calygirl75

While waiting for the NOA2, I've been reading the NVC guide and prepping documents (letter of employment, tax transcripts).

I'm checking in to this thread for the fist time! yipee!

I made it to the NVC! I have confirmed our case # and IIN #...

Hey Joe,

Welcome! I'm a fellow CR1er with a spouse in Cuba. Doing this without an attorney and so far so good! at the NVC stage.

I hope so calygirl...how is ur local office?? Busy office

Well it took a while but the Tampa Office finally came through. I went online and found this:

Post Decision Activity

On June 7, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. Please follow any instructions on the notice.

This is the FIRST time I am able to pull anything up by using my case number. Our time has finally arrived. NOA2 to be sent in the mail. Now I have to read up on the NVC process, doing this on my own just like most everyone on this forum. Very grateful for all the help and tips. No RFEs!!!!!!

I hope you are next!!!!

ssigh,

so far we are the two I-130 submissions with a 1/14/13 NOA1 for Jan 2013 filers that are waiting. each day goes by and I see more and more forum members getting their NOA2. so I got to believe ours is just around the corner.

I called USCIS yesterday and left my phone #, an officer called back 2 hours later. In summary, the officer said that he has "put in a service request" to the Tampa Office. He said to expect a follow up via in writing by 6/12/13. What does this mean?

Has anyone from our group gotten a "service request" sent out on their behalf? If so, did this request end up providing you an actual status or resolution?

Thanks.

Just on a whim I decided to check our case status online today and it indicates Post Decision Activity and says our I-130 has been approved! I feel like I'm dreaming. The case status never showed up until this point. I hope it's right! It says they mailed the notice on May 16, so I should be getting the hardcopy soon.

I really hope those still waiting get news like this soon. I prayed every night and my prayers were answered. Have faith and you'll get through it.

Posts like these give me hope that our approval is just around the corner. To date our case # does not show online. It is encouraging to see that more and more Jan filers that have posted on this thread are getting their NOA2!!! Congrats!!! Very happy for you both.

Does it have anything specific written other than Sello/Seal? I know my marriage certificate that was issued in Spanish had some stamps in the back and those contained writing. So I translated them; maybe it was overkill but... My translation document had a page 1 (labeled Front Page) and page 2 (labeled Back Page of Marriage Certificate). Since the seal had the Dept in which it was issued I notated it.

Example:

Republic of Cuba
The Ministry of Justice - Seal

Hope this helps.

Good morning, I cannot say for sure if this affiliation will affect your specific situation. But here is what I do know, you are requesting a K visa which is a temporary visa. Eventually, when one applies for an adjustment of status, the beneficiary past activity is evaluated. They may deny based on the grounds of "prior criminal convictions, affiliation with unsuitable political parties or organizations (e.g. former members of the Communist Party), poor character or debilitating health problems".

All you can do is tell 100% the truth. If they participated or were required to join in order to obtain entrance to the University, etc. then say so. If you they withdrew their affiliation (which in Cuba you can do without suffering the backlash that once was very extreme), then state it. You can never go wrong with the truth. I've read posts on this site under Embassy Review, where couples went to their interview and were asked this very question. They told the agent that they had been part of the party but where no longer. Some of these individuals were unemployed due to their withdrawl. However, this did not impede them from getting an approval. I guess my point is, always say the truth.

Hope this link helps: http://www.granma.cu/LEY-DE-MIGRACION.pdf

I've read it a bunch of times since it was issued. Articulo #23 is pretty clear about how these changes are applied to professionals within the island. There may or may not be restrictions; each Ministry Dept has the discretion to determine if the professional "cumple con los requisitos y formalidades establecidos". So it is best to have your fiance, check within his organization to determine if they will apply any particular restrictions due to for example "civil obligations". As for your final question, can this be circumvented? I wish I had a response for you but I don't. I am also waiting to see what will happen when my husband's CR1 is granted. As I have mentioned in this particular portal (Cuba), I'll gladly share what transpires if it helps others that are in a similar situation. Good luck!

Doing cartwheels in my office! teejee. That is great news. Very happy to hear that.

Oh wow B! I'm new and a I-130 January 2013 petitioner. PHX was my lockbox and my NOA1 was around your timeframe. I haven't heard that we could be called to our local office for an interview. This is good news for you! Congratulations! Anything to place you closer to an NOA2

Hi.

how do you know the exact date of transfer?

I got an email saying it is 'pending at the Washington Field office'. Any idea what this means? Are they processing it, or is it being shelved so that they can finish their current batch?

Im confused.

If this helps... I got my tranfer date from the email I received that notified me that my file had been tranfered. It read: We understand the concern that caused you to write. USCIS records show that your Form I-130 petition was received at the National Benefits Center on January 16, 2013, and forwarded to the XXXXX Field Office on February 27, 2013.

If you have further questions or concerns, please make an InfoPass appointment via our website at www.uscis.gov to speak to an Immigration Services Officer at the XXXXX Field Office regarding the status of your case.

I don't know if there is a thread for the Tampa Office Tranfers, so I thought I would start one. I'm a Jan 2013 I-130 filer who finally found out that my file was sent from the NBC (MO) to the local Tampa office in late February 2013 but remains untouched. sniff... so I'm just waiting and hoping. Anyone else here in the same boat?

Thanks for the info. It will be 3 weeks tomorrow since I sent my email to them. I'll give it one more week to see if I get a response. If not I will call again.

An InfoPass can never hurt. Let us know what happens at your appointment on Thursday.

I went yesterday morning. Newly built office building they just moved into The agent confirmed that the file was transfered as indicated how ever it was "still in the mail room" and had not been "received". I guess this means it hasn't even been touched. Yikes. She said that based on their work load I should not expect any type of decision until end of May or sometime in June. At least we know a bit more but ultimately we just need to continue to cultivate patience. Looking forward to a NOA2... Hope you get an email back soon! all the best.

Calygirl, I am in the middle of doing all this now. Do you really need the long form on the birth certificate? I never thought of that since I am not running for president........thats an excellent link by the way. I am still going to send my stuff out and try and get it done there at reduced cost. Worse comes to worse, just start over here and send them to DC.

I was asked for the long version. But you never know with these things, good luck.

Hi. We opted to get married in Havana. I'm a USC and my husband is a Cuban National. In order to get married on the Island, I requested a birth certificate from the county in which I was born (long version). Since I reside in Florida and have never married up until now, I requested the office of Tallahassee check all county records to confirm that there are no records of a marriage. Once I received this official vital record back from the State of FL - indicating there were no records found, I went here: http://www.nass.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=262&Itemid=484

Use this link to select the State you are in. It will instruct you on how you can authenticate the Single Status vital record. You don't need to authenticate your US birth certificate. Once you get this back (each state has their own turn around times). In order for these two documents to be used in Cuba they have to also be authenticated by the Cuban Interst Seciton in Washington. I have another thread that I started on this same forum that goes into detail about that process and the cost. Just remember that you need to have those sent into DC within 6 months of the state issuing you these documents. Per the Cuban Interest Section. Argh! Once you have these sent back to you, then you can use them in Cuba to marry there. Hope this helps.

This post is only with regards to a USC's documentation requirements; who is preparing to marry a Cuban national in Cuba. You should definitely have your loved one verify his/her requirements, hence Beau & Digna's response above

I'm sorry if this topic has been rehashed many times.

Since it appears that my K1 visa is doomed to fail, I've decided, on the advice of an immigration lawyer, to travel to Cuba and marry my fiancee there.

I've been told they want a single status certificate to prove I'm not already married, and the US doesn't appear to issue anything like that.

Does anyone know what they will accept in it's place? Like a sworn statement from Apostille US or something like that?

Thanks!

Hi. We opted to get married in Havana. I'm a USC and my husband is a Cuban National. In order to get married on the Island, I requested a birth certificate from the county in which I was born (long version). Since I reside in Florida and have never married up until now, I requested the office of Tallahassee check all county records to confirm that there are no records of a marriage. Once I received this official vital record back from the State of FL - indicating there were no records found, I went here: http://www.nass.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=262&Itemid=484

Use this link to select the State you are in. It will instruct you on how you can authenticate the Single Status vital record. You don't need to authenticate your US birth certificate. Once you get this back (each state has their own turn around times). In order for these two documents to be used in Cuba they have to also be authenticated by the Cuban Interst Seciton in Washington. I have another thread that I started on this same forum that goes into detail about that process and the cost. Just remember that you need to have those sent into DC within 6 months of the state issuing you these documents. Per the Cuban Interest Section. Argh! Once you have these sent back to you, then you can use them in Cuba to marry there. Hope this helps.

It's now been 2 weeks since I emailed USCIS and still no reply. Anyone else who emailed get a response yet?

Hi. I sent in an email inquiry on 3/12/13 because as of yet I cannot pull up my case status online. On 4/16/13 I received an email response, they took almost a month to respond. The email read "your Form I-130 petition was received at the National Benefits Center on January 16, 2013, and forwarded to the Tampa Field Office on February 27, 2013." So it is now 4/23/13 and my application has been in Tampa since late February. I'm not sure if I did the right thing but I requested an InfoPass for this Thursday. Just want to go in person and ask if they need any further informaton or documentation from me. I'll post an update once I know a bit more.

Calygirl-

I was thinking the other day and wondered why not just get all of the documents approved in Cuba? Like send them before you go to your fiance and just have them notarize your birth certificate and single status certificate?

Is that doable? Something tells me that it could be done for less money when you are in Cuba...........

Ideas?

Thanks.

Hmmm. Sorry, not really sure if the fees to authenticate documents would cost less on the island vs an embassy abroad or the Cuban Interest Section here in Washington. You may need to have your relatives in Cuba ask this question to have a better understanding.

http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/alemania/ES/ServiciosConsulares.aspx#Arancel This link will give the list of fees based on the services you require should you require consular services. The total fees we incurred were due to a combination of fees that we required. Obtaining the marriage certificate, using their notary services for the ceremony and the legalization of our certificates by MINREX so tha I can use them outside of Cuba. It adds up. My husband confirmed which office in Playa we were to use weeks before my arrival. I brought the necessary documents with me. We walked in with our documentation. It was reviewed/approved. (For example we provided our 2 witnesses' ID info etc. to the official.)Paid the necessary fees. Then we set the date and time we were to return for the actual ceremony. The actual marriage certificates were ready for pick up about 2 weeks after our marriage. It really was not difficult. I think I was more annoyed going through customs and keeping my bags under weight so that I do not get fleeced than the steps taken to arrange the ceremony. That was a breeze and it made the rest of our day perfect.

I forgot to mention that it also cost me about $80 in fees to request my 2 originals from the state of FL, pay for the certified Docs to be authenticated by the State Department. Only to have the Cuban Interest Section certify the certification that was already certified. LOL. CRAZY!!!!! but you are right, you do what is right for you as a couple. For us it was important to be married in Cuba and we made the arrangments accordingly. Oh yes!! There was also the $600 CUC fee to be married in Cuba. If anyone has any questions about that process by all means let me know. I can share those details too.

Calygirl-

When you sent your already translated Birth Certificate off to the Cuban Interest Section in Washington how long did it take and how much did they charge to approve it?

Did you also have to have the Eligible to Marry Document translated and notarized by a translation service?

Cuba.........!!!!

Thanks,

Art

Hi, In preparation to use these 2 documents in Cuba I drafted letter requesting the legalization of such documents (in spanish). Sent them a pre-paid overnight envelope so that it can be tracked and sent to me ASAP.

The fee to legalize is $140 per document. As instructed, we paid for 4 documents (the 2 originals - Birth certificate & State Dept Apostille/Certificado de Solteria and the 2 translations). Saved a little bit by doing the translation myself. Paid a Notary a minimal fee to have these translations certified.

Total fee sent to the Cuban Interest Section was $580 (via money order), since they asked us to include a $20 processing fee since this request was not done in person. As for length of time... If done right with no errors, less than a month. But, I'm not sure how long they are taking now since I'm hearing they are taking longer (4-6 weeks?) due to all these passports that Cubans have submitted to travel after they were permitted to return to the island, etc. Hope this helps.

Anyone at over 45 days since their NOA1 that isn't able to check status online? I'm coming up to my 45 days and wondering if I should expect my case to show up online.

Me too. I'm beyond the 45 day mark (NOA1 dated 1/14/13) and I'm still not able to check status online. Some have posted on this forum that there case number was available online within days others have stated that it took longer than the 45 days or never even showed up online. I stopped checking for it.

Here is what I would like to know about a K-1 Visa starting in 2013:

Will the process be any faster? I mean it is all about getting the one that you love here as fast as it can happen but then again fast and Cuba dont go in the same sentence.........

Thanks Guys.

True. No such thing as fast in Cuba. I filed for my husband mid Jan 2013. We have only started, we don't expect an NOA2 any time soon. The earliest is late April 2013 and I have no idea when an interview date at the SINA will be granted...or if and/when the visa will be approved. Only then will we be able to confirm first hand if what they have told him at the hospital is true. They make is sound so easy. "once you have a visa to travel/exit the country, you can request for leave through the hospital" I'll believe it when I see him at the POE. What he has been told is not what their laws specfically state with regards to professionals. I hope to share my outcome as a CR1 post the Cuban "reform" act that came into effect in Jan 2013.

So I guess what I mean to say is your question is very hard to answer, since it all depends on your loved one's status in Cuba. Do they already have an actualized passaporte "corriente" as they call it over there? If so, then according to Cuba, you only need a visa from the visitng country (example: K1) and your cuban passport to purchase a ticket and travel. There is no delay from Cuba.

Maybe there is someone on this forum that has recently welcomed their loved one from Cuba - post the Cuban reform that can shed light on how true or "easy" it is now to travel once the US grants them an entry visa such as a K1 or CR1, etc.

I efiled. Married in November of 2012. Husband in Cuba (non-resident alient). I'm the USC and have filed a I-130 for a CR1. I called the IRS and read up on the subject. I chose to file as Head of Household because I met the requirements (my mother is a dependent). Hopefully next year we are together and not waiting