Cuba Travel

Most travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens is restricted and requires appropriate authorization. Travel to Cuba for personal enrichment purposes or tourism are excluded activities under U.S. federal law; however, as of January 28, 2011, regulations on academic travel have eased. Highlights of the changes include:

  • Specific licenses are no longer necessary for most authorized educational activities in Cuba.
  • Requirements for students to travel to Cuba for University purposes have been relaxed.
  • Authorization for faculty and staff to teach in Cuba now includes part-time employees and adjunct faculty.

Eligibility for Students

U of M students in the following categories are eligible to travel to Cuba. An official signed letter from the University's designated Cuba representative is required.

  • Undergraduate or graduate students participating in a for-credit academic activity through the University of Minnesota, a Cuban academic institution, or an accredited U.S. academic institution. The activity must be accepted for credit toward a degree at the U of M.
  • Graduate students doing noncommercial academic research in Cuba specifically related to Cuba and for the purpose of obtaining a graduate degree (i.e., the proposed research is independent research for writing a master's thesis, doctoral dissertation, or similar document).

Request Authorization to Travel

U of M students seeking to travel in one of the above categories should request authorization at least one month in advance of planned travel. The official letter from the University's designated Cuba representative authorizing the travel will be provided within 3 to 4 weeks. Travelers must have this letter before leaving the U.S.

If you are eligible in one of the above categories, please request authorization by submitting the following information at least one month in advance of planned travel to stsantir@umn.edu:

  1. Memo indicating the nature of your activities in Cuba
  2. Letter of support from your academic adviser indicating that:
    • you are currently enrolled in a degree program at the University of Minnesota
    • the study or research in Cuba will be accepted for credit toward that degree
  3. Letter of support or acceptance letter from the sponsoring institution in Cuba
  4. Completed application for international travel medical insurance
  5. Signed copy of the Release and Waiver

Eligibility for Faculty and Staff

As for February 28, 2011, regulations for faculty and staff travel to Cuba have changed. The new regulations allow travel for the following purposes with an authorization from the University's designated Cuba representative:

Travel with Students

  • Faculty and staff (including adjunct and/or part-time) to accompany students on University-sponsored academic programs to Cuba
  • Faculty and staff (including adjunct and/or part-time) to travel to Cuba to organize and prepare for University-sponsored student academic programs

Teaching

  • Any individual regularly employed in a teaching capacity at the U of M to teach at a Cuban institution provided that the teaching activities are related to an academic program at the Cuban institution and that the duration of the teaching is at least 10 weeks

Research

  • Full-time faculty and staff to conduct professional research in Cuba in their professional areas, provided that:
    • the research is of a noncommercial, academic nature
    • the research comprises a full work schedule in Cuba
    • the research has a substantial likelihood of public dissemination

Professional Conferences

  • Full-time faculty and staff to travel to Cuba to attend professional meetings or conferences organized by an international professional organization, institution, or association that regularly sponsors meetings or conferences in other countries, provided that:
    • the sponsor is not headquartered in the United States unless they have been specifically licensed to sponsor the meeting in Cuba
    • the purpose of the meeting or conference is not the promotion of tourism in Cuba or other commercial activities involving Cuba that are inconsistent with this part
    • the meeting or conference is not intended primarily for the purpose of fostering production of any biotechnological products

Request Authorization to Travel

U of M faculty or staff seeking to travel in one of the above categories should request authorization at least one month in advance of planned travel. The official letter from the University's designated Cuba representative authorizing the travel will be provided within 3 to 4 weeks. Travelers must have this letter before leaving the U.S.

If you are eligible in one of the above categories, please request authorization by submitting the following information at least one month in advance of planned travel to stsantir@umn.edu:

  1. Memo indicating the nature of your activities in Cuba
  2. Letter of support or acceptance letter from the sponsoring institution
  3. Completed application for international travel medical insurance
  4. Signed copy of the Faculty and Staff Acknowledgement

Other Activities

Specific licenses can be applied for on a case-by-case basis for educational programs not authorized under the regulatory requirements including:

  • teaching at a Cuban institution for less than 10 weeks
  • participation in educational exchanges to promote people to people contact
  • sponsorship of conferences related to Cuba that will be attended by University faculty, staff and students.

To apply for a specific license, visit the Office of Foreign Assets Control (Dept. of Treasury) Application Wizard.

Eligibility for Cuban Scholars to Visit the U.S.

Cuban scholars teaching or engaging in other scholarly activities at the University of Minnesota can be sponsored, including a stipend or salary, by a University department. However, the individual must carry a letter on official letterhead, signed by the designated Cuba representative from the University of Minnesota.

Request Authorization for Visitor

U of M departments wishing to sponsor a Cuban scholar should submit a letter to stsantir@umn.edu indicating the nature the scholar’s activities on campus, their name, home institution, University of Minnesota contact, and the dates of proposed travel. The official letter from the University's designated Cuba representative authorizing the travel will be provided within 3 to 4 weeks. Travelers must have this letter before entering the U.S. and may require it in order to receive a visa.

U of M Designated Cuba Representative

Stacey Tsantir, GPS Alliance
612-625-5107, stsantir@umn.edu

Cuba Resources