Juntos Esperamos

I thought the only biometrics were the fingerprints taken at the time of the interview in Havana. ?? Anxious to hear what you find out. FYI...my hubby's arriving next week!

Hello all....we got out I-797C last week and today we got a letter to appear for Biometrics... is there a link on what comes after arrival.. what is biometrics? I got so excited that my husband is finally here I forgot there are more things to be done...

We didn't have a package mailed to us or that we had to pick up. All we received was an email to the email address we gave the government. It had the instructions in it, when the appointment was, where to go (don't show up at the time on the email..see my embassy review). They also tell you if they are missing anything yet that will be needed for the interview, such as a reminder for him to bring his medical. Good luck!

Once the case has arrive to cuba at where address does my fiance have to pick up the package? Its true that they notify him to go get it or he just have to go to the place after 1 week of the arrival of the case to havana?

Thank you for your time

Felicidades! We were January filers and were approved by NVC on August 14 and had our interview in Havana on September 14! Approved!!! My husband went back to Havana on September 24 to pick it up and now we are waiting for approval from Cuba for him to come here.

After patiently waiting for the approval, it finally came on Thursday! I AM BEYOND EXCITED. I CAN'T WAIT TO BE WITH MY HONEY FOREVER :dance:

I am a December filer. I received an RFE in June and finally received my approval from VSC on Thursday the 20th.

Good Luck to all of you waiting, and the journey contines.....

Felicidades! We had our interview in Havana on September 14 and my husband picks up his visa and documents September 24. It's great to hear some of us moving through the system. Good luck to you both!

Hi everyone, I just got back home from Cuba, My Fiance and I had our interview on September 10, 2012 and YESSSSSSSSSSS, It was APPROVED!!! I am so, so Happy , Thank God and to all of you for your help and support. The Interview went great and it was not stressful at all, they told him that he can pick up his visa on or after Oct, 1, 2012. Now I just hope that the liberacion process and the other processing with Cuban Immigration don't take too long, hopefully he can be here for Christmas or new years, it would be our first, my kids are also very excited about the good news. I am continue to pray to god and keeping my fingers cross for this journey to be finally over.

I was a January filer and we had our interview September 14. My husband picks up his visa and documents Monday. Hopefully that is some positive news for everyone waiting here.

Hello everyone,

I've been following this forum for a few months but it's my first time posting. I had a question. What's going on with the Vermont Center? I used to hear that it's the fastest processing center and got really excited when my papers were processed there. Now looking at the chart it says next to the processing time Feb. 27, 2012. Does that mean they haven't processed any since that date or that they are now working on the papers that they received around that date? They received my papers mid May so it's now been about four months. I was hoping I'd be hearing from them soon but after seeing that chart last night I got very disappointed I am just wondering if anyone here is in the same boat. If you've forwarded your papers to Vermont around the same time and if you heard back from them yet? This waiting period is killing me Thanks to anyone for replying.

It looks like there are 2 threads for this discussion. I posted in the one above first but here is what I said:

Did you receive an email notification that your case was transferred? In the email they attach the invitation letter that lists your interview date and time. Your husband will most likely NOT receive a packet from the government. (Mine didn't nor is it needed.) The documents checklist you refer to is included in the email invitation letter. It shows what documents they already have on file for your case and what you need to supply them at the time of the interview. (Make sure he takes a copy of the invitation letter with him.) I received notice on August 14 that his interview was September 14. I had called after August 14 and they said the interview would most likely be in October but then emailed a few days later assigning us the September date. My husband and I just went through the interview process Friday and I would be happy to share with you our experience. Fyi...we were approved and he picks up his passport/visa and sealed documents packet on the 24th!

Our case was already transferred to Cuba as of last Tuesday 9/11/12. I already know our case # since I spoke to NVC. But, Im not sure when exactly I can schedule the interview, I have heard and read something about him having to receive the packet with documents checklist. but do I have to wait for him to receive in order to schedule the interview or can I schedule it before? any feedback will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Did you receive an email notification that your case was transferred? In the email they attach the invitation letter that lists your interview date and time. Your husband will most likely NOT receive a packet from the government. (Mine didn't) The documents checklist you refer to is included in the email invitation letter. It shows what documents they already have on file for your case and what you need to supply them at the time of the interview. My husband and I just went through the interview process Friday and I would be happy to share with you our experience. Fyi...we were approved and he picks up his passport/visa and sealed documents packet on the 24th!

Our case was already transferred to Cuba as of last Tuesday 9/11/12. I already know our case # since I spoke to NVC. But, Im not sure when exactly I can schedule the interview, I have heard and read something about him having to receive the packet with documents checklist. but do I have to wait for him to receive in order to schedule the interview or can I schedule it before? any feedback will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

My husband and I just went through the interview process Friday and we brought the medical exam results with us to the interview.

Per the Embassy Letter on page 5 http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/Revised%20K1%20Instruction%20Packet%20_3__rtf2_005.pdf

It is important to complete your medical examination before you come to the Embassy for your visa interview. Otherwise, your visa application may be refused or you may be asked to return for another appointment. The medical examination results are delivered directly to the Embassy.

Good luck! :dance:

Esperamos, I don't think I can order insurance online beforehand because I don't have a US permit to travel. I think I'll have to get it in Havana at the airport or maybe in Mexico.

I just PMd you.

Ide & Sam, when you renewed your visa did you also have to show a receipt from a registered casa? This is what we're trying to avoid. I read a bunch on the Lonely Planet thread. I didn't post a new question because there were fairly recent threads about the A2. Marley is going to the Oficina de Imigracion today to ask about getting me an A2 visa.

It sounds like it makes the most sense to get the insurance as soon as I get to Cuba. Do you remember how much you paid for it? Locations I can look up in Lonely Planet, but the price for US citizens wasn't clear.

Thanks!

I purchased my insurance online before I traveled to Cuba from ***removed*** (www.***removed***). The price varies based on how long you are going to be in Cuba. You have to present the insurance document(which you receive in an email)at the time you present your documents for processing the A2.

You have to get the health insurance for the full 60 days. I didn't get the health insurance last time I was in Cuba and when I went to renew my visa for the additional 30 days they made me pay for everything (even the previous 30 days retroactively) So you should plan for that.

About the A2. I never got when when I was in Cuba. But many people on the lonely planet forum have gotten them so i would try asking there about people's experiences. In terms of people getting one when they are un-married, I have heard that it is up to the discretion of the immigration officer. But I would ask at lonely planet forum because they should know more.

I agree with you. I did have to show proof of insurance coverage, with the letter stating specifically that the coverage was for Cuba.

So happy to share that I received an email and text last night at 7:30pm from USCIS stating the I130 has been approved! We had received the NOA1 on January 17, so exactly 4 months! I must share that my husband had emailed me earlier in the day yesterday and said, "Soon God will say it is time for us to be together." How awesome...our prayers are being answered. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support. Having so many people to share with is wonderful! Now, on to the NVC!!!

Hey whats new early january filers any news!?! Tired of waiting.

I just got notified tonight that our I130 was approved. We had received our NOA1 on January 14. Good luck to everyone. Patiently waiting.....

Hi there,

I am planning on going to Cuba for 60 days to visit my companero Marley. My understanding is that 60 days is the maximum I can stay as a US citizen. I just did a ton of reading on Lonely Planet forums and found out that to renew my tourist visa after 30 days I need to do the following:

- pay 25 CUC (not a big deal)

- pay for health insurance for my entire time in Cuba - Last time I didn't have to do this. They asked at the airport if I have insurance, and I said yes.

- provide receipts from a registered casa - Last time we stayed at a friend's place.

The renewal complicates things.

Right now Marley and his family are building another room for us. Our plan was to either stay there for the 2 months or find our own small (not registered) place to rent for a month or two. A casa particular for the month costs about 500 CUC.

Marley and I plan to apply for a fiance visa once I've returned to the US, but for now we are not married. On Lonely Planet I read that it's possible to get an A2 family visa even though Marley and I aren't married. This would cost $40 CUC and then $25 for renewal for the second month. This sounds really great. I just wrote to my compa suggesting that he should go by the Office of Immigration to look into the possibility of me getting an A2 visa.

Do any (non-Cuban) US citizens have experience getting an A2 visa in Cuba, allowing them to stay with their partner at their house, without being married?

Thanks!

My most recent A2 experience was last month. The cost was $40CUC and it was issued the same day while my husband and I waited. The person issuing the visa advised us that I am able to stay 6 months at a time since we are married.

Is there a form they need to take with them for the medical exam in Cuba? Just curious, because that will be one of the next things in our future as well.

Welcome to the waiting game!

Patience is the key to paradise

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www.asta-usa.com. I have dealt with Nate. His email is: nate@asta-usa.com

Good luck!

I filed our I-130/CR1 on January 14 through the Chicago lockbox and we received the NOA1 on January 19. Ours will be processed through the Vermont Service Center. Good luck to you on your journey! As someone her told me recently....welcome to the black hole.

I did the exact same as you. Label back of each photo with our names, place in ziploc bag and paper clip to letter-size piece of white paper.

snack size zip loc paper clipped to the G-325.. for each of us.. name labeled to back of picture

I sent our package using the U.S. Postal service Priority Mail. It arrived very quickly to the PO Box. Good luck.

Sorry about that...just wanted to test run my tickerfactory!

We only sent one copy. That is all that is required.

No apologies necessary. As I see it, we are all in this together. Here is how I answered:

1) NONE. I am the petitioner and have not lived outside the U.S.

2) Current address above. My husband's address is listed on the question above on the form.

3) This question is asking about your beneficiary (your spouse you are applying for).

4) This means if the language does not use Roman letters, you write his/her address in the native language.

Good luck!

Hope this can be fixed!!!

I created my timeline today and, obviously there isn't an embassy for Cuba. However, I clicked on the blank spot, to leave it blank and my timeline keeps showing the embassy as Armenia! What's up?