PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Cuba

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Cuba.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 90 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

    Tourism only on the tourist visa.

  • Passport validity

    At least 6 months on arrival (GSA). UK advice: 6 months after arrival and 3 months after planned departure.

  • How to apply

    Apply online on the eVisa-Cuba site, evisacuba.cu (named by UK FCDO). Several travellers can go on one application; upload proof of payment as a .jpg. GSA reports a 72-hour response and a cost of R315. Travellers arriving by sea must apply through the embassy instead.

  • Where South Africans apply

    Online at evisacuba.cu, or the Embassy of Cuba in Pretoria (45 Mackenzie Street, Brooklyn; tel 012 881 6389; Mon to Fri 08:30 to 12:30).

  • Travel insurance

    Travel medical insurance is mandatory for entry and must cover Cuba.

  • Return or onward ticket

    Return or onward ticket required.

  • Proof of funds

    Reported as at least US$50 per day. Bring cash (US dollars or euros): international cards no longer work in Cuba.

  • Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

    Destination rule: a yellow fever certificate is needed only if you arrive from a country with yellow fever transmission risk; South Africa is not a risk country. Return to South Africa: this country is not a yellow fever risk country, so no certificate is needed on return, unless you transited through a risk country (for example via Panama or South America) on the way.

  • Arrival forms

    D'Viajeros online form within 72 hours before arrival; a QR code is emailed to show on arrival. Official site: dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu.

  • Transit

    Routing through the United States needs a US visa; US sanctions limit direct travel from the US.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. UK FCDO travel advice (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cuba/entry-requirements
  2. 2. UK FCDO travel advice (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cuba
  3. 3. Wikipedia, Visa requirements for South African citizens (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens
  4. 4. Wikipedia, Visa policy of Cuba (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Cuba
  5. 5. The GSA, Cuba country guide (updated 23 Oct 2025) (Commercial, thegsa.co.za) https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2645-cuba-country-guide

From doineedavisa.co.za/cuba. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.