The Cuba visa changed in 2025: the paper tourist card that had worked for years was abolished and Cuba moved entirely to an electronic visa. For citizens of Azerbaijan this is news, because a great many older articles still talk about the tourist card. To go to Cuba you now buy an eVisa online on the official portal; there is no need to visit an embassy.
This article explains how the eVisa is obtained, the compulsory insurance and customs form requirements, the question of money and internet in Cuba, and the flight options from Baku to Havana.
Cuba visa: the essentials
| Visa type | Electronic visa (eVisa); the tourist card is abolished |
| Fee | About 50 euros |
| Length of stay | Up to 90 days, extendable once |
| Number of entries | Single |
| Compulsory | Medical insurance and the D’Viajeros online form |
| Passport | Valid for at least 6 months |
| Direct flights | None; via Istanbul or Madrid |
How to get a Cuba visa
You open an account on Cuba’s official eVisa portal, fill in the form, upload a passport scan and a photo, and pay the fee by card. The approval arrives by email and is shown at the border in printed form. The answer usually comes within a few days, but applying two weeks before the trip is comfortable. The official portal is the Cuban government’s eVisa site; intermediary sites charge several times more for the same visa and some still keep selling the old tourist card.
Two compulsory requirements alongside the Cuba visa
Money and internet in Cuba
The hardest part of a trip to Cuba is not the visa but the money. Visa and Mastercard cards from Azerbaijani banks mostly do not work in Cuba because of US sanctions. Carrying cash euros is the most reliable approach; US dollars are accepted too, but an extra commission may be charged when changing them. Change money at the official exchange offices in Havana. The internet is weak: Wi-Fi works only in hotels and parks with a paid card, and a local SIM is bought at the airport.
Read next: Brazil visa: how to get the VIVIS visa from the embassy in Baku
How to fly from Baku to Havana
There is no direct flight. The most comfortable route is via Istanbul: Turkish Airlines flies from Istanbul to Havana and no visa is needed on the way, with the whole journey taking 18 to 20 hours. There are also Iberia and Air Europa options via Madrid, and no Schengen visa is required as long as you stay in the transit zone. Flying via the USA both requires an American visa and is restricted for non-US citizens travelling on to Cuba — do not consider that route. Baku–Havana fares rise between December and March.
For first-time visitors the Havana–Trinidad–Varadero line is the classic route, and Cuba tour programmes are usually built along it; the difficulties with cash, transport and internet are felt far less on a ready-made programme.
What to know before the trip
- The US visa. A trip to Cuba does not prevent a citizen of Azerbaijan from getting a US visa, but the Cuban trip must be declared on the DS-160 form and may come up at the interview.
- Season. November to April is dry and comfortable; June to November is hurricane season.
- Accommodation. Alongside hotels, the guesthouses known as «casa particular» are cheap and a local experience; they are officially registered too and can be given as the address for the visa.
- Medicines. There are medicine shortages in Cuba, so bring whatever you need with you.
Frequently asked questions about the Cuba visa
Is the old tourist card still valid?
No, the paper tourist card system has been abolished. Some airlines and agencies keep selling the old card; do not buy it.
Can the 90 days be extended?
Yes, once, at the immigration office inside the country, on payment of a fee.
Can you cross to Mexico on a Cuban visa?
No, Mexico requires a separate visa from citizens of Azerbaijan; only holders of a valid US visa may enter without one.
In closing
The Cuba visa is an online eVisa; the real preparation is the insurance, the D’Viajeros form and cash euros. There is a visa-free route via Istanbul. The Viza.az team helps with buying the eVisa from the official portal, choosing the insurance and planning the Cuban route.
Read more about Cuba as a destination and our service fees, or fill in the application form.
Note: the information here is accurate as of the publication date. The eVisa fee and entry rules can change, so check the official portal again before applying.
