Since Friday, April 14, Serbia has required a visa for Cubans who want to travel to that European country, as it had confirmed to 14ymedio, last march, the consul and political adviser in Havana, Jelena Zivojinovic. The diplomat then explained that Belgrade’s decision to require a tourist or work visa was due to the fact that her country had become a springboard to enter the European Union illegally.
“Cubans emigrate a lot,” he commented then, and they have reached the “red illegal migration category” according to the 27 members of the EU, which is why his country had no other option than to put an end to the free visa that was applied until now..
This is the first time since 1966, after the signing of an agreement between Belgrade and Havana, that Serbia requires a visa from Cubans. At the end of 2022, when that European Government withdrew the free visa to several countries such as India, Guinea Bissau, Burundi and Tunisia, it began to be suspected that the Island would also end up on that same list, as a result of pressure from Brussels, since Serbia aspires to join the EU.
The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed through a statement that Cubans who do not have “temporary residence or permanent residence” and those who have not previously obtained a D visa (long-term visa)”, must apply for a visa.
At the end of 2022, when that European Government withdrew the free visa to several countries such as India, Guinea Bissau, Burundi and Tunisia, it began to be suspected that the Island would also end up on that same list.
Among the requirements to be covered is “having a certified invitation letter” from the person to be visited in Serbia or, failing that, “presenting the vouchers” of “paid” reservation in a hotel or the place where you are staying.
Another of the requirements for the island’s compatriots is to verify that they have “sufficient” funds for their stay per day of 50 euros “demonstrated by possession of the specified amount of cash or a bank statement.”
Cubans must also have proof of medical insurance “not less than 20,000 euros, duly paid, that covers the days of stay in Serbia”; in addition to round-trip tickets, with a fixed return date.
The last week of March, the youtuber MH Europa denounced the detention of 23 Cubans at the main airport in Serbia, the country they intended to enter as tourists, but their papers were withheld and they demanded 300 euros each to process a visa, which did not exist until then.
He youtuber denounced since April last year the problems that the natives of the Island have faced when trying to enter the country and from this point continue the journey to the European Union. “The reality is that Serbia doesn’t want any more Cubans,” she said.
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