KEY Changes announced Wednesday Obama changed in 2009 Congressional action required
- Diplomatic Relations
- There have been no diplomatic relations with Cuba since the early 1960s, after Fidel Castro and his Communist government came to power.
- Relations will be re-established, with an American embassy in Havana.
- State-Sponsored Terror List
- In 1982, Cuba was designated a state sponsor of terrorism.
- Secretary of State John Kerry will review the designation.
- Travel Restrictions
- Citizens and permanent residents of the United States are not permitted to travel to Cuba, with some exceptions. General licenses, which require no special permission, are authorized for:
- Persons visiting a “close relative” who is a Cuban national and "persons traveling with them who share a common dwelling as a family with them.”
- Obama authorized this in 2009.
- Government business.
- Journalists regularly employed at a news organization.
- Certain researchers and professionals.
- Certain college faculty and students or others participating in educational activities.
- Certain religious activities.
- Telecommunications providers.
- Obama authorized telecommunications providers to pursue licensing agreements in 2009.
- Producers or distributors of agricultural or medical goods.
- Other specific licenses to travel are granted on a case-by-case basis.
- Obama will open up general licenses to travel for these reasons, which previously required approval on a case-by-case basis:
- Public performances, workshops and athletic competitions.
- Support for the Cuban people, including human rights work.
- Humanitarian work.
- Private foundations and institutes.
- Information dissemination.
- Travel related to export of authorized products.
- Lifting all restrictions on travel, including for tourism, would require congressional action.
- Banking and Trade Embargo
- No transactions involving the property of a Cuban national (including purchasing Cuban cigars in third countries or signing a Cuba-related contract with a foreign firm).
- United States institutions will be able to open accounts at Cuban financial institutions.
- Travelers to Cuba will be allowed to use American credit and debit cards.
- United States entities in third countries will be allowed to engage in transactions and meetings with Cuban individuals in third countries.
- No imports or exports (with certain exceptions like humanitarian gifts).
- Certain items that support the Cuban private sector will be allowed for export, including certain building materials and agricultural equipment.
- Certain items that support telecommunications in Cuba will be allowed for export, and companies will be allowed to establish related infrastructure.
- Licensed American travelers will be able to import $400 worth of goods (including up to $100 in tobacco and alcohol).
- Congress would need to act to lift the embargo entirely.
- Transfer of Money
- Authorized travelers are now permitted to carry $3,000 in remittances to Cuba. There are no limits on remittances to religious organizations.
- No limits on sending remittances to close relatives.
- Obama authorized this in 2009.
- Remittances of up to $500 per quarter may be made to any Cuban national for humanitarian needs.
- That limit will be raised to $2,000 a quarter.
- License requirements for people who provide remittance forwarding services (other than depository institutions).
- Licenses will no longer be required.
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