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The New York Times has a guide today (1.21.15) about current travel to Cuba. The guide is far from comprehensive, but it is helpful nonetheless.
The big change, which went into effect last Friday, is that US citizens no longer need to obtain a formal license to travel to Cuba. You can go when you want by checking a box indicating that your travel is within the legal parameters. The other big change is that you can use American credit cards in Cuba, if you can find anyone willing to take them. (Cash is still preferred and will be for a good while.)
The Times lists the categories of those who are allowed to travel to Cuba under the current rules, but it doesn’t list all of them. There are twelve categories.
The US Treasury Department has issued new regulations in regard to Cuban travel. You don’t need a specific license, you can travel under a general license (with no application process, etc.) if you activities fit within the following:
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Travel-related transactions are permitted by general license for certain travel related to the following activities, subject to criteria and conditions in each general license
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 information materials; and certain authorized export transactions.
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So, the rules have been changed, but they have not been thrown out the window. There are still rules and American citizens are still expected to comply with them.
It is important to note that these rules have the force of law and violating the rules, if you get caught, could be, at minimum, uncomfortable. Don’t say you are a journalist, for example, if you are not “regularly employed by a news organization”. Employed generally means paid, so working for a school or college newspaper might not qualify.
There are, however, a lot of ways to legally go and, with these changes, it is up to each person to decide if they qualify. You no longer have to apply and wait for approval, which in the prior situation sometimes took months.
If you just want to go to Cuba to drink rum and have a vacation, that is still not legal under US law.
There are lots of ways to fly into Cuba and here is a list of some of the airlines serving the nation from locations other than the US (charter flights are the only way currently to leave from US soil). Do not take this list as authoritative. Check first.
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From Lonely Planet:
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Aerocaribbean (833-3621; www.aero-caribbean.com)
Aeroflot (204-3200; www.aeroflot.com) Moscow
Air Canada (836-3226/27; www.aircanada.com) Toronto
Air France (833-2642; www.airfrance.com) Paris
Air Jamaica (833-3636; www.airjamaica.com) Montego Bay
Air Transat (204-3802/04; www.airtransat.com) Toronto
Bahamasair (833-3114; www.bahamasair.com) Nassau
Cayman Airways (www.caymanairways.com) Grand Cayman
Copa Airlines (204-1111; www.copaair.com) Panama City
Cubana de Aviación (834-4949; www.cubana.cu) London, Mexico City, Montego Bay, Montreal, Paris, Santo Domingo, Toronto, plus other destinations
Iberia Mexicana de Aviación (204-3454; www.iberia.com) úCancn, Mexico City
TACA (833-3114; www.taca.com) San Salvador
Virgin Atlantic (7-207-0747; www.virginatlantic.com) London
Read more at Lonely Planet
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Note: this is some disagreement about whether it is legal to fly on airlines from outside the US., outside of the organized tours offered to Cuba for years. The most likely correct answer is yes, if you fit within the categories for approved travel, but you will not be able to buy your tickets inside the US for the time being. You have to fly somewhere else (the Caribbean, Mexico, etc.) and buy a ticket there. The TerryReport will be seeking clarification on this issue and report on the answer here.
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IN THE NY TIMES: (open link)
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new regulations for travel to Cuba on Jan. 16, Americans may travel there more easily than at any time in the past half-century. Travelers cannot just hop on a plane and go, though. |
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