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Cuba

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
120,621
Top destination, 2023
United States
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
7,178
UK visas issued, 2025
1,002
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
18.6%
NationalityCUISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<CUCUBA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
CU4<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<8

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Cuba need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaVisa requiredRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongVisa requiredImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Cuba move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. United States88,480
  2. Spain20,373
  3. Mexico4,100
  4. Italy2,467
  5. Chile1,354
  6. Germany1,089
  7. Canada1,040
  8. Portugal436
  9. France351
  10. Japan158
  11. Switzerland132
  12. Belgium128
  13. Austria96
  14. Netherlands85
  15. Czechia68

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

60k121k200020032006200920122015201820212023
60k121k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200028,521
200135,164
200238,314
200318,762
200432,068
200548,153
200660,045
200744,766
200865,469
200951,928
201046,615
201150,346
201245,369
201346,142
201459,541
201566,635
201679,619
201780,189
201897,690
201965,037
202031,447
202144,000
202261,203
2023120,621
Share going to the top destination
73.4%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Cuba who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. United States1,394,750
  2. Spain215,409
  3. Mexico72,440
  4. Italy41,658
  5. Canada23,859
  6. Brazil23,151
  7. Chile17,467
  8. Ecuador11,964
  9. Puerto Rico11,420
  10. Venezuela10,274
  11. Costa Rica8,336
  12. Peru6,676

Living abroad by year

940k1.88M19901995200020052010201520202024
940k1.88M19902000201020202024
Data table
1990839,585
1995917,722
20001,032,762
20051,093,555
20101,337,631
20151,519,397
20201,721,822
20241,879,613
Living abroad, 2024
1,879,613
Change since 2000
+82.0%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
74.2%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Cuba by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B24,727
  2. B1/B21,025
  3. B1343
  4. K1326
  5. P1142
  6. A1105
  7. G1100
  8. G283
  9. K273
  10. P335

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

6,13912k201720182019202020212022202320242025
6,13912k20172019202120232025
Data table
201710,137
20186,955
201910,156
20202,636
20211,342
20223,020
20236,212
202412,278
20257,178
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR58,937
  2. IR21,285
  3. DV686
  4. F2A670
  5. FX461
  6. IR1458
  7. F2B357
  8. F1234
Immigrant visas, FY2025
13,434
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
1
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Cuba who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Cuba with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

92k184k2015201620172018201920202021202220232024
92k184k201520172019202120232024
Data table
201554,400
201666,520
201765,030
201876,490
201941,640
202016,370
202123,080
202236,640
202381,600
2024184,040
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Refugees and asylees158,330
  2. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens19,360
  3. Family-sponsored preferences5,170
  4. Diversity visa lottery1,100
  5. Employment-based preferences50
  6. Other classes40
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)210
  2. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)40
  3. Spouses and children30
  4. Intracompany transferees (L-1)10
  5. Other temporary workers10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Cuba)
184,040
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Cuba)
33,430
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
18,530
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Cuba (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Cuba (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor806
  2. Work116
  3. Other37
  4. Family28
  5. Study15

Visas issued by year

9821,963201020122014201620182020202220242025
9821,963201020132016201920222025
Data table
20101,548
20111,292
20121,282
20131,401
20141,389
20151,963
20161,489
20171,629
20181,763
20191,708
2020411
2021430
20221,219
2023965
20241,078
20251,002
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
5
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Cuba, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
20252103001909850
20243103501808655
20232303702351,04015
20221152251958250
20215022518069010
2020151206541015
201935170806005
2018151408078010
20175130708855
201615115651,1100
20152070708350
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Cuba, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

362005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202022–232023–24
362005–062008–092011–122014–152017–182020–212023–24
Data table
2005–064
2006–074
2007–086
2008–091
2009–101
2010–111
2011–122
2012–131
2013–142
2014–152
2015–163
2016–174
2017–183
2018–193
2019–205
2020–211
2022–234
2023–241
Granted, 2025–26
0
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Cuba living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

1573132012201420162018202220242025
1573132012201420162018202220242025
Data table
2012210
2013214
2014208
2015213
2016229
2017249
2018243
2019264
2022289
2023295
2024301
2025313
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident116
  2. Spouse or Child of Japanese National67
  3. Entertainer34
  4. Student22
  5. Dependent19
  6. Long-Term Resident18
  7. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services16
  8. Artist4
  9. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident4
  10. Designated Activities4
Residents, December 2025
313
In work-related statuses
59
Share in work-related statuses
18.8%
Students
22
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Cuba

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Cuba, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Spain28,26122,6423,25811.5%
Italy5,6814,3311,34923.7%
Germany3,4471,8541,46842.6%
France3,3052,1011,17135.4%
Netherlands1,61694363739.4%
Portugal1,4731,365130.9%
Sweden1,18568151443.4%
Switzerland1,01289711511.4%
Belgium87358327131.0%
Austria4003544511.2%
Hungary2562035320.7%
Greece2472113514.2%
Czechia2321696327.2%
Poland2141793516.4%
Bulgaria19617942.0%

Applications by year

27k54k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
27k54k200920122015201820212024
Data table
200920,900
201024,780
201125,732
201224,149
201329,983
201429,841
201533,003
201640,065
201744,866
201850,179
201953,904
202014,783
202114,379
202239,931
202347,792
202448,625
Refusal rate, 2024
18.6%
Refusal rate, 2019
20.4%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Cuba in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Family19,849
  2. Work3,074
  3. Education1,375
  4. Other reasons1,210
First permits by country
  1. Spain19,583
  2. Italy2,840
  3. Portugal746
  4. Germany546
  5. Poland352
  6. France347
  7. Serbia218
  8. Romania139
  9. Switzerland120
  10. Netherlands79
  11. Sweden77
  12. Czechia74
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card121
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)184
  3. Researchers77
  4. Other paid activities2,692
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
195
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
9,562
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
2,519
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
80
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
122,026
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
18,229
Changed status into work, 2025
1,285
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
1
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
72
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Cuba in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark20251482400
Sweden202558903496
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland20251798
Austria202552448
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark8
  2. Sweden9
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Italy

New residence permits issued in Italy to citizens of Cuba, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

1,3792,7582016201720182019202020212022202320242025
1,3792,758201620182020202220242025
Data table
20161,740
20172,027
20182,043
20191,623
2020918
20211,403
20222,074
20232,135
20242,024
20252,758
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family2,200
  2. Asylum and protection322
  3. Work155
  4. Other reasons52
  5. Study29
New permits, 2025
2,758
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
28,167
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
14,368
Source: Istat, residence permits of non-EU citizens: permits issued in the year and valid permits on 1 January (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Cuba

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Cuba, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Algeria1——
Angola1——
Argentina1——
Austria1——
Bahamas1——
Barbados1——
Belarus1——
Belgium1——
Benin1——
Bolivia1——
Brazil1——
Bulgaria1——
Burkina Faso1——
Cambodia1——
Canada1—1
Chile1——
China1——
Colombia1——
Costa Rica1——
Cyprus1——
Czechia1——
Djibouti1——
Ecuador1——
El Salvador1——
Ethiopia1——
France1——
Gambia1——
Germany1——
Ghana1——
Greece1——
Guinea1——
Guinea-Bissau1——
Haiti1——
Hungary1——
India1——
Indonesia1——
Italy1——
Jamaica1——
Japan1——
Mexico1——
Mongolia1——
Morocco1——
Mozambique1——
Namibia1——
Netherlands1——
Nicaragua1——
Norway1——
Palestine1——
Panama1——
Paraguay1——
Peru1——
Poland1——
Portugal1——
Republic of the Congo1——
Romania1——
Russia1——
Saudi Arabia1——
Serbia1——
Seychelles1——
Slovakia1——
South Africa1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Sri Lanka1——
Suriname1——
Sweden1——
Switzerland1——
Syria1——
Trinidad and Tobago1——
Türkiye1——
Ukraine1——
United Arab Emirates1——
United Kingdom1——
Uruguay1——
Vietnam1——
Yemen1——
Countries
76
Missions
77
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

All corridors from Cuba

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Cuba → United States
  • Cuba → Spain
  • Cuba → Mexico
  • Cuba → Italy
  • Cuba → Chile
  • Cuba → Germany
  • Cuba → Canada
  • Cuba → Portugal
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more