While the electronic visa (e-Visa) has been the standard for entering the island since July 2024, Cuba has has just granted an unexpected reprieve to holders of physical tourist cards, who will now be able to use them until December 31, 2025.
While they were initially set to expire on June 30, 2025, to make way for the exclusive use of the electronic visa from July 1, tourist cards already issued will ultimately be valid for entry into Cuba until December 31, 2025.
“Since July 2024, travelers can apply for their electronic visa at evisacuba.cu. Physical tourist cards will no longer be issued, but if you have one, it will remain valid until December 31, 2025,” announced the Cuban Ministry of Tourism.
This statement from the Cuban authorities therefore provides further respite for travelers who already have an unused “Tarjeta del Turista,” as the island had already postponed the deadline for use once, from December 31, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
This transitional measure aims to facilitate the gradual adoption of the digital platform without penalizing those who had planned their trip in advance.
The Cuba e-Visa: a simplified digital procedure
Since its launch in July 2024, the electronic visa (e-Visa) has become the new standard for entering Cuba. Accessible via the official portal evisacuba.cu, this system replaces the tourist card for all new applications.
The visa costs around €22 on average (but US$50 in the United States). However, due to the specific context of international transactions with Cuba, payment cannot be made online: fees must be paid directly to the relevant Cuban embassy or consulate, using the payment method specified locally (check, bank transfer, cash, etc.).
The e-Visa application process is therefore almost entirely online: travelers fill out a form, upload proof of payment for the e-Visa, and receive their electronic visa by email, usually within a few days.
The e-Visa allows a single entry into Cuba for a stay of up to 90 days, with the possibility of extension from the local authorities.
This gradual digitization marks a real modernization of entry formalities. However, even once the visa has been obtained, a final online administrative step remains mandatory before departure: the D’Viajeros form.
D’Viajeros: a form not to be forgotten before traveling to Cuba
In addition to the visa application, Cuba still requires the D’Viajeros form, which is mandatory for all travelers before their arrival.
Available on the website dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu, this form must now be completed within 7 days prior to arrival in Cuba, instead of 72 hours as previously required. This relaxation, in force since October 2024, makes it easier to plan travel formalities in advance.
Registration on the D’Viajeros platform allows the authorities to collect the information they need for entry into the country, for more efficient health and immigration checks. This is an essential step that should not be overlooked, whether you are traveling with a physical card or an e-Visa, as the information on the latter is included in the electronic travel declaration, which has a QR code.
