namasphos

I'm so sorry to those who responded-- I hadn't noticed! It turns out that all Cuban immigrants to the United States have to go through Miami. If your fiancé (or family member, for that matter) has to go to another city, allow about 4 hours to go through Immigrations and Customs. My fiancé got his ticket at Habanatur on la Calle 23 in Havana (and we can't purchase the ticket from here). At the time when my fiancé got his ticket, around the beginning of August, tickets weren't available for another two weeks.

Hello everyone!!

We were approved!!! Besides the usual waiting, the interview process went smoothly. The American official wasn't particularly friendly, but the interview was short and straight-forward (it certainly helps that the two of us were present).

Now, his visa wasn't ready the week later, as promised, and they told him to come back in another week. He went back today and it still isn't ready (although they said that all that was left to do was put everything in an envelope!) It's been two weeks, and they told him to try again on Monday. It seems things are backed up at the Office, so we continue to wait.

As far as his traveling to New York, he was originally going to travel to Cancún, have a layover there, and fly directly to NY. We checked at the Mexican Embassy in Havana and they said that no transit visa was needed to Mexico if the layover was under 24 hours. We're thinking of going this route since flights to Miami are booked for weeks.

Does anyone have experience with a Cuban national, with a fiancé visa, flying into the US though a third country such as Mexico? Anyone with experience traveling into EWR airport in particular? Any advice would be much appreciated!!

Thank you all! I couldn't have done this on my own and am grateful for all the detailed information and dedicated support from the VJ community.

A

Thanks-- At first I thought theyd changed the rules, but I've heard that it's just what they're supposed to say.

Hi everyone!

I was told when I made the interview appointment that I could not join (that Americans weren't allowed at the Office of American Interests). This is totally bizarre, because I've always been told that it's acceptable//encouraged for the couple to be together at the interview, and plus I have been at the Office of American Interests before. Anyone know about this?

Thanks, Tila! Yes, I've seen the wiki page and it is quite informative. In fact I'll leave a link for those who might read this: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Cuba_K1#Frequently_Asked_Questions_Specific_to_Cuba

As far as traveling for the interview, I planned on going through a third country and figured it wouldn't be a problem but thank you for giving me that "division of power" term-- makes sense!! I've also heard of travel with agencies out of Miami that do the visa paperwork for you, but it's only for Florida residents (and I'm not sure if the Treasury Dept is cool with it).

Hope your visa is going well! Our petition just got approved and we're waiting on the NVC letter to set up the interview.

Thanks again!!

Right, there isn't an official embassy but there is an Office of American Interests run by the Swiss embassy. I'll keep investigating.... Thanks, anyway!!

....Anyone? Please?

Hello all!!

I'm new to the site and looking for more information on K1 visas with a Cuban fiancé. My fiancé and I have been together for almost two years, in which I've visited 4 times, and we are just about to submit the petition! Beforehand I'd like to get a few questions answered...

1) Is it legal to go to Cuba for the interview? And can American citizens get permission to travel to Cuba if they are in the fiancé visa process? I have always gone with a European passport, but would like to make sure that everything is in order with travel plans during this process.

2) How necessary is a lawyer? This site has been super-helpful and I seem to understand the process, but I don't know how many complications may arise especially given US/Cuban relations.

3) For those who have been through the process, how much evidence did you provide for the petition? And for the interview? I have plenty of photos, letters, drawings and have put aside only about 100 of thousands of emails to be translated and used as proof... Do I need more?

4) Anything else you think I should know?

Thanks ahead of time to anyone who puts the time into answering. The power of love is strong, and it's nice to find a community that feels that way too!

--Alexandra