Key Takeaways
• Starting July 1, 2025, Cuba replaces paper tourist cards with a mandatory Modernized Cuba E-Visa for most travelers.
• E-Visa applications must be made online via the official eVisaCuba portal and take up to 72 business hours to process.
• Canadians flying direct from Canada are exempt from e-Visa but must complete the D’Viajeros form and show proof of insurance.
Cuba 🇨🇺 is making a major change to the way international travelers get permission to visit the country. On July 1, 2025, Cuba will stop using the paper tourist card and start a new system called the Modernized Cuba E-Visa. This means that almost all people who want to visit Cuba from other countries will need to apply for this new electronic visa before they get on their airplane.
This change is important because Cuba has used the tourist card system for many years. The tourist card was a simple piece of paper that people could buy quickly at a travel agency or right before getting on their flight. Now, the process will move online and will need a few more steps for most travelers. For people thinking about traveling to Cuba 🇨🇺 in the future, it is important to know about these changes and what they must do to enter the country without any problems.
Why Is Cuba Replacing the Tourist Card With an E-Visa?
The Cuban government says the new Modernized Cuba E-Visa will help make entry safer and more organized for visitors and for the country. The electronic system means that Cuba 🇨🇺 can better keep track of who is entering. It also means people can apply before they travel and not have to worry about buying a tourist card at the airport, where things can sometimes be confusing or rushed.
Before this update, people from many countries could simply go to an agency or talk to their airline and buy a tourist card for Cuba 🇨🇺. The card allowed them to stay up to 90 days, with a chance to extend it if needed. It was known for being fast and direct—sometimes approved as soon as you paid for it. With the e-Visa, everything will be digital. For most visitors, planning ahead and applying online will be very important.
Who Needs the Modernized Cuba E-Visa?
From July 1, 2025, almost every international traveler going to Cuba 🇨🇺 will need the e-Visa. There is one big exception: most Canadians flying directly from Canada will not have to apply online. For these Canadians, the visa will still be handled for them, usually included in the price of their plane ticket. However, if a Canadian travels to Cuba 🇨🇺 after visiting or transiting another country, they must apply for the Modernized Cuba E-Visa ahead of time.
For travelers from other countries, there is no exception. Everyone else will need to get the e-Visa before their trip. This is a big change because it removes the simple paper tourist card system for almost everyone.
How To Apply for the Modernized Cuba E-Visa
People must apply for the Modernized Cuba E-Visa through the official eVisaCuba portal. This is the only website the Cuban government uses for these visa applications. Using the site, travelers can fill out the visa application form, upload their required documents like a passport scan or travel documents, and check the status of their visa as it gets processed. When the visa is approved, it will be sent by email.
- Step 1: Go to the official eVisaCuba portal.
- Step 2: Fill out the online application form with your personal information and travel details.
- Step 3: Upload digital copies of all documents needed, such as your passport (which must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date).
- Step 4: Submit your application.
- Step 5: Wait for the visa to be processed and check your email for updates.
- Step 6: Upon approval, print out your visa or keep it on your electronics to show when you arrive in Cuba 🇨🇺.
How Long Does It Take to Get the E-Visa?
The Cuban government says it will usually take up to 72 business hours (about three working days) to process the Modernized Cuba E-Visa application. This means you must apply several days before you plan to leave for Cuba 🇨🇺. It is better not to wait until the last minute, as processing times could be longer if there are many applications or if you forget something in your application.
How Do You Pay for the Modernized Cuba E-Visa?
Right now, you cannot pay for your e-Visa online. Instead, payments are handled through Cuban embassies and consulates, or through authorized agencies that partner with the Cuban government. There are plans to make online payment possible in the future, but it is not an option yet. Always check the official website before applying, so you know what payment method is required at the time you apply.
Entry Requirements Checklist Starting July 2025
Every international traveler who wants to visit Cuba 🇨🇺 after July 1, 2025, must have the following:
- A passport that is valid for at least six months from the day you plan to enter Cuba 🇨🇺.
- An approved electronic visa (the Modernized Cuba E-Visa) unless you are a Canadian on a direct flight from Canada to Cuba 🇨🇺.
- The D’Viajeros form and QR code. This is an online customs and health declaration form. You must fill it out within seven days before you travel. Once finished, you will get a QR code that must be shown upon arrival.
- Proof of travel insurance that covers medical care. You may be asked to show this to border officers in Cuba 🇨🇺.
- A return or onward flight ticket. This shows you do not plan to stay in Cuba 🇨🇺 forever and that you have plans to leave.
The D’Viajeros form is important for everyone, even for Canadian travelers who are otherwise exempt from applying for the e-Visa. You can find the form and instructions on Cuba’s official D’Viajeros portal.
How Long Does the Modernized Cuba E-Visa Allow You to Stay?
The standard Modernized Cuba E-Visa will let you enter Cuba 🇨🇺 once and stay up to 90 days. If you want or need to stay longer, you can apply for an extension after you arrive in Cuba 🇨🇺. The maximum time you can stay with an extension is 180 days (90 days plus one approved extension of up to another 90 days). This is very similar to the rules under the old tourist card system.
What’s the Difference Between the Old Tourist Card and the Modernized Cuba E-Visa?
- Old System (Tourist Card): Was a paper card, could be bought from agencies, airlines, or right before the flight, took only a few minutes to get, lasted 90 days, could be extended once. Most travelers could use it. Canadians had the card included with their ticket.
- New System (E-Visa): Is all electronic and must be applied for online. Takes up to 72 hours to process. Travelers must secure it before going to Cuba 🇨🇺. Canadians flying direct from Canada still have a built-in visa, but all others must apply. Otherwise, the visa lasts 90 days and can be extended the same way as before.
To help people quickly see these changes:
| Category | Before (Tourist Card) | After July 2025 (E-Visa) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Document | Tourist Card (paper) | Modernized Cuba E-Visa (digital) |
| How to Get It | At agency or airline | Only online |
| Who Needs It | Most foreigners | All except most direct Canadian travelers |
| Canadian Exception | Included in direct airfare | Included in direct airfare only, must apply if not direct |
| Processing Time | Instant | Up to 3 business days |
| Stay Length | 90 days (+ extension) | 90 days (+ extension) |
Extra Details About Traveling to Cuba 🇨🇺 After July 1, 2025
Travelers should pay close attention to the entry date because after June 30, the tourist card will not be accepted anymore. If you travel on or after July 1, you must have the new Modernized Cuba E-Visa unless you are a Canadian with a direct flight from Canada.
For anyone who is not sure, it is safer to check with the airline, authorized travel agency, or the official Cuban immigration page to get the most up-to-date instructions. This is important because immigration rules can sometimes change suddenly, and being turned away at the airport can ruin a trip.
The Importance of Completing the D’Viajeros Form
As reported by VisaVerge.com, even Canadian travelers who fly direct and do not need to apply for the Modernized Cuba E-Visa must fill out the D’Viajeros form before arrival. This digital form is not just about border checks—it is about health, customs, and making sure the Cuban authorities know who is coming into the country. Once the form is completed online, travelers get a QR code, which they must show to border control upon arrival.
Failing to complete the D’Viajeros form or forgetting to bring the QR code can cause long delays or even denial of entry at the Cuban border. It is best to fill out the form within the seven days before travel and to keep the QR code easily available, either printed or saved on your phone or tablet.
What Does This Mean for Different Types of Travelers?
- Tourists: Most tourists who want to visit Cuba 🇨🇺 for vacation must now plan ahead and apply for the Modernized Cuba E-Visa online. The old way—just buying the tourist card quickly at the airport—will not be possible.
- Canadians: Direct travelers from Canada get their visa included with airfare as before, but any indirect travel or transit outside Canada means the person must apply just like everyone else.
- Travelers from all other countries: No exceptions. All must use the online e-Visa process for entry into Cuba 🇨🇺.
- Family visitors, business travelers, students: People visiting for reasons other than tourism may still need to apply for other types of visas or documents. However, most short-term visits fall under the new Modernized Cuba E-Visa.
What Should Travelers Do to Prepare for the Change?
Travelers planning trips to Cuba 🇨🇺 in July 2025 or later should:
- Check that their passport will be valid for at least six months after their planned arrival date.
- Apply for the Modernized Cuba E-Visa well in advance — don’t wait until the last week before travel.
- Print their completed visa or have a digital copy saved.
- Fill out the D’Viajeros form within the seven days before travel and save the QR code for checking in.
- Carry all other required travel documents, including proof of travel insurance and confirmed return or onward travel tickets.
- Keep an eye on the official eVisaCuba portal for any updates, especially about payment processes or other changes.
What Happens if the Rules Are Not Followed?
If a traveler arrives in Cuba 🇨🇺 without the Modernized Cuba E-Visa (when needed), the D’Viajeros QR code, or the right documents, they could be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at the Cuban border. This can be stressful and costly. Travelers are always responsible for meeting the entry rules in place when they travel.
Have There Been Any Concerns About the Change?
Some people are worried that the end of the tourist card will make it harder to visit Cuba 🇨🇺. The online application needs more planning and sometimes more paperwork. Those not used to digital forms or online payments may find the process tricky at first. Some travel agencies have asked the Cuban government to allow for online payments, making the application easier. At the same time, the hope is that a digital process will make entering Cuba 🇨🇺 more secure and reduce possible abuses of the old, paper-based system.
Timeline of the Change
- Before June 30, 2025: Travelers continue to use the old tourist card (paper card) for entry.
- July 1, 2025: The Modernized Cuba E-Visa becomes required for all international travelers (except most Canadians on direct flights).
- After July 1, 2025: Only the e-Visa (with the D’Viajeros QR code and other documents) will get travelers into Cuba 🇨🇺.
Legal and Policy Notes
No legal challenges have been reported about the new e-Visa rule so far. However, major travel agencies and airlines are adjusting their systems to help inform and guide passengers about what they need to do. Consulates and embassies are also providing information and help for people who need extra assistance, especially if they do not have good internet access.
Final Advice and Next Steps
Travelers should always follow the latest rules. Government websites, airlines, and travel agencies are good sources for the most up-to-date information. Applying as early as possible is safest. The Modernized Cuba E-Visa application process, along with the D’Viajeros requirement, makes it clear that Cuba 🇨🇺 wants to manage border security in a stronger way while making the process more modern and less about paper forms.
Those planning trips should stick to official sites and never trust unauthorized agencies or people offering quick solutions for extra money. When in doubt, always refer directly to the official Cuban government page for the Modernized Cuba E-Visa process.
Disclaimer: This article offers general information about Cuba’s entry requirements for 2025 and later. Immigration laws and rules can change without warning. Travelers should always check official sources and get advice from immigration professionals or legal experts for their personal situations.
Learn Today
Modernized Cuba E-Visa → An electronic visa required from July 2025 for most travelers to Cuba, replacing the paper tourist card.
Tourist Card → A paper entry document previously used by Cuba allowing up to 90 days stay, replaced by the E-Visa.
D’Viajeros Form → An online customs and health declaration form Cuban travelers must complete before arrival, generating a QR code.
eVisaCuba Portal → The official Cuban government website where travelers apply for the Modernized Cuba E-Visa.
Extension → An approved add-on to the initial 90-day visa allowing visitors to stay up to 180 days in Cuba.
This Article in a Nutshell
Cuba ends the paper tourist card system on July 1, 2025, requiring most travelers to apply online for the Modernized Cuba E-Visa. This new digital system increases security, demands early planning, and applies to all except direct Canadian flights. Travelers must also complete health and customs forms before arrival.
— By VisaVerge.com
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