Cuba’s migration policy revised

Cuba's migration policy revised
28 June, 2013

Cuban citizens residing in the Cayman Islands should be aware of key
changes made earlier this year by the Cuban government to the Cuban
Migration Policy.

The amendments took effect from 14 January, 2013, following which Cayman
Islands Department of Immigration officials sought clarification from
the Cuban consulate in Jamaica. Following are the updated guidelines
that relate to new policy:

Cuban nationals no longer have to obtain a Travel Permit or a Letter of
Invitation before travelling out of Cuba.

The required travel documents include a valid, ordinary Cuban passport
and the appropriate visa issued by the country to which the citizen is
travelling.

Ordinary passports issued before the January change will remain valid.

If applicable, Cuban citizens may request updated passports from the
Ministry of the Interior (via the Honorary Cuban Consul in Jamaica).

Cuban passports are valid for six years and must be updated every two
years at the Consulate Office (i.e. A passport issued in 2013 will be
valid until 2019, but its validity shall be updated in 2015 and 2017).

Cuban citizens travelling on "private affairs" will be permitted to
remain outside of Cuba for up to 24 months from the date of departure from.

Applications for passport extensions and authorised stays beyond 24
months must be submitted to the Cuban Consular Office in Jamaica.

"Private affairs" refers to personal reasons not related to the Cuban
government or the state.

Cuban nationals taking up long term residency in the Cayman Islands are
required to apply to the Cuban Consular Office in Jamaica for a "PRE"
(RESIDENTE En El EXTERIOR) endorsement in their passport. This includes
Cuban nationals married to Caymanians.

In regards to longer periods of stay in the Cayman Islands, Cubans will
be required to obtain evidence of an "Extension of Stay" validated at
the Cuban Consulate in Jamaica.

Passport/travel extension services can be carried out at the Cuban
Consulate in Kingston – and usually without the applicant having to
attend in person.

There are application and material requirements associated with such
service transactions.

Given such an extension to the period during which they may remain
outside of Cuba, work permit approval periods may also be extended for
up to 22 months.

The Cayman Islands Department of Immigration has no authority to make
allowances or exercise discretion, outside of what is presented by the
Cuban government.

Any further questions on the law, and on entitlements, travel documents
or travel obligations, should be addressed to the Cuban Consular Office,
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba, in Jamaica.

Source: "Cuba's migration policy revised :: cayCompass.com" -
http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2013/06/28/Cuba-s-migration-policy-revised/