Uk Visa For Cuban Citizens
There is a lot of talk that the United States may open up its borders to Cuban citizens. If this were to happen, what would it mean for Cuban students who wish to study in the USA?
A United Kingdom (UK) visa is a permit from the Government of UK to enter, travel to, and remain in the UK for all the overseas citizens of Cuban nationality. However, there are certain terms and conditions an applicant has to fulfill to apply for a UK visa.
If you are thinking about traveling to United Kingdom from Cuba, you might be asking yourself the following: Since I’m Cuban, can I get a UK visa? If so, how much does a UK visa for Cuban citizens cost? Is there an easy way to do this? Well, in this article you’re going to learn everything you need to know about this.
Uk Visa For Cuban Citizens
Cuban citizens can apply for a visa to the UK if they have a family member in the United Kingdom, or if they are visiting the country for a specific purpose. The requirements are as follows:
-The applicant must be over 18 years old.
-An application form must be filled out, complete with two passport sized photographs of the applicant attached to the form.
-Applicants must show proof of travel insurance and proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay in the UK.
-Applicants must obtain an endorsement from their home country’s embassy or consulate in London before applying for any visas.
If you’re a Cuban citizen, you can apply for a UK visa through your nearest British embassy. There are two types of visas: visitor and work.
Visitor visas are valid for up to 6 months and allow you to stay in the UK for up to six months. You can apply for a visitor visa if you’re visiting friends or family, traveling on business, attending a conference, or visiting as part of an educational program.
Work visas allow you to work in the UK legally. You’ll need to provide proof that the company is registered and operating within the law.
The Cuban Government has made great strides in terms of immigration and visa regulations. As a result, Cuban citizens can now travel freely to the United States without having to apply for a visa and wait for weeks or months before obtaining one. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of State, “Cuban nationals are generally not eligible for U.S. visas” but there are some exceptions.
If you are a Cuban citizen wishing to visit the United States and need a visa, you will have to obtain a B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba or at any consulate abroad (C-1/D).
To apply for this type of visa, you must provide proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in America; your health insurance coverage must be valid throughout your stay; and you must prove that you have an onward ticket back home or another destination after leaving the U.S.. Additionally, if you are visiting family members who live in America, then they will have to sign an affidavit stating that they will cover all expenses incurred while they are hosting you while on their property (e.g., food).
How to apply for a UK visa in Cuba
To apply for a UK visa in Cuba, you must:
- complete a visa application form
- attend the visa application centre at the British Embassy in Havana
1. Complete and submit your form
You can complete your application form and book an appointment to submit your biometric data.
You must pay the visa application fee online.
2. Attend the visa application centre
All visa applicants must attend the visa application centre at the British Embassy in Havana:
Visa application centre
British Embassy in Havana
Cuba Calle 34, No 704
Miramar, Havana
When arriving at the British Embassy, you must:
- arrive no more than 15 minutes before your appointment
- enter the Embassy on your own, unless a minor is being accompanied by an adult. We request that additional individuals do not wait for you outside the gate
- wear a face covering. Applicants not wearing a face covering will not be admitted
- follow social distancing guidance
- not come to your appointment if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, or change in taste or smell
Opening times
By appointment only for UK visa applicants.
You will be prompted to book an appointment at the end of your online UK visa application.
Overseas Territory applicants can drop off their application between 1:30pm and 2:30pm at security on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
There is wheelchair access at the visa application centre.
What will happen when you attend
When you attend, you must:
- submit your visa application form and your supporting documents
- have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken
Due to space limitations, sponsors and other family members may not be allowed in the visa application centre.
Settlement applicants
Settlement applicants or their sponsors will need to send their supporting documents within 5 days after biometric enrolment to:
Settlement (Cuba)
PO BOX 3468
Sheffield
S3 8WA
Settlement applicants are only required to bring their passport to the British Embassy in Havana for biometric enrolment along with their visa application form and a passport sized colour photograph.
What you need to take with you
When you attend, you should bring:
- your completed, signed visa application form
- your passport – you are not legally required to have 6 months’ validity on your passport at the time you apply for your visa, but your passport must be valid at the time you apply and at the time you arrive in the UK
- 1 recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm) colour photograph of your face
- any supporting documents that are relevant to your application and a photocopy of each document (unless you’re a settlement applicant)
- if you are applying under the points-based system, a completed self-assessment form, signed and dated
- any previous passports which show evidence of foreign travel
Your passport must contain at least 1 page that is blank on both sides, so that your visa can be inserted.
Paying your visa application fee
You can pay your visa application fee online.
Collecting your documents
When your application has been decided, we will advise you when your documents are ready for you to collect from the visa application centre. You will need to bring your receipt.
We will keep your passport until we have made a decision on your visa application. You should remember this when you make your travel arrangements, especially if you plan to visit other countries before going to the UK.
If you need to collect your passport before a visa decision has been made, your visa application will be withdrawn. The visa fee is non-refundable, and if you would like to reapply for a visa you will need to start another application, submit your biometric data, and pay the visa fee again.
A nominated person can collect your documents on your behalf. They will need to provide an authorisation letter signed by you, your receipt and proof of their identity.
If you are collecting a visa, you should check, before leaving that it:
- contains your correct personal details
- correctly states the purpose for which you want to come to the UK
- is valid for the date when you want to travel
If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, please speak to a member of staff immediately. Alternatively, you can contact the international enquiry service.
Urgent and compassionate cases
You should inform a member of staff at the visa application centre if your application is urgent and there are compassionate reasons for travel by providing evidence.
We only accept applications as urgent and compassionate in the following circumstances:
- serious illness or death of an immediate family member (the applicant’s mother, father, brother, sister, husband, wife, son or daughter)
- emergency medical treatment which includes people who need to travel with you for support (for example, a parent caring for an ill child)
General visa enquiries
If you have a general question about the visa application process, you can contact the international enquiry service.
Staff at the call centre cannot give immigration advice, and cannot give you any information about the progress of your application after it has been sent to us. The information they provide is taken from this website.
Complaints about the handling of visa applications, or the conduct of staff
You can submit your complaint by email to complaints@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
Please provide as much information as you can in your complaint, including:
- your full name and contact information including your phone number
- full details of what went wrong
- when and where it happened
- who you dealt with
- details of any witnesses
- any relevant reference numbers or papers including details of any reimbursement issues
If you’re completing this on behalf of someone else please include their name.
We must have written authority to disclose information about another person’s case.
Complaints about a visa application centre or the international enquiry service call centre
If you wish to complain about the service you have received at a visa application centre or the international enquiry service call centre, or the conduct of their staff, you should contact the international enquiry service.
If you choose to take your complaint further, you can email complaints@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
Conclusion
The UK government have made it possible for Cuban citizens to apply for a UK visa under the General Visitor Scheme. This visa allows entry into the UK at any time, and multiple visits can be made within twelve months.
I hope you find this information useful. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.