- 1). Check the list of people who qualify for permits to travel to Cuba, which is located on the State department website, a link to which can be found in the Resources section. Journalists and professionals going to Cuba to conduct research -- professionals attending conferences -- and students, academics and members of religious groups are among some of the groups granted permission by the US government to travel to Cuba. Licenses are obtained from Office of Foreign Assets Control, with is part of the Treasury Department. A link to the application website can be found in the Resources section.
- 2). Apply for permission to go to Cuba on the basis that you are a Cuban-American who has family in Cuba. President Obama changed the rules of the embargo in 2009, so that Cuban-Americans who have family in Cuba can travel there to visit them. Licenses are obtained from Office of Foreign Assets Control, with is part of the Treasury Department. A link to the application website can be found in the Resources section.
- 3). Fly or otherwise travel to a third country, before going to Cuba. Though this is illegal, and travelers who do it could face civil penalties and criminal prosecution, it is also a common practice of American tourists who to visit the country. Travelers commonly fly to either Canada or Mexico, and then take a second flight to Cuba. Cuban officials issue visas to Americans upon arrival, and do not stamp their passports.
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