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Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Any American traveling to Cuba will need a valid U.S. passport. It's suggested that your passport be valid for at least six months after traveling on an insightCuba tour. Please be sure to check the expiration date of your passport, and if need be, renew your passport if it is nearing expiration.

For information on renewing your U.S. passport by mail, please visit the U.S. Department of State website

To apply for a U.S. passport through the U.S. Postal Service, click here.

For general information about U.S. passports, click here

GLOBAL ENTRY and TSA PRE-CHECK

For guests that are approved for Global Entry and/or TSA Pre-check, both will work, and normal rules apply for travel to Cuba as they do for travel to and from any other country. To apply for Global Entry, TSA Pre-check or other trusted traveler programs, visit the Department of Homeland Security website. 

Individuals who hold passports from one of one the following countries who do not also hold U.S. dual citizenship or residency and want to travel to Cuba must apply for an A-1 VisaAfghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iraq, Iran, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Yemen.

InsightCuba can assist guests who are traveling on one of our tours with the A-1 visa application process.

 

A Cuban visa, which is referred to as a "tourist card," is required for all visitors traveling to Cuba. The visa is a two-part card, where Cuban immigration officials will take one half upon arrival in country, and the other half upon departure. Once you are registered on one of our tours, we will be happy to handle all of your flight needs and work with you to book the best option, on your preferred airline, from your home airport to Cuba and back. When booking your flight with insightCuba, we will secure your airfare, Cuban visa, and required Cuban health insurance for entry into Cuba.

Special Visas

Citizens of several countries may be required to carry an A-1 visa to enter Cuba. This applies to individuals who hold passports from one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iraq, Iran, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Yemen.

If you are a reporter or journalist traveling with insightCuba for journalism purposes, please note you will need a special press visa to enter the island as a U.S. correspondent.

Cuban American Travelers

If you are a Cuban American born in Cuba, you may need a special visa. Please call insightCuba for more information.

 

Historically, it has often been the policy of Cuban immigration not to stamp U.S. passports when entering Cuba. New Cuban policy stipulates that U.S. citizens traveling on an approved U.S. Department of the Treasury OFAC license, such as the one insightCuba has, will receive the normal Cuban immigration stamp in their passport. Passengers traveling with insightCuba are traveling to Cuba legally and should not be concerned about having their passport stamped by Cuban immigration. 

It's appropriate to list Cuba on the standard customs declaration upon your return to the U.S, just as you would upon returning from any other international destination.

If you are a reporter or journalist traveling with insightCuba for journalism purposes, please note you will need a special press visa to enter the island as a U.S. correspondent. Please call insightCuba at 800-450-CUBA (2822) for more information.

InsightCuba guests on one of our Cuba tours do not need to apply for a license when traveling. All our tours and trips are 100% compliant with Cuba travel regulations and we handle all the required paperwork for you. 

When flying from the U.S. to Cuba on a participating commercial flight you may use your TSA PreCheck status when departing the U.S. as well as your Global Entry when you return to the U.S. and pass through immigrations and customs. 

For more information on TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and other trusted traveler programs, please visit the Department of Homeland Security website.

If you have Global Entry, please note that it is associated with your passport which will work upon your return into the U.S., as it would returning from any other international destination.