For travelers to the USA who can enter the USA with an ESTA, the following message is important and must be observed:
On January 12, 2021, the US authorities declared Cuba a so-called “State Sponsor of Terrorism” (SST). This means the following for you as an applicant who is participating in the program for the 40 countries that can take part in visa-free travel (Visa Waiver Program/VWP) and who submit their entry application for the USA via the electronic application system ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization):
If you traveled to Cuba on or after January 12, 2021, you cannot and may no longer use the electronic ESTA application process to travel to the United States. Since the question of previous trips to Cuba has not yet been asked when applying, the ESTA approval can technically still be applied for, but this will lead to a refusal to enter the USA.
If you are a citizen with dual citizenship of Cuba and a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program, you can no longer enter the country with an ESTA approval.
Entry bans or deportations from the USA can occur if you withhold information or provide false information. An ESTA authorization that has already been granted can be revoked or entry denied if this is subsequently determined.
In the case of a trip to Cuba or if you are a Cuban national, you must therefore apply for a visa if you wish to enter the USA. Usually it is a business visa (B1), tourism visa (B2) or a B1/B2 visa. To apply for these different types of visas, allow sufficient processing time with an interview visit to the US consulate or embassy.
Please contact us. We’ll gladly assist you!
