From January Cubans will no longer need to obtain exit visas before travelling abroad, the government has announced

The Cuban government has announced it will no longer require citizens to apply for an exit visa, eliminating a much-loathed bureaucratic procedure that has prevented many from travelling overseas.

A notice published in Communist party newspaper Granma said Cubans would also no longer have to present a letter of invitation to travel abroad when the rule change took effect on 13 January. From that date islanders will only have to show their passport and a visa from the country to which they are travelling.

"As part of the work under way to update the current migratory policy and adjust it to the conditions of the present and the foreseeable future, the Cuban government, in exercise of its sovereignty, has decided to eliminate the procedure of the exit visa for travel to the exterior," the notice said.

The measure also extends to 24 months the amount of time Cubans can remain abroad, and they can request an extension when that runs out. Cubans currently lose residency and other rights after 11 months.

However, the notice said Cuba planned to put limits on travel within unspecified sectors.

Doctors, members of the military and others considered to hold valuable roles in society at present face restrictions on travel to combat a possible "brain drain".

"The update to the migratory policy takes into account the right of the revolutionary state to defend itself from the interventionist plans of the US government and its allies," the notice said. "Therefore, measures will remain to preserve the human capital created by the revolution in the face of the theft of talent applied by the powerful."