Cuba Travel Affidavit: Fill & Download for Free

It is legal to travel to Cuba. There are 12 ways to go . Go to the latest (2019) Treasury Department OFAC rules on travel to Cuba.You must participate in a full day of activities (8am-5pm) and keep this itinerary on file for 5 years. The link below gives examples.Many travel under a general license and check this box on the travel affidavit “Support for the Cuban people (31 C.F.R. § 515.574)” which “promotes independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba” according to the Electronic Code Of Federal Regulations.

Warning: long copy-paste coming:TRAVEL BETWEEN USA and CUBANote the following has been updated in accordance with the June 5 2019 OFAC regulatory changes which1/. “ removes an authorization for people-to-people educational travel that was conducted under the auspices of an organization that is subject to U.S. jurisdiction and that sponsors such exchanges to promote people-to-people contact (group people-to-people educational travel). This amendment also includes a grandfather clause authorizing certain group people-to-people educational travel that previously was authorized where the traveler has already completed at least one travel-related transaction (such as purchasing a flight or reserving accommodation) prior to June 5, 2019.”2/.Furthermore “passenger (i.e cruise ships) and recreational vessels and private and corporate aircraft [are now] ineligible for a license exception and to establish a general policy of denial for license applications involving those vessels and aircraft.Cuba has for a long time ceased to be an ‘exotic’ destination As well as the squillion of largely Canadian tourists who largely fly direct to often isolated all inclusive enclaves tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world including the USA have been travelling independently to Cuba for many years. The tourist trail is now extremely well trodden.AffidavitIF FLYING DIRECT from US via a charter company or on a direct flight you simple tick a box in and sign (or indicate on line when purchasing a ticket) an affidavit saying that you meet one of the 12 requirements for legal travel to Cuba.* The airlines have indicated that they will retain the forms for 5 years. Note each airline has different procedure regarding this but all have concise information on their websites.Some would argue that this is not even an “affidavit” as it is NOT a statement of facts which is sworn to (or affirmed) before an officer who has authority to administer an oath (e.g. a notary public). [Disclaimer: we have no US legal qualifications]Most categories also have the expectation that "The traveller’s schedule of activities must not include free time or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full-time schedule in Cuba".The most popular OFAC category for independent travellers is "Support for Cuban People". US Treasury explains this as follows -Example 1 to § 515.574: An individual plans to travel to Cuba, stay in a room at a rented accommodation in a private Cuban residence (casa particular), eat at privately-owned Cuban restaurants (paladares), and shop at privately-owned stores run by self-employed Cubans (cuentapropista) during his or her four-day trip. While at the casa particular, the individual will have breakfast each morning with the Cuban host and engage with the Cuban host to learn about Cuban culture. In addition, the traveler will complete his or her full-time schedule by supporting Cuban entrepreneurs launching their privately-owned businesses. The traveler’s activities promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba. Because the individual’s qualifying activities are not limited to staying in a room at a rented accommodation in a private Cuban residence (casa particular), eating at privately-owned Cuban restaurants (paladares), and shopping at privately owned stores run by self-employed Cubans (cuentapropista) and the traveler maintains a full-time schedule that enhances contact with the Cuban people, supports civil society in Cuba, and promotes the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities, and that results in meaningful interaction between the traveler and Cuban individuals, the individual’s travel qualifies for the general license.'Trump has cancelled all direct flights from US EXCEPT those going direct to Habana as of December 10 2019. Flights to all other Cuban cities will be discontinuedIF FLYING VIA A THIRD COUNTRY e.g. Canada or Mexico if the travel is on the same airline originating in US then you will also be required by complete an affidavit.Some airlines including Aero Mexico and Air Canada also now require you to complete the affidavit even if commencing the journey to Cuba with that airline in a 3rd country :Aero Mexico state "The following passengers need to give us a signed and completed form at the gate in Mexico City or Cancun:•United States citizens•United States residents•Persons who purchase their ticket to Cuba while physically in the United States•Persons who began their travel to Cuba from the United States"Note: so called affidavit is not actually an OFAC requirement but something manufactured by charter companies and airlines to cover their backs Aero Mexico also state:"At this time we do not transmit the completed forms to the U.S. government, but retain them in case of any potential future audit by the U.S. government."Aeromexico flights to Havana (HAV airport) | AeromexicoFor some it may make more sense to fly via 3rd country e.g. Canada or Mexico depending on where they live. Again your travel is only legal if you meet one of those criteria.There have been no reports of anyone having to prove this on return. As above NO ONE has been fined for illegal travel to Cuba for last 10 years.If resident in the USA these provisions apply irrespective of whether you have any other nation’s passport. From the Cuban perspective all nations are equally welcome with absolutely no discrimination against those from the USA.This is list of airlines flying direct from Mexico to Havana. Note first 2 accept on line bookings using US credit cards.Interjet - Vuelos nacionales e internacionalesCubana de Aviación: Vuelos y pasajes baratos en cubana.cuAeromexicoFor Florida starting pointCopa fly direct from Panama.Cayman Airways fly direct from Grand CaymanFrom various Canadian citiesCubanaHolaSun (aka CaribeSol) (packages with Cubana)Air CanadaWestjetSunwingAir TransatAir ChinaAll tickets include tourist visa and departure tax. All except Air China and Cubana specialize in air/hotel packages but also sell air-only tickets. For short stays, the cheapest package may be less expensive than the cheapest plane ticket, and will include a transfer from the airport to the included hotel. If you have no plans to stay at that hotel, talk to the tour company rep about drop-off and pick-up at a more convenient location. Beware of Havana packages landing in Varadero (up to 2 hours extra travel time).Non US Citizens to CubaThe same rules for direct flights apply to everybody departing from US - nothing to do with nationality. This was implied since Dec 2014 but then clarified in Q&A's from OFAC September 2015.However caution is advised for non permanent residents of the US living there under some sort of temporary visa status who are considering ILLEGAL travel to Cuba.YOU CAN FIND THIS INFO AND MUCH MORE HERE, PAGE 2, #19Thorn Tree - Cuba Branch FAQ

Book a flight, get a tourist visa from a third party vendor (the airline has one), sign an affidavit choosing one of 12 categories (the airline gives this to you at the airport)(choose “in support of the Cuban People” that is the least restrictive one) Keep an 8–5 itinerary of approved activities. (Not lounging on the beach or snorkeling. The full list is on the OFAC website.) Keep that itinerary on file for 5 years in the event the State Department ask for it.