Revolutionary and former President of Cuba, Commander Fidel Castro
By Dickson Bandera
Fifteen days have passed since Cuba officially retired its familiar tourist card and ushered in a new era of digital travel with a mandatory electronic visa system. In effect since July 1, 2025, the new requirement means that every traveler entering the island must hold an approved e-Visa—a change that has so far been implemented smoothly.
For decades, the tourist card was a symbolic document—a gateway tucked into passports and travel wallets, granting visitors access to the largest island in the Caribbean. But times have changed.
The Ministry of Tourism’s decision to phase out the paper card for a fully digital system marks not just an administrative update but a broader push to modernize the country’s approach to welcoming the world.
Behind this transformation is eVisaCuba, the online portal launched last year to handle applications virtually. Today, thousands of travelers have already used it to arrange their trips, many reporting a straightforward process that saves both time and paper. The new system allows people to apply for their visa from anywhere, on any device connected to the internet, reducing paperwork and cutting out extra visits to embassies.
The Ministry of Tourism has been quick to highlight the platform’s user-friendliness and its environmental benefit—a small but meaningful contribution to cutting down on unnecessary printing and couriering of physical documents.
However, eVisaCuba still doesn’t accept direct online payments. Instead, each Cuban consulate manages payments independently, which means the exact process and accepted payment methods vary from country to country.
Once approved, the e-Visa grants a single entry into Cuba for up to 90 days. For those who fall under the island’s spell and wish to linger longer, there is an option to extend the stay for another 90 days—meaning a visitor can spend up to 180 days exploring Cuba’s cities, beaches, and countryside on one electronic permit.
Yet the e-Visa is only part of the puzzle. All travelers, including Zimbabweans must also complete the D’Viajeros online form within seven days of arrival. This form, which can be filled out at dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu , gathers health, customs, and immigration information—and is essential for activating the e-Visa itself.
On arrival, travelers must show four things: a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry, the D’Viajeros QR code and e-Visa number, proof of travel insurance with medical coverage, and a return or onward ticket.
Two weeks in, the new system has proven its promise. For Cuba, the shift is more than a technical upgrade—it’s a signal that the island is ready to meet the modern traveler halfway, making the door to its warm shores a little more open, a little more efficient, and fully digital.
