Cuba stamp in passport

[lucybelle 453]

My boyfriend and I (US cit) are interested in visiting Cuba this year. We're also planning on starting our CR-1 process next year. Would a Cuba stamp in his passport make anything more difficult? I know if I go, I'll have a stamp on the "visitor's visa" or whatever page and not in my passport. But I'm pretty sure he gets a stamp in his passport.

Also, if we decide to go after he's a resident, would he be allowed back into the USA? Would this create any problems?

[grrrrreat 109]

My boyfriend and I (US cit) are interested in visiting Cuba this year. We're also planning on starting our CR-1 process next year. Would a Cuba stamp in his passport make anything more difficult? I know if I go, I'll have a stamp on the "visitor's visa" or whatever page and not in my passport. But I'm pretty sure he gets a stamp in his passport.

Also, if we decide to go after he's a resident, would he be allowed back into the USA? Would this create any problems?

It's not illegal for a non U.S. citizen or resident to travel to Cuba, so it won't pose a problem for him now. You can get a license to travel to Cuba as a U.S. citizen or resident, if you travel with an authorized operator. It's not technically illegal to travel to Cuba without one, but it is illegal to spend any money there (which makes it practically illegal).

Cuba doesn't stamp passports of U.S. citizen visitors, they only issue tourist cards.

Edited May 31, 2012 by grrrrreat

[Ryan H 3,812]

My boyfriend and I (US cit) are interested in visiting Cuba this year. We're also planning on starting our CR-1 process next year. Would a Cuba stamp in his passport make anything more difficult? I know if I go, I'll have a stamp on the "visitor's visa" or whatever page and not in my passport. But I'm pretty sure he gets a stamp in his passport.

Going to Cuba prior to beginning the spousal visa process will not make him inadmissible to the US.

Edited May 31, 2012 by Ryan H

[gad33 47]

here is the link to US Gov travel site re Cuba

[lucybelle 453]

Thanks for the info. So he should go BEFORE becoming a resident? Once he's a resident it's a no-go?

[Ryan H 3,812]

So he should go BEFORE becoming a resident? Once he's a resident it's a no-go?

Yes he should go before becoming an LPR. After he becomes an LPR, he could only go there through authorized channels. If he were to go there through unauthorized channels, then he could/would be risking his status as an LPR.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

It's not illegal for a non U.S. citizen or resident to travel to Cuba, so it won't pose a problem for him now. You can get a license to travel to Cuba as a U.S. citizen or resident, if you travel with an authorized operator. It's not technically illegal to travel to Cuba without one, but it is illegal to spend any money there (which makes it practically illegal).

Cuba doesn't stamp passports of U.S. citizen visitors, they only issue tourist cards.

IT is only illegal to spend US dollars, she can convert her money to pesos or any other forgein curreny and spend it there.

[grrrrreat 109]

IT is only illegal to spend US dollars, she can convert her money to pesos or any other forgein curreny and spend it there.

That's not true. It's illegal to spend any money derived from U.S. sources in Cuba, whether or not you convert it to another currency first.

Thanks for the info. So he should go BEFORE becoming a resident? Once he's a resident it's a no-go?

Right, the same rule against traveling to Cuba and spending money there applies to U.S. citizens and residents.

If he's not a lawful permanent resident yet, the rule doesn't apply to him now and it won't disqualify him from becoming an LPR later.

[rade2rising 205]

CUBA is most expensive place to call, send package to, visit, leave etc etc its just HORRIBLE

stay away from cuba the procedures they have in place for visitors is UNREAL

[jaycali 415]

No problem. It's not illegal for citizens/residents of other countries to go to Cuba. Until he's in the US as an LPR, the US has absolutely no authority over him what so ever.

I had a tourist visa to Iran in my last passport. Always caused some raised eyebrows, but that's it.

Edited June 1, 2012 by jaejayC

[grrrrreat 109]

No problem. The US can't deny non-residents of their country to travel to Cuba.

I had a tourist visa to Iran in my last passport. Always caused some raised eyebrows, but that's it.

Honestly surprised this didn't get you sent to administrative processing. Not very many valid reasons for an aspiring U.S. resident to have a tourist visa to Iran.

[lucybelle 453]

Thanks for all the info! We'll make sure to take our trip before we start the process!

[gad33 47]

Thanks for all the info! We'll make sure to take our trip before we start the process!

So are you (the US Cit) going to visit and hope the US Government doesn't find out?