Travel to the USA if you have visited Cuba

Explore have recently received an update about the application process for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization also known as the Visa Waiver Program) which allows visa free travel to the USA, which also applies to flights transiting the USA.  

Historically, anyone who has travelled to Libya, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011 has been ineligible for an ESTA, and instead has to apply for a visa before travelling to, or transiting through, the USA. 

In January 2021 the USA government declared the government of Cuba to be a state sponsor of terror. They have recently announced that if a traveller is found to have visited Cuba then they should no longer apply for an ESTA to permit entry or transit to the US but instead will need to apply for a visa. 

Various sources, including the US Embassy in Paris, are indicating that this will apply for any travel to Cuba since January 2021, when the country was declared a state sponsor of terror, but the reality is that this is not as clear as it could be.

If you have booked your flights via the USA and your are found to have previously travelled to Cuba we are advising that you check if you can apply for an ESTA or if you have to apply for a visa (this could take up to 2 months) otherwise you may have to amend your flight routing in order to avoid the USA.

Please note that if you have not travelled to Cuba then this information is not relevant as you can continue to apply for an ESTA if eligible.

We are waiting on further clarification, as there is unfortunately conflicting advice on requirements, depending on when travellers visited Cuba. We’re working to get these specified as soon as possible.