The latest measures taken by the Cuban government regarding the national passport continue to raise doubts among Cubans residing abroad, who would be unable to travel to Cuba if they do not meet the new requirements. We clarify on this matter.
For years it was relatively easy to return to the island, or visit relatives and friends who reside there. However, as the Cuban authorities announced in a timely manner, everything changed from this month of April.
Indeed, since last Tuesday, April 1st, thousands of Cubans residing abroad face a new obstacle to enter their home country. Airlines no longer allow boarding flights to Cuba for those who do not meet the requirements demanded by the Cuban government, causing confusion, annoyance, and last-minute rush.
The Cuban government eliminated the exceptional extension that it had authorized since 2020 to facilitate the return of its citizens during the pandemic. This measure allowed entry to the island with an expired passport, but it ceased to be valid on March 31, 2025, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The official Ana Teresita González Fraga, Director General of Consular Affairs and Attention to Cuban Residents Abroad, stated that the decision is due to the "normalization of air traffic and consular operations."
Not all passports benefit from the new validity.
Although as of July 2023 the validity of Cuban passports is extended to ten years and biennial extensions are eliminated, this provision only applies to passports issued after that date. Previous passports are still subject to mandatory renewal.
This has caused great discomfort among Cuban emigrants who had already celebrated the migration reform. Many complain that the consular offices are overwhelmed, the waiting times are long, and the price of the document remains excessive: 180 euros or dollars for those over 16 years old, and 140 for minors.
The Cuban passport: a mandatory and discriminatory document
Despite having foreign citizenship, all Cubans are required to use the Cuban passport to enter the island. The government does not recognize any other travel document for them, which represents a discriminatory practice towards emigrants, who are also denied the right to vote and prevented from returning if they are deemed "uncomfortable" for the regime.
In recent years, the exodus of Cubans has reached historical figures. More than a million people have left the island since 2020, a tenth of the population. This migratory pressure has highlighted legal gaps, restrictions, and unequal treatment towards the nationals themselves.
Complaints about passport delays and costs
Cuban authorities claim that their consulates are prepared to address the demand for renewals promptly, but complaints continue. Many emigrants report delays of months, lack of appointments, and obstacles to payment from certain countries.
The Cuban document is among the most expensive in the world and with less practical value. It does not grant free access to almost any country without a visa, and yet its renewal remains an unavoidable obligation to set foot on Cuban soil.
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