Only a few hours after his official inauguration, President Trump rescinded several decisions made by his predecessor, President Biden. During the last days of his administration, Biden had removed Cuba from the list of States Sponsors of Terrorism. Trump has now reversed Biden's decision. As a result, the current restrictions on ESTA applications after a stay in Cuba will probably remain.
The USA have been sanctioning Cuba since 1962
Tensions between America and Cuba started in the late 1950s during the Cuban revolution. The first sanction against Cuba was an arms embargo in 1958. In 1960, the United States introduced restrictions to the import of Cuban sugar to the United States. Two years later, at the height of the Cuban crisis in 1962, President John F. Kennedy imposed a general embargo against Cuba that has been in placed to this day. Since that moment, Americans are officially forbidden to travel to Cuba for tourism purposes. In March 1982, Cuba was listed as a state sponsor of terrorism for the first time.
Improvement in US-Cuba relations during Obama's administration
During President Obama's presidency, the US and Cuba resumed their diplomatic contacts. American travellers were able to apply for visas for Cuba and travel to the country under certain conditions. For a short time, airlines started to offer new direct flights between the two countries. However, this did not last for long.
Deterioration of diplomatic relations
In 2017, after the election of President Donald Trump, the US policy towards Cuba changed again. Travel restrictions were tightened again and in 2011, Cuba was listed as a sponsor of terrorism for the second time, along with countries such as Syria, Iran or North Korea. This american measure provoked total economic isoliation for Cuba.
Different approaches in recent years
In 2022, president Biden introduced a series of relaxations regarding the Cuba policy. These included travel restrictions but also immigration and financial transactions between the US and Cuba. During the last days of his presidency the Caribbean island was removed from the list of States Sponsors of Terrorism. However, these relaxations were revoked shortly after Trump's entry into office.
Cuba was thus reinstated on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism on 20 January 2025.
How does this affect your ESTA application?
When planing their travel itinerary, European travellers should bear in mind that it is not possible to travel to the US with an ESTA if they have been to Cuba. Cuban nationals and travellers who have visited Cuba after 12 January 2021 must apply for a visa to travel to the United States. Travelling with an ESTA is in fact not possible for them. Applying for a visa to the USA always requires a visit to the embassy or consulate in order to pass an interview. The cost of a physical visa for America is therefore higher and the procedure takes longer.
You are advised to check the ESTA requirements before departure. Then you will know for sure if you really need to apply for a phyisical visa.