nyclocal

I'm a US citizen and my husband is Canadian with a US greencard. We're thinking of traveling to Cuba through Canada. Will I get in trouble? if they don't stamp my passport then I'm fine, right? Some guidance please...

JeanH

It's illegal for you to travel to Cuba. You probably won't get caught, but if you do, it will be expensive.

Even without a Cuban stamp in your passport, if anyone checks, it will be obvious that you left Canada and returned from somewhere.

I loved our trip to Havana, but that was before the rules were tightened and we traveled legally as a 'cultural exchange'.

Reisender

If caught the fines can be big - I think in the $10,000 range or so. Better go to the state department web site and read the rules. Although I am sure Cuba would be interesting, I doubt if it is worth risking that kind of money (and maybe jail time?) to see it. Patience is best as surely things will change when Fidel goes to that big commune in the sky.

bellaboo

I've always been "aware" Americans can't travel to Cuba. But I've never questioned "Why".

I'm Canadian so am not clear on the actual law and reason. Americans can travel to China can't they? They were able to travel to the former Soviet Union..? Sorry for seeming ignorant, but it's a genuine question. What IS the exact law/reason?

Nevisian

I would worry about your husband putting his Green Card in jeopardy. He is Canadian and has every legal Canadian right to travel to Cuba. The U.S., in it's current "control the world" attitude may not look kindly on that. You, as a U.S. citizen can be heavily fined. Like bellaboo, I think most of us have forgotten, didn't know or don't care why the U.S. has these laws from 1950's still on the books.

nyclocal

thanks for all the posts, it's so annoying not to be able to just go... all this political bs

nkpq

mIGHT i SUGGEST THAT YOU BUY A TICKET ROUND TRIP TO cANCUN AND CATCH A FLIGHT TO cUBA FROM THERE?Passports are not stamped entering or leaving Cuba.

mjs

I went to Cuba in the early 90's and the rules at that time as explained to me by my good friend who was the US Consul General at my local US Embassy was as follows: The US State Department has no rules forbiding US citizens from traveling to Cuba. The US however does not have diplomatic ties to Cuba and there is no US Embassy in Cuba. US interests are represented by the Swiss. The US Treasury department however does have regulations forbiding the use of funds sourced in the USA to travel to Cuba. There are exceptions to this rule for a variety of reasons but since they did not affect me I do not remember them. I was able to legally travel to Cuba as my income at that time was derived from sources outside the US. If you have money to travel to Cuba that has been sourced from outside the US you should be fine. I should also note that Cuba and the old USSR used to attach a piece of paper to your passport with stamps on it on entry to their country. This paper was removed when you left the country so their was no evidence in your passport that you had ever been there.
The rules may have changed so to be certain I would contact the US Treasury department and State department.