No new card is needed to keep supporting your family. What matters is what your recipient already has: a bank account, a card, a mobile phone or simply a home address.
Which option suits your recipient?
With Fonmoney Cuba you can send money to Cuba in five ways. This overview shows what each option requires on the recipient's side.
| Option | Your recipient needs | Arrives in |
|---|---|---|
| BANDEC Tropical card (USD) | a Tropical card, no bank account | 1–3 business days |
| MLC card | an MLC card from a Cuban bank | 1–3 business days |
| Bank transfer to an MLC account | an MLC account at BPA, BANDEC or Banco Metropolitano | 1–3 business days |
| Cash delivery (USD or CUP) | a delivery address, no account or card | 2–5 business days |
| Cubacel top-up | a Cubacel mobile number | within a few minutes |
1. BANDEC Tropical card in USD
The Tropical card is an anonymous prepaid card issued by BANDEC. The balance stays in real US dollars, not in MLC or CUP. The card is valid for five years and is accepted at payment terminals across the island.
Suits: recipients who hold a Tropical card and want a USD balance without a Cuban bank account. You top up the card from abroad, and the money arrives in 1–3 business days. Details on the BANDEC Tropical card page and in our article BANDEC Tarjeta Tropical USD.
2. Top up an MLC card
The MLC card is a magnetic debit card in freely convertible currency (MLC), linked to an account at a Cuban bank.
Suits: recipients who already pay with an MLC card. You send the money from abroad, and the balance is credited in 1–3 business days. More on the MLC card page.
3. Bank transfer to an MLC account
The money goes directly to an MLC account at one of the three main Cuban banks: BPA, BANDEC or Banco Metropolitano.
Suits: recipients with an MLC account who receive money regularly. The transfer takes 1–3 business days. How it works is explained on the bank transfer to Cuba page.
4. Cash delivery in USD or CUP
Your recipient receives the money as cash at home, in US dollars or Cuban pesos.
Suits: recipients without a bank account or card, and anyone who needs cash in hand. Delivery takes 2–5 business days. All details on the cash delivery to Cuba page.
5. Cubacel mobile top-up
The credit goes straight to a Cubacel number and is available within a few minutes.
Suits: anyone with a Cubacel phone, for calls, mobile data or as a quick extra to a money transfer. More on the Cubacel top-up page.
How you pay
For money transfers (Tropical card, MLC card, MLC account and cash) you need a free Fonmoney Cuba account. You pay by credit card, bank transfer or MyBank. Cubacel top-ups work without an account and are paid by credit card or Paysafecard. Fonmoney Cuba is regulated by the Banco de España and the FCA.
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