Before traveling to Cuba as a tourist, it is necessary for nationals of visa-exempt nationalities to obtain a tourist card. To do this, it is generally not recommended to wait until the big day to take the steps to obtain this card. Here is the essential thing to know about the tourist visa card and the time required for its issuance.
When to apply for a Cuba tourist card?
The time it takes to obtain the tourist card generally depends on postal processing times, but also on the card stocks held by embassies and approved agencies. For consulate processing time, it is immediate. As for that of the Post Office, it varies from one (1) to five (5) days. This is why it is generally advisable to apply for a Cuba tourist card at least five (5) days before your departure.
Regarding this request for a Cuba tourist card, two possibilities are particularly available to you. First, you can opt for an in-person application at the Cuban embassy in Paris. In most cases, delivery is immediate for this type of request.
The second option is to apply online through a specialized agency. In this context, you can simply do your tourist card application in a few clicks without having to go to the embassy. This alternative allows you to particularly benefit from a considerable saving of time.
Regardless of the process you choose, the ideal would be to make your request five (5) days in advance even if delivery can be immediate in certain cases.
What are the formalities for applying for the Cuba tourist card?
To put it simply, the Cuba tourist card is the equivalent of a tourist visa to travel to the island of Cuba. The competent authorities require this card before your departure to Cuba. This boarding authorization is just as valid for adults as for minors. It must therefore be emphasized that this card is nominative. This means that each person will have to have their own card before being authorized to enter Cuban territory.
To obtain this card, you will need to complete a certain number of procedures and provide documents such as:
- valid passport,
- the return plane ticket or certificate from the travel agency,
- and proof of health and repatriation insurance.
It should be noted that the procedure does not require hotel reservations, passport photos or even invitation letters.
On the other hand, it should be noted that the tourist card does not allow you to settle in Cuba to live there or carry out any other professional activity. The tourist card never expires.
