Cuba-bound Canadians face e-Visa and digital form rules while flights stay suspended

Cuba has launched a new electronic tourist visa portal and set out updated entry procedures for Canadian travellers. The Cuba Tourist Board published five requirements covering visas, arrival paperwork, insurance and passports.

Key facts

• The tourist e-Visa portal is available at consular.cu and applies to Canadian citizens travelling to Cuba via a third country.
• Applications should be submitted at least seven days before departure.
• The e-Visa allows a single entry within one year of issuance and a stay of up to 90 days.
• All travellers must complete the D'Viajeros digital entry form within seven days before arrival.
• Proof of valid health insurance and a passport valid for the full stay are mandatory.

What are the five requirements?

The Cuba Tourist Board lists an electronic tourist visa, the D'Viajeros digital entry form, proof of valid health insurance, a passport valid for the full duration of the stay, and — for non-Canadian citizens living in Canada — valid re-entry documentation such as a Permanent Resident card or visa to return to Canada.

How does the tourist e-Visa work?

The visa portal at consular.cu applies to Canadian citizens travelling to Cuba via a third country. The tourist board recommends submitting e-Visa applications at least seven days before departure, and e-Visas can also be obtained through authorized travel agencies.

A tourist e-Visa is valid for a single entry within one year of issuance and permits a stay of up to 90 days, covering tourism stays including hotels and B&Bs. Travellers can apply for an extension at a local Immigration Office in Cuba, subject to a fee, for a maximum stay of 180 days. A new e-Visa is required for each subsequent trip.

What other paperwork do travellers need?

All travellers must complete the mandatory D'Viajeros digital entry form within seven days before arriving in Cuba. The form generates a QR code that must be saved, printed and shown to immigration officials on arrival. Travellers who obtain their e-Visa through a Cuban Consulate receive a direct link to the platform.

Proof of valid health insurance is also mandatory, and the tourist board recommends buying destination-specific coverage through ESICUBA/ASISTUR. For travellers flying to Cuba on American Airlines, Delta, Southwest or other flights departing from the U.S., a compliant health insurance policy is automatically included in the airfare for stays up to 30 days; the boarding pass or airline ticket serves as official proof of coverage.

What is the current travel situation?

The Canadian government's travel advisory for Cuba remains at orange level, meaning avoid non-essential travel, amid Cuba's energy and supply crisis brought on by the U.S. embargo and sanctions. Lift from Canada to the destination remains suspended by Canada's airlines after February 2026 repatriation flights brought home more than 25,000 Canadian travellers, and Canadian tour operators have suspended their Cuba programs.

What this means for travellers

Canadian citizens heading to Cuba via a third country should apply for the tourist e-Visa at least seven days before departure and complete the D'Viajeros form within the seven days before arrival, keeping the QR code printed and ready. Travellers should also confirm they have valid health insurance and a passport covering the full stay before booking.

Gihana Galindo, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board, said the updated digital platforms are "designed to simplify the pre-departure process." No timeline has been announced for the resumption of direct flights from Canada.