The removal of Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism paves the way for more peaceful diplomatic relations and simplifies procedures for travelers who have visited the island since 2021.
With just a few days to go before the end of his term in office, US President Joe Biden yesterday announced Cuba‘s removal from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Initially included in 1982 under the Reagan administration, then removed in 2015 during Barack Obama’s presidency, Cuba had been reinstated on this list, which includes North Korea, Iran and Syria, on January 12, 2021 during Donald Trump’s first term.
President Biden made this decision on the basis of an in-depth assessment which concluded that Cuba no longer met the criteria defined by US law for inclusion on this list.
“The Government of Cuba has not provided any support for international terrorism during the preceding 6-month period and has provided assurances that it will not support acts of international terrorism in the future,” explains the US president.
This initiative, which aims to foster more constructive diplomatic relations between the two countries while encouraging a more stable regional dynamic in the Caribbean, will also impact many travelers to the United States.
A significant impact on travel to the USA
In addition to its diplomatic implications, this decision is expected to have a direct impact on certain international travelers, notably those included in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Since 2021, people who had visited Cuba were considered ineligible for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) authorization, and therefore had to apply for a conventional visa (B1/B2) to travel to the United States. This restriction was a direct consequence of Cuba’s inclusion on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
With the lifting of this designation, travelers who have visited Cuba since 2021 will once again be able to apply for ESTA authorization, simplifying the process for entering the United States.
U.S. authorities have yet to specify when this change will take effect. The official ESTA website (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/) still states that travelers who have visited Cuba since January 12, 2021 cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) using the ESTA electronic travel authorization system, and must apply for a visa to travel to the USA.
ESTA in brief
ESTA is an online system enabling citizens of Visa Waiver Program member countries to travel to the United States for stays of 90 days or less, whether for tourism, business or transit.
Currently, the following 42 countries and territories are eligible for this program:
- Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
After adding Israel in 2023 and Qatar in 2024, the United States will add a 43rd country to the Visa Waiver Program by March 31, 2025: Romania.
The ESTA application is made directly on the Internet, or via the official mobile application, for a fee of $21. Once granted, the authorization remains valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Multiple visits to the U.S. can be made during this period.
Requirements include possession of a biometric or electronic passport and the provision of certain personal and travel information at the time of application.
