The Obama administration took another major step toward re-establishing U.S. relations with Cuba on Tuesday by making it easier for Americans to take individual trips to the communist nation and allowing Cuban nationals to work in the U.S.

U.S. Eases Restrictions on Travel to Cuba

Just days before President Barack Obama is scheduled to make another historic visit to Havana, the U.S. Treasury Department announced new measures that encourage Americans to travel to Cuba for person-to-person educational tours.

Before the announcement, Americans were only permitted to make educational visits to Cuba in tour groups. A travel ban on U.S. tourism in Cuba, however, still remains in effect under an embargo that can only be lifted by Congress.

The new measures also ease restrictions on the use of American dollars in transactions with Cuba. Reforms also give Cubans the opportunity to earn a living in the U.S. and open U.S. bank accounts.

"Today's steps build on the actions of the last 15 months as we continue to break down economic barriers, empower the Cuban people and advance their financial freedoms, and chart a new course in U.S.-Cuba relations," said Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew in a press release. "Since December 2014, the Treasury Department and our partners across the Administration have progressively reshaped our regulations in order to empower the Cuban people and enable economic advancements for Cubans and Americans."

The announcement represents one of the most significant regulatory changes made by the Departments of Treasury and Commerce since Obama began taking steps to advance the U.S. effort to normalize relations with Cuba in late 2014.

Progress Continues in U.S.-Cuba Relations

The announcement comes one day before the two countries will resume postal service and five days before Obama will visit Cuba from March 20 to 22. During his trip, he is expected to meet with Cuban President Raul Castro, speak to anti-government activists and attend a baseball game in Havana.

"The fact is, we found ways consistent with the law to open up space for further travel and commercial engagement, in part because we were also able to demonstrate ways that it benefits the Cuban people," said Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes. "But at a certain point, the embargo is an impediment to the very engagement that has a change of improving the quality of life for the Cuban people."

Back in December, the U.S. and Cuba took another progressive leap toward diplomacy by restoring regular air service between the two countries for the first time in five decades. Under the agreement, U.S. air carriers are allowed to apply for commercial flights to Cuba, while travelers who fall under 1 of 12 categories are permitted to fly between the nations.

In addition, each country can operate 20 daily round-trip flights between the U.S. and Havana and 10 daily round-trip flights between the U.S. and other international airports in Cuba.

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