After half a century Cuba scraps travel restrictions, but they remain for ‘human talent’
Cuba will scrap much reviled travel restrictions starting in January, easing most Cubans' exit and return, state media said on Tuesday, in the Castro brothers’ regime first major immigration reform in half a century.
The Cuban government imposed broad restrictions on travel starting in 1961 to try to stop a mass migration of people fleeing after the 1959 revolution that put Fidel Castro in power.
The government will lift requirements to obtain an exit visa permitting departure from Cuba and a letter of invitation from someone in the destination country.
Instead, starting on January 14, Cubans will simply have to show a passport and, if needed, a visa from the country they are travelling to, government newspaper Granma said.
The changes are the latest reform under President Raul Castro, who has modestly liberalized Cuba's Soviet-style economy. They are sure to please Cubans who have chafed at the country's travel restrictions.
The process of obtaining the needed documents is time consuming and expensive, with no guarantee at the end that the government would grant permission to leave. The difficulty in travel has helped fuel charges for years that freedoms are limited in Cuba.
The changes are part of work “to update the current migratory policy adjusting it to prevailing conditions in the present and foreseeable future,” Granma said.
The measure extends to 24 months, from the current 11, the amount of time Cubans can be out of the country without losing rights and property, and they can seek an extension, Granma said.
In theory, the changes should make it easier for Cubans to not only travel, but to work abroad and return home when they are ready. But they will still have to obtain visas from most countries.
Granma said restrictions would still be in place for some people, likely to include doctors and other professionals who Cuba does not want to leave.
“Those measures aimed at preserving the human capital created by the Revolution from the theft of talents practiced by the powerful nations shall remain in force,” it said.
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Cubans reaching 18 and wondering what to do with their life will grab the list of proscribed professions and avoid every one of them like the plague. Who wants to study medicine for 7 years and be rewarded with a cage?
You guys that promote and enjoy socialism, this is the result. Or you can look at North Korea, or maybe the old USSR. Socialism is a joke and it is a joke that people can't get that through their thick skulls. Until everyone can understand this, well then we will continue to live in misery.
Something promised “for all” usually creates a scenario where nobody gets it.
Argentina is not far away from exit visa's, that is the next step in the plan to complete the model.
NB Funny news today - Kim Jong Un's wife has gone missing. There are rumours that she may have been purged due to her refusal to wear a Kim Il Sung lapel badge - and other rumours that she is simply up the duff.
Many Cuban profesionals are allowed out. There are a lot of Cuban girls work the same sector as me. They are hard working girls and not interest in socialism.
Her IP is from Buenos Aires!!!!!!
“SussieUS has proved herself to be ProRG-American. She also said a few weeks ago that she did not work as she had so much money!!!!!
Her IP is from Buenos Aires!!!!!!”
HIS ip, not “her IP ” !!!
Sussie changes his story frequently - BEST IGNORED.
Interesting that he may possess a few moments of coherent thought as “ PRO ARgie American,” though.
I suppose that is expanding on the fiction that Sussie USA is an Argie living in US
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