Just back from Cuba visit

[pocamuela 0]

Hi to all with Cuban fiances.

Just back. Was there for 17 days - my last visit till we can go together. Couldn't wait to check this site and see how you all are progressing. Best to all in the New Year!

Went to Interests Section with some questions. Not hard to get in and speak to Consul. Showed up in the morning, filled out a form and was told to come back at 3. When I came back I waited only about 10 minutes. Saw no other Americans there and felt really bad to see the Cubans waiting and waiting ans waiting to deliver or pick up documents or for their interviews. Spoke to a Consul and 2 lesser officials - all very nice and happy to answer my questions. Also gave me an email address to contact them since it's so difficult to call from here: consularhavana@state.gov

One of my questions had to do with the chequeo medico. My fiance showed me his and it was 2 or 3 loose pages with no envelope. Nowhere in the information packet did it specify that the results must be sealed. So when I told him that he went back to the hospital where he was told that they don't have the budget to buy envelopes! When I asked the Consul about this, he told me that the Interests Section sends them the envelopes which bear the seal of the US gov. He laughed and said, "That's a new one - I wonder what they're doing with the envelopes." He said nothing surprises him anymore. The medical form also has his carne # where they were supposed to put his passport # and a random 2-digit number where it asked for his alien case number. Has anyone else had problems with this???

Also, a Cuban friend who is interesed in learning English told me that he called the Interests Section and asked for the department of Prensa y Cultura and they sent a huge package with cassettes, books and bilingual materials to his house. The package arrived in a big truck within 3-4 days. Apparently they have materials at all levels.

My fiance and I spent many frustrating days seeking elusive documents - always difficult but more so during the holidays.

How are you all doing???

Pocamuela

[Faithful 0]

Hi to all with Cuban fiances.

Just back. Was there for 17 days - my last visit till we can go together. Couldn't wait to check this site and see how you all are progressing. Best to all in the New Year!

Went to Interests Section with some questions. Not hard to get in and speak to Consul. Showed up in the morning, filled out a form and was told to come back at 3. When I came back I waited only about 10 minutes. Saw no other Americans there and felt really bad to see the Cubans waiting and waiting ans waiting to deliver or pick up documents or for their interviews. Spoke to a Consul and 2 lesser officials - all very nice and happy to answer my questions. Also gave me an email address to contact them since it's so difficult to call from here: consularhavana@state.gov

One of my questions had to do with the chequeo medico. My fiance showed me his and it was 2 or 3 loose pages with no envelope. Nowhere in the information packet did it specify that the results must be sealed. So when I told him that he went back to the hospital where he was told that they don't have the budget to buy envelopes! When I asked the Consul about this, he told me that the Interests Section sends them the envelopes which bear the seal of the US gov. He laughed and said, "That's a new one - I wonder what they're doing with the envelopes." He said nothing surprises him anymore. The medical form also has his carne # where they were supposed to put his passport # and a random 2-digit number where it asked for his alien case number. Has anyone else had problems with this???

Also, a Cuban friend who is interesed in learning English told me that he called the Interests Section and asked for the department of Prensa y Cultura and they sent a huge package with cassettes, books and bilingual materials to his house. The package arrived in a big truck within 3-4 days. Apparently they have materials at all levels.

My fiance and I spent many frustrating days seeking elusive documents - always difficult but more so during the holidays.

How are you all doing???

Pocamuela

Hi Pocamuela,

This is my first post on this message board. Happy New year to you and to others.

Thank you for the update and the information about getting materials to learn English from the Interests Section.

My fiance is actually going in the morning to pick up his packet. He was called last week to pick it up.

Until now I had no questions or any info to add concerning this process. Now that we are in Havana with this process I am nervous a little and he is also. He has some issues with his ID that concerns him. Cuba is strict on having the correct address listed on your ID. His address on his ID is not the same address of his house but he is in the process of getting it changed. Since it has not been corrected yet he is a little nervous about presenting it because they asked him to bring it to pick up the packet. I told him to just show his Passport and not worry about showing the ID unless they ask him for it.

I don't think it matters at the Consulate but he might have problems at other gov't locations when he starts getting all his documents. I wired him some money recently to help him with the process so hopefully he can complete his ID change.

You mention about getting other docs, which docs does he need other than the Police Cert, Birth Cert and the Medical? Was there other things listed on the instructions that is needed or were these just personal documents you were locating for yourselves? I guess my fiance will tell me when I call him tomorrow what he needs to obtain.

So did the consulate advise you of what to do about your medical docs? Did they want you to have them in a sealed envelope or will they accept the loose papers?

I can't wait to request his interview online so that I can guage how much longer before he can be here.

I wish you and your fiance the best in your journey as well as all others.

Faithful

[pocamuela 0]

Hi to all with Cuban fiances.

Just back. Was there for 17 days - my last visit till we can go together. Couldn't wait to check this site and see how you all are progressing. Best to all in the New Year!

Went to Interests Section with some questions. Not hard to get in and speak to Consul. Showed up in the morning, filled out a form and was told to come back at 3. When I came back I waited only about 10 minutes. Saw no other Americans there and felt really bad to see the Cubans waiting and waiting ans waiting to deliver or pick up documents or for their interviews. Spoke to a Consul and 2 lesser officials - all very nice and happy to answer my questions. Also gave me an email address to contact them since it's so difficult to call from here: consularhavana@state.gov

One of my questions had to do with the chequeo medico. My fiance showed me his and it was 2 or 3 loose pages with no envelope. Nowhere in the information packet did it specify that the results must be sealed. So when I told him that he went back to the hospital where he was told that they don't have the budget to buy envelopes! When I asked the Consul about this, he told me that the Interests Section sends them the envelopes which bear the seal of the US gov. He laughed and said, "That's a new one - I wonder what they're doing with the envelopes." He said nothing surprises him anymore. The medical form also has his carne # where they were supposed to put his passport # and a random 2-digit number where it asked for his alien case number. Has anyone else had problems with this???

Also, a Cuban friend who is interesed in learning English told me that he called the Interests Section and asked for the department of Prensa y Cultura and they sent a huge package with cassettes, books and bilingual materials to his house. The package arrived in a big truck within 3-4 days. Apparently they have materials at all levels.

My fiance and I spent many frustrating days seeking elusive documents - always difficult but more so during the holidays.

How are you all doing???

Pocamuela

Hi Pocamuela,

This is my first post on this message board. Happy New year to you and to others.

Thank you for the update and the information about getting materials to learn English from the Interests Section.

My fiance is actually going in the morning to pick up his packet. He was called last week to pick it up.

Until now I had no questions or any info to add concerning this process. Now that we are in Havana with this process I am nervous a little and he is also. He has some issues with his ID that concerns him. Cuba is strict on having the correct address listed on your ID. His address on his ID is not the same address of his house but he is in the process of getting it changed. Since it has not been corrected yet he is a little nervous about presenting it because they asked him to bring it to pick up the packet. I told him to just show his Passport and not worry about showing the ID unless they ask him for it.

I don't think it matters at the Consulate but he might have problems at other gov't locations when he starts getting all his documents. I wired him some money recently to help him with the process so hopefully he can complete his ID change.

You mention about getting other docs, which docs does he need other than the Police Cert, Birth Cert and the Medical? Was there other things listed on the instructions that is needed or were these just personal documents you were locating for yourselves? I guess my fiance will tell me when I call him tomorrow what he needs to obtain.

So did the consulate advise you of what to do about your medical docs? Did they want you to have them in a sealed envelope or will they accept the loose papers?

I can't wait to request his interview online so that I can guage how much longer before he can be here.

I wish you and your fiance the best in your journey as well as all others.

Faithful

My fiance had a similar address problem. I explained the situation at the Embassy and they said his legal address is fine even if he's not living there. They told me to be sure It seems that the Cuban side of the exit process is quite independent from the American side.

You probably already know this but he will also need 2 more passport photos, evidence of the relationship from the time of approval to the interview, the Affadavit of Support with Supporting documents, and the forms that he'll get in the package.

Good luck and keep me posted.

Pocamuela

[rebex05 1]

Hi to all with Cuban fiances.

Just back. Was there for 17 days - my last visit till we can go together. Couldn't wait to check this site and see how you all are progressing. Best to all in the New Year!

Went to Interests Section with some questions. Not hard to get in and speak to Consul. Showed up in the morning, filled out a form and was told to come back at 3. When I came back I waited only about 10 minutes. Saw no other Americans there and felt really bad to see the Cubans waiting and waiting ans waiting to deliver or pick up documents or for their interviews. Spoke to a Consul and 2 lesser officials - all very nice and happy to answer my questions. Also gave me an email address to contact them since it's so difficult to call from here: consularhavana@state.gov

One of my questions had to do with the chequeo medico. My fiance showed me his and it was 2 or 3 loose pages with no envelope. Nowhere in the information packet did it specify that the results must be sealed. So when I told him that he went back to the hospital where he was told that they don't have the budget to buy envelopes! When I asked the Consul about this, he told me that the Interests Section sends them the envelopes which bear the seal of the US gov. He laughed and said, "That's a new one - I wonder what they're doing with the envelopes." He said nothing surprises him anymore. The medical form also has his carne # where they were supposed to put his passport # and a random 2-digit number where it asked for his alien case number. Has anyone else had problems with this???

Also, a Cuban friend who is interesed in learning English told me that he called the Interests Section and asked for the department of Prensa y Cultura and they sent a huge package with cassettes, books and bilingual materials to his house. The package arrived in a big truck within 3-4 days. Apparently they have materials at all levels.

My fiance and I spent many frustrating days seeking elusive documents - always difficult but more so during the holidays.

How are you all doing???

Pocamuela

Hey there,

So I am not exactly able to answer any questions being as my fiance and I are just starting this whole process. I just wanted to thank you for the helpful information and knowing what is going on with others of you with Cuban fiance(e). It helps to hear what your experiences have been. Also it is nice to hear that you were able to be there for a few weeks. So that was the last time until your fiance is here? Also how did you arrange travel, via a third country. I have obviously done it on my own, but always curious to see if there is a better or cheaper way to get there. So here is a question... there is no problem getting into the interest section as a US citizen... does that apply to those that are there "illegally" as well. As for the address thing we have had no issues but my fiance did just change his address on his carned to the one he is actually living at now, so hopefull that avoids any confusion. And finally... if any of you more experienced Cuban visa filers have advice for us novices, that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!!

[pocamuela 0]

Hi to all with Cuban fiances.

Just back. Was there for 17 days - my last visit till we can go together. Couldn't wait to check this site and see how you all are progressing. Best to all in the New Year!

Went to Interests Section with some questions. Not hard to get in and speak to Consul. Showed up in the morning, filled out a form and was told to come back at 3. When I came back I waited only about 10 minutes. Saw no other Americans there and felt really bad to see the Cubans waiting and waiting ans waiting to deliver or pick up documents or for their interviews. Spoke to a Consul and 2 lesser officials - all very nice and happy to answer my questions. Also gave me an email address to contact them since it's so difficult to call from here: consularhavana@state.gov

One of my questions had to do with the chequeo medico. My fiance showed me his and it was 2 or 3 loose pages with no envelope. Nowhere in the information packet did it specify that the results must be sealed. So when I told him that he went back to the hospital where he was told that they don't have the budget to buy envelopes! When I asked the Consul about this, he told me that the Interests Section sends them the envelopes which bear the seal of the US gov. He laughed and said, "That's a new one - I wonder what they're doing with the envelopes." He said nothing surprises him anymore. The medical form also has his carne # where they were supposed to put his passport # and a random 2-digit number where it asked for his alien case number. Has anyone else had problems with this???

Also, a Cuban friend who is interesed in learning English told me that he called the Interests Section and asked for the department of Prensa y Cultura and they sent a huge package with cassettes, books and bilingual materials to his house. The package arrived in a big truck within 3-4 days. Apparently they have materials at all levels.

My fiance and I spent many frustrating days seeking elusive documents - always difficult but more so during the holidays.

How are you all doing???

Pocamuela

Hey there,

So I am not exactly able to answer any questions being as my fiance and I are just starting this whole process. I just wanted to thank you for the helpful information and knowing what is going on with others of you with Cuban fiance(e). It helps to hear what your experiences have been. Also it is nice to hear that you were able to be there for a few weeks. So that was the last time until your fiance is here? Also how did you arrange travel, via a third country. I have obviously done it on my own, but always curious to see if there is a better or cheaper way to get there. So here is a question... there is no problem getting into the interest section as a US citizen... does that apply to those that are there "illegally" as well. As for the address thing we have had no issues but my fiance did just change his address on his carned to the one he is actually living at now, so hopefull that avoids any confusion. And finally... if any of you more experienced Cuban visa filers have advice for us novices, that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!!

Rebex05:

I've always been able to travel legally but I generally go through Mexico. I would have gone illegally if necessary because this is a huge step and a huge commitment. I think it's important to spend as much time as possible together. Both of us have been divorced - marriage isn't easy.

The Interests Section didn't ask anything about my reasons for being in Cuba. From the information I have they don't seem to care. If they did, I would think we would be required to submit travel licenses along with the proof of relationship and of having met in person (photos, plane tickets, etc.)

My advice is to try not to obsess too much (I did!) and just get your papers in as soon as possible. This is the only part of the process that we actually have control over in terms of speeding things up!!!

Mucha suerte!

Pocamuela