Warning: if you have been to Cuba, you can no longer travel to the U.S. with ESTA

Cuba is one of the most visited destinations in the Caribbean. Sun, beaches, music, history and culture make the large Caribbean island an extraordinary place for an unforgettable vacation. However, if you are a lover of the United States, you need to be careful: if you have been to Cuba, you can no longer travel to the U.S. with theESTA.

The decision comes from the Biden administration. Cuba, according to the government, is in fact on the list of countries that "do not cooperate" in the fight against terrorism.

Why if you have been to Cuba you can no longer travel to the U.S. with ESTA

In truth, the provision is not new. First introduced in 1982 by Ronald Reagan, and later reinstated by Donald Trump on January 12, 2021, it has now been reaffirmed by Joe Biden. This, despite the fact that Havana has repeatedly deemed it unfounded and unjustified.

ESTA, the electronic system for authorizing travel to the United States, includes all nations that do not pose a risk for illegal immigration into the country. If a traveler is found to have visited a country designated as a "state sponsor of terrorism," he is no longer eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program. Instead, he or she must apply for a visa to enter the United States. So warns the U.S. immigration website.

Simply put, if you have recently visited Cuba, the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) form is no longer sufficient for your entry into the US. You will in fact need a visa special, to be obtained from the consular section of the U.S. Embassy. in your country. A procedure, this one, that you must apply even if you visit the two countries at different times (not just for a vacation that includes both the U.S. and Cuba, then).

What happens if I travel to the U.S. and have been to Cuba

If you have a valid ESTA, remember that it is valid for 2 years from the day of release, and in that time, if you have been to Cuba, you will be able to embark to the United States. Upon arrival at immigration, however, when the officer checks your passport, he will notice the Caribbean nation's visa in your passport. At this point there are two scenarios:

1. Lots of questions, credible answers, and benevolent agent. You get a stamp in your passport and can enter the U.S., but at the same time your ESTA is cancelled and the agent explains how to proceed if you want to travel to the U.S. again. This situation happened in July 2022 to a friend of mine who has a company in Cuba and was traveling to the U.S. on business.
2. Lots of questions, but closed doors. The immigration officer does not care about your story and you are returned to sender, meaning boarded on the flight you landed on.

Where to apply for a U.S. visa in Italy

Making the traditional U.S. visa in Italy is a very complex and time-consuming process, especially now in the post-pandemic period. It is possible to go to the embassy in Rome or consulates in Milan, Florence and Naples.

Of course, it is not enough to just send a pec or intercom, you have to make an appointment (minimum 6/8 month wait) for the interview at one of the 4 points mentioned, each of which has its own agenda and different waiting times. For all the detailed information there is an official website (beware of scam sites), here you can fill out the visa appointment application.

Needless to say, it is not recommended to book a trip before having a visa printed in your passport.

Exemption from interview

Although the consular officer still has the right to summon each applicant for an interview, it is generally not mandatory for the following applicants:

• applicants under the age of 14
• Applicants over the age of 80
• the majority of applicants for diplomatic/official visas (applicants for A-3, G-5, NATO-7 category visas must be interviewed)
• the majority of applicants renewing a visa

It is not even possible to have a stopover in the U.S.

If you fall into this situation, it is good to remember that you will not even be able to stop over, with any carrier, in the U.S. even if you are headed to a different country. No travel to the Caribbean via Miami, no Canada via New York or any other destination.

The reason is simple: when you land from a flight coming from a country other than the U.S., you will still always have to go through immigration, retrieve your suitcase and possibly re-check your luggage. So if you have no ESTA, there is no chance of entering the U.S., even for the time it takes to transit.