Passports valid for six and 10 years will remain side-by-side until 2029, the Cuban government said Wednesday, but neither of them should be extended every 24 months.
Ernesto Soberón, general director of Consular Affairs and Cuban Residents Abroad (DACCRE), said in a question-and-answer session about the new measures involving passports, which will go into effect on July 1, when passports are issued. Passport with 10 years validity.
He assured, “Extension will not be necessary for any passport, neither valid for six years nor valid for 10 years.”
Soberon explained that the regime will allow both passports to “coexist in time” until the first semester of 2029, the date on which the documents issued until June 30, 2023, will expire, which will be valid for six years.
He alleged, “Cuba cannot transfer responsibility to the airlines for taking into account the validity of passports. Nor can the dates of passports issued be extended as this would involve additional costs and procedures.”
These questions worried Cubans a day before the government announced measures to “facilitate” the migrant flow of its citizens, such as extending the validity of passports from six to 10 years, eliminating the need to extend this document. and reduce its cost. in consulates.
Those of legal age must pay a fee of USD 180/EUR and minors USD/EUR 140, regardless of the country in which the documents are requested.
This measure does not affect the cost of this document in European countries, where Cubans already pay about 180 euros to obtain a passport.
However, this is a substantial reduction for Cubans in the United States, who currently pay a $350 application fee. These prices do not include non-personal handling fees and postage.
