Will I be questioned when I arrive back to the U.S.?

We ask our travellers to tell of their experience passing through border security on their return to the U.S. after visiting Cuba. The comments below are from real travellers who have visited Cuba. Were they asked questions by the immigration official, and if so, which questions? Were they asked to show paperwork? What was the reaction by the immigration official?

When returning to the U.S. you need to have your trip itinerary, travel affidavit, trip diary, and know the name of the license category of your legal trip to Cuba. See more about how to make a legal trip to Cuba

Real comments from returning travelers

Date of return: February 23, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? Yes

Comments:

Quick & easy …no hassles at all.

Date of return: February 18, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

With Global Entry, our return took less than 5 minutes!! Still am amazed at that.

Date of return: February 16, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? Yes

Comments:

a little bit of nonsense, but it was expected because it is Cuba and therefore inconsistent with expectations and reputation is suspect

Date of return: February 16, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

We have Global Entry so it took about 3 minutes total.

Date of return: February 16, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

No issues on the U.S. side.

When we arrived to Cuba, they did pull us out of the line, disappeared with our passports and then came back and wanted to see the itinerary. There was no explanation but then they let us through.

Date of return: February 16, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? Yes

Comments:

No. It was easier than I expected.

Date of return: February 16, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

no problem at all. I used mobile passport control and it was easy. Travelers might be warned that there are multiple security checks. One was in Havana and although you’re not outside of the security ring, you go through security again in Miami if you had a tight connection, that would be a problem because The line to check baggage was long.

Date of return: February 16, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? Yes

Comments:

no issue at all.

Date of return: February 16, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

US trusted traveler global entry made entry seamless and fast.

Date of return: February 14, 2025
Were you asked to show your license? No

Comments:

In Miami, the customs guy asked:
1) Do you have any cigars or rum?
2) Did you buy anything? (Answer, yes - chocolate and coffee. Him "Cuban coffee is good.")
He did not ask for a list of places I stayed, or what I spent $ on.

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