Cuban content creator Mariam Fraga Garcés, widely known as Mary Fra on social media, recently acquired a Mexican passport and drew comparisons with her Cuban passport, which she has used for years. She encapsulated the stark contrast between the two with a simple statement: "In terms of mobility and freedom, the difference is monumental."
In a YouTube video filmed at Playa Delfines, Cancún, the newly naturalized Mexican showcased both passports and shared the significance of having a document that grants access to numerous destinations with significantly fewer pre-travel formalities.
Mary Fra affectionately refers to her Mexican passport as her "little book of freedom," emphasizing not just its design or technology, but the profound change it brings when planning a trip.
The Burden of Visas: A Cuban Experience
"For many years, contemplating international travel wasn't as simple as picking a destination, buying a ticket, and leaving," she recounted. "I first had to ask: Do Cubans need a visa for this country? Where can I apply for it? How much does it cost? Will my visa be approved?"
Contrasting Passport Technologies
The disparity is also evident in their physical attributes. Mexico began issuing electronic passports in 2021, which include a contactless chip, a polycarbonate data page, and biometric and cryptographic features designed to prevent forgery. According to Mexican authorities, it has 57 security features.
In contrast, the Cuban passport, with its dark blue cover, has a more conventional design and structure. Mary Fra noted that the Cuban document feels of lower quality.
Yet, the most crucial difference lies in the borders each passport allows one to cross without a visa. The Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on visa-free access, lists the Mexican passport as granting entry to over 150 destinations without prior visas, compared to fewer than 60 for the Cuban passport.
Enhanced Travel Opportunities
For Mary Fra, this means the ability to travel with her Mexican passport to places like the Schengen Area or Japan without undergoing a consular visa process. Conversely, traveling with a Cuban passport often involves applying for a visa, gathering documents, proving financial means, paying fees, securing an appointment, and awaiting a decision.
Limitations Still Exist
However, acquiring Mexican citizenship does not eliminate all immigration hurdles. Mexican citizens still require a visa to enter the United States. Starting in 2024, most will need a visitor visa for Canada, although some may qualify for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if flying into the country and meeting specific criteria, such as holding a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa or having had a Canadian visa in the past decade.
Nevertheless, compared to the Cuban passport, the Mexican passport offers substantially greater international travel flexibility.
Cost of Passports
In Mexico, the official fees for passports in 2026 are 1,795 Mexican pesos for a three-year passport, 2,440 pesos for six years, and 4,280 pesos for ten years, with a one-year option available for children under three.
The Cuban passport, as of 2023, is valid for ten years for those over 16, following the removal of the previous biennial renewal requirement. Starting October 1, 2026, issuance, renewal, or replacement at Cuban consulates abroad costs $200 or euros for those over 16, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Resolution 37/2026.
Embracing Dual Identities
Mary Fra is clear that obtaining Mexican citizenship does not mean abandoning her Cuban roots. She intends to keep both passports. Cuba's principle of effective citizenship requires citizens to utilize their Cuban nationality when entering, staying in, transiting through, and departing from the national territory.
Her experience reflects that of other Cubans who have celebrated their Mexican naturalization in recent years. In 2025, for instance, another young Cuban émigré shared her naturalization document on social media.
For Mary Fra, the value of her new passport doesn't redefine her identity but expands her horizons. "This passport, I want to make clear, doesn't make me more important, smarter, or worthier than anyone else. I'm still the same person," she asserted.
She summarized the transformation with a thought that permeates her entire video: "What changed was the number of borders I can now cross with fewer obstacles."
Understanding Passport Differences and Implications
What features distinguish the Mexican passport from the Cuban passport?
The Mexican passport includes advanced features such as a contactless chip, a polycarbonate data page, and biometric and cryptographic elements for enhanced security, whereas the Cuban passport has a more conventional design.
How does the Henley Passport Index rate the Mexican and Cuban passports?
According to the Henley Passport Index, the Mexican passport allows visa-free access to over 150 destinations, while the Cuban passport grants entry to fewer than 60 destinations without a prior visa.
Do Mexican citizens need visas to travel to the United States and Canada?
Yes, Mexican citizens require a visa to enter the United States. For Canada, most will need a visitor visa from 2024, though some may use an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if they meet specific conditions.