bridget y rodolfo

Hi Bridget y Rodolfo, thanks for your answer to my question. we submitted our paperwork in August and are still waiting to hear for our first approval - the interviews are delayed about six to seven months after the first approval - we are practicing patience - I feel positive that we will be approved, it is just very frustrating waiting to be sure I did the paperwork right and when will his interview be! Plus I am worried about sending the paperwork for the interview through the mail, letters have been lost in transit. (He is in Santiago)

Thanks for your message, it adds to my knowing we will get approved eventually!

Little question: Where did you leave your cell phone when you get to the public interest section? Is there someplace to store them?

Hi! Good luck with your application! Don't be surprised (like me!) if it takes less than the expected time. Like I said, Cuban cases tend to go quicker than average. We submitted something like June 1st and had interview by Nov. 9th, so 5 months. Yet the official wait times were 7 months for just 129F approval. (check out my timeline, and those of other Cuban K1s)

Hmm, regarding cell phone, I don't use one in Cuba so it wasn't an issue. But my husband is telling me that they will store it for you and give you a ticket for it to retrieve when you exit. You pass through a little security office when you're entering, which is where they'll hold it. They don't like folders, either?? I remember people having to ditch things like that. My husband recommends keeping it minimal, but you're going to be there a *long* time (K1 cases are last to be seen, and it's nerve-wracking), and it's so cold, so I recommend bringing a book or something, a sweater, and a snack.

Let me know if you have any other questions

I responded to you on some other thread, but just to reiterate that it's not really an issue with USCIS how you got to Cuba. I've gone 6 times through the Bahamas (If you need a good Bahamian travel agent's name, PM me) and provided all the proof I could about that, with no questions asked.... or actually, they did ask why I was there, and I said vacation- which is a bit obvious that it's not under OFAC license, and no one cares.

you mentioned something about Canada- just to clarify- don't ever go to Cuba through Canada. Canada hands over those travel records to the US government and people do get issued OFAC fines because of it. (for good info on traveling to cuba and tips on how to avoid problems, check out lonely planet's travel forum on Cuba, and their FAQs.)

I've traveled to Cuba under Bush and Obama, and things are definitely a bit more lax now. In fact, I got 'caught' my last time coming back through customs (forgot to make the 2nd entry stamp more hidden in my passport). What someone said previously here is true, never lie to immigration or customs. But you have the most gracious right to be silent and not incriminate yourself, which is what I did. The Customs agent asked me a few things (me, silent), searched my bag, and told me it's still not legal to travel to Cuba, then let me go. If that's how they're treating it on the front lines, you shouldn't really be worried about paper pushers in USCIS who just want to get through the stack of petitions on their desk so that they can go home at the end of the day.

Just to be clear, I am not worried about my fiance or anyone at the USCIS doing anything negative with my account number or social security number. This is not why I asked the question. If I was worried about my fiance's honesty would I really be marrying him? And if I was worried about USCIS having my information, well that would just be silly, in my opinion, since they are part of the U.S. government who already has access to any info they want about me. But, sending off my bank balances and account information, along with my tax returns etc,etc,etc, that makes me very nervous. I was told by DHL that they would not send to Cuba when I called some months ago. I'll try again.

Hi, First of all, I would never send anything by mail to Cuba!!! I always find someone who's going to Cuba and have them take things with them. It's very common practice, everyone knows you can't trust the mail.

But more importantly, Girl, you need to go to Cuba and be there for the interview and that solves your problem of mail. It's not worth all the trouble and expense and time you've just put into this process to have your fiance be denied at the interview. It's not worth the risk. I didn't have the money or time, but as every other VJer with Cuban fiances advised me, I made it happen and I'm soooo glad I did. It's a huge testament to the validity of your relationship that you attend the interview. At the Interest Section, K1-ers with fiances present are the last to be interviewed, so we saw and heard the interviews of everyone that came before us, and those fiances or even spouses who were alone really had a tough time and I saw many were denied. Again, it's just not worth it. So, stop worrying about mail and get yourself there for the interview. You'll be glad you did. Good luck!!

I have no credit card receipts. U.S. credit cards are not accepted in Cuba. The article about DHS was interesting, thank you. I don't think it will work for me in this case, as it took a year for him to get his FOIA request granted. But it certainly is something to think about.

Thanks so much for all your help so far.

This reply is coming late, but I think you have enough evidence. Don't sweat it! I had just passport stamps of 3rd countries (no OFAC license) and kind of wrote in a caption for which trips they were from. We had several fotos, but not really of specific places. I provided a sample of emails between the two of us, email receipts of plain tickets from BAhamas to Havana, email receipts of phone cards bought (I selected cards with names like "Cuba Cell" or something, and dates of calls around his birthday or holidays), a copy of a letter he sent to me, etc. For fotos, in a Cuban's case, it's pretty safe to assume that they were taken in Cuba and not elsewhere as most Cubans can't leave. Don't worry, the K1 petition part of the process goes quick and easy as long as you have all the documentation (forms, etc.) requested. In other countries, there is more scrutiny at this stage, but with Cuba, I suspect that it goes through very easily. You can see on the compared timelines that nearly all Cuban K1's are approved faster than any other country. Just make sure that when it comes time for the interview, make you sure you go too!!!!

Can you tell me which agency you use? I need to go to Cuba legally in order to show that we've met within the last two years. thanks!

I know this reply is pretty late, but you don't need to go legally to prove anything to immigration. I wasted my money on a lawyer who told me that, too, and I learned here on this forum that it's totally incorrect. Immigration doesn't care how you get to Cuba. I've never gone legally, and handed over all my proof of that as evidence of relationship, and they don't care. In my interviews (in Cuba and in US for the green card), I've told them straight up that I've only been in Cuba for vacation, and they never ask if you've actually had a permit. The law lies in the Department of Treasury, and Immigration doesn't communicate these things with them. So, in case you're still in the process, rest assured that it's not a problem.

We're already married and my husband has his green card. I'm more interested in knowing things like pros and cons to going through Miami with US license to travel to Cuba... like cost, difficulties in airport on Cuban side, etc... and if any people out there find it more beneficial to still go through a 3rd country. Now that we would be able to travel there legally, I'm still not convinced that we'd want to go through Miami. thanks!

Hey y'all,

I'm curious and just want to survey a few of you out there who've married Cubans and have taken trips back to Cuba. Do you prefer to get the US license and go through Miami (I hear it's terribly expensive), get the US license and go through Bahamas/Mexico, or just go through Bahamas/Mexico? I have always traveled without permit through the Bahamas and the airport is always full of a hundred Cubans... understandably, they were probably caught in Bush's travel restrictions, but I've heard from a few people that even with permit they still prefer to avoid Miami. And I also hear that the airport on Cuban's side, coming from Miami, is very strict with reviewing luggage, etc.

Any opinions?

Thanks!

~bridget~

I wanted to give an update on the information I gathered on the 2 different visas to get out of Cuba: salida indefinida (o temporal) and definitiva (permanent). I don't guarantee that these are the exact details, differences, pros/cons, etc. It's just what I've gathered from various sources.

I can't really tell you what's best, that depends on what your fiance wants. I couldn't find a whole lot of information, but Cuba's Interest Section website has info on the salida indefinida (not definida), and yes, that's what they push people to opt for in Cuban immigration (which also makes me distrust it).

My understanding is this:

Salida indefinida (temporal) allows your fiance to keep their rights as a Cuban (maintain property, health care access, longer visitation stays). But you have to send the carta de invitacion through the Cuban interest section, which costs a couple hundred, and you have to pay a round trip ticket from Cuba, and of course pay the carta blanca and go through the immigration process. You do not have to pay the chequeo medico (400CUC) and go through the step when they check out their home and possessions. But apparently, this route means you have to return to Cuba every now and then to maintain the status, and that they can't apply for US citizenship without giving up Cuban citizenship. If they elect to become a US citizen eventually, apparently they'd have to go through more processes in Cuba and pay more to renounce their citizenship first. Read the website, because I think there's some info about having to stay in touch with the interest section, as well, which seemed kind of like a psychological ball and chain to me, but maybe i'm wrong. I don't really have the patience to go back and re-read it.

Salida definitiva, which my fiance ardently defends as the best way: no carta de invitacion, giving up Cuban citizenship (give up property, health care, etc.), pay the chequeo medico, pay the carta blanca and go through los tramites, pay a one-way trip, maybe jump through a few more hoops of immigration and so it could possibly take longer (just depends on how things turn out, maybe not). Your fiance leaves and theoretically leaves for good, so that whenever they return, they return on a tourist visa (30 days o 60 days). But, if things don't go well and they want to return to live in Cuba as a Cuban citizen, they'd have to follow all the processes to become a Cuban resident as if for the first time (as if they never were before).

Hope that helps! Please feel free to correct any information that is incorrect.

Can anyone share their opinions/experiences with the pros and cons of the salida definida o indefinida from Cuba?

Many thanks!

Hey y'all,

Thought I would share... Something I'm just dealing with now, after expecting my fiance to come in a few more weeks, is a new change in Cuban immigration. Instead of visiting the Cuban's house to potentially confiscate their house and things, they're now requiring proof of ownership of the person's house. (In our case, it's his mom's house.) Which is great that the communists are learning efficiency, but still ridiculous in their procedures. Be careful, they're telling us this will take 30 days... at each office. So if your fiance has moved fairly recently, in our case the last 2 years, they're requiring the document for current and past residences and they'll only do one at a time. (i.e. he goes to the centrohabana office, where he used to live, and waits 30 days and then goes to the Playa office, current residence, and waits 30 days). If it sounds totally ridiculous, it's because it is. we'll see how much they might accept to shorten the time...

At immigration they also tried to convince him out of the whole thing, and then to get a temporary salida instead of permanent. Can't these people just let him go????

Let me know if you've dealt with this and/or have any ideas around it.

thnx,

~b~

Thanks, Juana!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad it worked out for you. Muchas felicidades!!!! y gracias por sus consejos

OH HELL YES!!!

I just returned , yes it was huge burden , but as someone who has been in this for 2 years now, nothing is as important as your face, and solidarity shows. I saw personally many persons denied at the interst section on the 2 days we were there, and heard all of the reasons. I was interviewed in english and spanish and was told that our attention to presenting evidence of our relationship and how we would be able to live was exactly what they wanted to see. afterwards, when we had to go to apply for the carta blanca in our municipality of Boyeros , ( en La Vibora) again , it was my being there that made the difference and we were able to get it done a bit faster. Nothing in Cuba is quick and it is allllllll somewhat difficult , I will write separately a full account, I could def write a book of helpful what to do and what not to dos... any way. take $ lots of it and make or buy sandwichs ffor your day there, also wear cloths for being cold inside and so hot outside, because noe en cuba its reallllllly hot. prepare to celebrate afterwards if it goes welll, get a coffee and then hit the planchao!!! hahahha, but know its only 1/2 done at that point, the next 2+weks are a test of your endurance.

Juana

Hi!

My Cuban fiance's interview is in November, and we're debating whether I should attend or not due to financial burden. Because we have some difference in age, race, and recent divorce, I think it'd be best that I go, but just wanted to see what the forum has to say (in hopes of not having to drop a grand for an interview).

thanks for any input!

From all I had researched before beginning my K1 process was that the USCIS does not communicate these things to OFAC, where the Cuban embargo law technically lies. We're nearly to the interview, and I submitted lots of incriminating evidence as my proof of relationship, yet was still approved in the first steps of the process. I'll also be attending the interview, and from the feedback I've read on this forum, I won't be questioned as to why I'm there, either. If I experience differently, i'll be sure to post it after I get back (mid-november), but everything I've read here (and even consulted a lawyer) was that it should be ok.

Thanks for the feedback! I know I should go, but I think I just needed some anecdotal evidence of why to help make the decision. Thanks for that!

Hi!

My Cuban fiance's interview is in November, and we're debating whether I should attend or not due to financial burden. Because we have some difference in age, race, and recent divorce, I think it'd be best that I go, but just wanted to see what the forum has to say (in hopes of not having to drop a grand for an interview).

thanks for any input!

Short answer: No. Your fiance needs to first pick up the packet from the US Interest Section, and obtain a passport, and then you can call to schedule appointment. You'll need info like the HAV.... case number, fiance's passport number, and other basic contact info to schedule.

Long answer: Our case was at NVC for not long- maybe 2 weeks- this past month. I know when they sent via DHL to the US Interest Section, but it took about 2-3 weeks for the Interest Section to acknowledge they had it. My fiance has been calling them every week to check in. This week they gave him an appointment date - Sept 25th- to pick up the packet. The lady on the phone said he should go ahead and schedule an appointment since the wait time is 3 months (all official literature/instructions say to wait until all documentation is ready after receiving packet). So I got excited thinking we could schedule the interview now, but when I called the insane system that charges $11 for 8 minutes of talk time, they wouldn't allow me to schedule the appointment without his Consular case number, which starts with HAV..... The USCIS case number is not acceptable.

My question to anyone reading this with CUBAN fiance is, is there another way to schedule the appointment (considering they verbally instructed us to do so) without buying into their monopoly phone system. I dislike it on principle.

good luck!

Thanks so much for your help!!!!

Just to clear things up for you. Yes the NVC sends your case to the U.S interest section. The affidavit of support is submitted at the time of the interview with the other documentation that your fiancé needs to fill out. Not all the time the US interest section informs to pick up packet. I had to call to set up an appointment for Mary to go pick the forms up. And Make you call the U.S interest section to do that, and to set up an interview date. They will give you an 800 number to call for the interview appointment. Typical the visa is given the next day, but I had heard that some received it on the same day. I not sure what is the cost of the Carta Blanca as of now, but when we went through the process is was 150, and the medical exam was 400, and keep in mind you must buy the plane ticket before the Carta Blanca is received. A ticket for Cuba right now is about 300cuc. If you fiancé is permantly immigrating to the U.S, then the government will confiscate anything that bears his name. Typical they make a visit to his house and ask where he sleeps and what does he owned in the house. When they showed up at Mary's house, Mary said that she shares a room with her little sister and the house and all the belongings are owned by her mother. Nothing was confiscated. As for flying from Cuba, he needs to purchase the plane ticket in Cuba at his local havanatur office. I have seen American Airlines planes at the airport, but they are charter planes. Only charter planes can directly travel from Cuba to the U.S. As for the work permit, I had heard that you received a work permit stamp at the airport, we didn't have that luck. I also suggest he go get his social security card and his driver’s license when he arrives in the U.S. before is k-1 expires. Good Luck, Edwin&Mary

Hello,

I know this information has been covered bit by bit in the forum (I've explored a lot), but I just want to be sure I've got it all right. I've received the NOA2, and am awaiting noticias from the NVC.

This is how I think it'll all go down... Can someone confirm???

1. NVC will pass case on to US Interests Section. Will I have to submit the Affidavit of Support form and fee to NVC before it moves on? Do I need to submit anything to the NVC? I see contrasting reports on this.

2. Fiance will be informed and will pick up packet requesting the following forms: DS 156k, 157, DS 230 part 1 and 2, I-134, proof of my financial support, letters of intent to marry, and proof of ongoing relationship. Once this is complete, he'll call for an interview at Interest Section.

3. At interview, we'll pay either 121CUC or $131. (And I won't have any problems being there, however it is that I'm in Cuba???) Once approved, he'll return the next day for the visa.

4. Then he goes to Cuban Immigration for the carta blanca, pays 400CUC (is this correct?) for previously taken medical exam and 150CUC (correct?) for carta blanca. However, I read somewhere that the total cost at this point is $850 - which is correct?

5. Once carta blanca is received, they scope out his home and confiscate his things???? He lives with his mother, in her home. How will they differentiate what belongs to him and what belongs to her? Should he relocate things (like tv/dvd) to another house for awhile?

6. Then he buys ticket direct to Miami- is this only available through American Airlines, and is there a specific office he needs to go to? About how much is the cost?

7. When he arrives in US, does he receive a temporary work permit for first 90 days (I think I've read that), or will it only arrive after we've married and requested it?

Ok- I know this is a lot... thanks for any confirmation you can offer from your own experiences. I'm trying to prepare as much I can in the next two weeks as I've got a friend headed down soon, and I'm about to start an extremely busy schedule with work and school. I don't want any delays because of me being too slow.

Thanks so much!

~bridget~

K-1 Visa

Service Center : Vermont Service Center

Consulate : Switzerland

I-129F Sent : 2009-05-26

I-129F NOA1 : 2009-06-01

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2009-07-31

NVC Received :

NVC Left :

Consulate Received :

Packet 3 Received :

Packet 3 Sent :

Packet 4 Received :

Interview Date :

Visa Received :

US Entry :

Marriage :

Comments :

Processing

Estimates/Stats : Your I-129f was approved in 60 days from your NOA1 date.

***Sorry, I realize I posted this in the wrong forum and can't see how to delete it.

Hello,

I know this information has been covered bit by bit in the forum (I've explored a lot), but I just want to be sure I've got it all right. I've received the NOA2, and am awaiting noticias from the NVC.

This is how I think it'll all go down... Can someone confirm???

1. NVC will pass case on to US Interests Section. Will I have to submit the Affidavit of Support form and fee to NVC before it moves on? Do I need to submit anything to the NVC? I see contrasting reports on this.

2. Fiance will be informed and will pick up packet requesting the following forms: DS 156k, 157, DS 230 part 1 and 2, I-134, proof of my financial support, letters of intent to marry, and proof of ongoing relationship. Once this is complete, he'll call for an interview at Interest Section.

3. At interview, we'll pay either 121CUC or $131. (And I won't have any problems being there, however it is that I'm in Cuba???) Once approved, he'll return the next day for the visa.

4. Then he goes to Cuban Immigration for the carta blanca, pays 400CUC (is this correct?) for previously taken medical exam and 150CUC (correct?) for carta blanca. However, I read somewhere that the total cost at this point is $850 - which is correct?

5. Once carta blanca is received, they scope out his home and confiscate his things???? He lives with his mother, in her home. How will they differentiate what belongs to him and what belongs to her? Should he relocate things (like tv/dvd) to another house for awhile?

6. Then he buys ticket direct to Miami- is this only available through American Airlines, and is there a specific office he needs to go to? About how much is the cost?

7. When he arrives in US, does he receive a temporary work permit for first 90 days (I think I've read that), or will it only arrive after we've married and requested it?

Ok- I know this is a lot... thanks for any confirmation you can offer from your own experiences. I'm trying to prepare as much I can in the next two weeks as I've got a friend headed down soon, and I'm about to start an extremely busy schedule with work and school. I don't want any delays because of me being too slow.

Thanks so much!

The problem that might come up, if I read the post correctly, is that she stayed married to the first guy until he got his greencard, but was having a relationship with the new guy. [i'm not judging her - I met my new husband during the divorce proceedings with my first husband.] The reason USCIS might care about the situation is this... she needs to say how and when she met the new guy, and show proof of a relationship. I don't know if they'll notice that during the time she was establishing a relationship with him, she had to show proof of a valid marriage for the first guy to get his greencard. It's going to be difficult to figure out a way to explain this one.

Good luck

Just want to add that I don't intend to sound mean. I'm just not able to phrase things the way I want right now. I hope you know what I'm trying to say though. USCIS might just say that you can't be in a bona fide marriage at the same time you're starting a bona fide relationship with someone else. Unless you two met and were just friends until after the greencard was issued to your husband, they might not accept the situation.

Does that make sense?

Or am I just digging myself in deeper here?

Sorry....

I understand what you're saying, and do not at all take offense. That's why I wanted to see if anyone had been in this situation before me, to see how it went for them.

Thanks for all your input!

Hello,

Does anyone have experience with petitioning for K-1 for fiance, after having already petitioned for green card for past husband?

I proposed this question a while back, but on the wrong forum. I have been married to an immigrant who obtained his green card in june of last year. (He was here on tourist visa originally when we met.) The marriage was pretty much over by the time of green card 4.5 years later (we were kind of young and stupid), but we didn't want to divorce until he got his residency. 6 months have passed and we plan to divorce by March (in my state, you must be legally separated for 6 months).

However, for the last year and half, I've been in love with my current fiance in Cuba. As soon as I divorce, I plan on submitting the K-1 fiance visa. I've spoken to several lawyers about this, and I think there shouldn't be a big problem, but I'm curious to know if anyone has experience with this. I guess it looks kind of shady - like I'm running a business here- but I'm NOT. And I'm frightened this may affect the success of the K-1 petition. We have plenty of proof.

Any opinions/advice/similar experiences out there?

Thanks!

Hello,

I'm hoping someone may have some knowledge/experience in this... I will soon be getting a divorce from my immigrant husband who has just received his permanent residency from USCIS. We have been separated for some time, but stayed together so that he could get his residency. Now that he has it, we're waiting a few months and will get divorced.

The problem for me is that I have since found the love of my life in Cuba, we've been together over a year, and I'd like to file a K-1 petition for him. Does anyone know if the proximity of divorce to the filing of the K-1 petition will cause any problems for us?

I've heard it would cause a potential problem for my former husband, but an immigration lawyer advised me that he had surpassed the statute of time and that it would not be a problem. The same lawyer told me a few other things that turned out to be incorrect, so I don't quite trust her anymore.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Just an update- my boyfriend went to the immigration office in Habana to apply for his passport on June 12th. Carta blanca/letter of invitation are still in effect. Also, passport still costs 55CUC (I had heard it was going to increase in price, but not yet, apparently). There are some delays in getting the passport (1 month instead of 15 days).... just in case any of this is useful to anyone.

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.

I'm so very sorry about your loss. I can't imagine what you must be feeling- nor do I even know you- but please stay strong and keep looking forward, no matter how hard it may be.

mis condolencias,

~bridget~

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.

Hi there,

My boyfriend and I email each other nearly every day- he uses his correos de cuba account. The central server often goes down (like today, mid-conversation), or sometimes the guy running the IP decides he doesn't feel like hanging around and closes early, and other times the lines are incredibly long and he can't get in on time. Because my boyfriend is a tour guide, he can pass by the IP in the daytime to see if the lines are short, then he'll take his lunch break if there's no line. I think noontime is better than late afternoon. If he waits until after work, sometimes he can't get in. I know that the IP in Habana Vieja closes at 6pm, but there's one near the Plaza de la Revolucion that is 24 hours. And like another user said, its costly: 5 cuc per hour, 3 cuc per half hour.

Hope this info helps enjoy the letters that you're getting, though, they're always better!

Felicidades!

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all the great information. I've been searching the internet for many months for this kind of information, and have failed to find much specific to Cuba/US immigration. I even paid to see a lawyer, who told me she had lots of experience with Cuban immigration matters, but in the end, really was not knowledgeable. (That's a lawyer for you.) But this site has been an amazing source of information. I have more hope now as my boyfriend and I just begin this whole process.

Muchisimas gracias a todos!

~bridget~