May 10, 2015, 8:31 am
Last edit by: JDiver
WARNING: Trump speech in Miami today, June 16, 2017, announced (using the words "effective immediately") reinstatement of the tourist travel ban to Cuba. "Trump will re-impose the requirement that "people-to-people" travelers can only come to Cuba with heavily regulated tour groups. " for USA citizens and residents, that bans individual "self certified" travel to Cuba under the current OFAC 12 categories described below. That means (expensive) group travel for most, currently offered by travel and cruise companies (those will be allowed to continue).
US airlines will be allowed to continue to serve Cuba, but the new restrictions will mean most planning to travel individually will not be able to usevthese carriers (unless on authorized or licensed group travel).
Those groups with travel arrangements will probably have to make significant itinerary changes to conform with the policy's ban most American financial transactions with branches or businesses operated by the military-linked Armed Forces Business Enterprises Group (GAESA), a conglomerate involved in many economic sectors in Cuba - including many hotels, state-run restaurants and tour buses.
"WHEN DOES IT TAKE EFFECT?"
"The details of Trump’s new policy remain unwritten. In a presidential directive he signed at the end of his speech, he ordered the Treasury and Commerce departments to draw up new regulations to replace elements of Obama’s policy changes. White House officials said that actual changes remain months away." (Washington Post - link)
"The new realities of U.S. travel to Cuba will be determined by the regulations that federal agencies will produce as a result of the new policy. A presidential memorandum gives the government 90 days before it even starts to rewrite Cuba travel regulations, meaning it could be many months before it's clear what the change means for American travelers.
The Treasury Department said individuals who bought an airline ticket or rented a room or car before Trump's announcement could make additional travel-related purchases for that travel under the Obama policy, even if their trip to Cuba takes place after the new, stricter Trump regulations go into effect." (abc news - link)
Verify arrangements already made with your airline, travel provider, AirBnB, etc.
Please keep an eye on OFAC modifications, Cuba travel policies in the US etc. on the State Department site, etc. (see below). Once OFAC controls allow it, travel of U. S. tourists to Cuba will undoubtedly thrive.
Further information, added 11 Jun 2016:
NOTE: When you arrive in the USA, DO declare Cuba on the U S Customs form 6059B. The USCBP officers generally do not care or give your travel to Cuba via Antigua or Cancún a second thought. But failing to disclose your travel to Cuba to a Federal agent? That's a violation of 18 U. S. Code § 1001, commonly called "making false statements", a felony punishable by up to five years in Federal Prison.
Nope, you wouldn't, but such an offense would jeopardize GE / APHIS / PreCheck, etc. and could certainly incur enhanced scrutiny on re-entering the USA or flying into / out of a U.S. airport.
18 U.S.C. § 1001 link
NOTE: Travel to Cuba is still regulated (Jun 2016). American residents must meet one criterion of twelve categories of allowed travel to Cuba.
"Travel to Cuba for tourist activities remains prohibited by statute. There are, however, 12 categories of authorized travel. The Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued general licenses in all 12 categories of authorized travel, subject to appropriate conditions. This means that individuals who meet the regulatory conditions of the respective general license they seek to travel under do not need to apply for a specific license from OFAC to travel to Cuba.
The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba are: family visits; official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; journalistic activity; professional research and professional meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials; and certain authorized export transactions."
U.S. Embassy, La Havana, Cuba (link)
Certain spend and other requirements must be met, in accord with regulations issued by the U. S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (link to PDF), and the Cuba Assets Control Regulations of 16 Mar 2016, 31 CFR 515 (link to PDF).
NOTE: US Citizens and Residents must possess a current passport with a minimum of two empty visa (not note) pages.
You must exchange US Dollars to CUC - Cuban Convertible Pesos in authorized locations, and are required to spend CUC in Cuba (not dollars). CUC are not exportable out of Cuba. (Hint: the writer of this wikipost had no trouble exchanging Euro at decent market rates and found Euro accepted in some locations due to the prevalence of European tourists in Cuba.) Some US credit card acceptance is said to occur now, but if so it's a recent change.
At the airport CADECA booth you can change the last of your CUCs. Or you can buy duty-free items or books etc. sold from the government propaganda shop to spend the last of your CUCs.
Please read the extensive U.S. Department of State information regarding Cuba if you are a U.S. Citizen or Resident. Link.
US airlines begin commercial USA - Cuba flights by September 2016
In March, the USDOT accepted airline applications wishing to offer non-charter commercial flights between the USA and Cuba. On June 10, 2016 USDOT issued an order for six US airlines to operate flights between the USA and Cuba, to begin September 2016 HAV / La Habana flight orders to come this summer.)
Source links:
Yahoo! Finance (Link).
USA Today (link): "WASHINGTON — Six U.S. airlines were approved to begin the first scheduled flights to Cuba in more than 50 years, the Transportation Department announced Friday.
The airlines were approved to fly from five U.S. cities to nine Cuban cities other than Havana. But the department is still considering which airlines will get a combined 20 daily flights to the capital out of 60 proposals, which will be announced later this summer..."
Reuters: (link) "American (AAL.O) will have nonstop service from Miami, the largest Cuban community in the United States; Southwest (LUV.N), JetBlue (JBLU.O) and Silver Airways will fly from nearby Fort Lauderdale; Frontier will add flights from Chicago and Philadelphia; and Sun Country will serve Minneapolis."
(AA, Delta, Sun Country and others have been serving Cuba with charter flights operated for CTS / Cuba Travel Services for over 25 years.)
Updated 11 Jun 2016 - JDiver
US airlines will be allowed to continue to serve Cuba, but the new restrictions will mean most planning to travel individually will not be able to usevthese carriers (unless on authorized or licensed group travel).
Those groups with travel arrangements will probably have to make significant itinerary changes to conform with the policy's ban most American financial transactions with branches or businesses operated by the military-linked Armed Forces Business Enterprises Group (GAESA), a conglomerate involved in many economic sectors in Cuba - including many hotels, state-run restaurants and tour buses.
Trump's recalibration of policy will most immediately affect the latitude of U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba. Under Obama's relaxation of travel regulations, U.S. citizens could designate the purpose of their travel under one of 12 specific categories, which included the broadly defined "educational" travel and "people-to-people" travel. This "self-designation" mechanism contributed to a surge in travel over the last two years, with more than 600,000 tourists visiting the island in 2016.
But Trump's new restrictions eliminate the self-designation process, and according to the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, "will end individual people-to-people travel." Unless U.S. travelers qualify for one of the specialized categories of travel—journalism, religious work or academic research, for example—they will have to travel with licensed tour groups and prove they spent all their time in Cuba doing people-to-people activities. The new directive empowers the Treasury Department to audit U.S. travelers and immigration officials will be able to demand records and journals from returning travelers to demonstrate they are in compliance with the new restrictions. Those who are not could face hefty government fines.
Under the new Trump regulations, those restrictions have been expanded to prohibit U.S. citizens from staying in, eating at, or spending any money at numerous state-owned hotels and other businesses that fall under the umbrella of Cuba's Business Enterprise Group (GAESA). GAESA, a conglomerate of economic entities controlled by the Cuban military, oversees up to 60 percent of the economic activity in Cuba. Besides hotels, GAESA controls restaurants, tourism buses and other economic and tourist-related agencies.
Trump's directive means that U.S. visitors will no longer be able to stay at some of Havana's most popular hotels, among them the elegant Saratoga favored by U.S. senators, governors and Congressional representatives who have visited Cuba over the last several years, and the Santa Isabel, where former President Jimmy Carter stayed during his two trips to the island. The five-star Gran Manzana Kempinski Havana Hotel that opened just last month also falls under the GAESA umbrella and will be off-limits to U.S. citizens. As a guide for future travelers, the State Department plans to publish a list of prohibited hotels and businesses they will now have to avoid. Link to source.
But Trump's new restrictions eliminate the self-designation process, and according to the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, "will end individual people-to-people travel." Unless U.S. travelers qualify for one of the specialized categories of travel—journalism, religious work or academic research, for example—they will have to travel with licensed tour groups and prove they spent all their time in Cuba doing people-to-people activities. The new directive empowers the Treasury Department to audit U.S. travelers and immigration officials will be able to demand records and journals from returning travelers to demonstrate they are in compliance with the new restrictions. Those who are not could face hefty government fines.
Under the new Trump regulations, those restrictions have been expanded to prohibit U.S. citizens from staying in, eating at, or spending any money at numerous state-owned hotels and other businesses that fall under the umbrella of Cuba's Business Enterprise Group (GAESA). GAESA, a conglomerate of economic entities controlled by the Cuban military, oversees up to 60 percent of the economic activity in Cuba. Besides hotels, GAESA controls restaurants, tourism buses and other economic and tourist-related agencies.
Trump's directive means that U.S. visitors will no longer be able to stay at some of Havana's most popular hotels, among them the elegant Saratoga favored by U.S. senators, governors and Congressional representatives who have visited Cuba over the last several years, and the Santa Isabel, where former President Jimmy Carter stayed during his two trips to the island. The five-star Gran Manzana Kempinski Havana Hotel that opened just last month also falls under the GAESA umbrella and will be off-limits to U.S. citizens. As a guide for future travelers, the State Department plans to publish a list of prohibited hotels and businesses they will now have to avoid. Link to source.
"The details of Trump’s new policy remain unwritten. In a presidential directive he signed at the end of his speech, he ordered the Treasury and Commerce departments to draw up new regulations to replace elements of Obama’s policy changes. White House officials said that actual changes remain months away." (Washington Post - link)
"The new realities of U.S. travel to Cuba will be determined by the regulations that federal agencies will produce as a result of the new policy. A presidential memorandum gives the government 90 days before it even starts to rewrite Cuba travel regulations, meaning it could be many months before it's clear what the change means for American travelers.
The Treasury Department said individuals who bought an airline ticket or rented a room or car before Trump's announcement could make additional travel-related purchases for that travel under the Obama policy, even if their trip to Cuba takes place after the new, stricter Trump regulations go into effect." (abc news - link)
Verify arrangements already made with your airline, travel provider, AirBnB, etc.
Please keep an eye on OFAC modifications, Cuba travel policies in the US etc. on the State Department site, etc. (see below). Once OFAC controls allow it, travel of U. S. tourists to Cuba will undoubtedly thrive.
Entry Requirements
Cuban officials now stamp all passports on entry and exit. The former practice of winking and stamping U.S. citizens in and out on a separate sheet of paper no longer takes place.
The Cuban Assets Control Regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction obtain a Treasury license before engaging in any transaction related to travel to, from and within Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable. This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Licensing Division, Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Treasury Annex, Washington, DC 20220, telephone (202) 622-2480; fax (202) 622-1657, or via the web at Office of Foreign Assets Control.
For current information on Cuban entry and customs requirements, travelers may contact the Cuban Embassy, an office of the Cuban government, located at 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, telephone (202) 797-8518.
Cuban officials now stamp all passports on entry and exit. The former practice of winking and stamping U.S. citizens in and out on a separate sheet of paper no longer takes place.
The Cuban Assets Control Regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction obtain a Treasury license before engaging in any transaction related to travel to, from and within Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable. This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Licensing Division, Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Treasury Annex, Washington, DC 20220, telephone (202) 622-2480; fax (202) 622-1657, or via the web at Office of Foreign Assets Control.
For current information on Cuban entry and customs requirements, travelers may contact the Cuban Embassy, an office of the Cuban government, located at 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, telephone (202) 797-8518.
NOTE: When you arrive in the USA, DO declare Cuba on the U S Customs form 6059B. The USCBP officers generally do not care or give your travel to Cuba via Antigua or Cancún a second thought. But failing to disclose your travel to Cuba to a Federal agent? That's a violation of 18 U. S. Code § 1001, commonly called "making false statements", a felony punishable by up to five years in Federal Prison.
Nope, you wouldn't, but such an offense would jeopardize GE / APHIS / PreCheck, etc. and could certainly incur enhanced scrutiny on re-entering the USA or flying into / out of a U.S. airport.18 U.S.C. § 1001 link
NOTE: Travel to Cuba is still regulated (Jun 2016). American residents must meet one criterion of twelve categories of allowed travel to Cuba.
Tourist travel to Cuba is prohibited under U.S. law for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and others subject to U.S. jurisdiction. (USDOS)
The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba are: family visits; official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; journalistic activity; professional research and professional meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials; and certain authorized export transactions."
U.S. Embassy, La Havana, Cuba (link)
Certain spend and other requirements must be met, in accord with regulations issued by the U. S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (link to PDF), and the Cuba Assets Control Regulations of 16 Mar 2016, 31 CFR 515 (link to PDF).
timaticweb2 through United Airlines, 10 Jun 2016:
Summary (US Citizen or Resident traveling from USA to Cuba, return ticket and normal, current passport with at least two blank visa pages at hand)
Conditional, The traveler will need to hold travel documents as detailed below.
Type: Notice
Cuba - Destination Visa
Visa required.
The following are exempt from holding a visa:
Passengers with a Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista) issued to visitors traveling as tourists.
Additional information:
Tourist Cards (Tarjeta del Turista) must be obtained prior to arrival in Cuba and are available at:
- Cuban Embassies or Consulates;
- Authorized Airlines;
- Travel agencies.
Tourist Cards (Tarjeta del Turista) grant a max. stay of 30 days to nationals of USA, and extension of stay for additional 30 days.
The length of stay must be covered by USD 50.- (or equivalent in other convertible currency, in cash or traveller's cheques) per person per day, unless passenger has previously contracted the touristic activities with MINTUR in Cuba.
Important
Former nationals of Cuba who left Cuba before 1971 must hold passports endorsed "Habilitado" for HE-11.
All visitors are required to hold a travel insurance to cover their medical expenses while in Cuba. The travel insurance can be bought on arrival in Cuba, but it is recommended to have it before departure to Cuba. (Reasonable and easy to purchase on arrival. JD)
Added 1/18/2017 All passengers arriving on flights direct from the US are automatically covered by Asistur (Cuban insurance company) medical insurance for 30 days. The cost is bundled into the ticket cost.
These passengers are never asked to provide proof of medical insurance by Cuban immigration at airports as they are aware this has been standard for many years. However it is a different situation dealing with a medical service provider if you actually need to use the insurance or Cuban immigration at places other than the airport if you have reason to extend or change status of your travel visa.
There is an official Asistur one page document that states everyone arriving on a direct flight from the US has Asistur insurance for 30 days. This document, your boarding pass, and your passport will show that you have medical insurance. This document is not available anywhere on line. Nor is it available to passengers even though it should be. So I am providing it for download.
I would encourage anyone flying direct to Cuba from the US to download this one page document, print it out, and carry a copy with them.
http://www.bobmichaels.org/Asistur.pdf
End addition 1/18/2017
Neither visa exemptions nor Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista) facilities are applicable to those holding foreign passports stating Cuba as place of birth. They will be considered Cuban nationals, unless holding a document signed by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, proving withdrawal of their Cuban citizenship.
Cuba - Destination Health
This information is for guide purposes only. Other health organisations may recommend alternative precautions.
Vaccinations not required
Summary (US Citizen or Resident traveling from USA to Cuba, return ticket and normal, current passport with at least two blank visa pages at hand)
Conditional, The traveler will need to hold travel documents as detailed below.
Type: Notice
Cuba - Destination Visa
Visa required.
The following are exempt from holding a visa:
Passengers with a Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista) issued to visitors traveling as tourists.
Additional information:
Tourist Cards (Tarjeta del Turista) must be obtained prior to arrival in Cuba and are available at:
- Cuban Embassies or Consulates;
- Authorized Airlines;
- Travel agencies.
Tourist Cards (Tarjeta del Turista) grant a max. stay of 30 days to nationals of USA, and extension of stay for additional 30 days.
The length of stay must be covered by USD 50.- (or equivalent in other convertible currency, in cash or traveller's cheques) per person per day, unless passenger has previously contracted the touristic activities with MINTUR in Cuba.
Important
Former nationals of Cuba who left Cuba before 1971 must hold passports endorsed "Habilitado" for HE-11.
All visitors are required to hold a travel insurance to cover their medical expenses while in Cuba. The travel insurance can be bought on arrival in Cuba, but it is recommended to have it before departure to Cuba. (Reasonable and easy to purchase on arrival. JD)
Added 1/18/2017 All passengers arriving on flights direct from the US are automatically covered by Asistur (Cuban insurance company) medical insurance for 30 days. The cost is bundled into the ticket cost.
These passengers are never asked to provide proof of medical insurance by Cuban immigration at airports as they are aware this has been standard for many years. However it is a different situation dealing with a medical service provider if you actually need to use the insurance or Cuban immigration at places other than the airport if you have reason to extend or change status of your travel visa.
There is an official Asistur one page document that states everyone arriving on a direct flight from the US has Asistur insurance for 30 days. This document, your boarding pass, and your passport will show that you have medical insurance. This document is not available anywhere on line. Nor is it available to passengers even though it should be. So I am providing it for download.
I would encourage anyone flying direct to Cuba from the US to download this one page document, print it out, and carry a copy with them.
http://www.bobmichaels.org/Asistur.pdf
End addition 1/18/2017
Neither visa exemptions nor Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista) facilities are applicable to those holding foreign passports stating Cuba as place of birth. They will be considered Cuban nationals, unless holding a document signed by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, proving withdrawal of their Cuban citizenship.
Cuba - Destination Health
This information is for guide purposes only. Other health organisations may recommend alternative precautions.
Vaccinations not required
You must exchange US Dollars to CUC - Cuban Convertible Pesos in authorized locations, and are required to spend CUC in Cuba (not dollars). CUC are not exportable out of Cuba. (Hint: the writer of this wikipost had no trouble exchanging Euro at decent market rates and found Euro accepted in some locations due to the prevalence of European tourists in Cuba.) Some US credit card acceptance is said to occur now, but if so it's a recent change.
At the airport CADECA booth you can change the last of your CUCs. Or you can buy duty-free items or books etc. sold from the government propaganda shop to spend the last of your CUCs.
Please read the extensive U.S. Department of State information regarding Cuba if you are a U.S. Citizen or Resident. Link.
US airlines begin commercial USA - Cuba flights by September 2016
In March, the USDOT accepted airline applications wishing to offer non-charter commercial flights between the USA and Cuba. On June 10, 2016 USDOT issued an order for six US airlines to operate flights between the USA and Cuba, to begin September 2016 HAV / La Habana flight orders to come this summer.)
Source links:
Yahoo! Finance (Link).
USA Today (link): "WASHINGTON — Six U.S. airlines were approved to begin the first scheduled flights to Cuba in more than 50 years, the Transportation Department announced Friday.
The airlines were approved to fly from five U.S. cities to nine Cuban cities other than Havana. But the department is still considering which airlines will get a combined 20 daily flights to the capital out of 60 proposals, which will be announced later this summer..."
Reuters: (link) "American (AAL.O) will have nonstop service from Miami, the largest Cuban community in the United States; Southwest (LUV.N), JetBlue (JBLU.O) and Silver Airways will fly from nearby Fort Lauderdale; Frontier will add flights from Chicago and Philadelphia; and Sun Country will serve Minneapolis."
(AA, Delta, Sun Country and others have been serving Cuba with charter flights operated for CTS / Cuba Travel Services for over 25 years.)
Updated 11 Jun 2016 - JDiver
Americans and Cuba Travel - the Facts, Resources, Related Experiences [only]
Jan 30, 2017, 2:01 pm
#121
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Chicago - AA EXP, UA 1K, Marriott PL, Starwood PL, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 415
My husband and my experience as Americans traveling to Cuba (with as much detail as possible about the legalities and logistics) for 3 days is here:
https://insideflyer.com/forums/threa...e-last.138175/
https://insideflyer.com/forums/threa...e-last.138175/
Jan 30, 2017, 7:58 pm
#122
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,667
More misleading info.
Your blog says:
"We chose people-to-people. Started with a solid itinerary and then documented all of the people we talked to including our Casa guy, a tour guide, several vendors we chatted with for up to 15-20 minutes. Conversations with everyone we met, tour guides and museum/exhibit workers. With owners of and workers at paladares (private restaurants). Even bartenders and the folks at Havana Club museum/bar."
However:
"Example 4 to § 515.565(b):
An individual plans to travel to Cuba to rent a bicycle to explore the streets of Havana, engage in brief exchanges with shopkeepers while making purchases, and have casual conversations with waiters at restaurants and hotel staff. None of these activities are educational exchange activities that will result in meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba, and the traveler's trip does not qualify for the general license."
(https://cubapeopletopeople.blogspot....to-people.html)
So you did not 'maintained a full schedule of activities which resulted in meaningful interaction and exchange with the people of Cuba,' which is as specific as the Treasury Department will get."
Hopefully, no US travelers to Cuba will be held responsible for fulfilling criteria for any of the 12 excuses at any time in the future, just as they have not in the recent past.
Your blog says:
"We chose people-to-people. Started with a solid itinerary and then documented all of the people we talked to including our Casa guy, a tour guide, several vendors we chatted with for up to 15-20 minutes. Conversations with everyone we met, tour guides and museum/exhibit workers. With owners of and workers at paladares (private restaurants). Even bartenders and the folks at Havana Club museum/bar."
However:
"Example 4 to § 515.565(b):
An individual plans to travel to Cuba to rent a bicycle to explore the streets of Havana, engage in brief exchanges with shopkeepers while making purchases, and have casual conversations with waiters at restaurants and hotel staff. None of these activities are educational exchange activities that will result in meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba, and the traveler's trip does not qualify for the general license."
(https://cubapeopletopeople.blogspot....to-people.html)
So you did not 'maintained a full schedule of activities which resulted in meaningful interaction and exchange with the people of Cuba,' which is as specific as the Treasury Department will get."
Hopefully, no US travelers to Cuba will be held responsible for fulfilling criteria for any of the 12 excuses at any time in the future, just as they have not in the recent past.
Last edited by VidaNaPraia; Jan 30, 2017 at 8:09 pm
Jan 31, 2017, 8:10 am
#123
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Chicago - AA EXP, UA 1K, Marriott PL, Starwood PL, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 415
More misleading info.
Your blog says:
"We chose people-to-people. Started with a solid itinerary and then documented all of the people we talked to including our Casa guy, a tour guide, several vendors we chatted with for up to 15-20 minutes. Conversations with everyone we met, tour guides and museum/exhibit workers. With owners of and workers at paladares (private restaurants). Even bartenders and the folks at Havana Club museum/bar."
However:
"Example 4 to § 515.565(b):
An individual plans to travel to Cuba to rent a bicycle to explore the streets of Havana, engage in brief exchanges with shopkeepers while making purchases, and have casual conversations with waiters at restaurants and hotel staff. None of these activities are educational exchange activities that will result in meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba, and the traveler's trip does not qualify for the general license."
(https://cubapeopletopeople.blogspot....to-people.html)
So you did not 'maintained a full schedule of activities which resulted in meaningful interaction and exchange with the people of Cuba,' which is as specific as the Treasury Department will get."
Hopefully, no US travelers to Cuba will be held responsible for fulfilling criteria for any of the 12 excuses at any time in the future, just as they have not in the recent past.
Your blog says:
"We chose people-to-people. Started with a solid itinerary and then documented all of the people we talked to including our Casa guy, a tour guide, several vendors we chatted with for up to 15-20 minutes. Conversations with everyone we met, tour guides and museum/exhibit workers. With owners of and workers at paladares (private restaurants). Even bartenders and the folks at Havana Club museum/bar."
However:
"Example 4 to § 515.565(b):
An individual plans to travel to Cuba to rent a bicycle to explore the streets of Havana, engage in brief exchanges with shopkeepers while making purchases, and have casual conversations with waiters at restaurants and hotel staff. None of these activities are educational exchange activities that will result in meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba, and the traveler's trip does not qualify for the general license."
(https://cubapeopletopeople.blogspot....to-people.html)
So you did not 'maintained a full schedule of activities which resulted in meaningful interaction and exchange with the people of Cuba,' which is as specific as the Treasury Department will get."
Hopefully, no US travelers to Cuba will be held responsible for fulfilling criteria for any of the 12 excuses at any time in the future, just as they have not in the recent past.
"We chose people-to-people. Started with a solid itinerary and then documented all of the people we talked to..."
That solid itinerary was a plan to participate in discussions and exchanges with Cubans about the history and culture of Cuba, which we did do following a full schedule of activities which resulted in meaningful interaction and exchange with the people of Cuba. IN ADDITION to that, we documented more casual conversations with other Cubans about its history and future, just to be safe.
But yes, these requirements are silly and the US Congress should lift them immediately.
Feb 16, 2017, 8:52 am
#124
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,667
Food for thought. Please read:
https://hereishavana.com/
https://hereishavana.com/
Feb 16, 2017, 11:42 pm
#125
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,661
Food for thought. Please read:
https://hereishavana.com/
https://hereishavana.com/
May 22, 2017, 12:59 pm
#126
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,502
We recently returned from HAV via CUN, first arriving in DFW. Our flight was delayed, skeleton crew in CBP, GE agent required us to stop, asked where we had visited. When I mentioned Cuba, he asked out our detailed log, went on a rant on how people are not following the regulations, are in violation of the law. VERY unpleasant experience.
May 23, 2017, 9:33 am
#127
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,667
We recently returned from HAV via CUN, first arriving in DFW. Our flight was delayed, skeleton crew in CBP, GE agent required us to stop, asked where we had visited. When I mentioned Cuba, he asked out our detailed log, went on a rant on how people are not following the regulations, are in violation of the law. VERY unpleasant experience.
Technically/legally, CPB has no charter to ask for any log, nor to do anything if one is not produced on request. It is an OFAC matter. (And yes, I suppose they could sic OFAC on you, but OFAC itself probably has no interest in following up, and has not in years, nor do they apparently have a budget to do so.)
And also, a technical detail...I have never seen published a legal time limit for recording such a journal. (You must keep it for 5 years though, yes.) Where does it say that "keeping" a log is defined as "writing down immediately" rather than "writing down your completed schedule once you get home and have time".
This guy simply over-reached. Maybe he is one of those fanatic anti-Communists who refuse to see that things are changing and let his personal feelings interfere with his job performance.
I suppose that the moral of the story might be to make sure you keep some journal of entries on activities.
How would they realistically check whatever you had written? No one gives receipts for tours or transportation or cultural activities.
And really.....How could any US government entity verify or check on a Cuban citizen or enterprise without invading Cuban sovereign territory?
Anyway, sorry it happened to you. And I don't think, from all the online reports I've read recently, that it is typical.
Jun 16, 2017, 12:10 pm
#128
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,399
Things seem to be changing fast.
Trump just announced in a speech in Miami that tourist travel will again be banned, and it sounded like this could become "effective immediately" (Trump's words).
He also announced the unilateral rescinding of trade agreements, etc., essentially Obama's entire policy on Cuba, so the locals could become a lot less friendly pretty quickly and direct flights between the USA and Cuba could be stopped as soon as practical.
It might be wise to book refundable tickets on Canadian carriers if you might need to leave immediately.
The USA Embassy will remain open.
ADDED: The media claim there's also a prohibition on USA citizens staying in hotels run by the Cuban military and all records involving travel to Cub a must be retained for five years.
ADDED AGAIN: There's a FAQ document (linked by SkiAdcock in the OMNI/PR thread) that sounds like nothing much is changing for travel and certainly not until new regulations are announced by the relevant federal agency. It states that the person-to-person exception will still be permitted, which I thought was how most people did it. If so, this could have little impact on tourist travel, although I would expect the rules to be enforced more strictly (and the stricter record keeping rules would be in line with this).
Trump just announced in a speech in Miami that tourist travel will again be banned, and it sounded like this could become "effective immediately" (Trump's words).
He also announced the unilateral rescinding of trade agreements, etc., essentially Obama's entire policy on Cuba, so the locals could become a lot less friendly pretty quickly and direct flights between the USA and Cuba could be stopped as soon as practical.
It might be wise to book refundable tickets on Canadian carriers if you might need to leave immediately.
The USA Embassy will remain open.
ADDED: The media claim there's also a prohibition on USA citizens staying in hotels run by the Cuban military and all records involving travel to Cub a must be retained for five years.
ADDED AGAIN: There's a FAQ document (linked by SkiAdcock in the OMNI/PR thread) that sounds like nothing much is changing for travel and certainly not until new regulations are announced by the relevant federal agency. It states that the person-to-person exception will still be permitted, which I thought was how most people did it. If so, this could have little impact on tourist travel, although I would expect the rules to be enforced more strictly (and the stricter record keeping rules would be in line with this).
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Jun 16, 2017 at 12:38 pm
Jun 16, 2017, 4:44 pm
#129
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt LT DM, Wyndham DM, Hertz PC, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,038
Things seem to be changing fast.
Trump just announced in a speech in Miami that tourist travel will again be banned, and it sounded like this could become "effective immediately" (Trump's words).
He also announced the unilateral rescinding of trade agreements, etc., essentially Obama's entire policy on Cuba, so the locals could become a lot less friendly pretty quickly and direct flights between the USA and Cuba could be stopped as soon as practical.
It might be wise to book refundable tickets on Canadian carriers if you might need to leave immediately.
The USA Embassy will remain open.
ADDED: The media claim there's also a prohibition on USA citizens staying in hotels run by the Cuban military and all records involving travel to Cub a must be retained for five years.
ADDED AGAIN: There's a FAQ document (linked by SkiAdcock in the OMNI/PR thread) that sounds like nothing much is changing for travel and certainly not until new regulations are announced by the relevant federal agency. It states that the person-to-person exception will still be permitted, which I thought was how most people did it. If so, this could have little impact on tourist travel, although I would expect the rules to be enforced more strictly (and the stricter record keeping rules would be in line with this).
Trump just announced in a speech in Miami that tourist travel will again be banned, and it sounded like this could become "effective immediately" (Trump's words).
He also announced the unilateral rescinding of trade agreements, etc., essentially Obama's entire policy on Cuba, so the locals could become a lot less friendly pretty quickly and direct flights between the USA and Cuba could be stopped as soon as practical.
It might be wise to book refundable tickets on Canadian carriers if you might need to leave immediately.
The USA Embassy will remain open.
ADDED: The media claim there's also a prohibition on USA citizens staying in hotels run by the Cuban military and all records involving travel to Cub a must be retained for five years.
ADDED AGAIN: There's a FAQ document (linked by SkiAdcock in the OMNI/PR thread) that sounds like nothing much is changing for travel and certainly not until new regulations are announced by the relevant federal agency. It states that the person-to-person exception will still be permitted, which I thought was how most people did it. If so, this could have little impact on tourist travel, although I would expect the rules to be enforced more strictly (and the stricter record keeping rules would be in line with this).
Jun 16, 2017, 6:05 pm
#130
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,667
Things seem to be changing fast.
Trump just announced in a speech in Miami that tourist travel will again be banned, and it sounded like this could become "effective immediately" (Trump's words).
He also announced the unilateral rescinding of trade agreements, etc., essentially Obama's entire policy on Cuba, so the locals could become a lot less friendly pretty quickly and direct flights between the USA and Cuba could be stopped as soon as practical.
It might be wise to book refundable tickets on Canadian carriers if you might need to leave immediately.
The USA Embassy will remain open.
ADDED: The media claim there's also a prohibition on USA citizens staying in hotels run by the Cuban military and all records involving travel to Cub a must be retained for five years.
ADDED AGAIN: There's a FAQ document (linked by SkiAdcock in the OMNI/PR thread) that sounds like nothing much is changing for travel and certainly not until new regulations are announced by the relevant federal agency. It states that the person-to-person exception will still be permitted, which I thought was how most people did it. If so, this could have little impact on tourist travel, although I would expect the rules to be enforced more strictly (and the stricter record keeping rules would be in line with this).
Trump just announced in a speech in Miami that tourist travel will again be banned, and it sounded like this could become "effective immediately" (Trump's words).
He also announced the unilateral rescinding of trade agreements, etc., essentially Obama's entire policy on Cuba, so the locals could become a lot less friendly pretty quickly and direct flights between the USA and Cuba could be stopped as soon as practical.
It might be wise to book refundable tickets on Canadian carriers if you might need to leave immediately.
The USA Embassy will remain open.
ADDED: The media claim there's also a prohibition on USA citizens staying in hotels run by the Cuban military and all records involving travel to Cub a must be retained for five years.
ADDED AGAIN: There's a FAQ document (linked by SkiAdcock in the OMNI/PR thread) that sounds like nothing much is changing for travel and certainly not until new regulations are announced by the relevant federal agency. It states that the person-to-person exception will still be permitted, which I thought was how most people did it. If so, this could have little impact on tourist travel, although I would expect the rules to be enforced more strictly (and the stricter record keeping rules would be in line with this).
PLEASE don't make it more confusing than it might be.
Most of the above is misinformation.
Trump just announced in a speech in Miami that tourist travel under the individual]people to people OFAC criteria will be banned , but the other 11 categories were not, nor was group travel under people to people (the trips Insight and Road Scholar run), and cruises are still allowed, and the new rules are supposed to be effective when the new guidelines are in place, expected to be 90 days.
Records for all the 12 OFAC individual licenses require keeping records for 5 years currently as well. No change. Maybe more oversight. Not stated.
Anything booked before today, and before the new guidelines are published, is grandfathered in under the old Obama rules.
It's no media claim. Hotels owned or in partnership with the Cuban military (that is most of them, if not all) are not to be allowed,nor are government restaurants. Stays in casas particulares and eating at paladars (both privately owned) are OK. Apparently a list (guidelines) will be published.
Locals understand quite well what is going on and are not likely to take it out on visitors,
The number of direct flights is likely dependent on how many US travelers get accurate information and understand their options, and that there ARE options (besides going through Canada or Mexico).
Jun 16, 2017, 7:13 pm
#131
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
VidaNaPraia is quite correct. Panic is contraindicated. I've added to the Wikipost, and in the upcoming weeks and months, as new policies and regulations are put into place, wording and links to these will be added.
Individual travel will undoubtedly be curtailed, group travel by land and cruise operators will be allowed to continue. They will probably have to make changes to travel plans, as the new rules ban any US financial transactions with Armed Forces Business Enterprises Group (GAESA), which is involved with a plethora of activities such as hotels (e.g. the Gaviota hotel that was to be managed by Starwood), state-run restaurants, the tour bus companies used by most tour groups - GAESA has its hands into many tour developments and projects. "All the state hotels, stores and eateries in colonial Old Havana are owned by Habaguanex, which was recently taken over from the city historian's office by GAESA." (VOA)
"Any ban on using military-owned tourism facilities would make it very difficult to bring groups larger than seven people, because for logistical reasons you need to work with the government," said Collin Laverty, president of Cuba Educational Travel." (VOA)
Individual travel will undoubtedly be curtailed, group travel by land and cruise operators will be allowed to continue. They will probably have to make changes to travel plans, as the new rules ban any US financial transactions with Armed Forces Business Enterprises Group (GAESA), which is involved with a plethora of activities such as hotels (e.g. the Gaviota hotel that was to be managed by Starwood), state-run restaurants, the tour bus companies used by most tour groups - GAESA has its hands into many tour developments and projects. "All the state hotels, stores and eateries in colonial Old Havana are owned by Habaguanex, which was recently taken over from the city historian's office by GAESA." (VOA)
"Any ban on using military-owned tourism facilities would make it very difficult to bring groups larger than seven people, because for logistical reasons you need to work with the government," said Collin Laverty, president of Cuba Educational Travel." (VOA)
Jun 16, 2017, 11:47 pm
#132
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: exBER exBKK exLIS
Programs: lh sen
Posts: 368
[Moderator edit of text per rule 12.2: "FlyerTalk is a diverse, multi-cultural community. Expressions of prejudice or discrimination in any form are not permitted."]
As a german citizen from the EU I totally understand and support the revoking of the people-to-people program.
And another question: The USA has tremendous beautiful places and resorts to visit, why american citizens want to travel to Cuba?
As a german citizen from the EU I totally understand and support the revoking of the people-to-people program.
And another question: The USA has tremendous beautiful places and resorts to visit, why american citizens want to travel to Cuba?
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Jun 17, 2017 at 3:25 pm Reason: See note above.
Jun 17, 2017, 7:10 pm
#135
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 1,894
I think that statement is unnecessarily alarmist. Cubans recognize that a half-century of strained relations between our two countries is a government-to-government matter. In my travels to Cuba during the past 2.5 years, I've never experienced any animosity towards me for being an American. I don't expect it to start now.