About the Cuba Digital Nomad Visa
Cuba offers the No dedicated digital nomad visa. Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista) for short stays. Cuba has severe internet restrictions. for non-resident remote workers and self-employed professionals. The program lets eligible applicants live in Cuba for Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista): 30 days (extendable once in-country for additional 30 days = 60 days total maximum per entry). US citizens: additional restrictions under US embargo regulations — travel to Cuba from the US requires specific licensed travel category. while working remotely for clients or employers based outside the country.
Applicants typically need to demonstrate stable monthly income of at least the income required by the program, valid health insurance, and a clean criminal record. Check the official source for renewal options.
Tax-wise, Cuba treats digital nomad visa holders distinctly from local residents — see the Taxes section below for the full picture.
Requirements & Eligibility
Income
No minimum income for tourist card. Must show adequate funds for stay. No remote work visa framework. Cuba has severe internet restrictions that make remote work extremely challenging.
Documents needed
- Tourist Card: valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Tourist Card (purchased in advance at embassy, airline, or online)
- proof of accommodation in Cuba (hotel booking — required to show on tourist card and at immigration)
- health insurance with coverage in Cuba (mandatory since November 2020 — must show proof at entry)
- return or onward flight. For US citizens: documentation of licensed travel category.
How to Apply for the Cuba DNV
Processing time: Tourist Card: issued immediately upon purchase (at airline check-in, Cuban embassy, or online). No advance application required for most nationalities.
- 1FOR DIGITAL NOMADS:
- 2Obtain Tourist Card before traveling — from Cuban embassy, online, or airline check-in (depending on departure country).
- 3Enter Cuba via José Martí International Airport (HAV) in Havana or other international airports.
- 4Keep Tourist Card safe — it must be surrendered on departure.
- 5For US citizens: US law restricts travel to Cuba — you must travel under one of 12 licensed categories (education, journalism, family visits, etc.); general tourism is technically prohibited under US embargo. Many US citizens travel via third countries (Mexico, Canada). CRITICAL INTERNET WARNING: Cuba has extremely limited and unreliable internet access. Public WiFi hotspots are available in some parks and hotels (using ETECSA scratch cards). Mobile data (Cubacel) is available but slow and expensive. Many VPN services are blocked. Remote work from Cuba is practically very difficult due to severe internet constraints.
Application fees: Tourist Card: approximately USD $20–$25 (included in airfare from some airlines; purchased at airline check-in for others; or at Cuban embassy). Extension in-country: approximately CUC $25–$40 at immigration office. For US citizens: legally, travel to Cuba requires a specific licensed category — general tourism is not permitted; however enforcement of the US embargo rules is nuanced.
Official sourceVisa Duration & Renewal
Initial duration: Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista): 30 days (extendable once in-country for additional 30 days = 60 days total maximum per entry). US citizens: additional restrictions under US embargo regulations — travel to Cuba from the US requires specific licensed travel category.
Renewal: Not guaranteed for this visa. Confirm renewal terms with the official source.
Taxes for Digital Nomads in Cuba
Cuba has no personal income tax for non-residents on foreign-sourced income. Cuba uses the Cuban Peso (CUP) — there is no longer a separate CUC (convertible peso) since 2021. USD is used by some businesses. No digital nomad tax framework.