For all of you with Cuban fiance(e) or that know much about travel to Cuba I have a question for you. Does anyone know the limit for a tourist visa? I am thinking it is two months until you have to leave, but wanted to double check. Also does anyone know of ways to extend that stay besides leaving and reentering Cuba? Finally, for those going through the visa process with a Cuban SO... who bought or will buy the plane ticket for your SO to come here and from where did you buy it? I am asking being that US credit cards are not accpeted there and wanted to get some ideas. Thanks!

Since travel to Cuba is not legal for USCs, do posts concerning that travel violate the TOS for this website?

It is illegal FROM the U.S. - many people travel to Cuba through Canada.

I think it isn't a total ban. there are exceptions like religious workers, family, and others...

good luck!


Daniel

Many people travel to Cuba illegally every year. There are many websites that discuss ways to get there and how not to be detected. The fact that many people travel through other countries does not make it legal.

Okay... so I guess I was not asking the legality of this. I guess no one really has to answer this if they do not want to. I will find all this out on my own... was really just looking for advice from those with experience. And travel there is no entirely illegal... there are different types of licenses you can get from the US treasury department.




Guess I am not completely hip to the VJ lingo... so what does TOS mean? Thanks.

I don`t know the answers you`re looking for, rebex.

There are a whole slew of authorized categories. For folks who don`t fall into those categories, I think there`s some kind of catch concerning SPENDING in Cuba rather than the actual travel making it impossible to go. Not sure, though- I got lost in the "legalize". Also, the regs apparently affect US resisents as well as USCs. Here`s the scoop:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1097.html

Thanks for you input. I have looked into that before, but will give it another look. I do know quite a bit about travel there... just really wanted to know the length of the visa from the foreign country's side of things... that was really all. Appreciate your help.

Yeah, it sounds like you`re pretty well informed about the matter. Mostly, I was curious after reading the thread, then I figured it wouldn`t be a bad idea to post what I had found. Good luck.

EDIT: Hey, here`s a possibility- have you tried to find any forums or blogs dedicated to the Cuban communities in Miami or NY? Or maybe the Univision forum?

This has nothing to do with the questiom. It really is a seperate question. How do you show proof of having met in the fiancee's country and submit that proof to the government when travel there is not legal? seems to me like running to the police station and confessing to a crime?

good point!

Thanks for your post, I appreciate the idea. Guess I should have posted this somewhere else before I put it in here being as most have not been entirely helpful nor supportive. You are kind however.

For the sake of all reading this... just forget I posted it (hence no need to reply), unless you can actually answer the questions asked or have any wise insight. Not one of you here actually knows how I met my fiance or whether travel was legal, so that really is not the question. But thanks for your "concern." I will deal with all the logistics of this and will find another way to firgure this out. Guess that means I will not be answering your questions... whether they were meant to be rhetorical or not. Best of luck to you in what ever stage of the journey you are in.

Hi Rebex,
Haven't been reading much on this site recently so just saw your post. A tourist visa (that's what you get no matter what license you have or don't have from the US) is good for 30 days. It can be renewed at a Cuban immigration office - I don't know how many times. The immigration offices for Cubans are different from those for foreigners so ask before you spend hours waiting on line. Hope this helps.
Pocamuela

Hi Rebex!

Sent you a PM.....

2manypapers

Hello to everyone! Recently started the process and new to the forum but it has been so helpful!

Just wondering if anyone has completed the interview for a Cuban spouse and if the whole US travel to Cuba came up? Was this scrutinized during the interview or review process because obviously, in most cases, the US petitioner has traveled there (possibly without license).

Also anyone attend the interview at the Swiss Consulate? Do they frown upon US citizens attending? I ask because my lawyer is advising me not to go with my husband because of possible risk, but I really want to be there, it is such a big day for us!

Thanks for all your help, seeing other Cuban couples is really helpful!

besitos,
alexis

Yes, there are lots of ways you could travel legaly to cuba, however to your question I have kown that ones you are in cuba you could get a extention to your visa, 21 days at a time for 6 moths, if you leave you need a new visa, and for the place ticket you have to pay for it in cash in Cuba, no credit cards from the USA.

Just to follow up on the topic Augustajim posted, I would like to hear people's feedback on "How do you show proof of having met in the fiancee's country and submit that proof to the government when travel there is not legal?"

I know some of you all met your Cuban spouse during authorized visits because you are originally Cuban or had one of the special licenses (hard to get!) But there has to be some of us that met while travelling through a third country to get there. (not calling anyone out and don't want to start a legal ruckus on the forum, just putting it out there....) But does anyone know how the US government dealing with that issue in interviews:

What do they say to you when you are sitting there telling them you met in Cuba when you were never supposes to be there in the first place (this is not an admission that I have done this or plan to but just wondering because I know some of us are not of Cuban heritage and have gone there without license, fallen in love, and wondering if that eventually comes up in this process)

thanks for your input!

There is always the risk of a fine if you travel illegally. However, the folks at the Interests Section are really not interested in how you got there. It seems to be basically "don't ask don't tell". I have been there and spoken to officials in the visa section and also in the assistance to American citizens section. I have always travelled legally but I know others who have gone through the entire visa process and have not travelled legally and it just doesn't come up. Just show your ticket stubs as part of the evidence of your relationship and don't worry about that side of it.

By the way, many people travel to Cuba legally through 3rd countries. Personally, I would rather go through a 3rd country than deal with Miami Airport.

Pocamuela

There is no many deferent visas to travel to Cuba, the only one that is not legal is a tourist visa, there is a religious visa, a study visa, people use all types of visa to travel to Cuba, I don't think that there is a issue on how a person got to Cuba to meat his or her spouse/fiancé, however since the visas or not issued immediately after you apply for them, there is a long waiting time one would have to really plan and have a exact time frame set up in order to have the visa issued and be in Cuba the day of the interview. that is why I think that one should not go to the interview.