Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | Visitor visas suspended |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | Partial suspension: B-1/B-2 visitor visas included |
| Where to apply | Check the State Department notice first |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, new visitor visas for Cuban citizens are suspended (the partial suspension covers B-1/B-2 visitor visas), with limited exceptions such as certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Visas issued before that date were not revoked. An ESTA is not available. Read the State Department announcement on travel.state.gov before paying for anything, and treat any Manhattan plan as provisional until the position is clear.
What the suspension means
Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, partially suspends the issuance of new visitor visas (B-1/B-2) to Cuban nationals. Limited exceptions exist, for example certain dual nationals who travel on another country's passport. Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked, so a valid visa already in a passport still supports a tourist trip. The State Department's announcement on travel.state.gov sets out the wording.
An ESTA is not available to Cuban citizens, so the Visa Waiver Program is not an option, whatever the proclamation says. Anyone holding a visitor visa issued earlier can plan a Manhattan trip, but should confirm the document and read the official guidance first. Anyone without a visa should treat plans as provisional. Only the State Department and the embassy can confirm an individual case.
Before you fly and on arrival
Begin with travel.state.gov and read the announcement in full. Check whether a limited exception covers the case, such as dual nationality with travel on another country's passport. Then contact the nearest US embassy or consulate and follow its instructions on interviews and documents. Keep every booking refundable until the visa position is settled, because the suspension can be applied differently from one case to the next.
Arrival at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark means an inspection by Customs and Border Protection. Expect questions about the purpose of the visit, the length of stay and the Manhattan address where you will sleep. Keep the hotel confirmation, return travel details and visa documents in hand luggage. A visa allows travel to a US port of entry; the officer there decides whether admission is granted and for how long.
Staying in Manhattan
Hotels in Manhattan ask for a passport at check-in and often for a card for incidentals. Carry the confirmation showing names, dates and the address. Keep a copy of the return or onward booking, since the address and departure plans may be reviewed again. Reserve through channels with clear cancellation terms while the visa position is uncertain, and confirm the reservation directly before flying.
Getting into the city from the airports uses public transport: rail links and shuttle buses connect the terminals with subway and commuter rail stations, and the subway reaches most of Manhattan. Taxis and ride services wait at designated ranks. Check the current fare and route with the operator on the day, since services change, and allow time for luggage and transfers.
Longer stays, work or study
A visitor visa covers tourism and short business visits that do not involve local employment. Study, salaried work and long stays need other categories, each with its own requirements and application. Check travel.state.gov for the category that fits, and ask the embassy or consulate about documents and appointments. Do not plan a move to New York on a visitor visa.
Where the suspension affects a visitor application, alternatives may exist through family, employment or student routes, but each stands on its own rules and evidence. Nothing here replaces official guidance or legal advice, and this site does not issue visas. Confirm every step with the State Department and the embassy before paying for travel, housing or tuition.
Step by step
- Read the State Department announcement on Presidential Proclamation 10998 on travel.state.gov before making any plan.
- Check whether a limited exception fits, such as dual nationality with travel on another country's passport.
- Confirm whether an existing visitor visa is still valid; visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked.
- Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate about the case and follow its instructions on appointments.
- Avoid paying for flights, hotels or event tickets until the visa position is clear.
- Keep bookings refundable where possible while the status of new visitor visas remains uncertain.
Documents to carry
- A valid passport for the traveler, plus any second passport used for an exception claim.
- A printed hotel confirmation showing the Manhattan address and the dates of stay.
- Return or onward travel booking that matches the dates declared at the airport.
- Any visa or immigration document issued before the proclamation, kept with the passport.
- A copy of the State Department announcement and any embassy correspondence about the case.
Cuban citizens: questions
Can Cuban citizens travel to Manhattan on a visa issued before the proclamation?
Yes, in principle. Visas issued before the proclamation took effect were not revoked, so a valid visitor visa still supports a tourist trip. Carry the passport with the visa, a hotel confirmation and return details, and check travel.state.gov before departure. Customs and Border Protection decides admission at the airport.
Is an ESTA available to Cuban citizens visiting the United States?
No. An ESTA is not available to Cuban citizens, because the electronic authorization serves Visa Waiver Program countries only. A US visa is the route for a Manhattan trip. Dual nationals holding another country's passport should check travel.state.gov and esta.cbp.dhs.gov for the rules that apply to that nationality.
What should Cuban citizens do before booking flights to New York?
Read the State Department announcement on Presidential Proclamation 10998, check whether a limited exception fits the case, then contact the nearest US embassy or consulate. Keep flights and hotels refundable until the visa position is clear. This site does not issue visas and gives no legal advice.
Do Cuban citizens need a different US visa for work or study in Manhattan?
Yes. A visitor visa covers tourism and short business visits, not salaried work or a degree program. Study, employment and long residence each require a separate category with its own requirements. Check travel.state.gov for the category that fits and ask the embassy or consulate about appointments before committing to a move.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.