DeAnna and Jorge

11 hours ago, Nessa87 said:

Thank you! That's the route I'm going to go. 

Thank you!!

You are welcome! I hope everything goes smoothly!

I didn’t do my husbands CR1 online so I sent in everything with the payment all together in one envelope. I would think you would need to finish paying and confirming then send everything in and upload copies to the site if possible. It would probably be best to pay and send your payment confirmation in with everything. 

I was married in Cuba. I am a non Cuban who married a Cuban. It was expensive and a lot of paperwork. I had to have my birth Certificate translated into Spanish and everything legalized through the Cuban embassy. That was pricey. I also had to pay around $800 to get the marriage license in Cuba and have my documents approved to be used for our marriage. Then we paid for the wedding photos and party with the family. It was nice because his family was able to be a part of everything, but was an expensive process. 

When I had to send in my proof of assets, I sent my tax returns for the last three years, check stubs from my employer and a letter of an offering of employment because I hadn't been at the job long, and I wanted to prove they offered me a full time position. If you have anything else in bank accounts or anything that can be converted into quick assets within the year, you can send them proof of that as well. 

My husband and I just returned from Cuban on October 27th. He was traveling with his extension letter. We brought the original letter with us and presented it to immigration. He didn’t have any troubles. I hope you guys have a great trip! 😊

When I married my husband, I was not sent a marriage license from the Cuban Embassy in Washington. I had to go to Cuba, and then we went to a place that was like a courthouse or lawyers office. I had to get our marriage license there. I took all the documents that had been legalized by the Cuban Embassy, and they reviewed them and issued my marriage license. I think that it cost around $700 for us to get the marriage license. Once we had the license we were able to marry within a few days. 

Does she have an offer letter that she received when she was offered her job? I had switched jobs recently around the time I had done my husband's paperwork. I included my new check stubs, as well as the offer letter I was presented from my new work. This document stated my annual salary as well as my position status. That might help as well. 

50 minutes ago, Maite&Osmar said:

Thanks DeAnna & Jorge,

After a lot of research, I find out that some people are having problems in part 7 or part 8 because the names from part 1 and part 4 do not show automatically.  In my case it was only on Part 8, my name never showed up.  I am the spouse and US citizen.  Therefore, I printed my name on a word page and then I put the application page and printed and that's how I was able to put my name in the box.  Finally, I sent the package today. 

Mine also deleted the names, but it deleted both of them. We physically printed and signed both sections. My husband received his letter that they received his documents and were extending his green card for a year waiting on his biometrics. So it must have been filled out correctly. I am so relieved because they sent ours back the first time because I didn't include a copy of my husband's green card. 

it is my understanding that part 7 is for the conditional resident/green card holder to print and sign and part 8 is for the Spouse or individual listed on part 4 to sign. I printed my husbands and he printed his name and signed part 7 and I printed my name and signed part 8. I just mailed my husband's in a few days ago. 

If I am understanding that portion incorrectly, please let me know. 

I am not sure how it work in New York, but I had the same worry for my husband when he first came here. He had to switch fights in Miami and then travel to Chicago with no phone and no English skills. Make sure he has U.S. cash on him so he can buy food and make a call at the pay phone if needed. I think my husband asked someone if he could use their cell and he paid them $5 and he called me. I would make sure your hubby has your number and any family members numbers on him. My husband went through customs in Miami and then got his baggage and then went to his flight to Chicago. I think you guys should plan to meet at the baggage claim. Then you know a landmark to expect him at. Also tell him if he can't find the baggage claim to go to an airport employee and ask them for someone to help. There is usually someone somewhere that speaks Spanish that can direct him.

I know you guys have been waiting awhile to be together. I have seen your posts. Congrats on finally getting him here! Good luck with the trip!

I would hide the child's passport ASAP. Then get a lawyer and start the process for custody.

I am not sure about the son that is living abroad, but I had to write 2 dependents for my sons and they both live with their father here in the U.S. I think I read somewhere that even if they are not living with you, they figure you have financial responsibility to them, so you have to claim them as dependents, but maybe some other people on here would have more info for you.

I am not sure if the K-1 differs from the CR1 but my husband arrived there very early. I think about 6:00 AM. There was already lines waiting outside.

can't hurt to try - but my fiance was denied one and he has strong ties to Cuba. Best of luck. And we were denied a fiance VISA as well. They did mention the tourist visa during his interview - and mentioned he was just trying to get out of Cuba. That he would be denied unless we marry.

It's cruel but it all boils down to politics.

let us know how it goes.

I am so sorry that you were denied! Are you going to get married and try that route?

We are going to have her try and see what happens. I will keep everyone posted on how it goes!

Traveling to other central American countries does not count for much...after all, they offer very little to non-residents.

Since the AOS policy is so soft (still) in the US, it will make getting a B2 visa more challenging. People flee Cuba by the boatload and those few who somehow got a tourist visa have a very poor track record of taking a 90 mile flight back home.

That is what I was thinking. His mother thinks it will be easy but I have been trying to get them to understand that it will really be a long shot for her to get a tourist visa.

I am a U.S. citizen and my husband is a permanent resident green card holder. We want to have his mother come visit us from Cuba. I know that she will have to apply for a tourist visa. My question is has anyone heard of a Cuban resident being granted a tourist visa? I know with the wet/dry policy that it can be tricky to get a tourist visa for a Cuban, and I was wondering how likely it would be for her to get approved. His mother owns her own home, has a good job she has had for many years, a husband and another son (who is 25) who lives in Cuba. She has also traveled to other central american countries and has returned to Cuba. I am hoping that will show strong ties to Cuba.

You can have your degree certified here. There are a few different agencies, that will evaluate all your credits and schooling from your schooling in your home country and will certify your degree here. Then when you go to job interviews, you can let them know that your degree has been certified as equivalent to a degree here in the U.S. I think it costs between 300 -500 to have it certified. Make sure you have all the documents showing the classes, grades and degree you received, when you come here. Here that would be your official transcripts. I am not sure what that is called in your country. Good luck!

Good luck with everything! I am sorry to hear they denied the visa. I was married in Cuba, and did the CR1 process for my husband. It took about a year or so. It is very expensive to get married in Cuba and to produce all the documents they need in order to get the marriage license. I also took a leave of absence from my work, and went to stay in Cuba for a month after the marriage. I wanted to be sure they wouldn't deny us because I hadn't spent enough time getting to know my husband.

That sucks! I think that is probably the reason you are still in AP. It is sad that you both are being punished for being honest. I would think once they get him all checked out, they will approve him. Probably they are doing some further investigations to see how involved he was with the communist. I will keep you both in my prayers!

Did they ask your guy if he was a member of UJC when he was at the interview? If so what did he answer? My husband was never asked about his membership in the UJC, but to my knowledge most of the cuban men are part of that in their youth. They have to be if they do not want trouble from the communist. My husband said he wasn't a member and he would often have difficulties because of that.

I think that is a great idea! It definitely doesn't hurt to go. You have a right to know what is going on with your case. It is only natural for you to want to check on this. Good luck!

Yes I think that is a very good thing! Hopefully your husband will have his visa soon!

Hi any change in his status? I hope you get approval soon!

SincerelyMeike you are a wise woman- and I completely 'get it' about finding the area you like. I am biased, but I find LA to be amazing and have everything a person could want (including the beach which is a stone's throw from my house). Every day I ask him what he wants to do. I have showed him a map of Los Angeles, I have explained the beaches, I have talked about museums, shopping, tourist attractions, hiking, opened groupon and took him through some fun off the beaten path things that are available here. He told me everything looked boring. So finally I just said I needed to "move" and do something for me. I said I was going for a hike and would he like to join- he did, but of course it was too hot, too difficult, and the route down I chose was "the longer route". (I have done this hike every weekend for 4 years).

I feel like a failure and feel completely duped, but am seriously contemplating cutting my losses.

I completely understand how you feel! My husband came here from Cuba about 8 months ago. He complained a lot when he first arrived. I wanted him to take a year to get into school in an intensive ESL program so he could learn English and have better opportunities here. He didn’t like that idea and thought I was trying to control him and complained about it every day. So I found him a job. We live Downtown Chicago, so he got a job bussing tables and was making about 1200 every two weeks. He complained non stop about that job. Oh it was hard work and he hated the people… blah blah blah. It made me very angry because I felt like that is good money! You are lucky to make that much bussing tables. I felt like I should have helped him get a really crappy job, so when he had a good one, he would be appreciative. So then I helped him get a different job and he was still complaining about that. Then there was the fact that he has about 100 women friends from Cuba and some who have immigrated over here and he feels it is ok to be messaging and talking with them on the phone. That is not what I am accustomed to. Where I am from, married men do not have other women that they are talking to constantly. So we have had many fights about that. I have compromised somewhat and he has had to compromise a lot. My husband hasn’t complained about things like the food and the city. He loves Chicago. But honestly I have felt just like you feel a few times, like should I just cut my losses?... When I feel that way, I have an honest talk with him, and let him know that this behavior is nothing like he talked when he was in Cuba, and if he doesn’t want to be together we can just end it. So far, he has always worked to try to improve things and we are still together. I try to be understanding about the adjustment of a new place, but come on. Also my guy is the same way with never believing anything I say and always wanting to hear it from another person. I find myself to be intelligent and knowledgeable so I find that very insulting. I have gotten into the habit of sending him lots of internet proof on any topic that he has a question. That way he can’t question my judgement. Good luck to you! Have you tried talking to him about your concerns? I hope you are able to work everything out.

I am sorry that this has been so difficult for you! The woman that gave my husband his first interview was very rude and intimidating too. I know she made him feel very bad. My husband's paper had a date that he was supposed to come back. It is crazy that it is taking so long in AP! I am not sure if there is a number to call the Embassy in Havana, but maybe you could try calling. I hope that he gets his approval soon! Please let me know when his status changes! I will keep my fingers crossed and pray for you both.