Security Regulations

On this page:

Overview

You are not allowed to enter the U.S. Embassy while carrying any of the following items:

  • Battery-operated or electronic devices such as mobile phones, digital diaries, digital watches, pagers, cameras, audio/video cassettes, compact discs, MP3s, floppy disks, laptops, or portable music players
  • Large shoulder bags/purses - only bags that can be carried by hand will be permitted
  • Bags such as travel bags, backpacks, briefcases, suitcases, leather, cloth bags, and zip folders - you can only carry plastic bags containing application-related papers
  • Liquid items in glass containers
  • Sealed envelopes or packages
  • Cigarettes, cigars, match boxes, lighters
  • Sharp objects such as scissors, pen knives or nail files
  • Weapons or explosive materials of any kind

This list is not exhaustive. Other items may be prohibited at the discretion of security staff.

The Embassy has NO storage available for holding applicants’ cell phones on the day of their interview and there is no facility at the U.S. Embassy to store any of the other above listed prohibited items. Applicants should make arrangements to store these items before entering.

Due to security considerations, there is no information window for walk-in visitors at the U.S. Embassy. Only visa applicants with scheduled interviews will be admitted. Family members and friends, including U.S. Citizens, are NOT permitted to accompany visa applicants.

The Interview – Attorneys and Family Members

The U.S. Embassy appreciates the assistance attorneys and family members provide applicants during the visa application process. However, current U.S. Embassy Havana policy does not allow attorneys or family members to accompany applicants to their nonimmigrant visa interview. The only exception to this policy is in the event the applicant is a minor (17 years old or younger)* or is disabled. In such cases, a parent or guardian may accompany the applicant to the interview.

 *Minors 13 years old or younger do not need to appear at the interview, but may be represented by a parent or guardian, and if the parents are not available, by another family member.