Claudia Álvarez Ferrales, a Cuban content creator residing in Girona, Catalonia, Spain, has voiced her outrage over the exorbitant fees that Cubans must pay to obtain apostilled criminal records, a crucial document for the extraordinary regularization of immigrants in Spain.
In an Instagram reel, Claudia highlights the stark contrast in costs: while a Colombian citizen pays approximately nine euros for apostilled criminal records, a Cuban faces charges ranging from 150 to 350 euros through intermediaries, agencies, or private firms. The official channels in Cuba are practically inaccessible for processing these documents.
"I just want to know how far this will go and for how long. Why is it that Cubans have a harder time acquiring anything compared to the rest of the world?" Claudia questions at the start of her video.
She explains that the prices fluctuate "depending on who you sell out to or who guarantees faster service," and openly criticizes the business that has emerged around a procedure that ideally should be managed legally.
"Honestly, it's outrageous, it's a complete disrespect, the business they're making out of this, with something you should be able to request through legal channels. But due to the country's conditions, delays, and everything we know about how things are handled, it's practically impossible," she affirms.
Claudia also sheds light on the dual burden faced by Cuban emigrants: the dire living conditions of those on the island, where the cost of living feels "like Dubai," and the myth that Cubans abroad "have euros falling from trees."
The immediate context is Spain's extraordinary regularization of immigrants, approved by Royal Decree 316/2026, with applications open from April 16 to June 30, 2026, potentially benefiting up to 840,000 irregular migrants.
One requirement is to submit a criminal record certificate from the country of origin, apostilled and translated if necessary. For most Latin Americans, this process is straightforward and affordable. For Cubans, however, the regime's bureaucracy, lack of digitalization, and consular delays make it an expensive process reliant on third parties.
Attorney Mario Dueñas had previously warned that Cuban bureaucratic hurdles threatened the possibility for many Cubans to meet the June deadline.
Moreover, those excluded from the mass regularization face an even more uncertain future.
Claudia's video prompted a flood of responses from Cubans who immediately related to the situation. One commenter wrote, "Our situation is indescribable; for my citizenship, each document cost 250 euros, each one, for heaven's sake."
Another added, "I can't see the light with so many procedures, and they're becoming increasingly costly and delayed."
The issue is not new. The Cuban passport has historically been one of the most expensive in the world, costing up to 800 dollars over six years with renewals included.
Since April 2025, Cuba has required a valid passport for entry into the country, further exacerbating the financial burden on emigrants.
"I'm not the only one who thinks this way. I'm sure many others feel the same but don't voice it," Claudia concludes before posing the question that titles her video: "Truly, how far and for how long will this continue?"
Understanding the High Costs of Cuban Immigration Procedures
Why are Cuban immigration documents so expensive?
Cuban immigration documents are costly due to the regime's bureaucratic inefficiencies, the lack of accessible official channels, and the reliance on intermediaries who charge high fees for expedited services.
How does the cost of Cuban documents compare to other countries?
Compared to other countries, the cost of obtaining Cuban documents is significantly higher. For instance, Colombians pay around nine euros for apostilled criminal records, while Cubans may pay between 150 and 350 euros.
What impact does the high cost of documents have on Cuban emigrants?
The high cost of documents places a significant financial burden on Cuban emigrants, complicating their ability to regularize their status abroad and increasing the economic strain on those both inside and outside Cuba.