Travel to Cuba

Joseph Glover, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Leonardo Villalón, Dean, UF International Center

Many restrictions on travel to Cuba have been lifted since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations with the United States.  Travel for a wide array of academic purposes—including research, conference participation, professional meetings and study abroad—is now authorized under a “General License” which requires no prior government approval. Since the removal of Cuba from the US government’s list of “State sponsors of terrorism,” UF funds normally acceptable for travel to other countries may also be used for travel to Cuba.  The US embargo on trade with Cuba, however, remains in effect. This embargo restricts the items that you are permitted to take when traveling to Cuba. 

As with all official travel, UF faculty and staff must complete and submit a Travel Authorization Request in advance. This should be approved in each case through the normal supervisor approval process.  Faculty who do not have a Travel Authorization approved in advance of travel may not have their travel expenses reimbursed.

In addition, faculty are required to register their international travel through the UFIC Travel Registry at http://ufic.ufl.edu/TravelRegistration.html.   When entering travel to Cuba, you will receive a notification that your registration is on hold pending submission of a form acknowledging compliance with embargo regulations.  This must be approved by the Dean of the International Center and, if necessary, by the Division of Research Compliance. Please note that if special authorization is required this may take some time, and travelers are strongly encouraged to submit well in advance of planned travel.  All UF travelers to Cuba are responsible for ensuring that they are in compliance with relevant embargo provisions and regulations.

More information on travel to Cuba is available at: http://www.ufic.ufl.edu/TravelCubaLic.html