Travel to Cuba

[ernesto y alexis 0]

Hello to everyone! Recently started the process and new to the forum but it has been so helpful!

Just wondering if anyone has completed the interview for a Cuban spouse and if the whole US travel to Cuba came up? Was this scrutinized during the interview or review process because obviously, in most cases, the US petitioner has traveled there (possibly without license).

Also anyone attend the interview at the Swiss Consulate? Do they frown upon US citizens attending? I ask because my lawyer is advising me not to go with my husband because of possible risk, but I really want to be there, it is such a big day for us!

Thanks for all your help, seeing other Cuban couples is really helpful!

besitos,

alexis

[De & Al 0]

For all of you with Cuban fiance(e) or that know much about travel to Cuba I have a question for you. Does anyone know the limit for a tourist visa? I am thinking it is two months until you have to leave, but wanted to double check. Also does anyone know of ways to extend that stay besides leaving and reentering Cuba? Finally, for those going through the visa process with a Cuban SO... who bought or will buy the plane ticket for your SO to come here and from where did you buy it? I am asking being that US credit cards are not accpeted there and wanted to get some ideas. Thanks!

Yes, there are lots of ways you could travel legaly to cuba, however to your question I have kown that ones you are in cuba you could get a extention to your visa, 21 days at a time for 6 moths, if you leave you need a new visa, and for the place ticket you have to pay for it in cash in Cuba, no credit cards from the USA.

[ernesto y alexis 0]

Just to follow up on the topic Augustajim posted, I would like to hear people's feedback on "How do you show proof of having met in the fiancee's country and submit that proof to the government when travel there is not legal?"

I know some of you all met your Cuban spouse during authorized visits because you are originally Cuban or had one of the special licenses (hard to get!) But there has to be some of us that met while travelling through a third country to get there. (not calling anyone out and don't want to start a legal ruckus on the forum, just putting it out there....) But does anyone know how the US government dealing with that issue in interviews:

What do they say to you when you are sitting there telling them you met in Cuba when you were never supposes to be there in the first place (this is not an admission that I have done this or plan to but just wondering because I know some of us are not of Cuban heritage and have gone there without license, fallen in love, and wondering if that eventually comes up in this process)

thanks for your input!

[pocamuela 0]

Just to follow up on the topic Augustajim posted, I would like to hear people's feedback on "How do you show proof of having met in the fiancee's country and submit that proof to the government when travel there is not legal?"

I know some of you all met your Cuban spouse during authorized visits because you are originally Cuban or had one of the special licenses (hard to get!) But there has to be some of us that met while travelling through a third country to get there. (not calling anyone out and don't want to start a legal ruckus on the forum, just putting it out there....) But does anyone know how the US government dealing with that issue in interviews:

What do they say to you when you are sitting there telling them you met in Cuba when you were never supposes to be there in the first place (this is not an admission that I have done this or plan to but just wondering because I know some of us are not of Cuban heritage and have gone there without license, fallen in love, and wondering if that eventually comes up in this process)

thanks for your input!

There is always the risk of a fine if you travel illegally. However, the folks at the Interests Section are really not interested in how you got there. It seems to be basically "don't ask don't tell". I have been there and spoken to officials in the visa section and also in the assistance to American citizens section. I have always travelled legally but I know others who have gone through the entire visa process and have not travelled legally and it just doesn't come up. Just show your ticket stubs as part of the evidence of your relationship and don't worry about that side of it.

By the way, many people travel to Cuba legally through 3rd countries. Personally, I would rather go through a 3rd country than deal with Miami Airport.

Pocamuela

[De & Al 0]

Just to follow up on the topic Augustajim posted, I would like to hear people's feedback on "How do you show proof of having met in the fiancee's country and submit that proof to the government when travel there is not legal?"

I know some of you all met your Cuban spouse during authorized visits because you are originally Cuban or had one of the special licenses (hard to get!) But there has to be some of us that met while travelling through a third country to get there. (not calling anyone out and don't want to start a legal ruckus on the forum, just putting it out there....) But does anyone know how the US government dealing with that issue in interviews:

What do they say to you when you are sitting there telling them you met in Cuba when you were never supposes to be there in the first place (this is not an admission that I have done this or plan to but just wondering because I know some of us are not of Cuban heritage and have gone there without license, fallen in love, and wondering if that eventually comes up in this process)

thanks for your input!

There is always the risk of a fine if you travel illegally. However, the folks at the Interests Section are really not interested in how you got there. It seems to be basically "don't ask don't tell". I have been there and spoken to officials in the visa section and also in the assistance to American citizens section. I have always travelled legally but I know others who have gone through the entire visa process and have not travelled legally and it just doesn't come up. Just show your ticket stubs as part of the evidence of your relationship and don't worry about that side of it.

By the way, many people travel to Cuba legally through 3rd countries. Personally, I would rather go through a 3rd country than deal with Miami Airport.

Pocamuela

There is no many deferent visas to travel to Cuba, the only one that is not legal is a tourist visa, there is a religious visa, a study visa, people use all types of visa to travel to Cuba, I don't think that there is a issue on how a person got to Cuba to meat his or her spouse/fiancé, however since the visas or not issued immediately after you apply for them, there is a long waiting time one would have to really plan and have a exact time frame set up in order to have the visa issued and be in Cuba the day of the interview. that is why I think that one should not go to the interview.