How to Travel to Cuba from Us Legally
International travel is a very common thing these days, and people from all over the world travel from one country to another for a variety of reasons. It is not a big hassle, even between countries that may not be maintaining the best of terms on the diplomatic front. There are some cases, however, in which the circumstances are extraordinary and travel is nearly prohibited or exceedingly difficult.
The US and Cuba have had a long history of political issues and to date do not maintain good relations. Previously, it was nearly impossible for a US citizen to travel to Cuba, at least legally. However, that changed when Bill Clinton came to power and eased the travel sanctions. A process is still in place, however, and one must adhere to all the requirements to make sure that he or she can travel to Cuba.
Instructions
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1
Have a Reason
The first thing that you need to do is have a reason for wanting to travel to Cuba. It can simply be for meeting family and friends or to visit the country for the purpose of a vacation. People can now travel for academic, cultural and religious reasons, without the same trouble they used to face previously. Whatever your reason, you will need to have documentation to prove the purpose of your travel. -
2
Contact a Tour Operator
Your trip will be managed through a tour operator so you need to contact one in order to set the wheels in motion. An approved operator has to be engaged in order to get permission for travel to Cuba. They will help you get the “people to people” license which is required for such travel. This can be for a general or a specific purpose, depending on the nature of your trip. -
3
Permission from OFAC
You need to have permission from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets (OFAC) before you can travel to Cuba. You can fill out the paper work on a computer but you need to print it out and sign it before you submit it to the department so that they can grant you permission. They require you to submit your application at least 45 days before you intend to travel so that there are no delays in your travel and the OFAC has enough time to process your application. Ensure that you actually file for the permission earlier than the prescribed period, just to make sure that you do not face any delays in your plans.
