Visiting Husband in Cuba

[DeAnna and Jorge 7]

I am a U.S. Citizen and I am about to file the CR1 for my husband who is in Cuba. I am going to go to visit him in February and I am going ot stay with him in Cuba for 3 months. I have a couple of questions. First does anyone know what type of visa I will have to get to stay in Cuba for 3 months with my husband and how much that will cost. Some of my husbands friends told him I would have to pay as much as $150 every month to the Cuban government for my Visa. Also does it matter if I travel through Mexico and then to Cuba instead of going on a Charter flight from the U.S when we are providing the tickets to establish our relationship? I know that I can legally travel to Cuba from the U.S. now because we are married. However I am a little nervous to take a Charter flght, so I am was thinking maybe it would be easier to just travel through Mexico... The last time I went to Cuba I traveled through Mexico. Does anyone know or having any experience with this?

Thanks!

[Peace&Love 26]

I'm not sure about how long you can stay in Cuba, but what I know is you can go to Cuba from where every you want. The general license which you are qualified to travel under will not limit from where you will be entering to Cuba. Good luck!

[Ryan H 3,810]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Caribbean regional forum; topic is about travel to Cuba and not about the spousal visa process.

[Jawaree 717]

Just make sure if U R USC U have the proper

approval to go there (if its required) not just by

virtue of marriage, because U will have to turn

these things in to the US govt. to prove bonafide,

I don't know if & how much u pay.

[Sarah&Michel 6]

You can either enter Cuba on a tourist visa which is good for up to 60 days (a tourist visa is good for 30 days but you can extend it for another 30 days when you are in Cuba.) If you would like to stay for three months, you will need to apply for an A-2 visa from the Cuban Interests Section in Washington DC. I don't know how much it costs and if you will actually be allowed to stay for 90 days. You should get in touch with the Cuban Interests Section asap as it may take up to 3 months to process the visa.

Good luck!

[calygirl75 12]

I wanted to address your hesitation to take charter flights from the US into Cuba. As someone that takes them quite often from FL, there is nothing to worry about. Hopefully you are near a city that has direct connects into the island for your convenience. As the previous poster indicates, the most important piece of business is complying with the Cuban laws and enter the island with the right documentation for an extended stay. Once there you might want to ask your husband to inquire with his local immigration office if you qualify to become a temporary resident of the island. I believe there are certain requirements that one has to meet, that is if you plan on spending more than 3 months out of the year living with your husband. Good luck.

[DeAnna and Jorge 7]

Thanks so much for everyone's response! Calygirl75 you are the first person that i have talked to that has experience with the Charter flights to Cuba. If you think they are not that bad, maybe I will try that. I live in Chicago so first i have to fly to Miami and then I can fly to Havana. If you don't mind me asking, what charter company do you usually use? One of the Charter companies I called said they could get me the A2 family visa, but I am not sure how long the visa will be good for. The Charter company I called said they only sell roundtrip tickets and those have to be used in 30 days, so I would have to pay for a round trip ticket and then buy a new ticket in havana when I am ready to go home in 3 months. Do you know if all the Charter companies make you have a round trip ticket with a 30 day limit?

[Sarah&Michel 6]

Thanks so much for everyone's response! Calygirl75 you are the first person that i have talked to that has experience with the Charter flights to Cuba. If you think they are not that bad, maybe I will try that. I live in Chicago so first i have to fly to Miami and then I can fly to Havana. If you don't mind me asking, what charter company do you usually use? One of the Charter companies I called said they could get me the A2 family visa, but I am not sure how long the visa will be good for. The Charter company I called said they only sell roundtrip tickets and those have to be used in 30 days, so I would have to pay for a round trip ticket and then buy a new ticket in havana when I am ready to go home in 3 months. Do you know if all the Charter companies make you have a round trip ticket with a 30 day limit?

The flight from Miami to Havana is very easy. The check in process is a little annoying but it's not that bad. The only bad thing about the charters is they are much stricter both in Miami and when you arrive in Havana, about the luggage restrictions. If you enter on an A2 family visa, they will probably scrutinize your bags more in Havana.

It is true what the travel agency says-- they can only sell you a 30 day ticket since I guess that is the maximum days the visas they arrange are good for. So, you can either 1) try and apply to the Cuban Interests Section for a longer visa (again, I am not sure how long the A2 visa is good for -- it may not be possible for you to stay in Cuba for more than 60 days) or 2) buy a RT ticket and then change your return date once you are in Cuba-- the change of ticket fee is like $150 CUC.

[Sarah&Michel 6]

PS- You can also enter Cuba on a tourist visa and then change to an A-2 the next day. The cost is around $40 CUC (you have to buy the stamps and then go to immigration). Since you are married, I think you can stay up to 6 months, but I am not 100% positive. In any case, I think you will need to change your return date on your ticket once you are in Havana and have extended your visa.

[calygirl75 12]

Sorry I've been on vacation. You've been getting great tips, here. Absolutely, you can modify your visa once there and you can pay a standard fee to change your flight. I use Mireya Infantes to get info on return flight availability. She is a rep for Havanatur at minfante@havanatur.cu She is so nice and very helpful. She is on the eastern side of the island but she can point you in the right direction.

One question, do you have a parent that is a Cuban Citizen? If so, you may be able to go a different route via immigration. That is if you are planning on staying for longer periods of time with your hubby.

[DeAnna and Jorge 7]

Thanks for your response! I do not have a parent that is a Cuban citizen. Which charter agency do you think is best to fly from Miami to Havana?

[calygirl75 12]

Thanks for your response! I do not have a parent that is a Cuban citizen. Which charter agency do you think is best to fly from Miami to Havana?

ABC Charters (President of company: Tessie Aral)

http://www.abc-charters.com/

They are consistent and professional. No need to worry that they will go "belly up" and take your money.

Luby Barrios is awesome. She'll take care of you.

[DeAnna and Jorge 7]

Thanks for the info!!

[pepper44 18]

DeAnna -

I just came back from Cuba. When I go I fly to Miami and use Marazul for my charter. They can provide you with everything you need. There is a woman there named Yanni who is absolutely fantastic.

www.marazul.com

The other charter flight given in a previous post I have heard of and seen when checking in at the airport but never used. The lines for the company however are smaller but I do not know of costs.

Marazul costs are around 400- 450 round trip. I do not know if you can book a 90 day stay but you can change your flight for only 25 us dollars.

Try calling around.

Best of luck I know the consulate in DC was closed while I was in Cuba but heard they are now open again until Feb 17th 2014. I guess I need to get my visa in order for my next trip before they close. ;-0