Cuba: salida definida o indefinida?

[bridget y rodolfo 0]

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

Many thanks!

[Otto 83]

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

Many thanks!

** Topic seems to be better suited in "Latin America, Mexico & the Caribbean"; moving it there (FYI, English only outside of Regional Discussion Forums please.)

[bridget y rodolfo 0]

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.