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Starting February 1, 2026, Cuban passengers and those of other nationalities traveling within the United States who do not have a REAL ID or an alternative identification document will have to pay a fee of $45 in order to board, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced.
The measure was announced this Monday and aims to strengthen compliance with the identification requirements established after the September 11, 2001 attacks, according to the agency AP.
Until now, travelers without a REAL ID could pass through security checks with additional verification and a warning.
The REAL ID is a state-issued license or identification card that complies with federal security standards.
It is distinguished by a white star inside a yellow circle and is mandatory for all passengers over 18 years old traveling on domestic flights or entering federal buildings.
The new fee of 45 dollars will apply to those who do not possess this document or any other valid form of identification, such as a passport, residence card, or military credential.
The payment is made through the TSA's alternative identity verification system, called Confirm.ID, which allows for identity validation for a period of up to 10 days.
Authorities clarified that paying the fee does not guarantee verification, and if the traveler's identity cannot be confirmed, they may be denied access to the flight.
The fee can be paid online before the trip or at the airport, although the process may take up to 30 minutes.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) explained that 94% of passengers already meet the requirement and that the new measure seeks to encourage those who are lagging behind to obtain the REAL ID before it is strictly enforced.
Initially, the TSA had proposed a fee of 18 dollars, but the amount was increased due to the operational costs of the new verification system.
Additionally, it was noted that the agency also accepts digital IDs through Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet at more than 250 airports across the country.
The new fee of $45 for those without a REAL ID when boarding domestic flights in the United States marks a stricter phase in the implementation of this federal identification system. The measure, driven by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), aims to strengthen security checks and reduce the number of exceptions that have been applied since its partial rollout.
Since the beginning of the year, U.S. authorities have been warning about the requirement for this document. It was already reported in January that it would be mandatory to board flights and that passengers would need to present a license compliant with federal standards.
In May, the regulations officially came into effect, and it was specified that a standard state license would not be sufficient, but the document must display a white star to certify it as a REAL ID.
For many immigrants —including numerous Cubans— access to this type of documentation has posed an additional challenge.
Already in April, it was noted that the requirement would impact those who do not yet have a defined immigration status or those facing obstacles in processing licenses in their states of residence.
The implementation of the REAL ID not only strengthens security standards following 9/11, but also introduces new administrative barriers that may delay or complicate the mobility of certain groups.
The information campaigns launched at the beginning of the year had already anticipated that tolerance would gradually decrease, a fact now confirmed by the mandatory charge for those who do not present the required identification.
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