In correspondence sent to the Research Directorate on 31 March 2010, a representative of the Embassy of Canada in Havana, Cuba, stated that the emigration permit (permiso de emigración), also called the final exit permit (permiso de salida definitiva), is issued to Cuban citizens who are living permanently outside Cuba and who are not married to a person with foreign citizenship. During a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a representative of the Embassy of Cuba in Ottawa stated that that condition applies to all Cuban citizens, regardless of their age at the time when the permit was issued (23 Feb. 2010). In a correspondence sent to the Research Directorate on 14 April 2010, a representative of the Embassy of Canada stated that there is no minimum age if the child is emigrating with both parents or with one parent and has the consent to travel from the other parent.

According to the representative of the Embassy of Canada, any Cuban citizen who obtains an emigration permit cannot own or inherit property in Cuba (Canada 31 Mar. 2010). However, he noted that a Cuban citizen who holds a Cuban emigration permit and a permanent resident permit from a foreign country can reside temporarily in Cuba (ibid.). The representative stated that the person must go to a Cuban consulate with his passport in order to have it stamped (habilitación) by the Immigration and Foreign Services Directorate (Dirección de Inmigración y Extranjería), under the Cuban Department of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores), which enables him to reside in Cuba for a period of 30 days (ibid.; Cuba 23 Feb. 2010). The Cuban citizen concerned can apply to extend his stay in Cuba for an additional 30 days (ibid.; Canada 31 Mar. 2010). Cuban citizens residing abroad who have not had their passport stamped must apply for authorization to enter and stay in the country for up to 21 days (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

14 April 2010. Embassy of Canada in Havana, Cuba. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate from a representative.

Canada. 31 March 2010. Embassy of Canada in Havana, Cuba. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate from a representative.

Cuba. 23 February 2010. Embassy of Cuba in Ottawa. Telephone interview with a representative.

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Representatives from the Cuban consulates in Montréal and Toronto were not able to provide any information within the time constraints for this Response.

Internet sites, including: Cuba - Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores.