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. However, Cuba will scrap much reviled travel restrictions starting in January,
easing most Cubans' exit and return, state media said today, in the
communist island's first major immigration reform in half a century.
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 traveling to,
Communist Party 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.
Source: Herald
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