Suppression of the white card in Cuba

As announced by Raul Castro’s government yesterday, Cubans will just need a passport to travel.

Cubans can travel with a passport

This new immigration law (effective within 90 days) means the end of the white card, an authorization to leave the country delivered by authorities, and the invitation letter from somebody abroad. The residence time will be extended from 11 months to 24.

 This new law also helps the two millions of Cuban emigrants. An entry permit is no longer necessary and the residence time goes from one month to three.

However, prices will still be an obstacle for Cubans who want to travel. While the average salary is $20 per month, a passport costs $100 and a plane ticket to Florida $500.

Cuban government also announced a list of restrictions of the new law for some professions such as sportsmen, militaries, or “vital” professions are not concerned in the white card suppression. Government said this is for national security reasons and to prevent the “human capital flight”. The list of “vital professions” has not been published yet. Dissidents are another exception to the new law.

Until now, travel agencies have not felt an important increase on their sales, just the agencies that issue official documents.

JBM