Moving There

One of the most important decisions you will have to make is what to take and what to leave behind. What you need really depends on your lifestyle. If you absolutely can't do without your modern conveniences from home, then you will end up spending a lot of money on shipping costs and duties. You will also have to get used to the many delays as you wait for your things to clear Cuban customs. For some people, having their own furniture, appliances and other possessions, will help them feel more at home while living abroad. It will also ease adjustment to living in a new country by having familiar objects in their home so they won't be so apt to get homesick.

Once the embargo is lifted, the most inexpensive place to ship your goods will be from Miami since it is the nearest port. You will probably be able to send items by air cargo but will have to pay more. If you are on tight budget shipping by boat will save you money. All you will have to do is check the Miami phone book to find shipping companies. From Canada or the west coast of the US, you will have to ship overland to Miami to reduce the cost. Before the Castro era there was a daily ferry from Florida to Cuba. If this service is resumed, it will be even easier to transport a vehicle.

Some people feel comfortable without many objects from home, so they will not have to ship all of their belongings. By renting a furnished house or apartment you will eliminate the need of importing your furniture. In the event you will want to stay permanently, you will be able to purchase local furniture or appliances. In any case, you should make an effort to get rid of clutter and don't take what can be easily or cheaply replaced. Talk with other foreign residents to see what they recommend bringing. If you do have to move or return home, you will be glad you didn't bring a lot of things with you.

Staying There

Tourists from most countries need only a passport which must be accompanied by a tourist card (tarjeta de turista) to enter Cuba. Visas usually cost between $25 and $35 depending where it is purchased. To obtain a tourist card, a round-trip ticket in and out of the country is required. There are also a few forms to fill out. Depending on your country, tourist cards may also be obtained from Cuban consulates, embassies, Cubatur operators, travel agents or from airlines. Check to see which countries require a visa. Note that everyone entering Cuba must have a return or onward travel plane ticket.

Tourist cards are usually good for 30 days at a time. Both Tourist Cards and Tourist Visas are renewable for two successive periods or prórrogas of 30 days each.  What they do is issue you a new tourist card every month for a period up to six months. This extension is granted at the discretion of Cuban Immigration. What you have to do is go to the immigration office and present your tourist card, passport and pay $25. Extensions are issued at the Control de Extranjeros immigration office on Calle 20 between 3 and 5 in Miramar.

You can also get extensions at any tourist office or at some hotels. The Hotel Havana Libre, Calle 23 and L, in Vedado has an office where you can renew your papers. If you experience problems, go to the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (MINREX), Calzada No. 360 and Avenida de los Presidentes in Vedado, Tel: 30-5031. This government entity is in charge of passports, visas and tourist cards.

It must be pointed out that any foreigner who stays in Cuba for more than 30 days is required to register at the Immigration Office and will need to get an exit permit from an immigration office to leave the country. Furthermore, anyone who stays in Cuba longer than 90 days must have an HIV test. Any individual who tests positive is denied a visa. Also any foreigner who resides legally in Cuba needs a re-entry permit to travel abroad and return to the country. Said permit is usually valid for multiple entries. Multiple entry business visas are also available for certain types of businesses.

Journalists, businessmen and others interested in long-term stays must have a visa. To get one, go to any Cuban consulate. Visitors traveling on a visa must go in person to Cubatur or Immigration for registration the day after they arrive.

Presently there are two residency programs for foreigners. Residency has only been given to foreign partners in joint ventures and to some of their employees. However, you don't need residency to do business in Cuba.

Temporary Residency may be applied for by businessmen and investors who decide to stay in the country to manage their businesses. This type of residency may be applied for through the International Legal Council at 16 Street # 314 in Miramar. The cost is about $150 USD per hour of consultation.

Permanent Residency can be obtained if married to a Cuban citizen. Once you turn in your application, you should not stay in the country for more than two consecutive months until Cuba Immigration grants this status.

Once again, at the present time the U.S. government does not permit its citizens to go directly to Cuba. Journalists, writers, those engaged in academic research and relatives of Cubans are eligible for visas by contacting the Cuba Interests Section. They are located at 2630 16th N.W., Washington, D.C. (Tel: 202-797-8609) or 2900 Cathedral Ave.,  202-745- 7900. There are a few tour operators who will also be able to help your get a visa if you go on one of their excursions to Cuba.

As we alluded to before, U.S. citizens can get around these stringent regulations by traveling through a third country like the Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Mexico or Costa Rica.