Cuba Visa for United Kingdom Citizens 2026 - Requirements, Fees & Processing

Overview

Planning a trip to Cuba as a British citizen? You need a Cuban e-Visa (Tourist Card) before travel, which costs £22 and takes about 72 hours to process. As of July 2026, Cuba requires the electronic visa system for all visitors. With straightforward documentation requirements and a 98% approval rate for UK applicants, the process is simple if you prepare correctly.

Visa Application process

Step 1: Gather Your Information Before starting, have ready:3 • Valid UK passport (at least 6 months validity beyond arrival) • Email address • Travel dates • Accommodation address in Cuba (at least first night) • Payment method Step 2: Apply for the e-Visa Apply through the official portal at evisacuba.cu or through authorized UK providers.46 Enter your passport details, travel information, and pay the £22 fee. You will receive your e-Visa code via email within 72 hours. Step 3: Complete the D’Viajeros Form Within 72 hours of your arrival in Cuba, complete the online entry form at dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu.5 You will need: • Passport details • e-Visa code • Flight information • Accommodation address • Health declaration information After submission, you receive a QR code by email. Save this to your phone and print a backup. Airlines will verify you have completed this form at check-in.1 Step 4: Prepare Your Documents Gather all required documents: • Valid UK passport • e-Visa confirmation with code • D’Viajeros QR code • Travel insurance proof • Return flight booking • Accommodation confirmation

Visa Application Steps

Step 1: Gather Your Information
Step 2: Apply for the e-Visa
Step 3: Complete the D’Viajeros Form
Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

Visa Fees breakdown

Service: Cost	Standard e-Visa: £22	Priority e-Visa (same day): £30	Travel Insurance (if needed at airport): ~$4.50/day	Some UK providers charge additional service fees. The official eVisaCuba portal offers competitive pricing.4

What you need to prove

Cuban entry requirements focus on practical matters rather than financial scrutiny:

Valid passport meeting the 6-month validity requirement
e-Visa obtained before travel
Travel insurance with medical coverage valid in Cuba
Return ticket or proof of onward travel
Accommodation for at least your first night

Required documents

Valid UK Passport
Cuban e-Visa (Tourist Card)
D'Viajeros Digital Entry Form
Travel Insurance with Medical Coverage
Return or Onward Ticket
Proof of Accommodation
Sufficient Funds

Valid UK Passport

Your passport must meet Cuban entry requirements for validity • Valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date in Cuba; • Valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date; • At least one blank page for entry stamp; • Must not be damaged or defaced] (Tip: Check your passport expiry date before applyingRenew your passport if it expires within 6 months of travel)

Cuban e-Visa (Tourist Card)

Electronic tourist card required for entry, obtained online before travel • Apply through official eVisaCuba portal or authorized UK providers; • UK citizens need the 'Green' type tourist card; • Valid for single entry within 180 days of issue; • Receive e-Visa code via email within 72 hours; • e-Visa code is linked to your D'Viajeros submission] (Tip: Apply at least 7 days before travel to allow for any delaysKeep your e-Visa code accessible for the D'Viajeros formScreenshot or print your confirmation email)

D'Viajeros Digital Entry Form

Mandatory online health and customs declaration form completed before arrival • Complete at dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu within 72 hours before arrival; • Enter your e-Visa code when filling out the form; • Provide flight details, accommodation address, and health information; • Receive QR code via email after submission; • Airlines will verify completion at check-in] (Tip: Complete 48-72 hours before departureSave QR code to your phone and print a backupWi-Fi may not be available at Cuban airports)

Travel Insurance with Medical Coverage

Cuba requires all visitors to have valid travel insurance with medical coverage • Minimum $10,000 USD medical coverage required; • Must cover emergency treatment and hospitalization; • Must include medical evacuation and repatriation; • Policy must be valid for entire stay in Cuba; • Must explicitly cover travel in Cuba] (Tip: Check your policy covers Cuba specificallyCarry printed proof of insuranceIf you arrive without insurance, you must purchase from Asistur at the airport)

Return or Onward Ticket

Proof of departure from Cuba is required for entry • Must show confirmed return or onward travel; • Immigration officers may ask to see your booking] (Tip: Book flexible tickets if your plans may changeKeep a copy of your itinerary accessible)

Proof of Accommodation

Documentation of where you will stay in Cuba • Hotel reservations or casa particular booking; • Address required for D'Viajeros form; • At least one night must be booked before arrival] (Tip: Casas particulares (private homes) are popular and affordableAirbnb operates in Cuba for private rentalsHave your first night's accommodation address ready)

Sufficient Funds

Ability to support yourself during your stay • No specific minimum amount stated; • Must be able to cover accommodation, food, and activities; • UK credit and debit cards generally work in Cuba (unlike US cards)] (Tip: Bring cash in Euros or GBP as backupATMs are available but can be unreliableMastercard typically works better than Visa in Cuba)

If your application is denied

Cuban e-Visa denials are uncommon for UK citizens but can happen due to:
Technical Issues:
Incomplete application fields
Passport information errors
Payment processing problems
Poor quality document uploads
If denied for technical reasons, correct the errors and reapply. Most issues are easily resolved.
Administrative Denial:
In rare cases, denial may occur due to:
Passport validity not meeting requirements
Missing travel insurance confirmation
Security concerns (very rare for tourists)
Review the rejection notice carefully and address the specific issues before reapplying.

Comparison

Service	Cost
Standard e-Visa	£22
Priority e-Visa (same day)	£30
Travel Insurance (if needed at airport)	~$4.50/day

Common rejection reasons

%	Reason
35%	Incomplete e-Visa Application
25%	Inadequate Travel Insurance
20%	Missing D'Viajeros Form
12%	Passport Validity Issues
8%	Information Inconsistencies

35% - Incomplete e-Visa Application

How to avoid: Double-check all information matches your passport exactly. Complete all required fields before submitting.

25% - Inadequate Travel Insurance

How to avoid: Verify your policy includes at least $10,000 medical coverage and specifically covers Cuba. Carry printed proof of your policy.

20% - Missing D'Viajeros Form

How to avoid: Complete the D'Viajeros form 48-72 hours before departure. Save your QR code to your phone and print a backup copy.

12% - Passport Validity Issues

How to avoid: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date and is in good condition.

8% - Information Inconsistencies

How to avoid: Carefully verify all details match your passport exactly. Use copy-paste where possible to avoid typos.

Frequently asked questions

Do British citizens need a visa for Cuba?

Yes. All British citizens need a tourist card (e-Visa) to enter Cuba for tourism. As of July 2026, Cuba requires the electronic visa system, which you must obtain before travel. The e-Visa costs £22 and is processed within 72 hours.

How do I get a Cuban e-Visa from the UK?

Apply online at evisacuba.cu or through authorized UK providers like cubavisa.uk. You need your passport details, travel dates, and accommodation information. The e-Visa is processed within 72 hours and sent to your email. Enter the e-Visa code in your D'Viajeros form before travel.

How long can I stay in Cuba with a tourist visa?

The Cuban tourist card allows stays of up to 90 days. You can extend for an additional 90 days by visiting a Cuban immigration office while in Cuba, paying approximately $25-40 CUP. Maximum total stay is 180 days.

What is the D'Viajeros form?

D'Viajeros is a mandatory digital entry form required for all travelers to Cuba. Complete it online at dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu within 72 hours of arrival. Enter your e-Visa code, flight details, and accommodation address. You receive a QR code that immigration officers scan upon entry.

Do I need travel insurance for Cuba?

Yes. Cuba requires all visitors to have travel insurance with medical coverage. Your policy must include at least $10,000 medical coverage, emergency treatment, and repatriation. Immigration may ask for proof of insurance upon arrival. If you arrive without insurance, you must purchase from Asistur at the airport.

Can I use my UK bank card in Cuba?

Generally yes. Unlike US cards, UK credit and debit cards typically work in Cuba. Mastercard tends to work more reliably than Visa. However, always bring backup cash in Euros or GBP as ATMs can be unreliable and not all establishments accept cards.

What type of tourist card do UK citizens need?

UK citizens need the 'Green' tourist card (e-Visa), which is for travelers from countries other than the USA. If you are flying via the United States, you may need the 'Pink' card instead. Check your specific routing when applying.

How long does the Cuban e-Visa take to process?

Standard processing takes approximately 72 hours. Priority service is available for same-day processing at an additional cost. Apply at least one week before travel to allow for any potential delays.

Will visiting Cuba affect my ESTA eligibility for the USA?

Yes. If you travel to Cuba after January 12, 2021, you are no longer eligible for ESTA visa-free travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. You will need to apply for a US visa instead.

What happens if my Cuban e-Visa is denied?

Cuban e-Visa denials are rare for UK citizens and usually result from application errors or missing information. Check your rejection notice, correct any issues, and reapply. Common problems include passport information mismatches, missing travel insurance, or incomplete forms.

Apply for Cuba tourist visa online

Sources

UK Government - Cuba Entry Requirements

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cuba/entry-requirements

Cuban Embassy in the UK

https://misiones.cubaminrex.cu/en/united-kingdom/embassy-cuba-united-kingdom-great-britain-and-northern-ireland

Official Cuban Tourism Portal

https://www.cubatravel.cu/en/useful-information/regulations-and-formalities

eVisaCuba Official Portal

https://evisacuba.cu/en/inicio

D'Viajeros Entry Form Portal

https://dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/

Cuba Visa UK - Authorized Provider

https://cubavisa.uk/

At a glance