Travel requirements · U.S. travellers

Can Americans visit Cuba?

Yes — but not as a tourist. U.S. law does not ban Americans from Cuba; it bans tourism. You travel legally under one of twelve authorized categories, and for most independent travellers that means “Support for the Cuban People.” Here is exactly how it works, what you need, and where the official rules live.

Visa & entry →Compliant itineraries →Flights →
This is information, not legal advice, and it is time-sensitive. U.S.–Cuba travel rules (OFAC, the Cuba Restricted List) and Cuban entry rules change with each administration and each resolution. Every claim below links to its official source; confirm against those before you book. Last reviewed 2026-08-01. See Cuba Now for changes as they break.

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Is it legal for a U.S. citizen to travel to Cuba?

Yes. Travel itself is authorized; what is prohibited is tourism. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (31 CFR Part 515) and permits travel under twelve general-license categories. “General license” means there is no application to file with OFAC — you self-qualify, travel, and keep records. You do not need the U.S. government’s permission slip; you need to genuinely fit a category.

The 12 authorized categories of travel

  1. Family visits
  2. Official government business (U.S., foreign, and certain intergovernmental)
  3. Journalistic activity
  4. Professional research and professional meetings
  5. Educational activities
  6. Religious activities
  7. Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic or other competitions and exhibitions
  8. Support for the Cuban people
  9. Humanitarian projects
  10. Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
  11. Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials
  12. Certain authorized export transactions

Tourist travel is not among them. Source: U.S. Treasury / OFAC — Cuba travel FAQs.

“Support for the Cuban People” — the path most travellers use

This category lets you build a real trip — Havana, Viñales, Trinidad — while meeting the rules, because it is designed around engaging Cuba’s private sector and civil society rather than the state. In practice:

  • Keep a FULL-TIME schedule of activities that strengthen civil society, support the Cuban people, or promote their independence from state control — not a beach holiday with a label.
  • Stay in privately-run casas particulares, not state-owned hotels.
  • Eat at private paladares and buy from private (cuentapropista) businesses.
  • Have meaningful, in-person interactions with Cubans (guided tours, workshops, small businesses).
  • Avoid entities on the Cuba Restricted List (mostly military-linked hotels and firms).
  • Keep your itinerary, receipts and records for FIVE years, in case OFAC ever asks.

Every place on CubaAtlas is a real location you can build a full-time, people-to-people schedule around — and the free trip planner and ready-made itineraries keep casas and paladares (not state hotels) at the centre.

What you actually need to go

  1. 1
    Pick your category (usually "Support for the Cuban People")

    These are GENERAL licenses — you self-qualify, there is no form to file with OFAC. You simply must genuinely meet the category and keep records.

  2. 2
    Get the Cuban eVisa

    Cuba's electronic tourist visa (eVisa) is now the standard entry document, replacing the paper tourist card. Buy it online before you fly; airlines from the U.S. also sell the equivalent Cuba travel card at the gate.

  3. 3
    File the D'Viajeros form

    Every traveller must submit Cuba's D'Viajeros advance declaration (health + customs) online shortly before arrival, and carry the QR code.

  4. 4
    Carry travel medical insurance

    Cuba requires visitors to hold medical insurance valid in Cuba; it is frequently bundled into the airfare on flights from the U.S. Keep proof.

  5. 5
    Bank in cash, and skip Cuban rum & cigars for home

    U.S. cards generally do not work in Cuba — bring cash. And Cuban-origin alcohol and tobacco cannot be brought back into the U.S., regardless of amount.

Full entry detail on the visa & entry page, and what you can carry on the customs page.

The Cuba Restricted List

The U.S. State Department publishes a list of Cuban entities — mainly military-linked hotels and companies — that U.S. persons generally may not transact with. Staying in a private casa particular rather than a listed state hotel keeps you clear of it and fits “Support for the Cuban People.”

↗ U.S. Department of State — Cuba Restricted List

Official sources

Frequently asked questions

Can an American legally visit Cuba right now?
Yes — U.S. persons may travel to Cuba, but tourism is not one of the authorized reasons. You travel under one of OFAC's 12 general-license categories, and for most independent travellers that means "Support for the Cuban People," which requires a full-time schedule of qualifying activities and record-keeping. There is no OFAC form to file for a general license; you self-qualify and keep records. See the official OFAC guidance linked above for the current rules.
What is "Support for the Cuban People" travel?
It is the general-license category most independent U.S. travellers use. You commit to a full-time schedule that supports Cuba's private sector and civil society — staying in casas particulares, eating in paladares, buying from private businesses and engaging directly with Cubans — instead of a state-hotel beach holiday. You keep your itinerary and receipts for five years.
Do I need a visa to visit Cuba as a US citizen?
Yes. Cuba requires an entry visa — now issued as an electronic tourist visa (eVisa) for most visitors, which replaced the paper tourist card. You buy it online before travel (airlines from the U.S. also sell the equivalent card). Separately, you must file Cuba's D'Viajeros advance declaration online before arrival.
Is there a health-insurance requirement for Cuba?
Yes. Cuba requires travellers to hold travel medical insurance that is valid in Cuba. On many flights from the U.S. this is bundled into the ticket price; otherwise buy a policy and carry proof.
What is the Cuba Restricted List?
It is a U.S. State Department list of Cuban entities — mainly hotels and businesses tied to the Cuban military — that U.S. persons are generally prohibited from transacting with. Staying in a private casa particular rather than a listed state hotel keeps you clear of it and fits "Support for the Cuban People."
Can I bring Cuban cigars and rum back to the US?
No. Cuban-origin alcohol and tobacco cannot be brought into the United States as accompanied baggage, regardless of value — a U.S. sanctions rule separate from Cuban customs.
Will visiting Cuba affect my US ESTA / Visa Waiver?
It can matter for foreign nationals: because Cuba is designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism, travellers who have visited Cuba may lose ESTA / Visa Waiver eligibility and need a U.S. visa instead. Check the current U.S. rules for your situation.

CubaAtlas is an independent, non-commercial information project. This page explains publicly available U.S. and Cuban rules and cites their sources; it is not legal advice and does not book, sell or arrange travel. For a decision that affects your compliance, consult the official sources above or a qualified professional.