Cuba Tourist Card vs e-Visa
What changed in 2025 and what you need to know
In July 2025, Cuba permanently replaced the paper tourist card with a mandatory electronic visa (e-Visa). Whether you previously needed a pink card (US travellers) or a green card (everyone else), the process is now the same for all nationalities: apply online, receive your e-Visa by email.
Key Differences
- Format: Paper card (discontinued) vs Digital code sent by email
- How to apply: Consulate/agency/airport (old) vs Online only (current)
- Available at airport? No — must apply before travel
- Valid for stay: 30 days (old) vs 90 days extendable to 180 (current)
- Validity period: 180 days (old) vs 12 months (current)
- Linked to D'Viajeros? Yes — your code links to your declaration
What Happened to the Tourist Card?
Cuba's Ministry of Tourism launched the e-Visa system in July 2025. Paper tourist cards were fully phased out by December 31, 2025. The change was made because digital processing is faster, eliminates counterfeiting, and links visa status to the D'Viajeros declaration.
What this means: You cannot get a visa at the airport or airline counter anymore. You must apply online before your trip. Airlines will not let you board without a valid e-Visa.
Note for Cruise Passengers
Cruise travellers to Cuba are the one exception — they still require a paper tourist card obtained directly from the Cuban Consulate. The e-Visa system applies to air travellers only.