Barbara y Alexis

today i got the terrible news that my fiance was electrocuted in his own house by terrible wiring while simply changing a light bulb.

we were so close to getting him over here, but now i can only cry and try to hold onto my fond memories.

for some reason today i put on the colors of his santo, and put on the bracelet he gave me and then i got a terrible email from his cousin in spain, who assumed i had already heard, so it was a condolence email, but i had no idea what he was talking about, or at least i was trying to deny that it could be real. then i called his friend in havana and it was all confirmed.

enjoy every day, and share your love while you have the chance.

best wishes to you all in your journey to being united with your loved ones.

rest in peace Alexis Merino Hechavarria, mi hombre, mi amor, mi querido.

please click on my user name, and scroll down to pictures, to have one last look at this beautiful, wonderful human being who has now departed this life.

Osvaldo and I were reviewing all our documentation in preparation for his interview July 10 (STILL no luck moving up his interview date), and we realized he was given no form or paper to show that he completed his medical exam. He provided the hospital with a letter from the Special Interests section explaining the need for the exam and the hospitals where it could be performed, but Osvaldo received no paperwork afterwards, only his x-ray film.

Is this normal? Or should he go back to the hospital and ask for written documentation that he passed the medical examination? He said he assumed the hospital would communicate directly with the USINT, but I don't want to make a mistake.

Thanks for any info! Otherwise I think we are ready!

I don't have the paperwork in front of me, but I definitely think he should go back to the hospital. In fact I think they say you don't need to bring the Xrays because the analysis of them should be in the results on papers.

He will need paperwork. I would definitely NOT count on the cuban health system communicating on his behalf with the US. WHy should they? and even if they did, would you trust them to do it on time?!?!?!?

Now please share some more info...

Did the medical exam cost anything?

How long did he have to wait?

Did he need an appointment in advance or just go in?

Can you go any day or are there specific days? (I know there are only certain allowed hospitals)

Thanks,

Barbara

just to be on the safe side i think you should get at least updated printouts of your bank statements and a current paycheck.

why not do a new signed version of the form too...with a current date and signature.

i did not submit affidavit of support with my first application and it was approved. i finally prepared the Affidavit for the US Special Interests Section interview we have coming up.

He has everything submitted to Vivienda, just waiting on the inspector to come to the house, he's going to pass by today to see how the process is going. He is also waiting for a letter from his school today saying he doesnt owe anything and they were supposed to have it for him a week ago, so he finally got fed up and is going today and said he is not leaving until he gets it, that is the last paper he needs to hand into immigration. They told him he would receive a card in the mail that he needed to take to immigration and that once he got the white slip from Vivienda he can buy his plane ticket, so lets see after today what is going on. I'm anxious for him to get it already because I am planning a trip on the 13th of June and returning 16th of June, only going for the weekend and I really want him to come back with me.

oh my gosh you must be on pins and needles. that is good he will go to the school and just wait for them to produce it. i guess he has nothing better to do, and nothing more important to focus on than getting his final papers in order!

good luck in making the deadline -- i hope he can be on the plane with you!

It all depends if you're on the ball submitting all the necessary paperwork. From what I know, it may take 2 to 4 weeks. Also be prepared to plan ahead and buy airfare as quick as possible...

David

Does anyone know how long it takes to get the carta blance?

i feel like i've heard of some folks getting it in about a week, other places have said allow up to 4 weeks. I'm doing an internal plan to hope for 5 weeks max, including preparing the paperwork to submit.

and as usual, it is probably different in different cities/provinces.

where are you in the process now?

hey cuban fiance people,

has your fiance been having more difficulties with internet access, or what is his/her method?

mine used to pay to use the internet in the hotel where he worked, but says that since they hotels are open to cubans, they are being stricter with the internet access in the lobbies or business centers, demanding to see a foreign passport.

anyone having the same problem? this is in havana.

i guess i shouldn't complain because now i am getting lots more long letters instead of short little emails, but i am just curious what other people are experiencing.

if they use the public email at correos de cuba, how is that going? i hear sometimes the lines are very very long.

well, thanks for any info and keeping in touch.

i hope edwin or someone with a newly arrived spouse can come on here and explain it better.

the carta blanca is actually a slip of white paper that gets put into the cuban's passport as just about the final step of them leaving.

it's part of the process of them going to an immigration office and asking for a visa to exit. there are 2 kinds of exit visas -- one to visit (11 months, then renew at an embassy/office) and the other is a visa to reside abroad.

the visit abroad visa (PVE) -- don't need the $400 medical stamp for cuban authorities; do need to pay a fee for every month outside of cuba; must go back to cuba within 11 months of leaving (legally impossible for folks living in the US); can keep their property back in cuba. (maybe they can also keep their ration card, family can still use it?)

the reside abroad visa (PRE) -- do have to pay for the $400 medical stamp; do not need to pay a monthly fee; no problem if they don't get back to visit within 11 months; must give up any housing back to the cuban government (even if it was in your family for generations). the housing issue is done through something called Vivienda. i don't know what kind of agency does that. must give up their Cuban ID card and their ration card.

so i think they get the carta blanca after they have the visa from the US; plus after they've gone through the process with cuban immigration, and get a "letter of liberation" from work to show they don't owe anything and there are no problems there; and have a flight ticket out to show.

then there's also something called "Salida Definitiva" and "Salida Indefinitiva" -- i don't know if that is something different, or just different names for the PVE and PRE

sorry...to not be totally clear.

but the carta blanca is a white slip that goes in their passport. i assume it comes from the immigration office. you cannot leave the country without it.

however there are big big rumors that the carta blanca and exit visa process is about to become much less restrictive, so perhaps this will all be moot.

El Pais newspaper from Spain (very reputable) published that the changes would be in days or weeks, and that was on April 18th

thanks for sharing any new info! that would be a wonderful change and take a few more nerve-wracking steps out of the process.

....so the Cuba holiday was uneventful in terms of any news. From what I hear from others, there had been some delays in processing the exit permits for mostly everyone across the board. We had to pay extra to get it expedited and get it inmediately....

Thank God this is over....be patient and good luck to everyone!

David,

so after you got the Visa for your fiance...

what were the next steps?

did you get the PVE and later after the marriage you will apply for PSI (assuming no changes)?

did you have to deal with the Vivienda process?

what about the Letter of Liberation?

thanks

along with the rumors that the Carta Blanca might go away,

there are also rumors that the price of the Cuban passport might go up to around $150 CUC.

so if your fiance doesn't have it yet, go get the Cuban passport while it still only costs $55CUC.

best wishes all!

Osvaldo went to the immigration office in Cienfuegos in hopes of finding out what the new announcements mean for our situation. The office was mobbed with people seeking clarification about the new policies. The immigration officials seemed not to know, or reluctant to say, anything about this. Eventually Osvaldo was told that he would not need a carta blanca for his fiance visa, but by that point he had little faith in the information.

I am eager for any clarification; if it's true that the carta blanca is no longer necessary, he (and other Cuban fiance/es)could theoretically leave within a short time of receiving the visa. And since I plan to attend the interview, theoretically we could come back to the US together. But at this point it seems best to wait before buying a lot of tickets.

If anyone has any updates regarding the new permiso de salir/carta blanca process, please post.

No Updates -- just more rumors. Some said the announcement might come on May 1st. Some said July 26th. And some said May 15th, but that might just be a tease to keep us getting our hopes up.

I feel the same way as you...if that part goes away, the exit will be faster and less stressful so let's keep our fingers crossed.

Barb

well...check out the post from Tiffany and Nick.

she kept calling and got an interview that happened today, May 12th!

so if you are willing...keep calling. but also, your fiance has to have all their papers ready to go!

and keep your timeline updated and share info with the board so we can all benefit from the shared experiences.

That's fantastic!

How did the interview go?

Please give us some information and details so we can all be more prepared!

Thanks, and best wishes!

Barb

I give up I think, I have been trying to call the 1800 # to see if they have sooner appts, Ive called the consulate, Ive emailed, and faxed, and no luck.

Has anyone had any luck with this?

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!! I CANT BELIEVE IT!!!! I was ready to give up and yesterday I decided to give it one last try. I called the 1-800 number to try for the last time to see if they had a cancellation and THEY DID!!!!!!!!! His new interview is this MONDAY!!! I cant believe it. Ive called 3 times just to confirm the appointment. Im still in shock. I am so happy, so for anyone trying to get their appointment sooner DONT GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!

I've got some PM's regarding the above subject.....I just want to share that news regarding the elimination of the carta blanca are just rumors in the island for now. Surprisingly enough, the regular people get their news from speculation and news from abroad. There are million of rumors concerning everything under the sun: revaluation of the CUC, sales of cars by the state, etc..) I went to Inmigration regarding the carta blanca; and they told me it is still a valid requirement to exit the country. I was also told that there were holding back in processing the applications ( I guess it's also wait and see for them...) Also, some people are expecting some official announcements on May 1st regarding this and other matters...

David

wouldn't it be lovely to get news of a change tomorrow!!!

seems the rumor mills are quiet right now though, so i'm not holding my breath.

Picking up the packet is free.

When he has the interview, I believe it is $131 US or $121 CUC. Something like that.

ADDED:

when he/she picks up the packet, it will say how much cash to bring to the interview (if it's 131 or 123 or 121)

Good luck!

My fiance will have his interview June 26 so i'll post info about it after it happens.

Hi out there calling all persons who understand the lay of the land so to speak... Cuba es diferente, and persons in love with a cubano /cubana, sure know this!

please, real experience wanted...I need to know at least where to ask and who , if not here..

I am returning, need to for many important reasons and want to marry there , en habana.

I know to have my passport, birth certificate, copies of divorce, and that they will need to be translated ,( probably there but I'll get it done here too)

I want to know if I need to send my papers to who? for what? and what $$ ??? and how fast can it be done.. or if I am there can I just go to the consultaria/notary, spend the 700.$ plus whatever else to expedite ( i think 75.$) (so I am able to get it done and go visit my in-laws without worry of time running out.) and of course then book the time to do the deed and marry my beloved!

any one on this forum (US citizen only) married in Cuba or know someone I can talk with? I have been going crazy reading whatever I can get on the cuban minrex site / of servicios notarias and I still am not sure. the US gov sites are hard to understand for me. Please please help. I want this to go as well as possible, knowing Cuba, lots can happen!!!! gracias para todos...

J

hi juana,

i hope you don't mind, i posted your questions on to a message board called www cubaamor dot com

(because even if you signed up today, it still takes a few weeks before they permit you to post)

scroll to the bottom where it says "immigration & Laws" and there is a post there i started about you called "lady needs info for wedding in Cuba" give it a day or two and you'll start seeing info. also you can go surf around that site and find out more about marriage to a cuban partner.

Barb

To Those of You in the K1 process with a Cuban, or who have already finished...

I just received the NOA2 today, so I'll be sending my fiance in Habana all the documents with a friend of mine who is headed down there. However, I can't seem to find out exactly how much money the medical exam and the two interest section visits are. Can anyone clarify the costs for me? Is the medical exam $400? Is it 400 CUC or dollars? I'm guessing CUC. Is the cost of him picking up the packet from the embassy 123 CUC. What other costs are there? If anyone could help me out, that would be wonderful. Thanks!

Tracey

Here's what I have gathered.

The Medical Exam required by the US is done at only certain hospitals/clinics in Cuba. I don't know that the first exam has a price to it. I think it's just a medical service that they go in and request and it's free in their system. (?) (There is another later exam required by CUBA for the Cuban Exit Visa that is $400 or $450 not sure CUC or $$)

Picking up the packet is free.

When he has the interview, I believe it is $131 US or $121 CUC. Something like that.

After the interview, when he has the visa from the US, he has to do the cuban process:

Apply for exit visa which will then include the Carta Blanca is I think $150CUC. But that is highly rumored to be about to change. As part of that, they had to do what some call the "Fake Medical" which is required by Cuba, but all you do is go to some bank/office and pay the $400 or $450 and they give you a stamp on some official paperwork. They never actually see a doctor! Again, this part might be about to change. Rumors were hot on it last week but no news this week.

Other parts of the Cuban Exit Visa are the Carta de Liberacion (letter from his job), and Vivienda (visits to his home for the state to confiscate whatever he has when he leaves).

Too many damn steps. hopefully they will indeed do away with some of the exit visa process.

Hello All,

I believe the carta blanca is gone. Mary has her Carta blanca in her passport, and was asked by the office of immgration to come in 10 days before she leaves. She went to the office and they told her there going to remove the Carta blanca, and add a stamp there...they took her passport, plane tickets and carne. she going to pick up the passport and plane tickes on thrusday, and unfortunatly, they are going to keep the carne. 9 more days until she gets here...i can't wait....Edwin

thanks for the news.

and for you -- congratulations and big luck! all the waiting is about to end. you must be so excited!

please do come back and keep us posted of how the adjustment phase goes.

best wishes to you both for a smooth voyage and transition!

Barb

This seems like fabulous news; thanks for posting it! My fiance, Osvaldo, is going to immigration right now to find out about this.

great! and please post whatever he may find out. from today's news articles, it seems like nothing has been announced yet, but the consensus is that it's just a matter of a short time.

but yes -- please share what your fiance finds out -- when mine writes, they are short emails -- because he types too slow and the time always runs out! ;-)

thanks J.Ro

perhaps the Carta Blanca / Exit Visa requirement is going away:

from El Pais

Cuba rebaja las restricciones para viajar

El Gobierno permitirá a los cubanos salir al extranjero sin autorización oficial

MAURICIO VICENT - La Habana - 18/04/2008

Vota Resultado 38 votos

El Gobierno de Raúl Castro dará luz verde próximamente a una esperada reforma migratoria que simplificará los trámites de entrada y salida del país y permitirá a los cubanos viajar al extranjero sin necesidad de obtener un permiso específico de las autoridades. La existencia de la denominada tarjeta blanca o permiso de salida, cuya tramitación cuesta 150 pesos convertibles (unos 100 euros) y puede tardar meses o cuando menos semanas, y sin garantía de respuesta afirmativa, fue muy criticada por la población en el debate convocado el año pasado por Raúl Castro. Otro requisito, la carta de invitación, que hasta ahora es necesario presentar en las oficinas de inmigración cuando se viaja, también desaparecería, según fuentes cercanas al gobierno.

La flexibilización migratoria ya está decidida y sólo faltaría perfilar algunos asuntos para que las medidas entren en vigor, dijeron a EL PAÍS las citadas fuentes. Pudiera ser en los próximos días o semanas, y probablemente se informará a la población a través de los medios de prensa, como ocurrió con el levantamiento de la prohibición para que los cubanos contraten líneas de telefonía celular. No está claro si se adoptarán como un conjunto de medidas, o se irán introduciendo poco a poco.

Entre otras regulaciones, la reforma migratoria acabaría con la famosa tarjeta blanca, aunque con excepciones. Por ejemplo, los médicos, los universitarios recién graduados que no hayan cumplido su servicio social, o los militares y miembros del Ministerio del Interior con acceso a información que afecte a la seguridad del Estado, deberán seguir obteniendo un permiso específico, mientras no transcurra un plazo de tiempo variable. Sin embargo, para gran parte de la ciudadanía el trámite del permiso de salida -por el que las autoridades obtienen millones de dólares anuales de ingresos- desaparecería.

El requisito, hasta ahora exigido por las autoridades, de presentar una "carta de invitación" legalizada como parte de la documentación para viajar, también sería eliminado. La mayoría de las embajadas piden este trámite a los cubanos para tramitar su visado de entrada, por lo que esta medida, unida a la eliminación de la tarjeta blanca, de hecho, traspasaría a los países receptores la responsabilidad de limitar los viajes de los ciudadanos cubanos, ya que ahora sólo necesitarán un pasaporte vigente y visado para salir de su país.

De implementarse como está previsto -aunque todavía puede haber modificaciones, advierten las fuentes-, la medida daría respuesta a una demanda popular que es unánime y cada vez más sonora. Intelectuales y artistas comprometidos con la revolución, como el cantautor Silvio Rodríguez, han pedido recientemente la abolición "completa" del permiso de entrada y de salida por no responder a la nueva realidad del país; de igual modo, criticaron la prohibición existente para que los cubanos se alojaran en hoteles dedicados al turismo internacional, que se levantó hace pocos días.

En su discurso del pasado 24 de febrero ante el Parlamento, tras ser nombrado presidente, Raúl Castro anunció la eliminación inmediata de prohibiciones "sencillas", pero, dijo, otras tomarían más tiempo debido a que requerían "cambios en determinadas normativas jurídicas", además de influir en ellas "las medidas establecidas" contra Cuba por sucesivas administraciones estadounidenses. La Habana acusa a Washington de utilizar con fines políticos y propagandísticos el tema migratorio, y las últimas grandes crisis entre ambos países han tenido este trasfondo.

El mes pasado, durante un encuentro en La Habana con emigrados favorables a la revolución, el canciller Felipe Pérez Roque se refirió de este modo a la esperada reforma migratoria: "no quiero anticiparme sobre ese tema, pero son asuntos que han estado permanentemente bajo nuestra consideración". Y añadió: "tenemos firme nuestro compromiso de hacer cada vez más fluida la relación entre los cubanos que residen en el exterior y Cuba y hacer cada vez más expeditos los trámites y las regulaciones sobre ese tema".

Como parte de esta flexibilización, se prorrogaría también el tiempo de estancia que los cubanos pueden estar en el exterior sin tener que regresar a su país, o perder sus derechos. El plazo legal en la actualidad es de 11 meses, que se ampliaría, probablemente, a dos años. Además, los menores de edad podrían salir con sus padres, algo actualmente restringido y sólo autorizado en casos excepcionales, dijeron las fuentes.

Del mismo modo, se espera que se simplifiquen los trámites de entrada temporal para los cubanos que residen en el exterior. Otros asuntos, como la pérdida de las propiedades -casas, vehículos, etcétera- cuando alguien emigra definitivamente, o la posibilidad de autorizar el regreso definitivo a Cuba de los que se fueron, todavía está en discusión. El verdadero alcance de la reforma migratoria, que se debate desde hace meses, todavía es una incógnita.

"Prohibiciones superadas por la vida"

En un discurso pronunciado en diciembre ante el Parlamento, Raúl Castro criticó con dureza el exceso de prohibiciones y regulaciones que existían en el país y que, consideró, hacían "más daño que beneficio". El entonces vicepresidente primero de los Consejos de Estado y de Ministros, opinó que "la mayoría" de estas prohibiciones fueron "correctas y justas en su momento", pero dijo que muchas habían "sido superadas por la vida". Raúl fue directo y contundente: "Detrás de cada prohibición incorrecta búsquese un buen número de ilegalidades". Entre estas ilegalidades, muchas tenían que ver con las cartas de invitación y otros negocios relacionados con los trámites de salida del país.

La reforma migratoria, que todavía ha de concretarse, sería un paso más en la estrategia de levantar "prohibiciones absurdas". Desde que fue elegido presidente, Raúl Castro ha permitido el acceso de los cubanos a los hoteles, ha autorizado la venta de computadoras, reproductores de DVD y otros electrodomésticos, y ha levantado la prohibición para el uso de teléfonos móviles. Además, se ha iniciado una reforma en agricultura que contempla la entrega de tierras en usufructo a campesinos privados y cooperativistas.

Entre las próximas medidas que se esperan está la autorización para que los cubanos puedan traspasar sus vehículos, y una flexibilización de los controles sobre la vivienda. Abundan los rumores y las opiniones; para unos es todavía muy largo el trecho por recorrer, para otros, todo avanza más rápidamente de lo esperado.

'Tarjeta blanca'

- Excepciones. Seguirán necesitando la autorización o tarjeta blanca los médicos, los universitarios recién titulados y que no hayan cumplido el servicio social, los militares y los miembros del Ministerio del Interior con acceso a información

de seguridad interior.

- Flexibilización. Se podrá prorrogar hasta dos años el plazo de residencia en el exterior sin perder derechos. Los menores de edad podrán salir del país con sus padres sin las restricciones actuales.

Hi Barbara,

Usually you go to Vivienda twice. The purpose of the first visit is to pick up all the forms. And the second is to submit them all. At vivenda you finace will take his name off the family book, this book is used to pick up food monthly. Mary did this when she received the carta blanca.

The office of immigration is where you get your passport, file for the carta blanca and pay for the medial exam(450 cuc) and the carta blanca(150 cuc).

Hopes this helps…Edwin

Hi folks,

Let's collect the information...

Perhaps this has been done, but I'm approaching this stage of the process and I would like more clarity.

What are the pieces / steps necessary?

Does anyone know what order to get these things?

Which Cuban offices to go to in order to request them?

Vivienda (visit to home)

Cuban Medical Exam (pay a fee at a bank somewhere???)

Cuban exit visa - Salida Definitiva vs. Indefinitiva ??? Do Cubans coming to the US have a choice, or do the truly only get to do the more permanent departure visa, because our country doesn't let them visit more than one time every 3 years?

(My fiance is very anxious about this 3 year stipulation...since he is going to miss his son dearly.)

thanks for any information!

there's some talk that cuba will drop the exit visas, but of course it's all rumors now.

En los últimos días aumentaron los rumores de que una reforma migratoria

está por ser aprobada, pero hasta el momento no ha habido

pronunciamiento oficial al respecto.

Can I call the US Interest Section in la Havana and shecdule an appointment with the NOA2 number or the NVC center will issue a different case number. Or will I have to wait for the NVC approval letter and new case number.

you need to get your case number from NVC (which you can get by phone) in order to start the next step with the Havana office.

again...don't listen to folks about the rest unless they have experience w/ Cuba. other countries mail out a packet. for Cuba, your person has to be scheduled to go pick it up. if in Havana, they MIGHT receive a telegram or letter telling them a date to come in. if not in havana, probalby not. you have to call to find out when it's ready.

it's hard for cubans to get into the embassy -- big lines -- so it's best to set it up by phone so they have their name on a list with the guards outside.

I have downlodad some forms from the website to send to my fiancee in la Havana, but how can I be sure that she has all the forms she needs.

if she's in Havana, she really should go pick up the packet. not only does it have the forms, but a list of hospitals where she can do the medical (only 2 in havana). and a cover letter to her with general instructions.

My fiancee have all the documents and passport since November last year are those document still goods for the interview?

they should be fine. the police one is the only one that has to be fairly current.

i was there in march, my boyfriend's interview is in late June. i asked if he should get the police document or wait, the lady said go get it now.

hope that helps.

The first step goes faster for Cubans because the "embassy" in Havana is so backed up you will have to wait 4-6 months for an interview appointment and after that, the person has to do lots more paperwork and tests to get an exit visa from Cuba. (rumors that this may change, but who knows?). Seems to take about a month - 6 weeks.

Don't listen to folks who give advice unless their fiancee is also out of Cuba. It is slightly different after the NVC part.

Edwin is correct.

Now you can call NVC every so often, (with your # from the NOA paper) to check. They will let you know once your paperwork has been sent off to Havana.

Then, you get an 800#, pay $11 to get into the appointment making system. Make an appointment for your fiancee. Call every so often...you will have to wait several months, so get calling!

Sometimes they will be contacted to come pick up a packet (perhaps if living in Havana?) sometimes they will not.

The packet has forms that are available on the web (see my old posts, some in spanish). It also has an appointment letter (with out a specific date, but need to bring with you), instructions for where to get the medical for the US, etc.

Please read past forum entries...this has been gone over.

(You can go to my page, and all the "friends" there have cuban fiancees. You can look at them and their posts.)

Congrats and good luck!

Also, I thought the passport was only $55, but I could be wrong.

I realize it's a cultural thing and respect that fact but I'm also aware that a lot of consulates frown on this. I know mentioning it at the border when visiting is a big no-no so I would imagine it would raise a few flags at some stage that don't need to be raised. I doubt you'll have troubles but I would advise against it for others reading this.

Thank you for your honest reply.

Jordin

I think that it is fine. Anyone living in Cuba should know of this. I was confused at first. A friend of my boyfriend talked to me about his "esposa" but then my boyfriend called her "his novia" -- I said, "I thought it was his esposa" my boyfriend (who lives in havana but is from santiago) said "whatever, esposa, novia, es igual si estan viviendo juntos"

Ok this question is for anyone who applied for a K-1 Visa for Havana, Cuba because it works different in Cuba.

I received my I-129F approval letter, then I received the letter from NVC with the case number, I called the 1-800 number and scheduled my fiance's appointment and its July 7, 2008. Now if I call the NVC they say I don't have an appt scheduled and my fiance has not received anything in the mail or been contacted. Am I missing something?? I have read other posts regarding the IV bill fee being received and package 3 being received, I don't have any of that.

I downloaded the forms he needs online and we have everything done, can someone please give me advice or give me some insight into the process because I'm worried we did something wrong. THanks

my initial steps were the same as you.

the 800 number called for the appointment -- correct, that is not the NVC you talked to, it was direct to Havana, so I'd feel secure about that. you could always pay another $11 and call back to confirm.

then...i was told that Havana does not send notice that the packet is ready to be picked up, other people have said it depends on the location. my bf lives in Alamar and received (I think) a telegram telling him to go pick up his packet. maybe it was a letter he received, but he did receive some notice that he could go pick it up, and his name then was on a list admitting him to the embassy. there is a long line of cubans trying to get in, so if his name is on the list it's a lot faster.

it had DS 230 part 1 and 2; 156, 156K and 157 (they no longer call it part 3 and part 4)

you also should provide the affidavit of support (i forget the number for that form, but you can google it) the form and supporting documents, like your income, pay stubs, perhaps tax forms last 3 years, bank accounts. whatever would be convincing that you can support him / her as he arrives and gets up to speed.

it also has the list of hospitals where he can get the medical exam

seems like there was one other page of information (not a form)

oh yes, the "cover page" to all of this was a letter, and that said he should bring this letter to the appointment/interview. kind of like a reservation for the appointment, although it doesn't state the time and date of the interview, because that is what you made over the phone.

then of course you should bring some "proof of relationship" like emails, photos, letters, etc.

and perhaps an updated (new date) letter of intent (that you continue to support this petition and still intend to marry within 90 days)

hope that helps.