Photo by David Cogswell
The U.S. government will begin easing restrictions on travel to Cuba on Friday as President Barack Obama's administration announced on Thursday that a new set of regulations are set to take effect.
According to Peter Baker of the New York Times, under the new regulations, various restrictions on travel and trade between the U.S. and Cuba will be relaxed. However, lifting the decades-old embargo on the Caribbean country will require Congressional approval.
Perhaps the most significant change to come from the new regulations, Americans will be able to travel to Cuba for a handful of different reasons without having to first obtain a license from the government.
Those travelers will also be free to spend money and use credit cards in Cuba. Visitors will be able to bring back $100 in alcohol and tobacco as well as $400 in souvenirs.
What's more, airlines and travel agents will be allowed to offer service to Cuba without having to acquire a specific license.
Americans with connections in Cuba will also be able to send more money under the new regulations, with the limit to be raised from $500 to $2,000 every three months.
"Today's announcement takes us one step closer to replacing out of date policies that were not working and puts in place a policy that helps promote political and economic freedom for the Cuban people," said Treasury Secretary Jack Lew in a statement via CNN.
Thursday's announcement comes nearly a month after President Obama first announced the change in policy back on Dec. 17.
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