forena99

It's Ok, This is complicated
So you can call the U.S embassy to this phone number:  (+53) 7839-4152
BUT it's the same if you do it online, and you don't have to spend money to be placed on hold or something, at the embassy. The date availability will be the same. 
Finish the Ds-160 and submit it. Then with your confirmation page, you can go here:  https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/?language=English&country=Cuba and get an interview as well as pay the 265.00$. 
One you open the link, do the steps for new user.
 
Then get the New Application/Schedule appointment (in the picture bellow) this is part of the page, but after you start your profile it will look just like mine. the go ahead and pay the Ds-160  + schedule an appointment. 
Does this help you? 

From what I have read you do need to submit the Ds-160 before scheduling an interview since they will ask you for it. Whether if you call or if you do it online. I am not sure about the payment...
From what I saw the earliest interview date start on May 23rd. So If you finish your Ds-160 this week, there is a big chance you'll have an interview that week in May. If he goes next week to star his background check, he would have it at the beginning or mid-April. A month away from the interview. I think it would be wise to go and request it by next week. According to the information that CubaandChill gave me a couple of days ago, that paperwork is good for three months. I think it's a good and safe timeline.

Hi @058rocale,
They told my fiance it would take 30-45 days to complete the background check.
Should he go ahead and do this?  Or should we wait until we have our interview date?
Any idea?
 
Also, I don't get my interview date until I complete, pay and submit the DS-160?
Thanks!
Forena99

Yes. Ask him to have someone take it for him in front of a white wall (or close enough). And from his shoulders up. The closest to a passport picture look as possible  

Phew!  Yay, thank you!
I feel I have so much to do.  Have you completed yours already (I mean as far as you can)?
I haven't received any text msgs for the package, but the DHL website is telling me the package was in Mexico this morning.  BTW, don't use the upgraded version of the DHL website.  The youtube instructions don't work.  I wasn't able to get it to work with the new upgraded website!  The problem is the website will automatically ask you if you want to 'try' the new upgraded version and then if you say 'yes', there is no way to go back to the older version.  So, just stay with the old one for as long as you can.  lol.
Thanks again,
Forena99

Yay! I am happy you got the NVC letter!
1. Once you complete the DS-160, go to this website to pay for the application (265.00$) and you get your interview date there as well: https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/?language=English&country=Cuba
Instructions (under Instructions to Pay your visa fee)
 http://www.ustraveldocs.com/cu/cu-niv-paymentinfo.asp 
You will find the k-1 visa under immigrant visa (although k1 its a nonimmigrant visa for all other purposes) 
(Know we don't pay for the Issuance Fee Reciprocity Fee). 
You can use this website to help you navigate the payment for DS-160 and the interview scheduling: 
http://dennyeyberg.wixsite.com/filipino-am-visa/scheduling-the-interview
The case number is all you need to do the next steps yourself  
2. .
a. For Cuba this "Passport Book number" does not apply. 
b.La Habana on the passport is the City it was issued. 
3. The Application Receipt/ Petition Number is the USCIS Receipt Number, so the WAC17900*****
4. Yes, for the "Organization name" put Do Not Know. 
5. hmm, I have read everywhere about the 2 passport photos but I would also bring 4 just in case. It's better to have more than less  
 
I found this link useful for the Ds-160:
https://www.fil-amsociety.com/uploads/1/9/6/8/19688741/ds_160_guide2.pdf
It's for people in the Philipines, but its still works for us
 
Know that for the Security Background: Part 1. you can put Yes on the question "Do you have documentation to establish that you have received vaccinations in accordance with the U.S law?" since he will be getting the medical exam and vaccinations before the interview anyways. 
 

 

Hi there,
I'm not sure if this is my package yet, BUT, you can go to the www.dhl-usa.com website once you have the date your case was sent from NVC and SIGN UP FOR SHIPMENT NOTICES!
Click on the "Sign up for shipment notifications" in red, once you find your package, and you can select SMS and put in your cellphone number (without hyphen), and don't forget to click "Done".
I'll let you know if it worked.
Forena99

Hi all,
I found this on how to track the package from NVC to the Embassy:
https://youtu.be/R2Xisp_zTFE

Hi Forena!! 
Glad you are back  
From what I have read in many other post and information online, the NVC can give you your case # through the phone after 10-14 days. Let us know how it goes!

Well hello to the November filer thread - Part 2.
 
It's been a while since I posted glad to see Geo, Art, Vogann, and others are more than holding the fort down.
 
Just loving it here in the Philippines.
Well today is Day 107 since NOA 1.
3 day weekend which means no processing on Mondy
 
Noon here so I ran the USCIS app.
I show only 8 cases left out of over 350
from 10/31 receipt date.
 
 Petition Approved 
 
15 weeks and 2 days for our NOA 2
 
Congrats to all the recent approvals and NVC activity.
 
We already have an appointment for CFO next week which is specific to Philippines.
 
Hang on for others still waiting doubtful you will have to wait 107 days.
 
Jim

Hey all.
 
The last i-129F November filing thread went past 200 pages and was closed by the admin.
 
I am creating a new thread, so the community can still be in touch and help out each other  

Thank you for doing this! This will be really helpful in our journey, as I know Cuba is quite....... different... maybe difficult is a better word LOL. Es Cuba.. No es facil.
 
@058rocale I saw that too! Good luck on getting your NOA2 soon!!! I've read the same thing, that it doesn't matter what route you go down as far as the interviews go. It all depends on the consulate & the country. & thank you for all the links!!
 
Congrats on your NOA2 @forena99 !!! I'm praying my timeline follows yours when I finally send in my package. I'm flying out to see my fiance on Saturday, so I'll be sending it in once I come back (hopefully I'll be able to send it on 02/20).
 
I know that May date will change once I get my NOA2 and I probably won't get a interview until some time in September or October but I guess it's a good thing. My fiance's work is sending him to Argentina for 6 months and he won't be back in Cuba until August/ early September anyway so it may just work out. Lord willing I'll have him here by Thanksgiving/Christmas.
 
 
 

Hi @058rocale
I went to go see my fiance in Cuba this past week and we had that conversation. I asked him if he had gotten his birth certificate and his certificate of solteria yet, but he said they are time sensitive and are only good for 3 months (or was told this at the office where he gets them) so he hasn't gotten anything yet. My plan is to wait until I have the confirmation of the appointment for the interview and then 1-2 months from that date have him do his medical and everything else so once we go to the interview they'll still be valid.

Hey everyone going for an interview in Havana, Cuba in 2017!
I decided to start a new forum for those folks whose interview is in Havana, Cuba, who want help on what to do after the NOA2 is approved.  
There seems to be a hold up of NOA2s pending to be approved (I think USCIS is working Nov 2016 cases right now - as I write this) and there are a few who recently submitted I-129fs who will soon (*I hope*) be on this track.  Hope this will help anyone getting ready for the interview process in Cuba. 
This forum is to:
        1. Share links and docs that help filers complete the necessary paperwork for the interview.
        2. Share information from various sources that help filers complete forms and gather additional evidence for the interview.
        3. Ask questions about the kind of information we need to gather evidence for the interview, especially questions pertaining to the interview process in Cuba.
 
Hope that helps clarify the objective for this forum.  
Let's get ready!
Forena99
 

Hello everyone! I wanted to let all of you know what I have found out about the Ds-160 application.
Ds-160 Application
I quickly started filling in with my fiance the Ds-160 Application for a nonimmigrant visa (https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/). We need to bring a copy of the confirmation page to the interview, along with 2 2x2 pictures of the beneficiary. Here is more information on this form specific to Cuba (http://www.ustraveldocs.com/cu/cu-niv-ds160info.asp). Keep in mind that according to this last link "The barcode number on the Form DS-160 confirmation page is required in order to book your interview" as well as payment of the nonimmigrant visa fee as stated here: " Applicants must make a successful payment before they are permitted to schedule their interview appointment ."
Payment
For the online payment of the $265.00 USD for this Ds-160 we as the benefactor follow the steps given here  http://www.ustraveldocs.com/cu/cu-niv-paymentinfo.asp under "Instructions to Pay your visa fee"
 
*Keep in mind that for K-1 visas we don't pay for the Issuance Fee (Reciprocity Fee). 
 
Hope this helps! 
 

Yay!  Congrats!  So happy for you and your fiance.  So nice to be together when you get the news.  Happy to see that those OCT filers are finally getting caught up.  Phew!  You hung in there like a trooper!  On to NVC with you!
Cheers,
Forena

Hey everyone going for an interview in Havana, Cuba in 2017!
I decided to start a new forum for those folks whose interview is in Havana, Cuba, who want help on what to do after the NOA2 is approved.  
There seems to be a hold up of NOA2s pending to be approved (I think USCIS is working Nov 2016 cases right now - as I write this) and there are a few who recently submitted I-129fs who will soon (*I hope*) be on this track.  Hope this will help anyone getting ready for the interview process in Cuba. 
This forum is to:
        1. Share links and docs that help filers complete the necessary paperwork for the interview.
        2. Share information from various sources that help filers complete forms and gather additional evidence for the interview.
        3. Ask questions about the kind of information we need to gather evidence for the interview, especially questions pertaining to the interview process in Cuba.
 
Hope that helps clarify the objective for this forum.  
Let's get ready!
Forena99
 

Hey everyone going for an interview in Havana, Cuba in 2017!
I decided to start a new forum for those folks whose interview is in Havana, Cuba, who want help on what to do after the NOA2 is approved.  
There seems to be a hold up of NOA2s pending to be approved (I think USCIS is working Nov 2016 cases right now - as I write this) and there are a few who recently submitted I-129fs who will soon (*I hope*) be on this track.  Hope this will help anyone getting ready for the interview process in Cuba. 
This forum is to:
        1. Share links and docs that help filers complete the necessary paperwork for the interview.
        2. Share information from various sources that help filers complete forms and gather additional evidence for the interview.
        3. Ask questions about the kind of information we need to gather evidence for the interview, especially questions pertaining to the interview process in Cuba.
 
Hope that helps clarify the objective for this forum.  
Let's get ready!
Forena99
 

Just ask for reschedule your appointment at the embassy and that is all. You can delay it the interview. The only thing your finance have to submit it again is his or her medical exam, 
 
Re applying for another K1 visa can be hard or not approved JUST my opinion. 
 
Best luck 

Jim,
I somehow feel better knowing that we were at least partially right about why it was taking so long.  But somehow I'm not impressed by their grief of having to spend $2000 to go see their loved ones.  I'm like, "yeah, and?".  Meanwhile we are all waiting to spend said $2000 to see our loved ones!  At they got a chance to go.  
I can't believe you are not approved yet!!!  
Fingers crossed for everyone!
Cheers,
Forena99

With all the time and money it costs to go through the process, I'd just go to the interview, get the visa and once you have it, I believe it is good for 6 months, so you don't have to immigrate as soon as you get it. If you think there's still a chance to fix things between the two of you, I'd go ahead with the plan and then use the 6 months or so you get to figure things out. 

Wow, things are moving fast for you!  I think things will take a little longer for Cuba, lol!  Waiting for next week to get my case #.
So happy to hear things are moving forward for you nicely.  virtual hug!
Forena

If I deactivated my Facebook, would that still be relevant? Would they still ask to check? 
I personally don't like my personal stuff posted on Facebook.. (I rarely/never post photos of my family members for privacy reasons - and only have photos with friends).
Surely it would not be fair to make judgement call based off this?
I am also one of those people who don't want to "announce" anything until it is official.. as in, after the wedding. 
I've actually never posted photos of my fiance on my Facebook, not because I'm hiding anything but as I said I am quite private about certain things that are close to my heart. But I make it known subtle-ly that I have a significant other. My close circle of friends (and his) know we are together as we all hangout together but I just don't need people I've met once or twice + the 300 something people I went to high school with to know about my love life. It has always been this way with me, even with ex-boyfriends. 
I honestly don't want to change the status on Facebook and my thoughts are that one day I'll just post a photo of my bab(ies) ..and that would be my "announcement" that I have a family of my own. Now I'm all worried about this Facebook status thing! 

Thank you for the tips above @AdaMarie - so very helpful! 
 

WOOWHOOO! Approved yesterday! This is SOOOoOoOOOOOO Exciting!

113 days, but who's counting?
I assumed the worst, thinking I'd be waiting till the end of the year for this, or that my case fell behind a shelf.
But today my case was finally approved!! (technically on February 7th) 
It was already a great day, I spent it at a secluded beach near Da Nang, Vietnam, with my fiancée. And then, it was an even better end to the day, by checking my phone and *boom* I get the notification with her sitting right by my side <3 
 
All I can say is just hold tight, good news is on the way for others waiting.
 
I have a really good feeling Jim's case will be approved this week