Can an American Travel to Cuba?

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TravelinAngel

Hello Dear
Most everybody in the world, EXCEPT Cuban-born-non-Cuban citizens, and EVERYBODY under United States jurisdiction, can travel to and from Cuba freely. If you are a Cuban-born non-Cuban citizen, you will need to apply for a visa at a Cuban Embassy. For all other North American and EEC citizens, traveling to Cuba as short-term visitors, you need a passport and the tourist cards that is issued with your plane ticket to Cuba. Cuba welcomes non-Cuban born U.S. tourists with no red tape.
For everybody under United States jurisdiction (if you are a U.S. resident, regardless of your passport) there is one additional level of complexity. The U.S. has a partial embargo of trade with Cuba. The embargo is enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as part of their work as a lead agency against terrorism (in 2005, 1/6th of their anti-terrorism work is focused on going after Americans who visit Cuba.) In conjunction with this, OFAC is increasingly limiting people's opportunities to learn about Cuba. For the official word on US policies go to http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/cuba/cuba.shtml. (They keep changing address on their website so please let us know if this link goes bad.)
The US government paints with a very broad brush. They maintain that their laws apply to US citizens living anywhere AND everyone, regardless of nationality, living in the US. If you are under U.S. jurisdiction it doesn't matter if you also have another passport and travel to Cuba on that other passport. Unless you fall under one of the exception, when you return to the US, they would say that you are subject to prosecution.
If you are under US jurisdiction, regardless of your passport, there is the potential to get in trouble, by traveling to Cuba. If you choose to go you have the choice of obfuscating your travel (and committing perjury) and possibly (statistically probably) not being detected. In this case, following your dreams gets down to whether you are a risk-taker or risk averse.
Here is the gist of the situation on travel to Cuba:

It is "legal" for people under US jurisdiction to go to Cuba. BUT:

It is illegal for people under US jurisdiction to have transactions (spend money or receive gifts) in Cuba under MOST circumstances.
It is legal for American to have transactions (spend money or receive gifts) in Cuba if they have a "license", but
The government is arbitrary about how it interprets its rule and who it issues licenses to.
If you are a journalists, government officials, have relatives in Cuba, are a full-time professionals (including doctors, dental hygienists, environmentalists and actors) going to conferences or doing research, you might be able to go to Cuba, under a "General License" -- with no red tape.
Other activities they MAY be approve under Specific Licenses:

Humanitarian Travel

Free-Lance Journalism

Professional doing research or going to meetings that don't meet the criteria for a general license.

Educational Activities - Long-term formal study programs.

Religious activities - i.e. seeing the Pope and proselytize.

Public Performances, Clinics, Workshops, Athletic and Other Competitions, and Exhibits (i.e. Baltimore Orioles) - all profits from the event after costs must be donated to an independent nongovernmental organization in Cuba or a U.S.-based charity, with the objective, to the extent possible, of promoting people-to-people contacts or otherwise benefiting the Cuban people.

Activities of Private Foundations or Research or Educational Institutions

Exportation, Importation, or Transmission of information or Informational Materials

Note: it is easier for a Little League player or high school student to go to Cuba than a registered voter who wants to inform themselves about foreign policy issues.

U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba than have several options:

Determine you qualify under the general licenses
Apply for a specific license under 515.565(b)(2) and see if you can get a timely reply from OFAC. NOTE: On March 24, 2003, OFAC gave notice that it was revising this section and the most popular category for licenses would be eliminated on May 24, 2003. (see #3 below)
Go to Cuba without a license. (see Returning from Cuba)
Getting A Specific License As An Individual for Travel to Cuba

OFACâ€™s complete instructions for applying for a specific license says:

â€œApplying for a specific license: Persons wishing to travel to Cuba under a specific license should send a letter specifying the details of the proposed travel, including any accompanying documentation, to Chief of Licensing, Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC 20220.â€

The up side of applying for a license is some are granted. If it is denied and you are one of the people fingered by OFAC and IF the process got to a hearing, you could try to argue that OFAC is in error in

Dios es amor

Of course !

Anyone can travel to Cuba, Chinese, Russians, Mexicans, Italians, you name it.

But it is much easier to travel to Miami, la pequeÃ±a Habana, and the same

Well, you should be careful not to criticize big bad old fidel and the little brudder

The rules in Cuba ? Keep your eyes open and your mouth closed

Risk ? No. Most thing may happen to you they will deport you back

By the way, that part of the Godfather was made in dominican republic

Victor

Absolutely !

Everybody can travel to cuba

The rules: keep your eyes peeled and your mouth shut

Yes, you have to watch what you say. Since you are a yank, they will have their eyes on you, even if you don't notice it.

They always suspect that you may be there to spy or get information, or whatever is the problem at the time

BAILARIN

OLA DIANA ... so michael did it for you while tony montana did it for me ..... ( luv dat flick) ..but it was living , AND DANCING with my cuban friends in miami,NOT SCARFACE That really wet my appetite to go to cuba to see and experience for myself the harsh realitys of living under a communist dictatorship ( and the subtle but hidden blessings of a world where less is sometimes more ) .....you know .." blessed are the poor in spirit , thiers is the kingdom of God ." I was very surprised to learn how many of my own cuban companeros had still never even been to thier homeland ( with reason ) and will not until Christ returns OR THE CASTROS BURN . i am an american and i did go through another country when i went and though it is not illegal for us to travel there , it is illegal to bring our wallets .( CAN YOU SAY HYPOCRICY AND PROPAGANDA MR . W. SURE , I KNEW YOU COULD .) ANY WAY , you probably have a better chance of getting on the next space shuttle than you do legally obtaining that license you need to buy that plane ticket from miami to habana . SO . IF your a true resiliant pioneer spirited american like w. says you are , go out and by that adventure live strong bracelet , flip em da old bird( i mean old glory) and find a third party country to go through . use your rules of common sense .. im sure i didnt wear a tux or a potato sack during any of my stay in cuba and felt not a little out of place with a pair of lees and chuck taylors while wearing typical miami club apparel to the clubs at night . i was actually stunned at how well dressed and stylish the cuban people were after all id been sold and told to believe .( and they are cleaner than any american girl ive been with and better dancers lol.) on the speech issue , definitly watch what you say , especially if they know your an americana and you wish to talk about or ask questions about fidel and the govrnment and cuban politics in general ... cubans know and understand the embargo and our travel restrictions and because so few americans do travel there each year , some will understandably be suspicious of you and a little paranoid that your a spy working with the brothers . my poor cab driver that took me from the habana airport to my casa particular almost drove off the side of the road when i asked him where fidel lives and goes to get his beard trimmed . the same anxiety was obvious with the people that i stayed with ( for atleast the first hour or 2) ... and finally. . risk is always involved, especially if your in a country that georgie wont send someone to come and get you if you HAVE NO OIL , loose your useless atm and mastercards or you become one of fidels permanent guests because you lack common sense. ..... but really , the so many what ifs is what makes life so exciting in a world of airbags and keyless entrys that use the weather channel in place of the bible ..... NOW JUMP !

j_estornell

An American can't go directly from the states, but if you make a quicstop in canada and leave form there you can go. And also, definitely be careful what you say in public, dressings not too huge of an issue and also, no theres not a lot of risk.

suki's mom

Yes and no. Of course you can go through Venezuela or Canada, but be advised that your government registers Americans that have traveled to Cuba. George W. said so himself in 2002 or 2003 or so. I couldn't tell you what they do with that list though.

Riki

The Shadow explained most everything on the site below. There are not safety issues, it is very safe, don't worry about what you say, Cubans love American visiters and will treat you like gold. just wear ordinary light clothing. If you go, chances are you will have a wonderful time.

Tropicales

Yes you can travel to Cuba. There are two options:
1. get a travel licence through the OFAC to be able to directly fly to Cuba from the US and legally spend money there (which is what the issue is...not the travel itself).
2. travel via 3rd country which is what thousands of Americans do yearly to go to Cuba. Mexico and Canada are a couple of routes to go...although Mexico might be a better option depending on time of year seeing as you'll come back with a tan and souvenirs. Going through Mexico, souvenirs brought back without Cuba logos would be less suspicious as they'll be similar to Mexican souvenirs.

You'd have to make sure you're clear of all paper trails. Cuba does not stamp passports, so that won't be an issue...you'll just need to dispose of your tourist card after you leave Cuba and change all your money back before coming home.

As Riki mentioned, dress light and casual...nothing flashy or you'll stick out like a sore thumb. Their dress is casual. The rules in Cuba are like everywhere else -- behave decently and wisely.

Yes, watch what you say. It is frowned upon by all Cubans (whether they agree or not) to speak against the State. You are a visitor and guest in their country...therefore, be respectful...as would go anywhere else you travel too....simply common sense.

No risks in Cuba. It's a safe country, although it is always wise to exercise caution and 'smarts/common sense'. People are people everywhere...but generally Cuba is very safe.

Take a look at these links. Helpful information for you:
http://www.cubatravelusa.com/Travel_Tips.htm
http://www.cubatravelusa.com/FAQ.htm
http://www.cuba-junky.com/cuba/vamos_UStravelinfo.htm
http://www.webhavana.com/en/travelinfo.html

The Shadow

You can go there through Canada and Mexico. However, you will be breaking the law and subject to arrest when you return.

US law prohibits American citizens and permanent residents from spending money in Cuba, which makes it impossible to travel there legally. In order to go legally, you must apply for a license. These are granted only under certain circumstances. Leisure travel is not an approved reason.

You can read the restrictions here: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1097.html

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