2017 Post NOA2 for Cuba K1 - getting ready for interview

[eruiz3 24]

T

12 minutes ago, TatiyPablo said:

Only the I-134 is required for K1 visas, you'll have to provide the I-846 during his adjustment of status, but I believe @058rocale was bringing both for extra measure. I might do the same. @058rocale did you find yourself having to repeat the same information in both forms? I am going to start working on that next week, I wanted to have the information updated as close to our interview date as possible. 

 

In terms of signing the DS160, it's honestly fairly simple and he should go through the form before you submit to make sure everything is correct. Can your fiance go to Camaguey or visit an ETECSA store with computers? My fiance went to his brothers office which has internet and we went through the application together over IMO. He approved and electronically signed then printed each page. 

 

I'm still confused about the addresses, we provided the most accurate ones but I was unsure of whether to write them in English or Spanish, if i did the former I'd be translating, which is never 100% accurate.

 

Unrelated question - what's the cheapest way of calling Cuba, what do you guys do? It's pretty late for this haha but we are both so sick of buying boss revolution and rebtel phone cards. $5 for 8 minutes??!? Soooo ridiculous! Only in Cuba.

Thanks!! 

 

I have a joint sponsor just in case because my annual income without tax deductions is $23, 040 and with they are like $18,000 or so. I am planning on taking her last tax returns, would that be enough for proof from her? Would I need more proof?

 

And to answer your question, I used to use Rebtel and since I have Apple they started charging us because it had to be through iTunes. So I switched to Horizontalk, they have an app but I called their customer service & got a direct number. Meaning instead of having to call using the app I would just dial a local number and it asks me if I want to recharge and then the amount. Once I recharge my account, it prompts me to dial and so I just dial his number directly. I get $5 for about 9 mins so it's not much more and $10 it's about 21 minutes. If you're interested in getting a local number from them, this is the number on their website +1 (786) 272-0845.

Edited May 24, 2017 by eruiz3

[058rocale 74]

@TatiyPablo I did repeat almost all the information between I-134 and I-846.

For the address, I wrote them in Spanish, except for the words like 'in between', 'Street', 'number'. 

I do know for sure that the singles certificate has to be within those 3 months. For the birth certificate, I am not completely sure but It might be safer to get a new one.  

 

[058rocale 74]

1 hour ago, eruiz3 said:

T

Thanks!! 

 

I have a joint sponsor just in case because my annual income without tax deductions is $23, 040 and with they are like $18,000 or so. I am planning on taking her last tax returns, would that be enough for proof from her? Would I need more proof?

 

And to answer your question, I used to use Rebtel and since I have Apple they started charging us because it had to be through iTunes. So I switched to Horizontalk, they have an app but I called their customer service & got a direct number. Meaning instead of having to call using the app I would just dial a local number and it asks me if I want to recharge and then the amount. Once I recharge my account, it prompts me to dial and so I just dial his number directly. I get $5 for about 9 mins so it's not much more and $10 it's about 21 minutes. If you're interested in getting a local number from them, this is the number on their website +1 (786) 272-0845.

@eruiz3 So your joint sponsor's annual income is 18,000 +/-? If so, might want to get another joint sponsor. According to the requirements for a joint sponsor, they should meet the minimum annual income on their own and for their own household size, and not combined together with your income. You can read more about it here: http://www.***removed***/affidavit-of-support/joint-sponsor.html

Then your joint sponsor also has to fill in an I-134 form, bring the last tax returns and W2.

♥

[eruiz3 24]

35 minutes ago, 058rocale said:

@eruiz3 So your joint sponsor's annual income is 18,000 +/-? If so, might want to get another joint sponsor. According to the requirements for a joint sponsor, they should meet the minimum annual income on their own and for their own household size, and not combined together with your income. You can read more about it here: http://www.***removed***/affidavit-of-support/joint-sponsor.html

Then your joint sponsor also has to fill in an I-134 form, bring the last tax returns and W2.

♥

My annual income is $18,600 a year WITH deductions, but without, my position earns around  $23,00 a year. The joint sponsor (his sister) has a higher income. I don't know if they calculate these looking at income with or without the deductions, we are using his sister's as a joint sponsor too just in case. Thanks for the information  

[eruiz3 24]

Hello! So I've recently been thinking about how my fiance studies derechos in Cuba. Would this hurt us at the interview? That he studies socialist law? I've read how some people have been asked if they are or have been part of the communist party, which he hasn't. As we know, there are limited things to study in Cuba that actually are good enough to maintain a family. He couldn't be a doctor so he chose to study law to be able to at least earn something to help his mom and dad.

[TatiyPablo 32]

Hi @eruiz3, I don't think this would pose an issue. My fiance holds a law degree from University of Havana and there's been no indication that this would bear weight on the process. If anything, the fact that they've pursued higher education and hold advanced degrees should be a plus.

[TatiyPablo 32]

@058rocale Hope you had a wonderful interview yesterday and waiting excitedly to hear news of how it went! Enjoy the time with your fiance 

[058rocale 74]

Hello everyone!! 
I just got back from Cuba and our visa was approved!! We are so happy!!

Let me tell you of my experience and what I learned.
First off I am glad to report that putting the WAC number instead of the HAV made no difference to them
You have to be at that triangle park close to the embassy at least 45 min before your scheduled interview. The ladies dresses in a salmon color dress, came with a list and started  calling out names. They will start naming in alphabetical order people applying for temporary visas , and after that they will ask for people applying for permanent visas. This was not in a list with them, but the told me that I have to make the line with them.
We walked in a line until the embassy, where we were divided in two lines, temporary and permanent, and then they cheques for his name in a list in two stops before entering the embassy. Right outside the embassy there are shops that offer to take passport style pictures, hold purses, and make the 'planilla' which it seemed it was the Ds-160. 
Once inside the gate, we went right upstairs to an office that seemed like a terrace made into a teller window office. In there we gave the documents requested for the beneficiary. 
We waited a little while to be called into to a teller that had reviews his info and asked information as phone number and places my fiance traveled to. Then they asked for our relationship evidence, but not to review herself, but to forward the case to our interviewer later on. She put everything in a binder, got my fiance's finger prints and gave my a pass to go with my finace to the interview. 
Once inside we waited and were called after an hour or so. The interview is right there at the waiting room, so everyone can and most certainly will hear what they ask you and what you say. There are only some that are a bit more private but just bc of distance. 
We were made to swear under oath that all the information was correct and the the questions began. She asked us our age, our occupations, when we meet, if my fiance belong to the Communist party (which my fiance said no and was looked at twice a with a face of complete doubt, but my fiance stayed strong since it's true) why he decided to marry me, she also showed us the pictures we sent for evidence and asked for us to say where they were taken. She asked if I had my own apartment, asked me to explain our wedding plans, why I changed the restaurant for the wedding from my original submission last year, what the name of the notary that was going to marry us. My Fiance was very nervous, but I surprisingly was not. I liked that the questions could have been answered by any of us, but I allowed my fiance to respond to some, like where we meet, and we're some of our pictures were taken. But the wedding plans was asked to me directly, I answered some of the pictures as well. I made a point of not to interfere but rather allow a balance of who answered what. But at the same time being aware to help out my fiance that was nervous.  
The interview can be very intimidating since they question you and our teller did nor smile, not even as she congratulated us haha. 
I noticed they did not asked for the Affidavit of support, neither did I volunteered the information. They did not ask for my birth certificate o any of the noas as evidence. They asked for the ds-160 and the appointment confirmation page. And they did not care for my fiance's xrays. 
My fiance will go next week to get his visa
Good luck to every one!!

[TatiyPablo 32]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is such wonderful news!!!! So happy for you

 

PS I have many questions that I'll send later but just wanted to congratulate you on this amazing news! 

Edited May 31, 2017 by TatiyPablo

[058rocale 74]

1 minute ago, TatiyPablo said:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is such wonderful news!!!! So happy for you

That is very sweet of you!

Thank you so much

[forena99 74]

Hello everybody!  

I apologize for not being around for so long!! I've been so busy with work and getting ready for my trip and getting all our papers together.  I think I waited to the end to get everything together.  I highly recommend a cover letter and a statement in front of each evidence explaining the content.  This really helped the consulate officer I think, but it took me a LONG time to get everything in shape for the interview.

We were approved!! on May 25th.  Thank you all for your well wishers and for keeping the forum going.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  You guys have been on my mind, so I wrote a list of reminders for you guys after the interview to share with you when I got back.  I got back last Wednesday, but have been so busy and tired that today was the first moment I've had to write, literally.

 

First, even though our appointment was at 10:30 am, we arrived at the Anti-Imperialist Park (the triangle park) at 6:15 am.  There were already a bunch of people there.  Ladies in normal clothes were telling us where the bathrooms were and were asking us if we had all our photos, etc.  These are NOT embassy workers and I think they are looking for people who may not be prepared so they can help them out in some way for a little money, like getting photos if you need them, I'm not sure.  Just another way of earning income in Cuba!  But they seem to be giving correct information.  There are no cans, glass, or phones allowed inside.  The ladies in the peach uniforms ARE embassy workers and they don't smile, they are very serious, and they are on a tight schedule.  By about 6:45 one of the embassy workers welcomed us and started separating us into lines by visa type.  Temporary and Permanent visas were rounded up to one side and the names called one by one.  As they call your name you go across the street and stand in a line.  I never left my fiance's side.  Tell everyone you speak to that you are the fiance and that need a pass.  That's what they told us to do, ha ha.

 

Everyone in the line walks to the entrance of the embassy, and they ask for your documents (Beneficiary's papers and the Affidavit of Support), including passport but NOT the carnet.  They don't ask for the Affidavit of Support but I asked them when do I submit it when they came to pick up the beneficiary papers and they said, "Yes, we do need that now, but not the Continuing Evidence.  We'll get that later".  We also did NOT need to bring the X-ray from the Medical Exam.  She also asks that you put everything (Beneficiary's papers and Affidavit of Support) into one folder.  Also, his photos need to be recent.  My fiance decided to keep his beard so he had to get photos again to reflect the way he looked the day of the interview.   You can't have any glasses in the photo, though.  If you have a US Passport you can enter the building.  Then they check your bags.

 

Once through the security, we sat in a sitting room "Linea de Salida Definitiva" waiting for them to call our names.  After 15 min or so, we went upstairs to the room with the teller windows.  She couldn't find our DS-160 online.  She had been given the wrong number.  We used the DS-160 confirmation page to straighten it out, so she finally found it.  Phew!  Then, the lady took our Continuing Evidence.  She took out papers we didn't need, like my updated Fiancee Letter of Intent to Marry, the payment receipt for the fee of the visa and the DS-160 confirmation page with the digital photo on it.  She also returned our clear folder to us.  She took my passport to give me a pass.  Then she took my fiance's fingerprints.  

 

Then we went to the 'Sala de Entrevista'.  They have to open the for you, so you have to wait outside.  They check our bags again and let us in to the room.  By this time it was 8:08 am.  Somebody tells you exactly where to sit.  Temporary visas sit in a different area than the permanent visas.  The interviews happen while you sit.  Sometimes you can hear the questions and the answers.  At least there are bathrooms in this room.  When our named was called, we just stand while the consular officer asked my fiance questions.  He asked 1. How we met, 2. His profession, 3. Member of Communist Party? 4. If he had family in the US and 5. If he had ever tried for a visa before.  He asked me 1. How many times I had been in Cuba, 2. If I was originally in Cuba on a tourist visa and 3. If I had any relatives in Cuba (family).  Our Consular Officer was pleasant, courteous, calm and methodical with his questions.  

 

All in all, we were treated with respect throughout the process and the process was efficient.  It does help to be as prepared as possible.  

Thanks,

Forena

[forena99 74]

On 5/22/2017 at 2:07 PM, TatiyPablo said:

Congratulations!!! The first big step

 

Now you have two options, follow the instructions of the NOA2, which instruct you to wait for the NVC to assign you a case number and send your case to Havana. Once you receive your case number and your status says ready, you should receive an email from the Embassy with instructions and at this time you submit the DS 160 and schedule the interview.

 

However, this process can take a while and one of our forum members @058rocale submitted the DS 160 and scheduled an interview using the WAC receipt number. @058rocale had more than enough time to get all her documents in order before her interview date...which is next week!!!!

 

So it is up to you, initially we did the DS 160 before receiving a case number but my fiance wanted to wait until we were assigned one. So I called the NVC everyday until we got a case #, that took a little over a month. And as of today I checked the case tracker site and it says Ready, so I will be scheduling the interview shortly.

 

@forena99 sending you lots of luck, I hope you have a smooth process and a nice time with your fiance. Let us know how it goes! <3

Thank you @TatiyPablo and everyone,

Everything went fine.  We were a little nervous, but it helps to be well prepared.  By the way, we did not need the DS-160 application confirmation with the digital photo on it, or the payment receipt for the visa, or an updated letter of the Fiancee Letter of Intent to Marry.  You can bring it anyway, just in case, but they ended up pulling it out of our packet.  I did have cover letters and statements for everything, which I think helped.  We were done by 8:45 am when our appt was at 10:30 bc we were there so early.  And also because we were so prepared, it made it easy for them (I guess), so we were one of the first ones to get interviewed for K-1 Visa.

Thanks,

Forena

[forena99 74]

On 5/19/2017 at 10:54 AM, 058rocale said:

@forena99 I wish you and your fiance a smooth interview next week! We will love to hear how everything went once you come back from Cuba ♥ 

Thank you @058rocale!

Everything went smoothly that day.  We also did not have the medical exam in a sealed envelope.

However, when my fiance went to pick up his visa & passport, they gave him his papers (medical exam, background check, certificate of solteria, etc.) in one envelope with a seal on it.  He is not to open it.  US Customs will open it when he arrives at this POE, but he should also bring the XRay with him with than envelope.

 

My fiance will be going home for a couple weeks to arrange everything before he comes to the US.  I found an apartment for us this weekend.  Will be signing the lease in a couple weeks.  Everything is happening so fast!  We can't wait to be with each other again.  We had a great time in Havana, but honestly we were so busy seeing family and preparing for the interview, we hardly went out until after the interview!

 

I'm going to purchase a one-way ticket to Fort Lauderdale.  Is anyone buying a round trip ticket?

THanks,

Forena

[058rocale 74]

7 hours ago, forena99 said:

Thank you @058rocale!

Everything went smoothly that day.  We also did not have the medical exam in a sealed envelope.

However, when my fiance went to pick up his visa & passport, they gave him his papers (medical exam, background check, certificate of solteria, etc.) in one envelope with a seal on it.  He is not to open it.  US Customs will open it when he arrives at this POE, but he should also bring the XRay with him with than envelope.

 

My fiance will be going home for a couple weeks to arrange everything before he comes to the US.  I found an apartment for us this weekend.  Will be signing the lease in a couple weeks.  Everything is happening so fast!  We can't wait to be with each other again.  We had a great time in Havana, but honestly we were so busy seeing family and preparing for the interview, we hardly went out until after the interview!

 

I'm going to purchase a one-way ticket to Fort Lauderdale.  Is anyone buying a round trip ticket?

THanks,

Forena

Felicidades @forena99 !! I am so happy for both of you  

I see that every experience is slightly different, haha But at the end, the results have been positive if we bring all of our documentation and as petitioners we are there for the interview. 

Oh wow! You found an apartment and everything! That is very exciting!! I know, there is a lot to be done in no time. 

My fiance is on his way to get the visa this morning! I am so happy! I will be buying his ticket today through Southwest , for next week and with no return ticket  

[058rocale 74]

Picking up the Visa after an approved K1 ♥

 

1.      After an approved K1 visa, the interviewer will give both of you a paper that says to go to this website: 

https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

Select Immigrant Visa (IV), use your HAV## for the Immigrant Visa Case Number, and fill in the security code.

Make sure the site says "Issued", before going to the embassy to pick up the visa. 

2.      Your fiancé has to be there before 10:00 am to get on a list to enter the embassy and pick up his package, passport, and visa.