POE...Port of Entry choices

[cubanlovestory 0]

Hello Everyone, I just wanted to know for those of you that are buying your tickets for your Fiance to come home, what are the POE cities that the K-! beneficiaries are allowed to travel through. My love will eventually be travelling out of Cuba but there are no straight flights from CUBA to other US cities besides Miami....heres the problem...the waiting list to get on that flight is so long and I've heard of people waiting sometimes up to 2 months after having their visas to get on that flight straight to Miami . So my question is can we use a middle country like the Bahamas or Mexico (cancun) so he can get a straight flight into California. Will he have to get a visa to travel through these third countries?? THANKS IN ADVANCE

cubanlovestory7monthspregnant

[YuAndDan 153]

Yes you can use a middle country, but you need to look at what your SO needs to do to get a visitors, or transit visa to that middle country. Visit the embassy web sites of the middle country to find out.

One other thing, look for flights from Cuba to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is also a POE for the USA.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/pr/

Edited October 18, 2006 by YuAndDan

[Peter Miami 0]

Yes you can use a middle country, but you need to look at what your SO needs to do to get a visitors, or transit visa to that middle country. Visit the embassy web sites of the middle country to find out.

One other thing, look for flights from Cuba to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is also a POE for the USA.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/pr/

Very true. My wife POE was Miami from Cali, Colombia and it was a very smooth and easy POE.

Peter Miami

[cubanlovestory 0]

Yes you can use a middle country, but you need to look at what your SO needs to do to get a visitors, or transit visa to that middle country. Visit the embassy web sites of the middle country to find out.

One other thing, look for flights from Cuba to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is also a POE for the USA.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/pr/

Very true. My wife POE was Miami from Cali, Colombia and it was a very smooth and easy POE.

Peter Miami

thanks for the Replies, however there are no straight flights from Cuba to Puerto Rico..crazy right. I think I will look into him getting a transit visa...uuuuhhhh. Thanks for the Help, also if anyone has experience with CUBA k-1 please let me know your take on this.

Peace

[1/2Cuban 0]

Hey my fiance traveled Havana to Cancun and from Cancun POE Miami. He didn't need to check with embassy or anything like that since he had same day ticket, just marked in transit on his paperwork.

We did this to travel together and to avoid the super waiting list for direct flights. He purchased his ticket from the Mexicana office en La Rampa, 2 days before his flight. He bought Havana Cancun Miami all together, for a very very reasonable price (can't remember exactly) much cheaper than my estimate though!!!! When he got on the plane to Cancun, they took his passport and exiting the plane they escorted him to an immigration office where they asked him all kinds of questions, formed tremenda intriga with the sealed manila immigration envelope that says to only be opened by an US immigration officer not valid if opened. They really really wanted to open, could barely read the warning stamp so thought it was something terroristic or who knows what!!! Then he was escorted to the Mexican window where he checked in for his next flight much later that afternoon and was escorted through security to wait near the gate. Once on the plane to Miami they returned his documents to him. He entered in Miami with no problems.... but that airport is an absolute zoo, it was crazy!!!!!!

So I hope that answers your question.

Another piece of advice that will possibly speed up your wait for his permisso de salida and make it more cost effective. Is if he leaves Cuba temorarily instead of definitively he doesn't have to pay for the medical or the carta blanca. You would do this by getting a letter of invitation so to the Cuban government he is going to visit not permanently immigrate. This letter costs $150 and can be obtained in person and possibly through fax. The other benefit is this way won't lose all his rights to citizenship if wants to maintain them. Although this would involve not being away for more than 11 months and he would be subject to the torture of the exit visa each time he wants to leave Cuba, although they say it gets easier........

Anyway hope this info is useful to you!

c

[Peter Miami 0]

Hey my fiance traveled Havana to Cancun and from Cancun POE Miami. He didn't need to check with embassy or anything like that since he had same day ticket, just marked in transit on his paperwork.

We did this to travel together and to avoid the super waiting list for direct flights. He purchased his ticket from the Mexicana office en La Rampa, 2 days before his flight. He bought Havana Cancun Miami all together, for a very very reasonable price (can't remember exactly) much cheaper than my estimate though!!!! When he got on the plane to Cancun, they took his passport and exiting the plane they escorted him to an immigration office where they asked him all kinds of questions, formed tremenda intriga with the sealed manila immigration envelope that says to only be opened by an US immigration officer not valid if opened. They really really wanted to open, could barely read the warning stamp so thought it was something terroristic or who knows what!!! Then he was escorted to the Mexican window where he checked in for his next flight much later that afternoon and was escorted through security to wait near the gate. Once on the plane to Miami they returned his documents to him. He entered in Miami with no problems.... but that airport is an absolute zoo, it was crazy!!!!!!

So I hope that answers your question.

Another piece of advice that will possibly speed up your wait for his permisso de salida and make it more cost effective. Is if he leaves Cuba temorarily instead of definitively he doesn't have to pay for the medical or the carta blanca. You would do this by getting a letter of invitation so to the Cuban government he is going to visit not permanently immigrate. This letter costs $150 and can be obtained in person and possibly through fax. The other benefit is this way won't lose all his rights to citizenship if wants to maintain them. Although this would involve not being away for more than 11 months and he would be subject to the torture of the exit visa each time he wants to leave Cuba, although they say it gets easier........

Anyway hope this info is useful to you!

c

A lot of good information and detail.

Thank you,

Peter Miami

[cubanlovestory 0]

Hey my fiance traveled Havana to Cancun and from Cancun POE Miami. He didn't need to check with embassy or anything like that since he had same day ticket, just marked in transit on his paperwork.

We did this to travel together and to avoid the super waiting list for direct flights. He purchased his ticket from the Mexicana office en La Rampa, 2 days before his flight. He bought Havana Cancun Miami all together, for a very very reasonable price (can't remember exactly) much cheaper than my estimate though!!!! When he got on the plane to Cancun, they took his passport and exiting the plane they escorted him to an immigration office where they asked him all kinds of questions, formed tremenda intriga with the sealed manila immigration envelope that says to only be opened by an US immigration officer not valid if opened. They really really wanted to open, could barely read the warning stamp so thought it was something terroristic or who knows what!!! Then he was escorted to the Mexican window where he checked in for his next flight much later that afternoon and was escorted through security to wait near the gate. Once on the plane to Miami they returned his documents to him. He entered in Miami with no problems.... but that airport is an absolute zoo, it was crazy!!!!!!

So I hope that answers your question.

Another piece of advice that will possibly speed up your wait for his permisso de salida and make it more cost effective. Is if he leaves Cuba temorarily instead of definitively he doesn't have to pay for the medical or the carta blanca. You would do this by getting a letter of invitation so to the Cuban government he is going to visit not permanently immigrate. This letter costs $150 and can be obtained in person and possibly through fax. The other benefit is this way won't lose all his rights to citizenship if wants to maintain them. Although this would involve not being away for more than 11 months and he would be subject to the torture of the exit visa each time he wants to leave Cuba, although they say it gets easier........

Anyway hope this info is useful to you!

c

Great reply, however i'm still a little confused about the letter of invitation....are you saying doing that instead of doing the K1 visa...how does that work???? Thanks in advance

[1/2Cuban 0]

Hey my fiance traveled Havana to Cancun and from Cancun POE Miami. He didn't need to check with embassy or anything like that since he had same day ticket, just marked in transit on his paperwork.

We did this to travel together and to avoid the super waiting list for direct flights. He purchased his ticket from the Mexicana office en La Rampa, 2 days before his flight. He bought Havana Cancun Miami all together, for a very very reasonable price (can't remember exactly) much cheaper than my estimate though!!!! When he got on the plane to Cancun, they took his passport and exiting the plane they escorted him to an immigration office where they asked him all kinds of questions, formed tremenda intriga with the sealed manila immigration envelope that says to only be opened by an US immigration officer not valid if opened. They really really wanted to open, could barely read the warning stamp so thought it was something terroristic or who knows what!!! Then he was escorted to the Mexican window where he checked in for his next flight much later that afternoon and was escorted through security to wait near the gate. Once on the plane to Miami they returned his documents to him. He entered in Miami with no problems.... but that airport is an absolute zoo, it was crazy!!!!!!

So I hope that answers your question.

Another piece of advice that will possibly speed up your wait for his permisso de salida and make it more cost effective. Is if he leaves Cuba temorarily instead of definitively he doesn't have to pay for the medical or the carta blanca. You would do this by getting a letter of invitation so to the Cuban government he is going to visit not permanently immigrate. This letter costs $150 and can be obtained in person and possibly through fax. The other benefit is this way won't lose all his rights to citizenship if wants to maintain them. Although this would involve not being away for more than 11 months and he would be subject to the torture of the exit visa each time he wants to leave Cuba, although they say it gets easier........

Anyway hope this info is useful to you!

c

Great reply, however i'm still a little confused about the letter of invitation....are you saying doing that instead of doing the K1 visa...how does that work???? Thanks in advance

Not instead... in addition to. It probably works best if and is much easier you are there but they said it is possible by fax.

once my fiance was granted his K-1 visa (day after the interview) went to local cuban immigration office where he was asked if he was soliciting to leave temporarily (letter of invitation for a visit) or permanently. Since a K-1 is a non immigrant visa good for 90 days unless married within he was given that option.

So what we decided to do was get the letter of invitation and solicite permisso de salida (temporary) not carta blanca (permanent). It saved us money (not paying for the medical exam.... you pay when you get the tarjeta blanca not when you get the exam) and gives him the option to retain his rights as a Cuban citizen if he so choses (then there is a whole set of rule for that, for example he cannot reside outside of Cuba for more than 11 consecutive months ect...). Basicly through the eyes of the Cuban government he left temporarily and can return without losing Cuban citizenship.

Does that explain it better or confuse you more!!!!?????

[Saddle Bronc 124]

How about non-straight-through flights (such as through Mexico or Canada), with connexion thence to US (in the case of Canada, through PFI)?

[Beisbol101 0]

Not instead... in addition to. It probably works best if and is much easier you are there but they said it is possible by fax.

once my fiance was granted his K-1 visa (day after the interview) went to local cuban immigration office where he was asked if he was soliciting to leave temporarily (letter of invitation for a visit) or permanently. Since a K-1 is a non immigrant visa good for 90 days unless married within he was given that option.

So what we decided to do was get the letter of invitation and solicite permisso de salida (temporary) not carta blanca (permanent). It saved us money (not paying for the medical exam.... you pay when you get the tarjeta blanca not when you get the exam) and gives him the option to retain his rights as a Cuban citizen if he so choses (then there is a whole set of rule for that, for example he cannot reside outside of Cuba for more than 11 consecutive months ect...). Basicly through the eyes of the Cuban government he left temporarily and can return without losing Cuban citizenship.

Does that explain it better or confuse you more!!!!?????

Awesome info, 1/2Cuban...I am envious of those of you who seem to go through this stuff so quickly....

When my SO went to the emigration office he wasn't sure what to ask for so we ended up with a salida definida, and now it's taking forever to get the carta blanca. However, we didn't get charged (at least not yet) for an additional medical. I'm kinda afraid now to switch to the indefinida because they might start asking questions, but in any case, if Cubans can only go to Cuba once every 3 years per US law, how can they keep up an indefinida if they can't be there every 11 months?

I've also read that it costs something like $70 per month to retain Cuban citizenship, which could get expensive. I suppose it makes sense if you anticipate issues with getting married in 90 days, but as a long term option, unless you've got money to burn (who does these days?), it doesn't make much sense to me....

Thanks!! :-)

[1/2Cuban 0]

Awesome info, 1/2Cuban...I am envious of those of you who seem to go through this stuff so quickly....

When my SO went to the emigration office he wasn't sure what to ask for so we ended up with a salida definida, and now it's taking forever to get the carta blanca. However, we didn't get charged (at least not yet) for an additional medical. I'm kinda afraid now to switch to the indefinida because they might start asking questions, but in any case, if Cubans can only go to Cuba once every 3 years per US law, how can they keep up an indefinida if they can't be there every 11 months?

I've also read that it costs something like $70 per month to retain Cuban citizenship, which could get expensive. I suppose it makes sense if you anticipate issues with getting married in 90 days, but as a long term option, unless you've got money to burn (who does these days?), it doesn't make much sense to me....

Thanks!! :-)

For sure. Probably best not to switch now! I don't know much about the ins and outs of retaining Cuban citizenship but as you stated i image there are many monetary fees and prorrogas!!!! We're not planning on him retaining his citizenship, it was more or less not to completely rule it out if we didn't have to and to save a little cash!!!!!

How about non-straight-through flights (such as through Mexico or Canada), with connexion thence to US (in the case of Canada, through PFI)?

My fiances flight was not straight through... it was the same airline so the tickes were joined, he had to be escorted through the airport and security, stripped of his documents until he was in the air and almost arriving in Miami, and was not allowed to leave the terminal. So he sat and walked around the gate area for about half a day until his connecting flight.

Through Canada i don't know, but i imagine same kind of deal.

[cubanlovestory 0]

Awesome info, 1/2Cuban...I am envious of those of you who seem to go through this stuff so quickly....

When my SO went to the emigration office he wasn't sure what to ask for so we ended up with a salida definida, and now it's taking forever to get the carta blanca. However, we didn't get charged (at least not yet) for an additional medical. I'm kinda afraid now to switch to the indefinida because they might start asking questions, but in any case, if Cubans can only go to Cuba once every 3 years per US law, how can they keep up an indefinida if they can't be there every 11 months?

I've also read that it costs something like $70 per month to retain Cuban citizenship, which could get expensive. I suppose it makes sense if you anticipate issues with getting married in 90 days, but as a long term option, unless you've got money to burn (who does these days?), it doesn't make much sense to me....

Thanks!! :-)

For sure. Probably best not to switch now! I don't know much about the ins and outs of retaining Cuban citizenship but as you stated i image there are many monetary fees and prorrogas!!!! We're not planning on him retaining his citizenship, it was more or less not to completely rule it out if we didn't have to and to save a little cash!!!!!

How about non-straight-through flights (such as through Mexico or Canada), with connexion thence to US (in the case of Canada, through PFI)?

My fiances flight was not straight through... it was the same airline so the tickes were joined, he had to be escorted through the airport and security, stripped of his documents until he was in the air and almost arriving in Miami, and was not allowed to leave the terminal. So he sat and walked around the gate area for about half a day until his connecting flight.

Through Canada i don't know, but i imagine same kind of deal.

Yeah you guys made a good choice, however I don't think that it works out for everyone. It's just that they can just get so sneaky, you just never know when the rules are going to change. But good for you all, it seemed to work out and it saved you all money!! I can't believe that Cancun did that (keeping her documents until she boarded). My fiance will most likely have a shorter stop over in Cancun, is it really a hassle to travel through Mexico? It just might be our only option because the straight flights to Miami have a 2 month waiting list

[Saddle Bronc 124]

My fiances flight was not straight through... it was the same airline so the tickes were joined, he had to be escorted through the airport and security, stripped of his documents until he was in the air and almost arriving in Miami, and was not allowed to leave the terminal. So he sat and walked around the gate area for about half a day until his connecting flight.

Through Canada i don't know, but i imagine same kind of deal.

Actually, no.

At the "big-four" airports of Canada (Pearson, Vancouver, Calgary and Dorval--in descending order of volume), there are lots of flights to US destinations; also, almost certainly several flights to Miami from Pearson and Dorval.

It IS true that once you enter the PFI area (and are successfully cleared to board), you cannot leave it.