is nearest to you. Keep in mind that some – but not all – of these processes can be conducted from within Cuba.

Do Americans Need a Tourist Visa to Cuba?

Yes – American travelers need a tourist visa to Cuba. American travelers can obtain this tourist visa to Cuba just as any other traveler can, whether by purchasing the visa online in advance on EasyTouristVisa, or by purchasing the visa directly from their airline.