Interview & appealing to parents for affadavit for Cuban

[C and E 36]

Hello,

I am engaged to a Cuban guy and I'm getting really frightened reading various experiences about Cuba denials. Apparently, the Havana embassy people are super strict and/or just deny people for flimsy reasons. We got NOA1 on April 4, and so based on VJ data, it seems the interview will be in October. I am working really hard to get all our ducks in a row so that we have the strongest case possible.

 

My fiancé and I will be 30 & 32 at the time of the interview (respectively), no kids (we both want ASAP w/ each other), no previous marriages, no criminal records. We met 1 year ago and since I have made 4 trips to Cuba spending all my time with him, totaling about 3 months. We have legit circumstances for meeting (some of my studies took place at his work). I am studying for my masters abroad for past 2 years and graduate in July. As the interview will be in October and I understand because it's Cuba I need to be there, I will likely go straight from where I am living abroad to Cuba for the interview, so I won't go home first and get a job. As of then, I will be able to show a diverse CV, and I will have my master's degree when I go to the interview. He has bachelor's degree and is currently employed and has been since earning his bachelor's, although it's Cuba, so you know...$20/month. And he doesn't speak English yet. So I worry about what the consular officer will think of our financial circumstances...me being unemployed at the time of the interview (although with fresh master's degree) and him not speaking English yet. The plan is to stay with my parents for a 1-3 months while I find work and he waits for the green card, and I could possibly get a letter from them stating this, but my parents haven't offered any other help. 

My big concern is the affadavit of support. I chose to go the K1 route rather than get married in Cuba because, stupidly, I assumed because the affadavit is not listed as a requirement it wouldn't be one. But now I am learning that...because it's Cuba....yes you need one. I worked previously but as I said, for the past two years I have been in a scholarship program abroad getting my masters. The scholarship pays me $1100/month stipend, but this doesn't show up on my US taxes, it ends after the summer, and it's not enough. So I am thinking of going to my parents and appealing to them to help me by doing the affadavit. They are lukewarm about this whole marrying a Cuban guy they never met thing, but I am working on them. They have assets and would definitely qualify. But I am also worried about how this will look to the consular officer. 

 

Any thoughts or advice from VJ community? How does it look to a consular officer when a 32 year old petitioner has her parents submit the affadavit? 

 

Any help, thoughts, ideas, commerseration would be much appreciated.

[Boiler 47,444]

Does not matter, as long as their income is sufficient.

 

At least you have the opportunity of getting a good job if you need to.

[C and E 36]

Do you think it would be worth it to include extra documents on my end to show my employability -- professional CV, letters of rec, information on my scholarship (my funding for past 2 years)?

What about for him -- letter of rec (in English) from current employer?

 

I worry about going overboard on evidence and annoying the consular officer...

Thank you!

Edited May 3, 2017 by C and E
misspelling

[Boiler 47,444]

Irrelevant. 

[C and E 36]

Good news -- after a long talk, my parents agreed to help! And they seem to have had a total change of heart. Couldn't be happier.

 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

18 minutes ago, C and E said:

Good news -- after a long talk, my parents agreed to help! And they seem to have had a total change of heart. Couldn't be happier.

 

Congratulations

I also wanna add in response to your original post, that the vast majority of embassies require an affidavit of support, not a particular Cuban thing. The affidavits are a part of both K1 and spousal processes in one way or another. 

Glad your parents came around. Remember that as the fiancée you are always technically the main sponsor so you'll still need to fill an affidavit out as well - even if that is not the income being used to qualify. (At most embassies - so double check, also make sure Havanna accepts co-sponsors for k1 if you haven't)

Edited May 29, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[C and E 36]

Thanks -- originally when I was researching the visa (before I found VJ) I didn't see income requirements on the list, or I misinterpreted or overlooked it. Anyway it turns out I was wrong, and either way it comes up later in the process so it's not like I was going to get out of it. 

One question -- how would I find if an embassy accepts co-sponsors at the K1 interview when the requirement for a financial guarantee isn't even listed as a requirement in the first place?
Thanks for flagging that, I will definitely have to start figuring that out...

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

1 minute ago, C and E said:

Thanks -- originally when I was researching the visa (before I found VJ) I didn't see income requirements on the list, or I misinterpreted or overlooked it. Anyway it turns out I was wrong, and either way it comes up later in the process so it's not like I was going to get out of it. 

One question -- how would I find if an embassy accepts co-sponsors at the K1 interview when the requirement for a financial guarantee isn't even listed as a requirement in the first place?
Thanks for flagging that, I will definitely have to start figuring that out...

You can email the embassy if it's not expressed on their website, and also ask in the local forum. It's likely someone has already researched it. Most embassies do - it would just suck to be caught of guard if Havana wasn't one of them. 

[C and E 36]

Thank you!!!

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

I found this on their (Cuba traveldocs) website (http://www.ustraveldocs.com/cu/cu-gen-faq.asp#qlistfiance11) under fiance visa faq's

"Q.11 Can the petitioner provide an Affidavit of Support from a joint sponsor?

Yes, if the petitioner’s income is insufficient to show the applicant will not become a public charge in the United States."

[C and E 36]

3 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

I found this on their (Cuba traveldocs) website (http://www.ustraveldocs.com/cu/cu-gen-faq.asp#qlistfiance11) under fiance visa faq's

"Q.11 Can the petitioner provide an Affidavit of Support from a joint sponsor?

Yes, if the petitioner’s income is insufficient to show the applicant will not become a public charge in the United States."

 

 

Rock on -- thank you! I posted in the Caribbean forum as well to see others' experiences. From what I have heard from others and read on this site, the Cuban embassy doesn't play around. I've also heard some scary stories about denials for folks who say they are legit and did everything right. Thanks so much again.

Edited May 29, 2017 by C and E
spelling

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

12 minutes ago, C and E said:

Rock on -- thank you! I posted in the Caribbean forum as well to see others' experiences. From what I have heard from others and read on this site, the Cuban embassy doesn't play around. I've also heard some scary stories about denials for folks who say they are legit and did everything right. Thanks so much again.

You seem to have plenty of face time - that's crucial for difficult embassies. Just collect that evidence, and you being there for the interview is a great plus (since Cuba allows and encourages this). It'll allow them to see you guys interact - I think you will be fine - partially because you are aware and taking the preparations seriously. Your relationship is a true one and unless there are any other unknown circumstances, there's no reason for you two to be denied! Good luck

Edited May 29, 2017 by Suss&Camm