calygirl75

Hello! I checked the USCIS status using my IOE invoice # and it now states:

"On December 30, 2013, the production of your new card began. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move while this card is being created, call customer service at xxx-xxx-xxxx."

Based on all of posts on this thread (thank you thank you) it looks like Mitch and I close to finally seeing his card in the mail. yipee.

Hi there! I am almost done with the CR1 process and here is what I've paid so far to the USCIS/NVC/etc.

$420 I-130 Petition

$88 AOS I864EZ

$230 DS-230

$400 CUC Medical Fee at Hosp 9/18/13 (This varies by country)

$165 Dollars Additional Green Card Fee through Ellis

Next I expect the ROC step. Filing Fee: $505. (Add $85 biometric fee for a total of $590, where applicable.

Citizenship: Filing Fee according to their website is $595 (Add $85 biometric fee for a total of $680, where applicable. See form instructions for payment details.)

OPTIMIZED status as of 12/19/13! posting for those out there that paid their ELIS fee post POE.

As a Cuban, he can always apply for the Cuban Adjustment Act once he is in the US. You can always marry later on down the road.

Welcome! Glad to hear your informing yourself. This forum is awesome. I started my process in January this year. I joined in June of 2012 and it was very beneficial to decide which route to take K1 or CR1. I quickly learned through this site that the K3 was useless if I wanted this to be hassle fee. Having all the facts allowed us to make a decision on what to do, especially dealing with Cuba. We had plenty of time to gather the documents, tranlate them, etc. One tip, which every route you take you'll need cuban issued documentation so make sure you get multiple sets for you and your beneficiary. It helps having duplicates here in the US and in Cuba. This helps us not delay the process.

Great thread!

I called the USCIS and they said there is a 45 day wait for the GC.

Here is where we are at:

10/07/13: Interview Date

10/14/13: Visa Issued/Pick Up

10/29/13: Case Received Date (E-file)

11/26/13: POE - Tampa

12/3/13: Elis Fee Paid (Status Detail: Your application/petition has been accepted and is pending review.)

12/7/13: SSN Arrived in Mail

Thanks for your response! I do not have a parent that is a Cuban citizen. Which charter agency do you think is best to fly from Miami to Havana?

ABC Charters (President of company: Tessie Aral)

http://www.abc-charters.com/

They are consistent and professional. No need to worry that they will go "belly up" and take your money.

Luby Barrios is awesome. She'll take care of you.

They are right. You at this point have to use what is his current legal name. Later on in the process he will have the option to use the name of preferance and/or drop the name(s) altogether as he choses. I believe what the Immigration officer refers to the N-400 Application for Naturalization. Part 1 D1. Would you like to legally change your name? Yes or No. If Yes: Print new name....

That section of the form will allow the resident that is applying for citizenship the opportunity to change/modify their legal name.

Congrats!

Thanks!

So glad to set this down and not worry about it until ROC, etc.

Now its time to move forward, focus on his re-certification process. He has a long road.

Regards!

Yay! My husband entered the US on the 26th of November. I paid the Ellis fee yesterday. I called the USCIS number and asked how long does it take to receive my husband's permanent resident card (with conditions). They noted that I can expect this to be issued within 45 calendar days from the day of paying fee Now off to the SSA to confirm what needs to be done to obtain a SSN for him or if it will be automatically processed due to the type of visa he has CR1.

Hello, I thought I'd check in and update those in the Cuba portal who were wondering about the CR1 visa process for medical professionals post the Jan 2013 (Cuban Immigration) law changes. As promised, I'm updating those wondering if this is possible without encountering all the "red tape". Prior to this date it had been fully understood that if you married or you were engaged to a Cuban citizen and petitioned him/her to exit the country, that it would be a long wait (possibly years).

My husband and I were very concerned about this even though the law changed and he was told by the hospital that these travel restrictions had eased. By my signature you can see the process that we went through this year and now he is here. Yay! The day after his visa approval, he drafted his letter of resignation. It was very clear that he was requesting "la baja" due to him leaving to be with his wife and that he was willing to provide them with a 2 week notice. Within 3 days he had obtained the necessary signatures. They set his final day at work, etc. Once he had his visa in hand, he purchased his plane ticket. He left Jose Marti airport with all of his degress in hand. He was asked to show them while they screend his bags. They asked him what his ocupation was which he responded too and that was it. No delays. Thank you and have a great trip.

So hope this helps anyone else that is also in this process and is wondering if they have eased up... so far it appears that they have.

Sorry I've been on vacation. You've been getting great tips, here. Absolutely, you can modify your visa once there and you can pay a standard fee to change your flight. I use Mireya Infantes to get info on return flight availability. She is a rep for Havanatur at minfante@havanatur.cu She is so nice and very helpful. She is on the eastern side of the island but she can point you in the right direction.

One question, do you have a parent that is a Cuban Citizen? If so, you may be able to go a different route via immigration. That is if you are planning on staying for longer periods of time with your hubby.

I wanted to address your hesitation to take charter flights from the US into Cuba. As someone that takes them quite often from FL, there is nothing to worry about. Hopefully you are near a city that has direct connects into the island for your convenience. As the previous poster indicates, the most important piece of business is complying with the Cuban laws and enter the island with the right documentation for an extended stay. Once there you might want to ask your husband to inquire with his local immigration office if you qualify to become a temporary resident of the island. I believe there are certain requirements that one has to meet, that is if you plan on spending more than 3 months out of the year living with your husband. Good luck.

Has anyone experienced a problem loging into the payment portal?? Im getting an unsettling error message when logging in!

Can you post what it error message says?

^{Hi. I just saw this post. You might want to click into the Cuba portal. There you will be able to read updates from K1 applicants that have fiance(e)'s in this same exact process. I recently read an update where the fiance was notified via telegram. In my case my husband was notified via email (letter) that gave him the date of his interview. Ours was a bit different since we applied for a CR1 visa. Good luck.}

Sounds like your done with your spouse, based on your feedback. May I suggest working on what you do next about your marriage and not about the visa. The visa will expire without any further action from you. So redirect your energy else where. All the best.

Just got back from our interview and my husband was approved! Took less than an hour total, including waiting and everything. Super painless and quick!

Agreed! Personally for us, it was the days leading up to the interview that were nerve wracking. The actual interview is much easier than expected.

Congratz!

DW!! I got a call from my husband yesterday and almost fell out of my chair. He returned to the US Interest Section in Havana as instructed. By chance/by a fluke he got his ID collected and was able to enter and pick up the visa that was issued last week.

Didn't know this but when DOS website says: "Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system." They are not kidding.

My husband talked to people that have been waiting to get into the Havana office to pick up their visa since last July. He also recognized a couple of folks that were approved with him that were told to come back in 15 days to pick up their visa. Crazy!

Cleared this hurdle. Now waiting to see if they cut him loose at work...

RandR2013

Not sure how to multi quote but just wanted to pipe in and confirm, that based on the type of visa you are pursuing the NVC schedules the interview date with your embassy. If you see other posters talking about call the embassy to schedule an appointment, chances are they are pursuing a K1 visa. good luck!

Which math, i took the Adjusted Gross Income from my tax transcript, what math should do? can you be precise?

If you are using the EZ form then you use the line item on your transcript labeled: ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME:

Is this the $ figure you used for each corresponding year you submitted on section 19?

Yes it is possible. I've seen some VJ posts where the petitioner's have stayed at the NBC. However, most petitions eventually get transfered to a local office. I'd have that person just continue to monitor the case. Mine was received at the NBC and then transfered a month later. However it took 3 months to find that out even with me calling periodically asking for updates.

Hello everyone,

I had interview in Jerusalem Consulate at Oct 2, and the Consular officer said "Approved" and they kept the Passport, but I am checking the online status CEAC website and still no change and still give me "Ready"!

Any experience with that?

Thanks

My husband had an interview this Monday (10/7/13) and was "Approved" in Havana. This afternoon the status changed from "READY" to "Administrative Processing". You should have the happen soon. From what I read once they issue it the status will turn to "ISSUED".

He was told to stop by this Tuesday after 1:30 p.m. to pick it up.

Good luck.

Here is the link that can help you obtain all the details you need: http://www.dmvflorida.org/

Congratulations dear. That is awesome. wooo whoo.

xoxo! Thanks a lot for keep all of us in the loop on interview assignments etc. and just being an awesome cheerleader. big hug! it makes a big difference to all of us that are going through the process or have completed it.

I'll check back in when we have the visa in hand and he is able to get clearance at work. Some folks from Cuba have IM me to keep them in the loop since there may be snags in getting released from work/duty (depending on your profession) in this country. Hopefully it will be before the 6 month window that he will be issued.