Theoretical Question About Cuba Travel

[displacedyankeedem]

If one was a dual national(lets say for example American and Canadian) and wished to visit Cuba on their Canadian passport, could INS(is that who handles these things?) go after them for going to Cuba because they are also an American citizen?

Just wondering (doesn't even apply to me, but I'm bored and can't get any sleep).

[Pallas180]

1. I hear a lot of people go to Cuba on fishing trips from Mexico -apparently

passports are not stamped on the Cuba side.

[the Kelly Gang]

2. good time to visit..before Castro dies and it becomes another Florida

[MichaelHarris]

3. yeah you can go through mexico but

if the state dept wants to push it they can arrest you. I wanna go fishing there bad.

[patriotvoice]

4. Travel isn't the problem...

... it's spending money. OFAC (Office of Foreign Asset Control) has sanctions levied against Cuba, and its regulations strictly forbid Americans from spending money in Cuba.

Consequently, the fact that you are considered an American citizen means you are subject to the OFAC regulations and are, therefore, prohibited from spending money in Cuba.

So, if you want to hop on a plane (round-trip bought in the US), fly to Cuba, walk everywhere, then come back in the same day (ie, no hotel), you may. But pack your lunch. If you fly to Mexico, then head to Cuba, you're likely fine. However, be aware that OFAC occasionally has spooks who rat on Americans who spend money (yes, that's right: OFAC pays Cubans to tell them if Americans spend money in Cuba).

OFAC does issue permits, so certain licensed individuals are not subject to these regulations. This paperwork accompanies your Passport.

See eg:
http://www.treas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac

On edit:
Typo and expansion.

[Guy_Montag]

5. If I go to Cuba...

& have a Cuban stamp on my passport, would I then have trouble getting into the States?

I'm a Brit, by the way.

[Kellanved]

6. rumor has it that it may cause you trouble

In Germany they advise people to get a temporary passport for Cuba and keep the main (red) Passport for US travel.

[patriotvoice]

7. Expect trouble.

The manpower the US puts into hassling Cuba (and travellers to and from Cuba) is absurd.