Cuba switched its main tourist authorization from the paper "tarjeta del turista" to the electronic eVisa in 2022. By 2026, the eVisa is the default for almost every U.S., Canadian, and European departure. The application itself is short. Most of the friction comes from the things people do around the application — submitting D'Viajeros too early, mistyping a passport number, or waiting until 48 hours before departure to start.
Step 1 — Choose where to apply
You can buy your eVisa from your airline (some U.S. carriers bundle it into the booking flow), from a specialized provider like Cuba Visa Services, or directly through MINREX-authorized portals. Prices cluster around US$85 all-in. The cheapest option is rarely the fastest, and the fastest is rarely the cheapest.
Step 2 — Fill in the form correctly
The five fields that matter most are: full name as printed on your passport, passport number, date of birth, nationality, and date of first entry to Cuba. Match the machine-readable zone of your passport character for character — including hyphens and middle names.
The single most common reason for a re-issue fee is a name that doesn't match the passport. Take 30 seconds to verify before you pay.
Step 3 — Pay and wait
Payment is by credit or debit card. After payment you'll usually receive an immediate "received" email and then, 24–72 hours later, a second email with your eVisa PDF attached. If your card is on a U.S. bank, expect a fraud-prevention call — Cuba-related charges are flagged by some issuers.
Step 4 — Verify and print
The moment your PDF arrives:
- Open it on a real screen, not a phone notification preview.
- Compare your name, passport number, nationality, and DOB to your passport.
- Confirm the validity dates cover your travel.
- Print two copies and store one in your carry-on.
What to do next
With the eVisa in hand, your remaining pre-trip checklist is short: submit D'Viajeros within 7 days of departure, confirm your travel medical insurance is from an accepted provider, and — if you're a U.S. traveler — make sure your trip fits one of the 12 OFAC-authorized categories.