Cubans and Other Travelers in the U.S. to Face $45 Fee Without REAL ID

Starting February 1, 2026, travelers from Cuba and other nationalities flying within the United States without a REAL ID or an alternative form of identification will need to pay a $45 fee to board, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

This announcement, made on Monday, aims to strengthen compliance with identification requirements set after the September 11, 2001, attacks, as reported by the Associated Press.

Previously, travelers without a REAL ID could pass security checks with additional verification and a warning.

The REAL ID is a state-issued driver's license or identification card that meets federal security standards. It is marked by a white star within a yellow circle and is mandatory for all passengers over 18 traveling on domestic flights or entering federal buildings.

The $45 fee will apply to those lacking this document or another valid form of identification, such as a passport, green card, or military ID.

Payment is processed through the TSA’s alternate identity verification system, Confirm.ID, which allows identity validation for up to 10 days.

Authorities clarified that paying the fee does not ensure verification, and if a traveler's identity cannot be confirmed, they may be denied boarding.

The fee can be paid online before travel or at the airport, though the process may take up to 30 minutes.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) noted that 94% of passengers already meet the requirement, and the new measure aims to encourage those lagging behind to obtain a REAL ID before it is strictly enforced.

Initially, the TSA proposed an $18 fee, but the amount was raised due to the operational costs of the new verification system.

Additionally, the agency has reminded travelers that it accepts digital IDs through Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet at more than 250 airports nationwide.

The new $45 fee 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. This measure, driven by the TSA, seeks to enhance security checks and minimize the exceptions applied since its partial introduction.

Since early this year, U.S. authorities have been warning about the requirement for this document. In January, it was announced that it would be mandatory for boarding flights and that passengers must present a license that complies with federal standards.

In May, the regulation was officially enacted, specifying that a common state license would not suffice unless it bore a white star designating it as a REAL ID.

For many immigrants, including numerous Cubans, accessing this type of documentation has posed additional challenges.

Back in April, it was warned that the requirement would affect those without a defined immigration status or those facing difficulties obtaining licenses in their states of residence.

The implementation of the REAL ID not only reinforces post-9/11 security standards but also introduces new administrative barriers that can delay or complicate mobility for certain groups.

Informational campaigns launched at the beginning of the year anticipated that tolerance would progressively decrease, now confirmed by the mandatory fee for those not presenting the required identification.