For the first time in 50 years, the Cuban government will allow its nationals to travel the world as tourists.
The government led by Fidel Castro’s younger brother, Raúl, made the official announcement on Monday, though it didn’t provide more details on the new travel policy.
The change means that Cubans who wish to travel won’t have to provide government officials with a formal invitation from the country they wish to visit or pay the mandatory $150 fee for an exit request, which might be denied. Currently, Cubans must limit their foreign visits to 30 days, and spend an average of $400 in paperwork and red tape, when the monthly wage in Cuba is $20.
The announcement made on Monday, included a promise to allow residents to buy and sell homes, automobiles and pledged to make bank loans readily available.
