I guess this is to those of you involved with Cubans, or those of you who have done the K1 for a Cuban national. My fiance (cuban) and I met in Colombia while I was working there and he was visiting. We spent 3 months there together before he went back to Cuba. Now we are in the K1 process, and he has heard that it looks bad if I have never met his family. On the other hand, I can't go to Cuba legally (I'm currently trying to get a license). So my question is, does anyone know whether it is necessary for me to go to Cuba in order for us to get the visa if we meet all the requirements of having seen and spent time together within the past year and have all the required evidence to prove it? I obviously can't go illegally and then use that to show that I've met his family, so it would depend on whether or not I get the license. Can anyone clarify this?

It is not required by US law that you meet his family. Only him..which you have done and have proof of.

Thanks for the input!

I agree

Totally agree with the other posters. If they thought it was important or necessary for you to meet his family, they'd let you know in the instructions to the Petition

Another thing is most people seem to agree that the adjudicators don't really care so much where your fiance is from, how long you've been together, what sort of things you've done together, about age, etc etc., so long as you fulfill all the requirements they ask for. Apparently there are certain places and certain activities that raise red flags with them, which is understandable if something looks suspicious, but on the whole they've seen all sorts of cases and really I think at this phase we're just another piece of paper to them.
I only say all that because you said you're asking the advice of others who are marrying Cubans specifically, so didn't want you to worry about like...extra difficulties or anything like that. It doesn't seem like the US Centers treat any of the petitions differently. Only later at the interview stage do you have to start worrying about what your specific embassy requires, etc.

Good luck. It all sounds okay to me

not to mention that lots of US citizens feel it is an outrage the US government is in contravention of our Human Rights, one of which is freedom to travel within and without of our country (that's one of the things we supposedly criticize Cuba for), in preventing travel to Cuba by not letting us spend money in cuba. technically, you are allowed to travel to cuba, but it is illegal to spend money there.

lots of US citizens do travel there. you could make the claim that your expenses were paid for by your cuban fiance.

don't know how you feel about breaking the law, but some americans do it and very, very few per year are prosecuted.

you do not need to go to Cuba if you have already met him and have the edvindence. But i do recommend you going to Cuba for the interview, everything will be so much simplier for him, if you are there. Best of luck, and keep us updated. Edwin&Mary.

Thanks for your reply. You don't think it will be a problem if I go illegally? Do you know anyone who has gone for the interview (illegally of course) and hasn't faced the fine?

Tracey