The Permanent Residency in Cuba
In Cuba there are many kinds of residencies, including the permanent one. This page has been designed for strangers who need to obtain complete information about getting the permanent residency and this information is up to date. Here, you will not find a definition of this residency or a comparison with the others. For this kind of information, consult this page instead.
Being permanent resident in Cuba means living there without restrictions, time constraints or permissions and enjoy of all the national privileges. Which are not trivial:
- Not be forced to pay all the services and rights in freely convertible currency (that is in US dollars, euros, etc).
- Getting free education and health care, like any Cuban.
- Stay in casas particulares (private homes for rent) in Old Havana, in the Vedado, in Nuevo Vedado or in Miramar, for example, without being involved in the renting taxes in freely convertible currencies (MLC as they are known locally), therefore getting rented for much less than being a tourist. Of course, the houses that pay license fees in CUP are not as numerous or as well maintained as those for tourists, but that is another story.
- Have a domicile in Cuba that will allow you to actively participate in Cuban life and institutions.
- To be able to travel and return to Cuba without being obliged to have a ticket to leave the country.
- To be able to enter Cuba by paying excess baggage in local currency (a privilege you only have once in a calendar year).
- To be able to enter Cuba without having to take out medical insurance, something quite cumbersome.
- You can stay in Cuba as long as you want without being forced to leave each month, each three or six months, according to your visa, your country of origin (Canadian tourists may stay up to three months you can extend up to six), or your migratory classification.
- You will have access to museums, libraries, recreational and other cultural events without being forced to pay, as a stranger, in freely convertible currencies.
- To be able to acquire goods, services and housing in one's own name without having the obligation to acquire these goods in the name of third parties. For example, buying a house in Cuba.
- The list may continue as you want... But the message is clear.
There is no doubt that this information is already available on the internet but I have not been able to find any page that has it all in one place and is up to date, so we have decided to provide it here.
If you are Cuban and your case is different even if you have the same objective (for example you lost your residency and want to apply for it again), the procedures and requirements might be different with respect to these we are going to list, but these details can easily be found for your specific case. Here, you will get the big picture, nevertheless, we pretend to offer a really complete information on the matter.
The Requirements to Get the Permanent Residency
Except in exceptional cases, in Cuba you can be a citizen only by birth and not by naturalization. But you can be a permanent resident and to apply for it you must meet one or more of the following requirements:
- You are married to a Cuban or another permanent resident in Cuba.
- You have children in Cuba (majors of age) or other first grade family ties.
- You are a Cuban citizen but you have lost your residency because you lived outside Cuba for a while.
Notice: if you only tie is a children under 18, then your are not applicable. At the end of this article, we'll explain the reasons.
The Cuban authorities may establish any other requirement at their sole discretion. Although we try to keep it updated, this list is subject to change.
Documentation to Start the Process of Permanent Residency in Cuba
Well, once you know you can become a resident, it's time to begin to prepare the necessary documentation. Let's enumerate and explain, one by one, all the necessary papers. Most of these documents must be current and not older than six months from the date of application.
Letter of Request with Supporting Rationale
You should prepare a letter where you request to obtain the permanent residency in Cuba, explaining the reasons for which you want to become a permanent resident. The letter has not to be very large, it's just a way to begin the request. The Cuban government want to know why you whish to be a resident.
A Filled Biographic Model
This biographical model is nothing more than a form that will contain additional information about you, such as anagraphic data, previous trips made both in Cuba and in other countries, names of people abroad who may visit you in Cuba, family data, work experience, languages spoken, educational qualifications and so on.
This form must be read completely before filling it out, it must be written in Spanish and in block letters, it cannot be filled out by minors under 16 years of age and all data must be answered. When this is not possible, reasons must be given on a separate sheet of paper.
Police Record and Birth Certificate
If you are Cuban it is easy. If you are a foreigner, you must look for these documents in your country, translate them and legalize them in the nearest Cuban consulate or embassy. Clearly this entails quite high costs that may depend on the country you come from. For example if you come from a European country this could cost you between 600 and 800 euros, if you come from an American country, you will have to pay a similar price and it will probably be in US dollars, your local currency might not be accepted, but you will have to find out well in the embassy of your country.
Notarized Consent of the Dwelling Where you are Going to Reside
This consent, which must be made before a notary, has the purpose of authorizing the foreigner to reside in a private home on a permanent basis. Clearly the owner of the house must have a family relationship with the foreigner (e.g. the wife or a relative of hers). It can also be done by the owner of a house that the foreigner is going to acquire (and documentations justifying this close transaction may be requested).
Notarial consents are not accepted from owners of rental houses neither in freely convertible currencies nor in national currency (although permanent residents are later authorized to rent houses in national currency, however, to obtain residency it is not accepted). The authorities explain these measures by saying that the link between a foreigner and a rental house must be a family link and not of interest and that with time this link could be broken making the foreigner become a burden for the State. That may be one reason but I don't think it explains everything. I also imagine that these measures may have been intended to limit, if not prevent, foreigners from contracting sham marriages just to become residents. Another reason may be to prevent landlords from having a permanent client, thus ensuring a fixed solvency and a standard of living well above that of the rest of the population.
Therefore only notarial agreements of the following will be accepted:
- A close or distant relative of the candidate for permanent residence.
- An estate which will be purchased by the candidate.
Evidences of Economic Reliability
Years ago, the candidate had to deposit 5000 USD in the Metropolitan Bank, now it's no longer required but the immigration authorities may require documentation about your economic solvency. If, for example, you get shares from some company, you have to show documents that certify it. If you receive money or you have life income or incomes of any other kind, you have to prove it. The authorities don't specify exactly what kind of income you have to cash or how much, but I imagine that any acceptable amount may suffice.
The reason of this is probably to prevent that a new resident may become a load for the government.
40 USD (or MLC) in Stamps
This is easy, the stamps may be purchased in any Cuban bank, even if the bank that most typically provide them is the Metropolitan Bank.
Marriage Certificate Updated and in Accordance with Cuban Laws.
Updated means that the document must have been issued within the last three months from the date of application for residency. If you have an older certification, you must obtain a new copy. Fortunately, this procedure is not expensive, although it may involve a queue at the legal consultancy or at the civil registry office. This information and the way to obtain the procedure can change so it is always better to be informed each time. Until a few years ago you had to go to the notary's office that belonged to the same municipality where the marriage was legalized. For example, if you were married in Santiago de Cuba and now live in Havana, you had to go to Santiago to request the document! However, now, with the massive computerization of notaries and civil status offices, it may be possible to carry out the procedure from anywhere. It is therefore advisable to get proper information about this.
Identity Card of the Spouse
In order to request the permanent residency in Cuba, you will need a copy of the identity card of your spouse. Furthermore, when you request your residency, your spouse must be present!
Documents Related With Other Family Ties or Citizenship
Getting married is not the only way to obtain the permanent residency in Cuba. There are other cases, as we have seen, of other family ties, including the own citizenship (you can perfectly be Cuban but living outside Cuba). Let see also these cases as well.
Cases of Other Family Ties in Cuba
If you have children, parents or other direct relatives in Cuba, you can apply for permanent residency. I imagine that Cuban authorities may ask other kind of documents, such as the birth certificate of the children, the identity card of any parent and so on. We strongly suggest, for each case, to get appropriate information in any Immigration unit or in any Cuban embassy or consulate in your country.
Cuban Citizenship
People born in Cuba never lose their Cuban citizenship, as well as a stranger who get permanent residency, never loses his/her foreign citizenship. Cuba grants citizenship by birth, not by naturalization, except of cases of extreme merit (for example, Ernesto Che Guevara got the Cuban citizenship). In other words, a Cuban never cease to be a Cuban and a stranger never cease to be a stranger, if we see things from this point of view. If you are a Cuban citizen, but you have residency outside Cuba, you can apply for permanent residency in Cuba, this requires an application called "repatriation". If this is your case, the Cuban authorities may ask you a birth certificate or an expired identity card, as a proof of your Cuban citizenship. In this case as well, we strongly suggest you to get appropriate information to any Immigration unit or any Cuban embassy or consulate, because these informations are outside the aims of this article.
Copy of your Passport and any Stamped Page of it
This means that the Cuban immigration wants not only a copy of your passport, but also an evidence of your past travels stamped on this passport. Therefore, any page of it having a stamp, must be copied.
Four Pictures for Cuban Identity Card
I believe that the size of these pictures should be 1x1 inches, but this data is subject to variation, so you should check it personally.
Medical Exam
The medical exam consists on an HIV test, a serology test and thoracic radiography. You must do it in any Cuban international clinic, for example, in the Cira García one, the CIMEX hospital, the Camilo Cienfuégos and so on. These hospitals charge in freely convertible currencies. The immigration authorities request not only the result of these tests, but also the invoice of your payment, so if you get the same results in a national clinic or in any other way they will not accept it! For example, years ago, it was possible to get a HIV or AIDS test in Cuba for free and anonimously. The service were available either for Cuban than for strangers. Now, it is no longer available and we don't know if it will be available again or when. But, that test was only useful to clear your doubts, it was not officially valid to request the residency!
Questions and Answers About Residency in Cuba
Here's some very typical questions that most people may ask about permanent residency in Cuba and about which a very few know the correct answers. In some case, even the immigration officers will provide confuse answers, while in other cases there are not written laws about the matter, but only common accepted applications.
Once I get the residency, how many time can I stay outside Cuba without losing it?
Fortunately, officers have a clear answer to this question. A stranger resident in Cuba may stay outside Cuba at most for one year without losing it. If he/she wish to extend this time, he/she must apply for this in the nearest Cuban consulate. Otherwise, he/she will lose all his/her rights of permanent resident.
Once I obtain the residency, if I'm outside Cuba, how much time does I have to go to Cuba and claim it?
Good question. If you get the residency and you still have not got it, there is not a written law determining how much time you have to find your resident's card. However, the maximum recommended time is six months. My personal recommendation: go for it as soon as you can.
If I only have underage children, why I'm not eligible?
This is not in the law neither, but it is dictated from high commands of power. Sure, it must be well understood, if you have children under 18 and you are married with an adult Cuban, then you have no problem, you are eligible. If a relative of your children (for example, your mother in law), may guarantee a domicile, there is no problem again. But, if your only familiar link is a child under 18, you will no get the residency. Why? Because if you just have children under 18, you cannot fulfill the "Notarial Agreement of the House Where you'll Live" requirement, since a child under 18 may not respond for you in case of necessity and the government is really interested on the fact you will not become a charge for the State. This is the only explanation (and immigration officiers will confirm it to you).
How Long the permanent Residency Will it Last?
The duration of the permanent residency card was five years. It has been extended to ten years, like Cubans. After these ten years, your residency card will expire and you will need to get a new one.
Is is Difficult to Renew the Residency Once it has Expired?
To renew your permanent residency card, you only have to bring a fresh picture of you (a square inch in size) and a stamp in CUP (national money) currency. In this case, the presence of your Cuban relative is not required and you don't have to bring a proof of address.
If I Get Divorced Will I Lose the Residency?
You shouldn't, if you don't request for a permanent change of your address, which is generally never necessary. Forther the officiers will not care if you have family links with the people living in your new address.
Once I get the Residency, May I Live Anywhere I Want?
You can perform a temporary change of your address or simply don't request for any change. Just stay rented, sign the receipt and that's enough.
Final Considerations
Years ago, the Cuban authorities were also requiring you a job application in any Cuban company in order to become a permanent resident. This is no longer required, even if it will be agreed. Also a copy of the house ownership where the stranger went to live was required, but this requirement is now replaced by the notarial agreement.
The permanent residency application in Cuba seems to be quite trickly, but, in reality, it's not so complicated once you overcome the most difficult parts. For some people the hardest step may be the economic solvency, for others the legalization/translation of the documents and so on. But, once you get all the requirements, the application may require a waiting time between two and six months, after that you will get the same rights that any Cuban and you may change your domicile if you wish.
This article will be updated over time and some information will be added or modified as needed. So it's recommended to visit it over time just to make sure you will not miss anything new.
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