Sarah&Michel

On 12/12/2017 at 2:20 PM, SazKap said:

Hi Team Cuba,

 

In the data-driven spirit of VJ, trying to aggregate a list of Cuba filers and their status/updates on NVC/Visa Interview in Colombia. Hoping our collective knowledge can land us answers and maybe even an estimated timeline.

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1T92HV6FyMPMY5N68eQ-Iz7Mmf_eWVWIsT3nXO1MTLxQ/edit#gid=0

 

Here's a list of folks I believe are planning to have their visas processed in a 3rd-party embassy. Would appreciate if ya'll indicate your status and respective dates/milestones.

 

@DiamondEyes490 

@CubaAndChill 

@VeredAK

@Marianatomas

@Kirenia

@AriSmith 

@Sarah&Michel

@pukka

@YandJ

@pukka

@Raulandlisa

 

Am I missing anyone?

 

Feel free to edit/add columns with any other important milestones I'm missing like date of receipt for Bogota Instructions email, etc.

Hi- my husband and I are already done with our visa process (he became a citizen last year.) Since I work in US-Cuba relations, I check back in from time to time with any info I might think helpful to others going through the process. 

Good luck everyone! Hope your loved ones get to come to the US soon! 

On 10/20/2017 at 1:10 PM, SazKap said:

Hi all!

 

A couple of questions kicking around my head:

 

Aren't K1 visas technically non-immigrant visas?

Don't they usually hold your passport during "Administrative Processing?" Wouldn't that prevent you from leaving/re-entering? 

Is it true that Cubans don't need a visa to enter Panama?

 

Before the Colombia news, I requested to have my application transferred to Trinidad & Tobago - waiting to see if the embassy in T&T declines my request.

K-1 visas are technically non-immigrant visas, but the US embassy in Havana processes them the same as other immigrant visas. Per their website, the instructions for K-1 visas are under the immigrant visa category. 

I was wrong when I stated that Cubans do not need a visa to go to Panama. They DO need a visa to travel to Panama. 

They did hold onto my husband’s passport during AP.  However, I doubt they would expect the applicant to stay in a third country for the duration. The website says that if the case has to go through AP it may require an additional trip (in which case they would have to return the passport, no?)

What a pain! 

It's ridiculous that they chose a country which requires a visa for Cuban travelers, but I suppose they did this on purpose to make the process even more difficult .  You could try to request moving the application to Panama, which does not require a visa for Cuban travelers but it may delay the process even more. It's also ridiculous that they expect the applicant to "stay at least a few weeks."  Who knows how long it will take between the interview and when the visa is actually ready for pick up.  In the event that they need to do further "administrative processing," it may require an additional trip to Colombia or wherever since AP can taken anywhere from a couple of weeks to two years.

It's really crazy and I am sorry for all of you who are going through this. I urge you to contact your representatives (Congress and Senate) and make a formal complaint. There is also this petition: https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/rescind-cuba-travel-warning?source=c.fwd&r_by=945311

Here is some more information via the FAQ page on the US Embassy's website:https://cu.usembassy.gov/frequently-asked-questions/

Are IV and CFRP applications closed?  Has the CFRP program ended? Can IV and CRFP interviews be done at another embassy or consulate?
The U.S. Embassy in Havana will cancel all previously-scheduled nonimmigrant, immigrant visa, and CFRP interview appointments.  In the coming weeks, we will begin transferring current immigrant visa applications and scheduling immigrant visa interviews for Cuban nationals at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia.  The State Department is working with our colleagues in the Department of Homeland Security to ensure continued operation of the Cuban Family Reunification Program (CFRP) and will soon announce arrangements for the CFRP applicants. 

How does the change affect immigrant visa applicants?
Immigrant visas for Cubans will be processed at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia.  The U.S. Embassy in Bogota is currently determining when these interviews can begin.  If your case has already been sent to the U.S. Embassy in Havana for an interview, you will be contacted with further instructions.

How are you communicating with applicants?
We will continue to provide updates on the U.S. Embassy in Havana’s website. Applicants who had previously scheduled immigrant visa appointments between September 29 and December 31, 2017 will be contacted directly to reschedule their appointment. Those who have not yet had an immigrant visa interview appointment scheduled may contact the National Visa Center for a status update on their case.

What about applicants who previously had an immigrant visa interview scheduled in Havana?
We will begin scheduling immigrant visa interview appointments for Cuban nationals at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota as soon as possible.  We anticipate these first appointments to be made available no sooner than November 2017. Applicants who had previously scheduled immigrant visa interview appointments between September 29 and December 31, 2017 will be contacted directly.

What if I would prefer to process my immigrant visa case at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate? Am I required to process my case in Bogota?
While current immigrant visa applications will automatically be transferred to, or scheduled at, the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, immigrant visa applicants may request to process their application, or continue processing their application, at another U.S. embassy or consulate.  Such applicants must provide justification for the case transfer (such as, for example, a move or change in residency to another country) and show that they can legally reside in the country while their case is being processed. Any such request must be forwarded directly to the Immigrant Visa Unit at the chosen U.S. embassy or consulate.  If the U.S. embassy or consulate agrees to accept the case and the case is qualified for scheduling, the case will be transferred. 

What are the requirements for Cuban nationals to enter Colombia?
The Government of Colombia makes determinations regarding the entry of foreign nationals into that country.  Cuban nationals traveling to Colombia for an immigrant visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota must first obtain a visa to enter Colombia.   For more information, please contact Migración Colombia or the nearest Colombian embassy or consulate.

What if my case takes a long time to process? Will I need to stay in Bogota the entire time?
Immigrant visa applicants should plan to spend at least a few weeks in Colombia.  However, if additional administrative processing is required, applicants may choose to leave Colombia and return at a later point to finalize processing.  Applicants should address case specific questions to U.S. Embassy Bogota.

1 hour ago, MehgandMarcos said:

Isn’t a k1 visa concidererd nonimmigrant?  If so then we could choose any embassy that would take us. 

 

Going to Columbia would be for immigrant visas. 

 

But it if I’m wrong getting a visa for Cubans to go to Columbia is going to make this whole process a lot harder. 

If you look at the US Embassy in Havana page, they count K-1 visas as “family-based immigration.” In Havana, K-1 interviews are handled separately from the non-immigrant visa interviews. 

It seems like the US Embassy in Havana will be transferring immigrant visa requests to the Embassy in Bogota, Colombia.  No official statement has been made but this article was posted:

http://www.tbo.com/news/politics/national/cubans-seeking-move-to-us-must-get-visas-in-colombia-now/2340910

My husband traveled internationally with the extension letter (for us, it was more about getting the right visa since some countries don't let you enter with an expired green card like Costa Rica.)  He did go to USCIS and get a stamp in his passport, although when we re-entered the US, the customs agents said it was not necessary with the letter.

It seems like the US Embassy in Havana is moving immigrant visa applications to the US Embassy in Bogota.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/cubans-seeking-move-to-us-must-get-visas-in-colombia-now/2340910

Article from the BBC announcing that the US is pulling most of its staff from the embassy.  "They say the US is halting visa processing in Cuba indefinitely. They say the steps will remain until Cuba can assure the US its diplomats are safe."  Doesn't look good for those waiting for a visa.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41446697

18 minutes ago, forthesoul said:

 

My fiancé is in Cuba but I actually have family in Cuba as well as traveling with a Cuban born family member.   I understand that the Cuban visa and the US license does not go hand in hand. But then you mentioned unless actually family.

 

I went to Cuba around December, I was asked my reason for going to Cuba but never asked to show anything. When it came to the Cuban visa, I had the tourist visa.  Now fast forward to this trip I have the Cuban tourist visa again. Is it better to have the Cuban family visa?

 

*My last trip to Cuba I did no planning, I literally just showed up to the airport and was handed everything.  It was planned by my uncle but he is now on vacation and I am not able to reach him.  

I should haven't have added that part about "unless actually family."  The US government does not care at all what Cuban visa you have (tourist or family or other). They only care that your visit falls under one of the categories authorized to travel to Cuba. Since you have family in Cuba (and not just a fiancé) then you are fine. You only need a family visa if you think it is necessary for the Cuban authorities.

You can still apply for a tourist visa with his Cuban passport.  It should be pretty easy given that he is a US greencard holder. My husband and I traveled to Costa Rica before he got his citizenship and he had to go to the embassy and request a visa. Other than having to compile all the required documentation (application, bank info, photos, etc.), it was a pretty painless procedure. 

The regulations have not been rewritten yet and so there is still a lot of confusion as to what will be permitted.  For those that have made travel arrangements before Trump's June 16 speech for a later date, for example, under the individual people-to-people category, you can still travel without repercussions.  See No. 4: https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_20170616.pdf

The category "support for the Cuban people" still exists.  Marco Rubio himself tweeted on June 16th that individuals can still travel legally to Cuba under this category so long as they stay in casa particulares/Airbnbs. 

Finally, there is no correlation between the US license category (authorizing travel to Cuba) and the Cuban visa.  Entering Cuba with a Cuban family visa does not mean anything to the US, unless you are actually family (not just fiancé). 

What makes it a July filer format? Everything is still the same.

You were cutting and pasting from the wrong table (from the July table.) As you will notice on the table you were using, the majority of the applications were filed in July (or really late June.) The table that Dandk has updated is for the people who filed in JUNE and for whom this forum is for.

My husband received his oath ceremony date -- 11/16/16, which is our four year wedding anniversary!

My husband passed his citizenship test this morning. His letter said to be at Federal Plaza in NYC at 8:35 AM. At 9:20 AM he texted to say he hadn't been called in yet but at 9:45 AM, he called to say he had passed. He said that the interview lasted less than 10 minutes, and that he was asked to write down the sentence "Who lives in the White House?" and then was asked six questions, which he answered correctly:

1. Who vetoes bills?

2. What is the supreme law of the land?

3. What is the capital of New York?

4. Who did the US fight in World War II

and then two others that he couldn't remember. She asked him about his military background in Cuba and that was it. She didn't ask for any further documentation and told him that within 4 to 6 weeks, he should receive the letter with his oath ceremony date.

What a relief to be almost done! I feel very grateful to this community and for all its help with each step of the process- K1, AOS, removing conditions, citizenship, etc. -- we definitely could not have done it without this site!

I hope that the rest of you start seeing some progress with your cases soon. Good luck to all!

Congrats! What is your application's priority date and is it NBC or IOE?

We have a NBC case. Priority date is 6/20 and interview scheduled 10/24. I hope everyone starts hearing about their interviews soon!

Online status updated to "Interview Scheduled." Just waiting for the letter to see when!

Congratulations! Does the receipt start with IOE or NBC?

Our case number starts with NBC

I just checked my husband's status and it says that as of August 26, 2016, he is in line for an interview!

Hi,

Can someone add me to the list, please?

Name: Sarah&Michel

GC: 09/09/2013

Sent: 06/18/2016

NOA: 06/21/2016

Check cashed: ?

Fingerprints: 07/22/2016

Field office: NYC

Thanks!

I am just trying to understand how some cases in June are approved earlier than others. I wonder if the location of the filer has anything to do with being approved earlier than others.

Are there any cases submitted from NYC in June 2015 that have been approved?

Hi-

We submitted from NYC and received our approval letter is dated 04/06/2016. Hopefully, yours will come soon!

Just checked my husband's status online and it said card in production as of today! Woo hoo!

Hi-

Many Cubans have been granted 5 year tourist visas to visit family members. However, she will need to demonstrate strong ties to Cuba-- house, family, job, etc. to be considered for this type of visa. If the Embassy perceives any risk of emigrating, they will reject her application.

I think it's worth at least trying, no? Good luck!

Thank you all. I gave him two options: 1. Stay here and go to couple's therapy to work through the issues; or 2. Go back to Cuba. He said problems are meant to be solved between two people and not with a third present, so he chooses to go back to Cuba.

If a man cannot give me one hour of his time a week, he's not going to give me anything. Ticket purchased, he will be gone in the morning. Good riddance.

Now can someone tell me what I need to do to cancel this jerk's visa TOMORROW?

Thank you all. I gave him two options: 1. Stay here and go to couple's therapy to work through the issues; or 2. Go back to Cuba. He said problems are meant to be solved between two people and not with a third present, so he chooses to go back to Cuba.

If a man cannot give me one hour of his time a week, he's not going to give me anything. Ticket purchased, he will be gone in the morning. Good riddance.

Now can someone tell me what I need to do to cancel this jerk's visa TOMORROW?

I am so sorry you had to go through all of this and invest so much time and energy into the process only to have it end like this, but better to realize these things now than further down the road. As so many others said, what he was putting you through was not out of homesickness but out of disrespect.

Just to let you know- there is the possibility that he could stay in this country and apply for permanent residence via the Cuban Adjustment Act. This wouldn't affect you except maybe you would still be liable for him for the remainder of the 90 days. I don't know. I am sure someone else on this forum can better answer this.

Thank you all. I gave him two options: 1. Stay here and go to couple's therapy to work through the issues; or 2. Go back to Cuba. He said problems are meant to be solved between two people and not with a third present, so he chooses to go back to Cuba.

If a man cannot give me one hour of his time a week, he's not going to give me anything. Ticket purchased, he will be gone in the morning. Good riddance.

Now can someone tell me what I need to do to cancel this jerk's visa TOMORROW?

Thank you all. I gave him two options: 1. Stay here and go to couple's therapy to work through the issues; or 2. Go back to Cuba. He said problems are meant to be solved between two people and not with a third present, so he chooses to go back to Cuba.

If a man cannot give me one hour of his time a week, he's not going to give me anything. Ticket purchased, he will be gone in the morning. Good riddance.

Now can someone tell me what I need to do to cancel this jerk's visa TOMORROW?

I am so sorry you had to go through all of this and invest so much time and energy into the process only to have it end like this, but better to realize these things now than further down the road. As so many others said, what he was putting you through was not out of homesickness but out of disrespect.

Just to let you know- there is the possibility that he could stay in this country and apply for permanent residence via the Cuban Adjustment Act. This wouldn't affect you except maybe you would still be liable for him for the remainder of the 90 days. I don't know. I am sure someone else on this forum can better answer this.

It also depends on where you are going. If you go a few pages back, someone who went to Costa Rica with their expired GC and 1 year extension letter was sent back. The GC + NOA1 letter is only about getting back into the US-- it does not guarantee that another country will let you in.