In a live broadcast on the social network Facebook, Soberon said passports valid for 10 years would be issued from July 1.
He explained that it was decided that these documents with a validity of six years and which would be issued soon, would co-exist till the first semester of 2029.
He pointed out that it would not be practical to ask the island citizen to complete an additional process to affix a sticker indicating that the validity of the passport has been extended.
He said the Caribbean nation could not shift responsibility to the airlines and immigration authorities of the countries on whose account the passengers were going to Cuba if that document was issued on a certain date and when it had expired.
“The most functional and practical thing is that these two passports now co-exist,” he stressed.
He indicated that people with a valid passport have the option of requesting one that is valid for 10 years.
He reiterated that it is not necessary to get an extension for any passport from July 1 and it will maintain its current cost.
Regarding a measure to equalize the length of stay on the island for Cubans living abroad with those of their relatives and foreign wives and children, he announced that it extends the stay in the country to one year.
He also pointed out that the measure would eliminate the need for people who immigrated before January 1, 1971 to request an entry permit each time they entered the island.
He told that they are being given facilities for one year so that they can come to Cuba and complete the passport process.
Soberon remarked that there is a good level of acceptance of the measures and that the Cuban government’s desire to strengthen relations with foreign nationals is recognized.
