Cuba Visa Application Form

Life in Havana has only two gears: high and low. Low (languorous, romantic, wistful) is usually reserved for lazing in the sunshine, playing chess in the street or sipping coconut water in the Plaza de la Catedral, the city's main square. Whereas high (flirtatious, excitable, humorous) is carnival, beach life and the genuinely hospitable face that greets tourists as they step off the plane.

The fact that Havana's bars, clubs and theatres often pop up overnight, many in fantastically elegant (if dilapidated) surroundings, only adds to its charm.

Away from the capital, the gear is always low, especially in rustic Trinidad, whose colonial Plaza Mayor rarely sees more action than a lone farmer on horseback crossing the broad expanse of cobblestones.

The many landscapes of Cuba lend themselves well to the adventurous. The fabulous coral reefs, among the largest in the world, are a magnet for snorkellers and divers. At the south end of the island, hikers flock to the spectacular Sierra Maestra, Cuba's highest mountain range. Climbing into the sky, its peaks are a wilderness of mahogany and cedar woods, river gorges and rugged bays.

Will Cuba change after Castro? The answer is an unequivocal yes. So visit it now and see the last of its past.

Passports: Passports valid for at least six months after the departure date from Cuba required by all nationals without diplomatic representation in Cuba.

Note: Persons of Cuban origin who are nationals of other countries must travel with a Cuban passport if they left Cuba after 1970.

Visas: Required by all except:
a) those nationals whose countries have signed visa-exemption agreements with Cuba (contact the Consulate for further information);
b) 1. holders of a Tourist Visa Card. Certain tour operators, travel agencies and airlines can issue a Tourist Visa Card valid for one single trip of up to 30 days, although the stay can be extended in Cuba. Stipulations are that the traveller pre-books and pre-pays hotel accommodation in Cuba through an officially recognised tour operator. The card must be bought in the country where the trip has been arranged. All passengers must hold tickets and other documentation required for their onward or return journey unless holding special annotation issued by a Cuban Consulate;
c) transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country within 72 hours, provided they hold confirmed onward tickets and US$50 per day.

Note: (a) All business travellers (except journalists, those attending a conference or those wishing to study) need a visa, regardless of nationality. (b) Neither visa exemptions nor Tourist Visa Card facilities are applicable to foreign passport holders born in Cuba, unless holding a document proving withdrawal of Cuban citizenship.

Exit permits: Required by those whose stay in Cuba exceeds 90 days.

Types of visa and cost: Tourist Visa Card: £15. All visas are £49.99.

Cost of Visa Conversion Table:

£10	US$18
£20	US$36
£30	US$55
£40	US$73
£50	US$91
£60	US$109
£70	US$127
£80	US$146
£90	US$164
£100	US$182
£110	US$200
£120	US$218
£130	US$236
£140	US$255
£150	US$273

Note: (a) With the exception of tourist visa cards, all visas have an additional charge of £15 for expenses in connection with visa authorisation. (b) Journalist visas must be authorised by the Centro de Prensa Internacional del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba.

Validity: Tourist visa cards must be used within 180 days of issue, with one entry permitted. Tourist visa cards and tourist and business visas are valid for 30 days from date of entry; extensions of a further 30 days are possible.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Application forms for tourist visa cards can be obtained from certain tour operators and travel agents.

Application requirements: Tourist Visa Card: (a) One completed application form. (b) Photocopy of valid passport. (c) Photocopy of return ticket or travel agent voucher for pre-paid package tour, plus proof of accommodation. (d) Fee (payable in cash or by postal order). Business: (a) Valid passport. (b) Two completed application forms. (c) Two passport-size photos. (d) Details of business contact in Cuba. (e) Letter of invitation from Cuban company, organisation or institution. (f) Fee (payable in cash, by postal order or bank counter-cheque). Journalist: (a) Valid passport with photocopy. (b) Two completed application forms. (c) Two passport-size photos. (d) A sponsor letter from employer and a written version of your journalistic project, plus a list of photographic/filming equipment that applicant is intending to bring into Cuba. (e) Fee (payable by postal order or bank counter-cheque).

Note: (a) Once a Journalist visa has been issued, the individual must report to the Centro de Prensa Internacional for accreditation. They should take two photos and US$60. (b) All applications by post require a self-addressed envelope; recorded mail or special delivery is especially recommended.

Working days required: Tourist visa card: One day (seven days for postal applications). Tourist visa: Seven to 10 days. Business visa: 10 days (two weeks for postal applications). Journalist visa: Six weeks minimum.

Temporary residence: Enquire at Embassy.

I’m going on holiday to Cuba - why is travel insurance important in Cuba?

Did you know that suffering a hip fracture in the Cuba could cost you £22,531? Or that a heart attack in Spain will set you back £35,000? While you may consider yourself to be in good health there are always unexpected accidents waiting to happen. It’s much better to be safe than sorry.

There are less than 60 countries that have reciprocal healthcare arrangements with the UK and the majority of these are based on emergency procedures. For example, if you needed to go to casualty in Australia (one of the countries that has an arrangement with the UK) you could still end up with a hefty bill – though your treatment may be ‘free’ your ride in the ambulance would not be. Meanwhile, the USA has NO arrangement with the UK meaning that falling ill ‘across the pond’ could put you on the fast track to bankruptcy.

However,it’s not just about medical expenses. Travel insurance can also cover loss of luggage or other personal belongings such as passports and money, repatriation costs and cancelled or delayed flights. Also, damage that you may cause to third parties is also covered in many cases. With all these potential expenses, it’s easy to see why a comprehensive travel insurance policy is highly recommended.

So how much does travel insurance cost?

Research undertaken by Alliance & Leicester has shown that UK holidaymakers pay 1.3bn more than they need to on travel insurance each year. This is despite the fact that travel insurance appears to be relatively cheap – normally around £25 for each week abroad. So how are we managing to overspend so excessively?

About 60% of us are taking the ‘easy’ option and using travel agents to attain insurance at the same time as we book our holiday. In fact, insurance sold through agencies helps them boost their profits and can be up to five times the cost of buying it separately. In some cases travel insurance is promoted as a ‘free’ add-on with the package – but the reality is that you will be paying for it somewhere along the line.

The fact is that online travel companies have blown the holiday market wide open. Without the overheads of running high-street stores, online retailers can offer cheaper flights, hotels and car hire. This also applies to travel insurance.