Planning a Cuban getaway from Pakistan? Here’s your guide to the visa process.
Getting a visa for Cuba may be complicated, but having the right information can make things a lot clearer. This guide aims to help Pakistani citizens understand what’s needed for their Cuban visa application.
By the time you’re done reading this, you’ll have the necessary information to get started with your application. Soon, you’ll be wandering through Havana's old quarters, lounging on the sunny beaches of Varadero, or discovering the historical city of Trinidad. Let’s get started.
Do Pakistani citizens need a Cuba Visa?
Yes, Pakistani citizens who want to travel to Cuba for tourism need to get a visa first before entering the country.
Pakistanis are eligible for the Cuba Tourist Visa A1. This is a single-entry visa that allows you to stay in Cuba for a maximum of 90 days. It can be extended for another 90 days while in the country.
What is the difference between a Cuba Tourist Card and a Cuba Tourist Visa A1?
Also called Tarjeta de Turismo, a Cuba Tourist Card is a Cuban visa that’s a paper stub not fixed to a passport and is required by most visitors to Cuba. It comes in two colors: a pink card for US citizens and travelers arriving in Cuba directly from the US and a green card for travelers arriving in Cuba on a flight that departed from any other country that’s not the US.
There are three main ways to get a Cuba Tourist Card: from the Cuban embassy or consulate in your home country, through a licensed third-party travel agency, or as part of a travel package offered by a travel agency or airline.
A Cuba Tourist Visa A1 is for visitors to Cuba who are not visa-exempt or eligible for a Cuba Tourist Card. This visa is physically affixed to your passport and can only be applied for at a Cuban embassy or consulate.
How to get a Cuba Visa from Pakistan
Although we currently don’t handle Cuban visa applications, we can provide the information you need to apply confidently.
Here’s how to do it:
-
Contact the Embassy of Cuba in Pakistan (details below) for a complete list of required documents and how to get/download the application form.
-
Gather and prepare the documents.
These typically include:
-
Filled out visa application form.
-
Copy of your Pakistani passport that’s valid for 6 months after you arrive in Cuba.
-
A recent passport-size photo taken according to Cuba’s visa photo guidelines.
-
A flight itinerary including a return ticket or proof of onward travel from Cuba.
-
Proof of your accommodation booking in Cuba.
-
Bank statements for the last three months as evidence of sufficient funds to finance your entire trip.
-
A notarized document stating that the purpose of your travel to Cuba is only for tourism.
-
Proof of a comprehensive travel insurance policy valid for the duration of your stay on the island.
-
Submit your visa application at the embassy and pay the visa fee.
-
Wait for the application to be processed, which generally takes 5 to 10 working days (in some cases up to a month). We recommend that you apply for your visa 1-2 months before your trip.
-
Pick up your passport from the embassy. If your application is successful, the visa will be affixed to your passport.
Once your visa is issued, you’ll need to fill out the D’Viajeros Travel Form. This is not a visa but a traveler's declaration form that must be filled out by every traveler visiting Cuba, whether they are visa-exempt or require a visa.
The form can be completed online 72 hours before your trip on the official government website. Once you’re done, print out the form and save a digital copy on your mobile device before your trip to Cuba.
Cuban embassy in Pakistan
If you need consular assistance for your Cuban visa, contact the Cuba Embassy in Islamabad.
-
Address: School Road, House 13-A, Sector F-6/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
-
Phone: +92 51 282 40 77 / 282 40 78
-
Email address: [email protected]
What else should you know about Cuba before packing your bags? Check out our trip guide.