New immigration measures come into force in Cuba

The measures that seek to facilitate the migratory flows of Cubans,announced in mid-May by the Cuban government, came into force as of this July 1.

“This July 1, the new immigration and consular measures recently announced by the MINREX [Ministry of Foreign Affairs] come into force,” said the official.Cuban News Agency (ACN)on their social networks.

Among the new immigration provisions approved by the Cuban authorities is the extension of the validity of passports to 10 years for those over 16 years of age and five years for minors under that age.

Starting this July 1, those who acquire a new Cuban passport will have these validity periods and, in addition, it will not be necessary to extend them every two years, as previously, since the extension requirement is eliminated.

Passports will not need to be extended either. Cubans issued before the approval of the new measures. The extension "will not be necessary for any passport, neither for the one valid for six years nor for the one valid for 10 years," he clarified in May.Ernesto Soberon, general director of Consular Affairs and Cubans Resident Abroad.

“The validity of the passport for 10 years will be for those issued on or after July 1, 2023. Current passports will not need to be extended,” specified theMINREX.

In addition, “the extension of stay abroad remains in force, beyond 24 months, AUTOMATIC AND FREE OF COST, announced in March 2020, with the aim of supporting Cubans who were abroad during a critical period of Covid-19. ”.

Another of the measures that come into force is the new fees for the issuance of passports at Cuban consulates. Starting this Saturday,Cubans over 16 years of age will pay 180 USD/Euros at the consulates for their passports.Minors, 140 USD/Euros.

The measure does not affect the cost of this document in European countries, where Cubans already pay around 180 euros to obtain a passport.

However, it is a substantial reduction for Cubans in the United States, who currently pay a $350 fee for their application. These prices do not include fees for non-personal management and postage stamps.

For Cubans residing on the Island, the rate of 2,500 pesos is maintained that was previously charged for this procedure.

Another of the measures that come into force this Saturday is to “equate the time spent in Cuba by Cubans residing abroad and their foreign relatives.”

With this new provision, the “spouses and children of Cuban citizens residing abroad, who could only stay up to 6 months in the country, will be able to stay up to a year without implications,” explained theACN.

Finally, the Cuban immigration authorities recalled that as of July 1, emigrants who left the country before January 1, 1971, will have to “use the Cuban passport when entering Cuba, according to the new Constitution.”

Those interested in expanding this information and clarifying doubts about the new provisions can access theinformation published in this regard byCyberCuba(by clicking on this link).