UPDATE: April, 2024
The Cuban passport underwent an update on 1 July 2023, extending its validity to 10 years for citizens over the age of 16 and 5 years for minors. This transformation eliminated the 2-year extension requirement that previously existed.
To clear up doubts about the procedures, costs and waiting times in the process of obtaining or renewing a Cuban passport, Opapeleo provides here a detailed summary that will facilitate this process. Below, we provide specific information for applications both inside and outside the United States.
What are the requirements to renew your passport outside Cuba?
If you decide to renew your Cuban passport in person you can do so at any Cuban consulate in any country and you will need to do so:
- Photocopy of the expired passport and the original.
- Fill in the application form (consular form).
- Two passport photos in colour, with a light background, without dark glasses.
- Additional documents as appropriate (birth certificate or citizenship card).
- Pay the established consular fee.
If you prefer to carry out this procedure remotely (by post), without visiting the consulate, you will need to add to all of the above an envelope to be sent to the consulate with the following documents:
- Include a return envelope with sufficient stamps and your address to receive the passport upon completion.
- Proof of payment of the consular fee by bank transfer anywhere in the world. In the United States, payment is made by USPS Money Order.
Renewal of the Cuban passport in the US
UNITED STATES ONLY: Another modality applicable in the United States is through agencies contracted by the consulate, such as Opapeleo, which is located 150 metres from the Cuban Consulate in Washington DC:
- OPAPELEO offers a unique 100% remote processing system at www.opapeleo.com., where users can complete the entire process without having to send physical documents. After completing the application and payment on the website, you will receive instructions to sign the consular form from your phone and take a photo that OPAPELEO will convert into a passport photo with artificial intelligence.
- In addition, an OPAPELEO specialist will communicate with you at all times to ensure that all information is correct and to answer any questions you may have. You can also apply by phone at 202-800-4141, open 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm.
- This system allows you to complete your application today and OPAPELEO delivers your application the next day, as their offices are located around the corner from the consulate, making it the fastest way to complete your application at the moment.
100% online in less than 10 minutes. Or if you prefer in our call center 202-800-4141, open 7 days a week.
What are the waiting times and costs for renewing a Cuban passport?
Delay times
- It is recommended to apply for renewal at least 2 months before the required date.
- These times vary and can be lengthy, so it is advisable not to make travel plans until you have your passport in hand.
- It is very important to note for those who do their paperwork remotely, that the form must be checked thoroughly as a high incidence of delays are due to errors in the consular form.
Processing fees
- The price of the Cuban passport is $180 USD/Euros for those over 16 years of age and $140 for minors. Agencies in the USA pay an additional $25 extra to the consulate when it is done through an agency.
- Payment to the consulate by wire transfer must be made at least 72 hours prior to the application, except in the United States where Money Order USPS is used, which can be purchased at post offices and must be addressed to Embassy of Cuba. In the case of agencies in the USA you pay the agency of your choice.
May I travel to Cuba with an expired passport?
If your Cuban passport has expired, you are a resident in Cuba (not an emigrant) and you need to travel urgently to Cuba, you can apply for an identity and travel document at the consulate or through an authorised agency in the United States.
You must present:
- Complete application form.
- Two passport-style colour photos.
- Photocopy of passport (in case of loss).
- Flight ticket.
- Original passport (if expired).
- Reference of your immigration status.
The travel document only allows you to go to Cuba within 30 days of its issuance and to return you will have to apply for a new passport in Cuba. For emigrants this procedure can be done but they need to show evidence of the urgency of your trip to Cuba such as a death certificate or medical certificate of a serious close relative.
About Us
Opapeleo is your agency for procedures 100% online or telephone. Based in Washington DC, 150 metres from the Cuban Consulate., we offer a wide range of services including Cuban Passport Renewal, Legalisations, Powers of attorney of all kinds, authorisation for minors to leave the country, obtaining diplomas, certificates of marks and certificates in the Cuban civil registers (birth, divorce, etc.) legalised in the MINREX, Visas to Cuba, Recharges, car rental and consultations with lawyers in Cuba among other related procedures. Check out our reviews on both Google and Facebook and you will understand why so many Cubans prefer us as their number 1 choice for Cubans in the USA.
Information from 2023
The Cuban passport, updated on 1 July, is now valid for 10 years for Cuban citizens over the age of 16 and 5 years for minors Along with this transformation, the requirement for the travel document to be extended every 2 years, which it had previously had, was also disabled. In this post, you will find all the information you need to renew your Cuban passport in order to speed up this procedure.
These developments apply only to passports issued as of this July, so the measure does not affect those issued before that date. On this basis, the authorities have clarified numerous questions that have arisen among users. Questions regarding procedures, costs and waiting times at each stage of the process of obtaining a Cuban passport or renewing it.
What do you need to renew your passport from outside Cuba?
Face-to-face:
- Copy of the expired passport and the original passport
- Fill in the application form
- Two passport-type photos. In colour, with light background, front view, face and head uncovered and without dark glasses.
- Submit the previous passport, the birth certificate or the resolution certifying the acquisition of Cuban citizenship, or the Letter of Citizenship.
- Pay the established consular fee
For remote (postal mailing) this would be added:
- Photocopy of your consular ID
- A stamped self-addressed envelope in which the passport will be sent to you once the process is completed.
Payment of the consular fee in these cases is made by bank transfer to the account of the relevant consulate. Passport renewals can be made up to 6 months before the expiry date of your current passport.
In the event of loss or theft, the same resources must be available (except for the physical passport). In addition, you must present a report of the loss of the passport, issued by the police at the place where it was lost.
What are the waiting times?
If you need to have your passport updated for an upcoming date you should be aware that the minimum time to apply for this service is 2 months in advance of the date you will need your passport updated.
This period of time is the estimated time it takes for the Passport Issuing Centre in Havana to send passports to consulates abroad. This is only an estimate, as the wait may sometimes be longer.
Possible factors that may delay the processing of your passport are variable and depend as much on you as on the consulate and the Passport Issuing Centre. Delays at the consulate offices, or in Havana, as well as in the transfer of passports to the consulates, are relatively common occurrences in these processes, and are not dependent on you.
However, regarding your part of the case, we advise you:
- To provide the correct data and avoid errors that may cause your application to be rejected.
- To pay the exact amount in the required payments and the number of stamps required for the procedure.
- Contact your consulate if you need information on the status of your application.
Fees
The price for the renewal of the Cuban passport is currently set at 180 USD/Euros for those over 16 years of age and 140 for minors. Payment to the consulate for the services provided must be made at least 72 hours prior to the application.
May I travel to Cuba with an expired passport?
If your Cuban passport has expired and you are a Cuban emigrant, resident abroad or travelling outside the country, you can apply for an identity and travel document to replace your passport on an extraordinary basis. This is for cases with an urgent need to travel to Cuba.
The document must be requested in person at the consulate.
You will need to submit:
- Complete application form
- Two passport-style colour photos
- Photocopy of passport in case of lost passport
- Airline ticket
- Original passport, if expired
- Migration status reference
- Clear evidence of their urgent need to travel to Cuba.
About Us
Opapeleo is your agency for procedures 100% online or telephone. We are in Washington DC 150 meters away from the Cuban Consulate. We provide services for the Extension and Renewal of Cuban Passport, Legalisations, Powers of attorney on all kinds, Authorisations for minors to leave the country, DVT, Visas to Cuba, Top-ups, applications for Cuban certificates, delivery of official documents and all kinds of procedures related to Cuba.
