Cuba (CU)
Cuba is a unique socialist island nation of 11 million people in the Caribbean — a country of vintage American cars, world-famous cigars, Havana salsa, colonial architecture, and extraordinary natural beauty.
Leaving Cuba
How to properly exit — protecting your finances, rights and records.
📅 General Timeline
Typical departure timeline: 2–4 weeks before: confirm visa/Tourist Card validity and book any required extension. 1 week before: settle all accounts (rent, utilities, ONAT if applicable), reconvert CUP to foreign currency. 1–2 days before: collect remaining belongings, return keys, confirm PNR de-registration with host. Day of departure: arrive at José Martí International Airport 3 hours early — departure queues can be long. Bring passport, Tourist Card/visa, and flight documents. Customs export restrictions apply: 50 cigars without receipt (250 with receipt), 3 litres rum, max $5,000 USD cash without declaration.
Deregistration
Ensure your Tourist Card or visa has not expired before leaving. If you extended your Tourist Card at an Inmigración office, carry the extension stamp/documentation. If you rented a casa particular, ensure the host has properly registered and de-registered your stay with the local PNR (Policía Nacional Revolucionaria). For long-stay visas (work, student), contact the issuing immigration authority for formal departure notification requirements. Cancel any Cuban mobile phone subscriptions (CUBACEL) if on a long-stay plan.
Tax clearance
Foreign nationals leaving Cuba are not typically required to obtain a tax clearance certificate. However, if you operated as a TCP or through a MIPYME, ensure all ONAT (Oficina Nacional de Administración Tributaria) tax obligations are settled before departure to avoid complications for future re-entry. Contact ONAT at onat.gob.cu if you have open tax declarations.
Pension portability
Foreign nationals who contributed to Cuban social security (Seguridad Social) during formal employment may be entitled to a Cuban pension based on their contribution history. However, collecting Cuban pension payments from abroad is extremely difficult in practice. Consult MTSS (Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social) before leaving for information on your specific entitlements.
Health insurance
Your mandatory travel insurance should remain in force until your last day in Cuba. Cuban state insurance (Asistur) policies expire at departure. If you had a long-term international health insurance policy, notify your provider of your departure date. Any open Servimed (Clínica Cira García) medical claims should be finalized before leaving.
Bank account
Close or zero out any Cuban peso accounts or prepaid MLC cards before departure — repatriation of Cuban pesos abroad is not possible. Reconvert CUP at CADECA before airport check-in. US dollars cannot be taken out through formal channels due to the ongoing 10% USD penalty at state exchange offices. CADECA at the airport departure terminal is the most convenient reconversion point.
Utilities
If renting a whole apartment independently, notify your landlord of your departure date per your agreement. Utility accounts in Cuba are typically registered to Cuban citizens (the landlord) rather than foreign tenants, so formal utility cancellation is usually the landlord's responsibility. Ensure you have returned all keys, rooftop tank access, and any property belonging to the host.
Rental contract
Most foreign tenants in Cuba use informal verbal or WhatsApp-based rental agreements. Settle all outstanding rent and any agreed fees before departure. Take final photos of the property condition to document departure state. Return keys in person and get a WhatsApp confirmation that the host has received them. Disputes after departure are very difficult to resolve remotely.
Leaving the Country
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