Travelers and businesses planning financial activity in Cuba are facing a major shift in payment options, as all Visa and Mastercard branded cards are no longer accepted for transactions across the country. The change stems from a recent United States Executive Order signed into effect on May 1, 2026, which has triggered operational restrictions for the international financial partner that previously handled all credit card processing for Cuban financial institutions.
After the new executive order entered force, Cuba’s Central Bank issued a formal notification confirming that the third-party processing partner has significantly scaled back its operations in the jurisdiction, leaving no infrastructure to support Visa and Mastercard transactions. This suspension applies to all card types issued by the Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank (ECAB) and other issuing institutions, including standard credit cards, debit cards linked to personal checking accounts, and prepaid cards loaded for travel.
ECAB and other card-issuing institutions have issued urgent advisories to their customer bases urging anyone with upcoming travel or business plans in Cuba to arrange alternative payment methods well in advance of their departure. Financial leaders note that failing to prepare alternate payment options could lead to significant disruptions to travel plans, business operations, and daily purchases during a stay in Cuba.
In their advisory, bank management apologized for the unplanned disruption this policy change creates for cardholders, emphasizing that the suspension is a result of external regulatory changes outside of the issuing bank’s control. They expressed gratitude for customers’ patience and understanding as the global financial system adjusts to the new policy framework. Customers with questions about the change or concerns about upcoming travel are encouraged to reach out to their bank’s customer support team for further guidance.