In 2025, Cuba’s immigration policies are in a period of change, though whether they are “improving” depends on perspective. One noticeable development has been the government’s move toward using an electronic visa, or e-Visa system, for travel. This step is intended to make the process of visiting Cuba more efficient and secure by reducing paperwork and streamlining approvals. For tourists and those traveling for family visits, this shift may feel like a positive modernization of Cuba’s approach to visas.
At the same time, Cuban migration is strongly tied to policies in the United States, and many of those rules have recently shifted in ways that create uncertainty. The U.S. program known as CHNV, which provided temporary legal entry and work authorization for people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, is being phased out in 2025. While people already in the program are receiving some protections thanks to ongoing court cases, new applicants have been blocked from applying. For many Cubans hoping to migrate under this pathway, opportunities have become more limited, and their futures less clear.
These contrasting developments make it difficult to describe Cuba’s immigration landscape as simply “improving.” For travelers coming into Cuba, the e-Visa program may indeed make the process smoother and more modern. For Cubans seeking to leave, especially for the United States, the environment is more restrictive than in previous years. Court decisions and legal challenges are still shaping how far these restrictions will go, leaving a great deal of uncertainty for families and individuals planning their futures.
In short, while Cuba is modernizing its visa system and making some travel processes easier, the broader picture for Cuban immigrants remains complicated. The changes of 2025 are mixed, offering limited improvements in some areas but tightening restrictions in others, particularly for Cubans hoping to build new lives abroad.
