With dual nationality, many Cubans who are also Spanish could take advantage of the visa exemption to Spain, the so-called “ESTA” to the United States, but since 2021 there is an impediment. Are there any last-minute changes? What can be done?
At the end of June, the Spanish government updated its travel recommendations to Cuba, which are valid until TODAY, July 3, 2024. The recommendation includes a separate section for those who travel to Cuba and then intend to enter the United States with the ESTA. Does the restriction on those who travel to or live on the island to enter with the ESTA continue?
“If you have traveled to Cuba after January 12, 2021, You must have a US visa to enter the United States, and the ESTA is not sufficient. (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). This visa must be requested at the Consulate General or Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in your place of residence,” the Spanish government maintains in its notice.
The Spanish Foreign Ministry warns that “the above is applicable even for trips made to Cuba and the United States separately and at different times.
Cubans with ESTA to travel to the United States
If you plan to travel to the US after visiting Cuba, you must do so with a tourist visa at present. The ESTA alone is not enough, hence the search for a 5-year visa is now an option for Cuban-Spaniards who want to visit the northern country.
Nothing has changed, if you have dual nationality, you are Cuban-Spanish, or Cuban-German, or Cuban-Italian and you have been visiting or living in Cuba, from 2021 to the present, you must apply for a tourist visa to enter the US. Cubans-Spanish nationals with ESTA cannot enter the United Statesmust have a tourist visa.
Why? As we have explained on multiple occasions on our website, Cuba is on a list of countries sponsoring terrorism, which Donald Trump included since 2021, hence, thanks to being included in that list, Cuba and its citizens with Spanish passports can no longer travel to the United States with an ESTA visa.
The only way they could do it again is if the current president Biden removes Cuba from that list. Until we hear that news, there is nothing to do, except apply for a tourist visa, depending on whether they approve it or not.
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