US Citizen flying to Cuba on an Irish Passport
 

Hi all,

I'm in the process of getting my Irish passport (thanks Grandpa!), and was wondering if it would be possible to go to Cuba on that passport versus my US one, which would mean I would need to be on a super-expensive People-to-People trip ($2500 for a long weekend?!)

Could I fly out of Miami? Or would I still need to go through Mexico/Canada?

Anyone tried this?

Thanks!

Ps. I also just got Global Entry on my US passport, so I'm not keen on breaking any laws to hinder my re-approval for this 10 years from now.

Thanks!

If you have Irish citizenship, then you can fly to Cuba on an Irish passport, though you cannot fly from the US. That's illegal without a US Treasury Dept-issued travel license. So you'll have to fly out of Canada or Mexico or some other country (there are others). Just be sure that you both enter and exit the US on your American passport; that, I believe, is required by law if you are an American citizen.

Be aware, however, that your US-issued credit cards will not be accepted in Cuba, and you will have to do everything in cash.

Obviously, you are taking advantage of a legal technicality to do something you can't legally do as an American citizen, which you still are, even if you hold an Irish passport.

I cannot begin to tell you whether or not this might have any impact on your Global Entry status.

If you have non US-issued credit cards, they will be accepted in Cuba. If you take cash, it cannot be US dollars, although I believe you can change them somewhere, probably at an unfavourable rate.

Ok, so I'll need a foreign CC or a whole lotta cash- thanks!

You change US Dollars to the Cuban tourist currency, CUC. Same exchange rate everywhere in Cuba.

If you change USD to CUC, you will be subject to a 10% tax, unless HappyTrvlr has more up to date information than what is on TA or other websites or is perhaps happy to pay the additional charge. Generally it is recommended to take another currency.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop...ency-Cuba.html


http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-....Exchange.html

http://www.visitcuba.com/travel-guide/travel-tips/