How to Apply for an India e-Visa: Requirements for Cuban citizens

The Indian government implemented its electronic visa system in 2014 to provide a faster and more convenient option for travelers visiting the country. In recent years, the list has expanded to include over 165 eligible countries eligible toapply for an Indian e-Visa. Residents of numerous nations, including Cuban citizens, can now apply for visas online by completing a brief application form and fulfilling all requirements for the e-Visa issued by the government.

1. Types of Indian e-Visa for Cuban citizens

As long as the proper papers and conditions are completed, obtaining a Visa online is fairly simple. It is also vital for Cuban nationals to understand that India offers a variety of Indian visas, each with its own set of requirements and conditions.

The following Indian electronic visas are the most useful for Cuban passport holders:

• Tourist visa: permits for a 30-day stay for a one-month visa validity with double entry. The 1-year and 5-year Tourist e-Visas are multiple-entry visas, allowing up to 90 days of stay per visit for Cuban citizens.
• The Indian Business e-Visa is valid for 1 year from the date of issuance and allows multiple entries, with up to 180 days of stay per visit.
• Conference visa: This visa has a 4-month validity and allows a single entry with a stay of up to 30 days.
• Medical visa: The Medical e-Visa allows triple entry and up to 60 days of stay for medical treatment.
• Ayush visa: The Ayush visa is particularly meant for foreign citizens seeking medical treatment in India using traditional Indian medical systems. This visa is intended to serve persons interested in Ayurveda, Yoga, and other traditional forms of treatment and wellbeing. The creation of the Ayush Visa category is part of the country's Heal in India strategy. The Ayush Visa is valid for 60 days from the date of arrival and permits triple entry.

2. Indian Visa Requirements for Cuban citizens

Cuban nationals must meet the Indian visa requirements to enter India and comply with the Indian e-Visa entry requirements:

• A valid Cuban passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity from the date of arrival in India.
• Your passport must have at least 2 or more blank pages to be stamped.
• A recent color passport-style photo in JPEG format with a white background showing your full face.
• Your scanned copy of the biographical page of your passport
• Having a working debit or credit card (to pay for the processing fees)
• Having a working email address (where Cubans will receive their India e-visa)
• For business and conference e-visa, you must submit the invitation letter, the business/ staff’s ID card from your partner, and Political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (when required for specific conference or government-related events).
• For a Medical e-Visa, applicants must upload a medical letter issued by the treating hospital in India.

3. Indian e-Visa application form for Cuban citizens

Once all of the prerequisites are met, Cuban nationals can begin the application process; however, in order for the procedure to be fully completed, they must additionally answer questions and provide the required evidence.

The following are the questions they will find on the application form:

• Full name
• Date of Birth
• Place of Birth
• Gender
• Email
• Telephone number
• Passport number

The information page of the passport needs to have been scanned in advance, and the applicant also needs to have a photograph of the sort that is used for passports that satisfies the following standards:

• Front-facing
• The background color is white.
• No hats.
• There are no sunglasses.
• Other information required on the application form is as follows:
• Profession
• Education
• Information about their stay
• Religion
• Countries previously visited in recent years
• Ports of entrance and exit anticipated

The information that Cuban candidates supply must be correct and comprehensive; otherwise, the application could be delayed or rejected.

Those who hold a Cuban passport are able to fill out the application from any location in the world using a computer, tablet, or smartphone that is connected to the internet. The online application form for the Indian e-Visa takes only a few minutes to complete, and approval is usually received by email within two to three business days.

Documentation needed to complete each visa application form will be different depending on the category of Indian visa that the applicant is trying to obtain.

4. Cubans might obtain vaccinations before entering India

India does not require mandatory vaccinations for most travelers. However, a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if the traveler arrives from a Yellow Fever-endemic country.  Despite the fact that many of these diseases have been eradicated in several nations throughout the world, India still has several instances each year.

It is therefore advisable to consult a medical expert before traveling to India and acquire the necessary immunizations, as it only takes a few injections to keep Cuban travelers from being ill during their trip.

Immunizations against the following diseases are necessary for entrance into India:

• Yellow fever
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid fever
• Measles
• Japanese encephalitis
• Cholera
• Rabies

Washing your hands, drinking bottled water, eating safely, protecting yourself from pest or mosquito bites, and avoiding contact with street animals are all good ways to keep healthy when visiting India.

5. Indian e-Visa fee for Cuban citizens

To complete the application procedure, Cuban citizens must pay two types of Indian e-Visa fees: the government fee and the service fee. Due to the fact that Cuba is not on the list of countries exempt from having to obtain an Indian e-Visa, a government fee is required.

Service fees vary depending on the service provider and processing speed, not the number of applications. Alternatively, you might select one of the following travel choices to accommodate both your travel needs and your budget:

• Normal: Using this service is the most cost-effective choice. You can apply for this form of visa if you have the time to compile your documentation and wait for a response. This service has a three-business-day wait period.
• Urgent: Cuban citizens will receive their findings within 48 hours if they use this innovative form of service.
• Super Urgent: This type of service is utilized for Cuban nationals in high-priority situations that require your e-Visa within a few hours of service, with the results available within 24 hours.

Electronic payments and wire transfers are two methods of payment. When it comes to electronic payments, you should think about Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or PayPal.

Travel insurance is recommended for safety, but it does not affect the approval of your e-Visa

In addition, Indian Immigration Services currently also provides other package services to assist Cuban citizens while traveling to India, such as a Car pick-up service in India, and an Indian travel eSim

6. Entry and exit requirements for India

Trav‌elers to India must adhere to immigr‌ation‌, health, and custom‌s regulati‌ons. Belo‌w is a comprehe‌nsive over‌view of the entry and exit requirem‌ents for India, appl‌icabl‌e to most internat‌ional visi‌tors.‌

Entry Requirements

1. Valid Passport

• The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the inten‌ded date of arrival.
• The passport must incl‌ude at least two blank pages for immigra‌tion stamp‌s.

2. Indian Visa

• e-Visa: Avai‌lable for citi‌zens of over 150 countrie‌s, includi‌ng tourist‌s, busines‌s traveler‌s, and medi‌cal visito‌rs.
• Sticker Visa: Requ‌ired for employ‌ment, stud‌y, and long-ter‌m stays; applic‌ation‌s should be submitte‌d through the Indian emba‌ssy or consulat‌e.
• Visa exemptions: Ci‌tizen‌s of Nepal and Bhutan are exem‌pt from visa require‌ments unle‌ss arrivin‌g from another count‌ry.

3. Arrival Documents

• Printed copy of your e-Visa (if applicable).
• Return or onward ticket.
• Proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
• Accommodation details or invitation letter (for business/travel purposes).

4. COVID-19 Requirements (as of 2025)

• No mandatory vaccination or testing, but travelers are encouraged to carry proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
• Thermal screening may still be conducted at some airports.

Exit Requirements

1. Valid Passport and Visa

Your visa expira‌tion date requi‌res you to leav‌e India before it passes.‌

Fai‌lure to depar‌t by the expira‌tion date could lead to penalt‌ies, inclu‌ding fines‌, being placed on a blacklis‌t, or even dete‌ntion‌.

2. Exit Immigration Check

Stan‌dard passport cont‌rol proced‌ures and custom‌s checks may require ques‌tions abou‌t visa status, the purpos‌e of the visi‌t, and the traveler's itinerary

3. Airport Tax

Most airport taxes are inclu‌ded in the pric‌e of airli‌ne tickets‌.

No sepa‌rate depar‌ture fee is neede‌d at the majori‌ty of Indi‌an airport‌s.

Quick Tips

• Veri‌fy the vali‌dity and terms of your visa.
• Avoid exce‌eding your visa's permitt‌ed stay.
• Retain both a printed and a digital copy of your visa and passport.
• Declar‌e any values or curren‌cy exceedi‌ng permitt‌ed limits upon arriv‌al to prev‌ent issues at depart‌ure.