K1 for Cubans/How Long?

[Shari 6]

Hello. I am a 4+ year VJ veteran already married myself and hubby waiting on his 10 year GC, but I recently got a new job and my sweet 26-year-old co-worker is going through the K1 process with her Cuban fiance'. She has limited access to the Internet (thus VJ), and I thought I would help her out with some questions, so please, those of you going through the K1 process with a Cuban fiance', please help me/her out.

My co-worker came over to the US via the lottery with her family 8 years ago and is now an American citizen. She knew her fiance' from childhood. Since going back and visiting Cuba, she and he have decided they are in love and they have started the K1 process. I am really worried for her though as she told me she has not seen him in THREE YEARS. They sent their application in mid-late April, he has had his medical (awaiting results), and he has an interview scheduled for October. If they were going to get an RFE for not seeing each other in the last two years wouldn't they have gotten it by now? She said she saw him in June of 2005 and the US won't allow people to visit Cuba except once every three years. Is this right? She honestly feels this way or she would have seen him before. She is going in August for a two week visit. She wrote a long letter stating why they haven't seen each other (US laws) and explained they knew each other during childhood, etc. As I have said, so far no RFE. I didn't want to let on that I was worried for them.

So, she is thinking it will only take him a month once he gets approved at his interview (in October) and gets his Visa before whatever government paperwork is doen in order for him to leave. Is that right? She is so excited and has been waiting a long time and I really would hate this to be wrong. I thought I would check with you fellow VJers and see what the real deal is on travel restrictions to Cuba and how long the K1 visa really takes (or at least from the interview and K1 approval until he can come to the U.S. Thanks!

[Brad and Vika 129]

I think the instructions say that you must have met in the last two years or must explain why that isn't possible. Sounds like she has a pretty good explanation.

[Shari 6]

I think the instructions say that you must have met in the last two years or must explain why that isn't possible. Sounds like she has a pretty good explanation.

Well, that's if what she says is right about the US only allowing people to go to Cuba once every three years. I thought I saw somewhere on this site that someone referenced someone else saying that but it wasn't true, and I was just wondering if it was or not.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I recall hearing somewhere (not on VJ) that it depends on why you want to travel there. For example, people who travel to see relatives can go more frequently. I doubt that our government views falling in love with much sympathy.

[Shari 6]

*BUMP* (for those that didn't get on VJ over the weekend - still need advice)

[Carlawarla 1]

You want to go to the "members" section in the top right of the screen here. Toggle more options and go to the bottom of the page. Put in "any" for type of visa, and put in country, Cuba. I did this and got a list of all members who had visas from Cuba from here on VJ. The first one I clicked on, got one in March 08. By reading their posts, maybe you can find out what you're looking for. Another option would be to send them an email or message and ask specific questions. Or send them a link.

Best of luck in finding some answers!