Cuba Addresses Electronic Visa Confusion for Canadian Tourists Amid Tourism Criticism

The Cuban Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) has issued a statement aimed at Canadian tourists traveling directly to the island, clarifying the process for obtaining an electronic visa. According to MINTUR's announcement, travelers from Canada do not need to pay for the visa, as it is included in their plane ticket. The sole requirement is to complete an online form on the official D'Viajeros site during the week before their trip.

After filling out the form, tourists must present a QR code upon entering the country. This process is free and does not require any banking information. "We've been alerted to websites with similar URLs that are not government-affiliated," warned the Ministry, referring to platforms charging fees for the service.

For those traveling to Cuba from a third country, the process differs; in such cases, they must first obtain an electronic visa via EVisaCuba and then complete the form on the D'Viajeros site.

This clarification comes at a challenging time for tourism in Cuba, where complaints from foreign visitors, particularly Canadians, have raised concerns about the safety and quality of services provided. One notable incident occurred in April 2024, when tourist Caroline Perreault was severely injured after a pergola collapsed at the Starfish Hotel in Cayo Guillermo. In addition to citing poor maintenance, Perreault criticized inadequate medical care and legal hurdles in filing a lawsuit from Canada. The case led to a lawsuit against Sunwing for 200,000 Canadian dollars.

Other recent incidents include a 55-year-old tourist who spent nearly 48 hours in a hospital in Holguín under poor conditions, and complaints from travelers like Jonathon Renko, who reported widespread blackouts even in tourist areas during the last quarter of 2024.

Despite the regime's attempts to attract foreign currency, such as allowing cash payments by tourists since August of last year, statistics reveal a continued decline in visitor numbers. This is especially true for Canada, historically one of Cuba's largest source markets. In 2024, only 2.2 million people visited the island, a 9.6% drop from the previous year and the lowest in two decades. Canada remains the leading source of tourists, though it no longer sends the million-plus visitors it did before the pandemic.

MINTUR stated that the Electronic Visa is mandatory for all visitors starting July 1. Travelers must obtain it before their flight to Cuba through the official EVisaCuba portal. The Ministry's statement seeks to reassure travelers, yet recent events indicate that the country's structural issues continue to directly impact tourism.