paulrm
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Wed Mar 26th 16:32 2008 / #1 |
Sequence is more like
1. Go to US Department of State requesting an exemption from the law that says no US Citizen can travel Cuba... the exemption can be granted for academics or family reunions
2. Since you won't be granted permission anyway, stay in bed |
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cubadreamer2
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[profile]
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Fri Mar 28th 13:34 2008 / #2 |
ok, so i'll buy the ticket then. thanks.
:-P |
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paulrm
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Fri Mar 28th 14:35 2008 / #3 |
Ok, so you can't figure out what I said. So, we'll try it this way... if you go to Cuba with a US passport, and they stamp it, you will be arrested and put in jail if they notice it when you go back to the US.
Enjoy prison. |
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Jeno
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[profile]
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Wed Apr 23rd 18:49 2008 / #4 |
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You won't go to jail. If you're in the US then you have to go to Canada first, then you can get a flight to cuba - there aren't US flights to Cuba. Pick up some travel books for advice, or if you're in Prague, if they have on, go to their consulate. Lots of people - US citizens - go to Cuba every year - I know a number of people who have gone in different capacities - filmmaker, visiting family or boyfriends, journalists, tourists. It's not easy but it can be done. |
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paulrm
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Wed Apr 23rd 18:56 2008 / #5 |
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Jeno, US citizens CAN go but only with special permission from the State Department, and you happen to name the specific "capacities" that can apply. NORMAL citizens, who just want to go for a pleasure trip ARE NOT PERMITTED and can face jail or fines upon return to the US. The same thing applies to North Korea. But, go ahead... we'll send you a cake in jail. |
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Jeno
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[profile]
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Thu Apr 24th 09:37 2008 / #6 |
Cubadreamer - Over 20,000 American citizens visit Cuba each year without the proper State Dept release. In the past two years only 19 people have been punished, with a fine, and most of them were involved with Oliver Stone's film (which didn't have a governmental release) and now those involved with Michael Moore's are being reviewed (he too snuck in). It is not illegal to BE there but it is illegal to spend money there so upon return you will be questioned in detail as to how you spent your money. They may also look at your more closely for other items, but it is HIGHLYunlikely you will be arrested or jailed.
You cannot get there from the US so you have to work with a travel agent in Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, or Canada. If you pick up a tourist card at your "in-between "airport it is possible the Cuban authorities will stamp those loose sheets rather than your visa. My friends went, and even though he is a journalist he didn't go AS a journalist, but went with some guys and they drank their way around the place (not entirely admirable). Another went to visit a boyfriend (not eligible for a release) and only upon her return decided to write about her experiences - her book includes how she got there. For reasons other than family visits the government only gives about 400 releases a year. To visit your family you are limited to one trip every three years. I can't find info on regular tourists who've snuck over and been jailed upon their return. Just don't bring back any cigars. The money thing. That will get you fined, Again you are opening yourself up to potentially $55K and ten years - although that's just about, well it is unheard of. Good luck. Get there before Castro dies cause then they'll lift the embargo and any American will be free to travel at will. You can't use credit cards there - but US dollars are accepted and appreciated. |
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ugh--lee
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[profile]
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Tue Apr 29th 10:44 2008 / #7 |
Hi,
So i went to cuba.
@paulrm - "Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win By fearing to attempt."
William Shakespeare, "Measure for Measure", Act 1 scene 4
They don't stamp US passports. they didn't stamp mine. they (the border police) were pleased to see me, an american. as were everyone else (whether I said I was american, or czech)
So, I hope that dispels all the FUD.
Go and see it, while it's still what it is. It won't be for much longer. |
jeff
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Tue Apr 29th 12:17 2008 / #8 |
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Yes, I also know a few people taht have gone with zero trouble. Just don't get a stamp. Easy. |
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paulrm
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Wed Apr 30th 08:44 2008 / #9 |
My posts answered the original question. The person asked, "hi,
how does an american go about getting a visa to cuba?
1) buy ticket
2) go to embassy for visa
or
1) get visa at embassy
2) buy ticket"
Is it possible to "game the system"? Of course.
Did Michael Moore do it? Of course, but you ain't Michael Moore or have his clout.
Is it possible you will get nailed, especially in these Bushian times of paranoia at border points? Of course. You play the game, you take your chances. Personally, although I've wanted to go to Cuba for many years, it isn't worth the risk these days.
Just FYI:
From the US Interests Section in Havana:
Entry Requirements
Requirements The Cuban Assets Control Regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed to engage 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.
The following categories of travelers are permitted to spend money for Cuban travel and to engage in other transactions directly incident to the purpose of their travel under a general license, without the need to obtain special permission from the U.S. Treasury Department:
- U.S. and foreign government officials traveling on official business, including representatives of international organizations of which the U.S. is a member;
- Journalists and supporting broadcasting or technical personnel regularly employed by a news reporting organization;
- Persons making a once-a-year visit to close family relatives in circumstances of humanitarian need;
- Full-time professionals whose travel transactions are directly related to professional research in their professional areas, provided that their research: (1) is of a noncommercial academic nature; (2) comprises a full work schedule in Cuba, and (3) has a substantial likelihood of public dissemination;
- Full-time professionals whose travel transactions are directly related to attendance at professional meetings or conferences in Cuba organized by an international professional organization, institution, or association that regularly sponsors such meetings or conferences in other countries;
- Amateur or semi-professional athletes or teams traveling to Cuba to participate in an athletic competition held under the auspices of the relevant international sports federation.
The Department of Treasury may issue licenses on a case-by-case basis authorizing Cuba travel-related transactions directly incident to marketing, sales negotiation, accompanied delivery, and servicing of exports and reexports that appear consistent with the licensing policy of the Department of Commerce. The sectors in which U.S. citizens may sell and service products to Cuba include agricultural commodities, telecommunications activities, medicine, and medical devices. The Treasury Department will also consider requests for specific licenses for humanitarian travel not covered by the general license, educational exchanges, and religious activities by individuals or groups affiliated with a religious organization.
Unless otherwise exempted or authorized, any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction who engages in any travel-related transaction in Cuba violates the regulations. Persons not licensed to engage in travel-related transactions may travel to Cuba without violating the regulations only if all Cuba-related expenses are covered by a person not subject to U.S. jurisdiction and provided that the traveler does not provide any service to Cuba or a Cuban national. Such travel is called fully-hosted travel. Such travel may not be made on a Cuban carrier or aboard a direct flight between the United States and Cuba.
Failure to comply with Department of Treasury regulations may result in civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States. |
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cubadreamer3
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[profile]
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Wed Jul 23rd 19:24 2008 / #10 |
here's my trip, currently 100 hi-rez panoramas.
http://havana.360cities.net
more coming soon.
enjoy :-) |
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evbk
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[profile]
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Mon Aug 4th 18:21 2008 / #11 |
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You can go by going thru a caribbean island first, and from there to Cuba. Did it a few months ago from Barbados and it was safe and a great trip. |
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