Cubans holding an ordinary passport will now require a visa to travel to Thailand starting Tuesday, September 15, following the Asian country's decision to revoke the visa exemption that allowed them to stay for up to 60 days without it.
This change was confirmed by the Royal Thai Embassy in Mexico City, which updated entry requirement information on September 7.
The measure ends the 60-day visa waiver for Cuba, as announced by the Thai Ministry of Interior on August 31. Cuba is among 21 countries affected by this change, alongside Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador, and Jamaica, among others.
For Cubans, this marks the end of a short-lived migration convenience, which had been in place since July 2024, when Thailand expanded the exemption from 57 to 93 nationalities, including travelers from the island.
From now on, those wishing to travel from Cuba can apply for the visa entirely online via the official platform thaievisa.go.th, eliminating the need to travel to Mexico to submit original documents.
According to the Thai embassy's official site, a tourist visa requires, among other documents, a passport with over six months of validity, a recent photograph, proof of residence, round-trip tickets, accommodation confirmations, and bank statements for the last three months.
The Embassy requires each bank statement to show a minimum balance of 20,000 Thai baht, approximately $570.
The update did not specify the cost for Cubans applying for the e-Visa. The applicable fee appears during the application process on the Thai e-Visa platform, once the visa type and responsible diplomatic representation are selected. Payment is electronic and non-refundable once completed.
Processing usually takes between five and ten business days, though authorities recommend submitting applications at least a month in advance.
An important detail for residents of Cuba is that the entire process can be completed electronically from the island. Applicants must physically be in one of the countries under the jurisdiction of the Thai Embassy in Mexico during the process, including Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Belize.
The tourist visa allows a stay in Thailand for up to 60 days per entry, with the possibility to request an extension of up to another 30 days from the country's immigration authorities. The e-Visa for a single entry is generally valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.
The Embassy advises carefully reviewing all documentation before submission and warns that applications requiring more than two modifications may be canceled.
This new restriction further limits travel options for Cuban passport holders. In February 2026, Nicaragua reinstated its visa requirement for Cubans, amid a scenario where numerous countries maintain visa requirements for travelers from the island.
Understanding Thailand's New Visa Requirements for Cubans
What documents are required for Cubans to apply for a Thai tourist visa?
Cubans need to provide a passport with more than six months of validity, a recent photograph, proof of residence, round-trip tickets, accommodation confirmations, and bank statements for the last three months showing a minimum balance of 20,000 Thai baht.
How long does it take to process the Thai e-Visa for Cubans?
The processing time for the Thai e-Visa usually takes between five and ten business days, but it's recommended to apply at least one month in advance.
Can Cubans apply for the Thai visa without leaving Cuba?
Yes, Cubans can complete the entire visa application process electronically from the island, as long as they are physically located in one of the countries under the jurisdiction of the Thai Embassy in Mexico, such as Cuba itself.
What is the duration of stay allowed with a Thai tourist visa for Cubans?
The tourist visa permits a stay in Thailand for up to 60 days per entry, with an option to extend for an additional 30 days through the immigration authorities.