Cuba Reinstated On US Terror List

Shortly after taking office, US President Donald Trump reversed former President Joe Biden’s policy by restoring Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

As a result, travellers who have visited Cuba since January 12, 2021, are no longer eligible for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). Instead, they must apply for a traditional US visa—a process that is more time-consuming, complicated, and costly.

ESTA is the go-to travel authorisation for passport holders from 42 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, including the UK, EU nations, Australia, and Japan. It allows for quick, hassle-free entry into the US. But if you’ve set foot in Cuba since 2021, ESTA is off the table, and you’ll need to go through the traditional visa application process instead.

If you've been to Cuba, you must apply for a B-2 tourist visa (or B-1 business visa) to enter the US, even if you’re from a country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)—which includes the UK, most of the EU, Australia, and Japan.

This change affects many European travellers who often combine visits to Cuba with trips to the US Popular travel routes—like a Caribbean holiday followed by a stop in Miami or New York—now require extra planning, additional paperwork, and a visa appointment at a US embassy.

Cuba isn't the only country on this list. If you’ve travelled to Iraq, North Korea, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen since March 1, 2011, you’re also ineligible for ESTA and must apply for a visa.

If a US trip is in your future and you’ve visited Cuba, apply for a visa early. Visa appointments can take weeks or even months to secure, depending on your country.

For frequent travellers, this restriction is an added hurdle, but with proper planning, your travel dreams don’t have to be grounded.

Do you have plans to apply for a US visa? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or a visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.

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