Cuba visits result in ESTA visa waiver ban

Cayman Islands residents are becoming increasingly aware that travelling to the United States if they have visited Cuba recently can become difficult at best, impossible at worst. 

The US has tightened restrictions because it classifies Cuba as a ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’. Since January 2021 travelling to America is incredibly restrictive for visitors from anywhere in the world. But considering Cayman’s close proximity and many connections with Cuba, this is impacting locals disproportionately.

All this means that the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa-waiver programme which costs only $21 and can be done in minutes online, is no longer accessible for anyone wishing to visit the US if they’ve been to Cuba.

On the US travel website, it states: “If a traveller is found to have visited a country designated as State Sponsor of Terrorism, the traveller is no longer eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program and must apply for a visa to enter the United States.” The other countries the US lists in this category are North Korea, Iran and Syria.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) permits citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa.

There are currently 40 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program:

• Andorra (1991)

• Australia (1996)

• Austria (1991)

• Belgium (1991)

• Brunei (1993)

• Chile (2014)

• Croatia (2021)

• Czech Republic (2008)

• Denmark (1991)

• Estonia (2008)

• Finland (1991)

• France (1989)

• Germany (1989)

• Greece (2010)

• Hungary (2008)

• Iceland (1991)

• Ireland (1995)

• Italy (1989)

• Japan (1988)

• Korea, Republic of (2008)

• Latvia (2008)

• Liechtenstein (1991)

• Lithuania (2008)

• Luxembourg (1991)

• Malta (2008)

• Monaco (1991)

• Netherlands (1989)

• New Zealand (1991)

• Norway (1991)

• Poland (2019)

• Portugal (1999)

• San Marino (1991)

• Singapore (1999)

• Slovakia (2008)

• Slovenia (1997)

• Spain (1991)

• Sweden (1989)

• Switzerland (1989)

• Taiwan (2012)

• United Kingdom** (1988)

NOTE: The citizens of the new countries of Curacao, Bonaire, St Eustatius, Saba and St Maarten (the former Netherlands Antilles) are not eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program if they are applying for admission with passports from these countries.

The new process involves applying for a full visa costing US$160 and travelling to the US consulate in Jamaica for an in-person interview. The application can take months to process and there is not even a guarantee of success. For anyone wishing to visit the US for whatever reason – social, business, medical or family matter – it may be impossible to do so on short notice if they’ve visited Cuba since 2021. At this time of year, shopping trips to Miami or any other parts of Florida are impossible if someone has been to Cuba recently.

Cayman residents, unaware of the new rules, have actually been refused access to flights to the US directly from Cuba.

A Caymanian Times journalist’s passport which has a Cuban stamp, postponed a planned visit recently, anxious that future entry into the US may become a massive problem.

These new rules kicked in following increased sanctions by then-President Donald Trump. Despite introducing measures to improve relations with Cuba, the Biden administration has not lifted these nightmare travelling rules. 

Considering Cayman Airways flies four times a week to Cuba, the new rules are having an impact on visitor numbers, many of whom often enjoyed weekend breaks in Havana. Cuban ex-pats living in America can no longer easily visit loved ones on the island and the ruling is now affecting the cruise liner industry.

Caymanians who have been to Cuba recently are distraught that they are blocked from visiting family in the US, nor can take trips to other Caribbean destinations via the US because they no longer qualify for ESTA clearance. It seems a cruel and disproportionate policy considering tensions between America and Cuba have eased in recent years.