Leaving Cuba: Salida Indefinitiva vs. Salida Definitiva?

[J.Ro 1]

CUBAN COUPLES - Saludos a todos! I'm so glad I've found this website, I've learned so much more here than from government websites or my lawyer...

I just got back from 4 months in Cuba. We filed our petition on December 21, and the lawyer told us not to expect any developments until March 21. So imagine my surprise when I got back, went through my mail, and found NOA1 and NOA2, sent back in January! (Needless to say, my expensive lawyer had not bothered to email with this important update). Meanwhile Osvaldo returned home (we had been travelling) to discover USINT had been trying to reach him. By the time I called for his interview appointment, the soonest available was July 10.

After reading posts from Edwin and others, I have since attempted to get a closer interview date, but no luck so far. I'll keep trying, because I am pregnant...

Anyway, to get to the topic: after reading posts here, I think I am more worried about the process of exiting Cuba than anything else. I've seen people mention that there are two alternatives, salida indefinitiva and salida definitiva. How is the process/paperwork/cost different for each? What are pros and cons of each to consider?

I'm also confused about the medical exam; are there really two required?

Thanks for any info

[EdwinandMary 0]

Keep calling the U.S interest Section.....someone might cancel their interview date , and a spot might open up for you.....we did a salida definitiva which doesn't required a invitation letter, but when your fiancé leaves the country permanently the cuba goverment will take away all property and bank accounts. The Cuban government will sent an official to inspect the house during the Carta Blanca process to determine what you exactly own. I believe that this process doesn’t occur when someone leave on a temp basis. That what I understand. I not sure if Mary had two medical exams, I know she had one physical with a blood test, then on a later date she had x-rays taken. And the Medical exam is 450 dollars which is paid after you received the Carta Blanca. There’s also a 150 fee. Hopes this helps.

CUBAN COUPLES - Saludos a todos! I'm so glad I've found this website, I've learned so much more here than from government websites or my lawyer...

I just got back from 4 months in Cuba. We filed our petition on December 21, and the lawyer told us not to expect any developments until March 21. So imagine my surprise when I got back, went through my mail, and found NOA1 and NOA2, sent back in January! (Needless to say, my expensive lawyer had not bothered to email with this important update). Meanwhile Osvaldo returned home (we had been travelling) to discover USINT had been trying to reach him. By the time I called for his interview appointment, the soonest available was July 10.

After reading posts from Edwin and others, I have since attempted to get a closer interview date, but no luck so far. I'll keep trying, because I am pregnant...

Anyway, to get to the topic: after reading posts here, I think I am more worried about the process of exiting Cuba than anything else. I've seen people mention that there are two alternatives, salida indefinitiva and salida definitiva. How is the process/paperwork/cost different for each? What are pros and cons of each to consider?

I'm also confused about the medical exam; are there really two required?

Thanks for any info

[Barbara y Alexis 1]

four months in cuba! wow -- how'd you do that?

and yes, the time lag to get the interview in Havana seems to be the longest part of the process for me too.

my fiance's interview is June 26, and i'm going for a visit next week!

congrats on the pregnancy!

, salida indefinitiva and salida definitiva.

i'm in no way an expert, but i believe that one is permission to visit abroad, and for that, they have to go back after 11 months to update the paperwork. it's not legal for them to go back from the US perspective because they can only go once every 3 years, right?

the other one is permission to reside abroad. for that one they don't have to return every 11 months.

i think you know that as far as cuba is concerned, he will always be a cuban citizen and when he wants to visit Cuba, he has to do it using his Cuban passport, so he has to follow their rules...something about "rehabilitating" his passport is a whole other process if he doesn't stay up to date and follow the rules.

i'm on the message board cubaamor.com which is mostly canadians, and they don't have the 3 year rule that we do. they talk about the difference between a PRE and PVE. you could go to that forum and do some searches for past posts on those topics. if you get it figured out, please post here...it is confusing to me also.

I'm also confused about the medical exam; are there really two required?

it seems that the US requires one (select a doctor from an approved list the embassy will give him) which is legit (to be sure he doesn't have certain diseases), and then the Cubans also have "medical" which apparently is nothing more than an opportunity for them to charge another fee.

good luck and let's share info!

[J.Ro 1]

Keep calling the U.S interest Section.....someone might cancel their interview date , and a spot might open up for you.....we did a salida definitiva which doesn't required a invitation letter, but when your fiancé leaves the country permanently the cuba goverment will take away all property and bank accounts. The Cuban government will sent an official to inspect the house during the Carta Blanca process to determine what you exactly own. I believe that this process doesn’t occur when someone leave on a temp basis. That what I understand. I not sure if Mary had two medical exams, I know she had one physical with a blood test, then on a later date she had x-rays taken. And the Medical exam is 450 dollars which is paid after you received the Carta Blanca. There’s also a 150 fee. Hopes this helps.

CUBAN COUPLES - Saludos a todos! I'm so glad I've found this website, I've learned so much more here than from government websites or my lawyer...

I just got back from 4 months in Cuba. We filed our petition on December 21, and the lawyer told us not to expect any developments until March 21. So imagine my surprise when I got back, went through my mail, and found NOA1 and NOA2, sent back in January! (Needless to say, my expensive lawyer had not bothered to email with this important update). Meanwhile Osvaldo returned home (we had been travelling) to discover USINT had been trying to reach him. By the time I called for his interview appointment, the soonest available was July 10.

After reading posts from Edwin and others, I have since attempted to get a closer interview date, but no luck so far. I'll keep trying, because I am pregnant...

Anyway, to get to the topic: after reading posts here, I think I am more worried about the process of exiting Cuba than anything else. I've seen people mention that there are two alternatives, salida indefinitiva and salida definitiva. How is the process/paperwork/cost different for each? What are pros and cons of each to consider?

I'm also confused about the medical exam; are there really two required?

Thanks for any info

Thanks everyone for the quick replies! PLEASE CLARIFY ... to move up the interview should I call the US SPECIAL INTERESTS SECTION? I've been calling the toll free Appointment Service Center. Edwin, do you have a phone # for the US Special Interests Section? I did email them about the situation/my pregnancy, no reply yet.

[Barbara y Alexis 1]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies! PLEASE CLARIFY ... to move up the interview should I call the US SPECIAL INTERESTS SECTION? I've been calling the toll free Appointment Service Center. Edwin, do you have a phone # for the US Special Interests Section? I did email them about the situation/my pregnancy, no reply yet.

also some people have said they got quick replies when they faxed to the US "Embassy" in Havana...you could do a search here for a fax number (or maybe it's on the website for the US Office in Havana) and try a few faxes with your email as a way to reach you.

good luck. i sure hope your husband can be here when you give birth!

[2manypapers 0]

When my husband and I were going through the process, I emailed our Special Interests Section there several times, usually it took a few days for them to reply, but they always answered.

I know July 10th seems far away, but that is the typical waiting period. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

If he does not leave definitely, then he has to pay the 150 each month, the first 30 days are free, returning in the 11th month. Payment can be made through specialized travel agencies or directly in Washington at the Cuban Special Interests Section. They are only open a few hours in the morning to the public each day and never answer the phone! (He can't buy a ticket to return, until he has the stamps.)

If he elects to retain his benefits as a Cuban Nationale, you will need to marry, and then make the application to the Cuban government with your certified marriage certificate, all requested paperwork and all the fees. Applying does not guarantee an approval and they don't have to give you a reason. I don't know the amount of the current fees, but it took several months for their response to our application.

Hope this information helps you a little.

2many papers

[EdwinandMary 0]

here's the number to the U.S. interest section 011 53 7 8333551. When the girl answers the phone tell them that you are american and want to speak wtih someone that speaks english. They will transfer you to an much older lady(don't know her name, but i met her when i was at the interview. explain your situation, and ask for a earlier date. If she wants to she will call that 800 number for you and change you date. Good Luck, Edwin

Keep calling the U.S interest Section.....someone might cancel their interview date , and a spot might open up for you.....we did a salida definitiva which doesn't required a invitation letter, but when your fiancé leaves the country permanently the cuba goverment will take away all property and bank accounts. The Cuban government will sent an official to inspect the house during the Carta Blanca process to determine what you exactly own. I believe that this process doesn’t occur when someone leave on a temp basis. That what I understand. I not sure if Mary had two medical exams, I know she had one physical with a blood test, then on a later date she had x-rays taken. And the Medical exam is 450 dollars which is paid after you received the Carta Blanca. There’s also a 150 fee. Hopes this helps.

CUBAN COUPLES - Saludos a todos! I'm so glad I've found this website, I've learned so much more here than from government websites or my lawyer...

I just got back from 4 months in Cuba. We filed our petition on December 21, and the lawyer told us not to expect any developments until March 21. So imagine my surprise when I got back, went through my mail, and found NOA1 and NOA2, sent back in January! (Needless to say, my expensive lawyer had not bothered to email with this important update). Meanwhile Osvaldo returned home (we had been travelling) to discover USINT had been trying to reach him. By the time I called for his interview appointment, the soonest available was July 10.

After reading posts from Edwin and others, I have since attempted to get a closer interview date, but no luck so far. I'll keep trying, because I am pregnant...

Anyway, to get to the topic: after reading posts here, I think I am more worried about the process of exiting Cuba than anything else. I've seen people mention that there are two alternatives, salida indefinitiva and salida definitiva. How is the process/paperwork/cost different for each? What are pros and cons of each to consider?

I'm also confused about the medical exam; are there really two required?

Thanks for any info

Thanks everyone for the quick replies! PLEASE CLARIFY ... to move up the interview should I call the US SPECIAL INTERESTS SECTION? I've been calling the toll free Appointment Service Center. Edwin, do you have a phone # for the US Special Interests Section? I did email them about the situation/my pregnancy, no reply yet.

[David07 0]

Hello all,

Just to add a few footnotes that might help clarify things:

-There's only one medical exam which sometimes is scheduled in two diferent days depending on the jurisdiction; it is administered by cuban hospitals; the US Interests Section asks for it as a requirement but have nothing to do with the process. Like Edwin said, you do not pay for it upfront but at the very end- the fee is like a penalty for leaving the country.

- If you do a salida indefinida, the process could be much simpler and cheaper. You wouldn't need to pay for the exam and all you would mostly need is a carta de invitacion for 150 CUC. I think besides saving a few bucks; this makes things quicker for some whom it might be more difficult to leave (depending on profession, etc..) The problem though comes later if/when your fiance/ee needs to go back; there's all sort of penalties and fees to get the paperwork squared away while being a cuban national.