Family visa (A-2) for relatives of Cuban citizens, and permanent residence application
Foreign spouses and children of Cuban citizens who travel to stay with their family use a family visa (A-2), which Cuban consulates say is given for 90 days and can be extended by the migration authorities. Foreigners who want to live in Cuba permanently apply for permanent residence through a Cuban consulate. The application needs medical tests, a recent criminal record certificate, a letter explaining the reasons, and proof of the family tie.
1 entry rule for Cuba based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 9 months and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Cuba
Money
2
Currency
Cuban Peso
CUP
Cuban Peso
Tax
5–50%
Income tax (national)
Sales tax 10% · social security 5%
Annual sworn-declaration scale (self-employed, artists, etc.): 5% up to CUP 25,000 rising to 50% above CUP 1,000,000; salaried workers pay the tax on wages through withholding under separate rules.
Living
1
Happiness
#2 of 2 countries
World Happiness Report 2011
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign spouses and children of Cuban citizens, and foreigners with family grounds who want to settle in Cuba.
Eligibility
Family tie (A-2)
Spouses or children of Cuban citizens, of another nationality, who travel to Cuba to stay with their Cuban family members.
Permanent residence - medical tests
Present a legalised chest X-ray, serology and HIV test results that are no more than six months old.
six months
Maximum age of test results · when presented
- Tests can also be done in Cuba at clinics for foreigners
Official wording
Legalised chest X-ray, serology and HIV test results, no more than six months old when presented (they can also be done in Cuba at clinics for foreigners).
Permanent residence - criminal record
Present a legalised criminal record certificate from your country of residence, issued no more than 3 months before.
3 months
Maximum age of certificate
Official wording
Legalised criminal record certificate from your country of residence, issued no more than 3 months before you present it.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementPermanent residence - reasons
- Document checklistValid passport and one photo
- FeesFamily visa consular fee
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 1 more requirement
- 6 documents
- 2 fees
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Cuba
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Cuba
- Visit & tourismCuban tourist card (tourist visa) for foreign visitors
- Work permitsTemporary residence with a work permit
- Permanent residencePermanent and provisional residence under the new Ley 173 de Extranjería
Family in other countries
- CyprusFamily reunification of family members of third-country nationals
- CzechiaLong-term residence permit for family reunification
- GermanyResidence permit for spouses and registered partners
- DenmarkFamily reunification with a spouse or cohabiting partner
- Dominican RepublicResidence visa for family reunification
- AlgeriaFamily visa for Algeria
