Please note that travelling between the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America for ‘tourist activities’ remains prohibited regardless of the nationality of the passenger. Travellers are also expected to have a full-time schedule of activities related to their category of travel. And it’s advised that records of travel transactions/receipts be retained for five years.
The United States Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued general licenses for 12 categories of travel. Individuals who meet the regulatory conditions of the general license they seek to travel under do not need to apply for an additional license from OFAC to travel to Cuba. The 12 categories of authorised travel to Cuba are: family visits; official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organisations; journalistic activity; professional research and professional meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials; and certain authorised export transactions.
For details on Cuba sanctions regulations, including fact sheets on recent changes and information about applying for an OFAC license, please visit this Department of Treasury webpage. For travel-specific questions, please see 31 C.F.R. 515.560 and OFAC’s Frequently Asked Questions. The U.S. Department of State provides more information about travelling to Cuba at Travel.State.Gov.