Cuba: Issues and Actions in the 114th Congress Page: 45 of 98
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Cuba: Issues and Actions in the 114th Congress
for religious institutions to send remittances for religious activities; and (3) allowed U.S.
international airports to become eligible to provide services to licensed charter flights to and from
Cuba. In most respects, these new measures were similar to policies that were undertaken by the
Clinton Administration in 1999 but subsequently curtailed by the Bush Administration in 2003
and 2004.
As noted above, just after the adjournment of the 113th Congress, President Obama announced
major changes in U.S. policy toward Cuba on December 17, 2014. These changes included the
provision for general licenses for the 12 existing categories of travel to Cuba set forth in the
CACR: (1) family visits; (2) official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and
certain intergovernmental organizations; (3) journalistic activity; (4) professional research and
professional meetings; (5) educational activities; (6) religious activities; (7) public performances,
clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; (8) support for the Cuban
people; (9) humanitarian projects (now including microfinancing projects); (10) activities of
private foundations or research or educational institutes; (11) exportation, importation, or
transmission of information or information materials; and (12) certain export transactions that
may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines.
Despite the easing of travel restrictions, travel to Cuba solely for tourist activities remains
prohibited. Section 910(b) of TSRA prohibits travel-related transaction for tourist activities,
which are defined as any activity not expressly authorized in the 12 categories of travel in the
CACR (31 C.F.R. 515.560).
Before the policy change, travelers under several of these categories had to apply for a specific
license from the Department of the Treasury before traveling. Under the new regulations, both
travel agents and airlines are able to provide services for travel to Cuba without the need to obtain
a specific license. U.S. credit and debit cards are permitted for use by authorized travelers to
Cuba, but the State Department advises U.S. travelers to check with their financial institution to
determine whether the institution has established the necessary mechanisms for its issued credit
and debit cards to be used in Cuba.108 Authorized travelers no longer have a per diem limit for
expenditures, as in the past, and can bring back goods from Cuba as accompanied baggage for
personal use, including alcohol and tobacco.
In January 2016, the Treasury Department made additional changes to the travel regulations.
Among the changes, authorization for travel and other transactions for transmission of
informational materials now includes professional media or artistic productions in Cuba (movies,
television, music recordings, and creation of artworks). Authorization for travel and other
transactions for professional meetings, public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and
nonathletic competitions, and exhibitions now includes permission to organize these events, not
just participation.
In March 2016, the Treasury Department again amended the travel regulations to permit travel to
Cuba for individual, people-to-people education provided the traveler engages in a full-time
schedule of educational exchange activities intended to enhance contact with the Cuban people,
support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people's independence from Cuban
authorities. Previously, such trips had to take place under the auspices of an organization that
sponsors such travel. According to the Treasury Department, the change was intended to make
108 U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Passports & International Travel, "Country Information,
Cuba," updated October 16, 2015, available at http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/cuba.html.Congressional Research Service
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Sullivan, Mark P. Cuba: Issues and Actions in the 114th Congress, report, January 18, 2017; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc990720/m1/45/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.