2017 Post NOA2 for Cuba K1 - getting ready for interview

[Joqui 4]

Hey everyone, visa got approved at embassy yesterday. Flying back to NY right now, I'll add a post later when I get home of the whole experience to try and help you all out. Good luck

[pukka 11]

Guys I am so happy, I just called & got the NVC number. I commented to the guy on the phone "I'm so happy, now I can book the interview!" And he said "sort of". He said I shouldn't do it until I call the embassy in Havana and make sure they have received my case so they can "tell me what I need to do in order to finish processing it." Sorry to be crass, but ####### does this mean??? I thought I could book now. Next appointment is October 3rd, that should be far enough out right now that my case number is assigned?

[pukka 11]

Hello all -- I'm sorry I am trying to read this whole thread but it's taking some time. I am looking at booking the interview appointment for October. I've paid the fees and have my finger on the button. Anybody know how soon can we get the visa if it is accepted? If our appointment is Wednesday, October 4, could we reasonably fly by October 14? That gives them 8 business days to process it. Thoughts?

[TatiyPablo 32]

Your fiancé can pick up the visa one week after you are approved, if there are no AP issues 

[058rocale 74]

14 hours ago, pukka said:

Guys I am so happy, I just called & got the NVC number. I commented to the guy on the phone "I'm so happy, now I can book the interview!" And he said "sort of". He said I shouldn't do it until I call the embassy in Havana and make sure they have received my case so they can "tell me what I need to do in order to finish processing it." Sorry to be crass, but ####### does this mean??? I thought I could book now. Next appointment is October 3rd, that should be far enough out right now that my case number is assigned?

Hello! Well, you have the option to follow what they say. but my experience is that Hav doesn't work like the U.S thinks. You got the NVC #, which makes them happy, now they send the package to HAV and it takes two weeks. There are ways for you to track your package so you know it got to HAV. The Habana embassy will not call you or tell you what you have to take. You can book now, just keep in mind what documents your fiance has, what your fiance still needs to get and that it takes a month to legalize all documents, and two weeks for the official medical exam to be given to your fiance. Which by the way, how is your fiance with all the documents? 

[pukka 11]

12 minutes ago, 058rocale said:

Hello! Well, you have the option to follow what they say. but my experience is that Hav doesn't work like the U.S thinks. You got the NVC #, which makes them happy, now they send the package to HAV and it takes two weeks. There are ways for you to track your package so you know it got to HAV. The Habana embassy will not call you or tell you what you have to take. You can book now, just keep in mind what documents your fiance has, what your fiance still needs to get and that it takes a month to legalize all documents, and two weeks for the official medical exam to be given to your fiance. Which by the way, how is your fiance with all the documents? 

Hi! Well I just booked the appointment for October 3. Before I did, I called the US Embassy in Havana. Someone answered right away and was really helpful. He said October 3 should be fine if my case is in NVC now and got the number assigned.

 

I asked to double check which documents I needed to legalize, notarize, translate etc. He said I didn't need to do anything unless the consular office says to. So the Letter of intent to marry, Single certificate, Police report -- nothing needs to be legalized. He sounded like he knew what he was talking about but I figure once the case shows as received at the embassy I will call again & double check. I will ask my fiance to call today & book the medical appointment -- the consular office said it could be now if we wanted.

 

The officer also said a regular Cuban birth certificate is fine and no need for translation, legalization, etc. No "international use" birth certificate is needed.

 

Does your guys experience corresspond with all this? Sounds like not...or perhaps you just did more than they (say they) need?

 

Why do you say it takes a month to legalize all docs? Before today I had sent my fiance to go asking about where we notarize and legalize things in his city. He is checking, but I also asked a friend (a European who married a Cuban in the same city) and she said she was able to get her docs legalized in 1-2 weeks.

 

The office also said I shouldn't book plane tickets until the visa is in hand. I am going with him & we will be staying in a casa in Havana since he's not from there. We originally planned on booking our tickets together to go home and bringing all his things. But with this recommendation from the office it's hard to know about when to book tickets for and also hard to know how long to book the casa for. Thinking to book through the 14th (Saturday) and just hope visa is there by then. And maybe I can book flights for us that can be rescheduled if needed? Sounds like the other filers here simply flew back home on their own after the interview and booked a flight for the fiance to come later.

 

My fiancé got his Single cert and police report awhile ago and I believe he will need to get a new one as the 6 months is gonna be up --- we jumped the gun a bit.

 

Thoughts much appreciated!

 

 

Edited August 17, 2017 by pukka

[058rocale 74]

1 minute ago, pukka said:

Hi! Well I just booked the appointment for October 3. Before I did, I called the US Embassy in Havana. Someone answered right away and was really helpful. He said October 3 should be fine if my case is in NVC now and got the number assigned.

 

I asked to double check which documents I needed to legalize, notarize, translate etc. He said I didn't need to do anything unless the consular office says to. So the Letter of intent to marry, Single certificate, Police report -- nothing needs to be legalized. He sounded like he knew what he was talking about but I figure once the case shows as received at the embassy I will call again & double check. I will ask my fiance to call today & book the medical appointment -- the consular office said it could be now if we wanted.

 

The officer also said a regular Cuban birth certificate is fine and no need for translation, legalization, etc. No "international use" birth certificate is needed.

 

Does your guys experience corresspond with all this? Sounds like not...or perhaps you just did more than they (say they) need?

 

Why do you say it takes a month to legalize all docs? Before today I had sent my fiance to go asking about where we notarize and legalize things in his city. He is checking, but I also asked a friend (a European who married a Cuban in the same city) and she said she was able to get her docs legalized in 1-2 weeks.

 

The office also said I shouldn't book plane tickets until the visa is in hand. I am going with him & we will be staying in a casa in Havana since he's not from there. We originally planned on booking our tickets together to go home and bringing all his things. But with this recommendation from the office it's hard to know about when to book tickets for and also hard to know how long to book the casa for. Thinking to book through the 14th (Saturday) and just hope visa is there by then. And maybe I can book flights for us that can be rescheduled if needed? Sounds like the other filers here simply flew back home on their own after the interview and booked a flight for the fiance to come later.

 

My fiancé got his Single cert and police report awhile ago and I believe he will need to get a new one as the 6 months is gonna be up --- we jumped the gun a bit.

 

Thoughts much appreciated!

 

 

Hello! I am so glad you had such a positive experience with the Cuban embassy. I never got anyone through haha  

With me, it also matches that you don't need to translate anything, or legalize police records, or intends to marry. I  notarized my intent to marry and legalized his birth certificate and singles certificate just because I read other people had bad experiences. (Do ask your fiance to bring extra birth certificates. You'll need a copy for the AO and an original for when you go to the Social Security office once your fiance is here).

I know I did more than I needed, haha but I was nervous and for many reasons, everything had to be done right the first time  

My fiance was from Havana, many that influenced the amount of time it took. I hope that in your fiance's town everything will be faster. That would be great!!
I also waited for my fiance to have his visa in hand before booking a ticket. But literally, as soon as he left the embassy I hit the purchase button, haha So far, everyone has gotten their visa in a week, (of course unless at the interview, they required more information) so if you plan to leave the 14th I think there is a good chance you can travel back together ♥ If I had the opportunity, I would have purchased the ticket with warranty to reschedule. Especially if it was a week and a half after the interview. I had to leave the day after the interview because I could not take any more time off from work. But I bought his ticket for a couple of days after he got his visa. I did not care for the price haha ♥

[pukka 11]

Hey, random fun question -- anybody know of a good photographer to shoot engagement photos in Havana? Just thinking that since we have all this time, might as well! Tried doing some google searches but couldn't get anything. Just thinking some good classic Havana shots -- like the Malecon, old American cars, etc with us in them. Someone who has some experience, a good camera, a good eye, and can just get us the high quality photos on a USB stick I would provide. Perhaps some of you have some connections, friends, family?

[058rocale 74]

16 hours ago, pukka said:

Hey, random fun question -- anybody know of a good photographer to shoot engagement photos in Havana? Just thinking that since we have all this time, might as well! Tried doing some google searches but couldn't get anything. Just thinking some good classic Havana shots -- like the Malecon, old American cars, etc with us in them. Someone who has some experience, a good camera, a good eye, and can just get us the high quality photos on a USB stick I would provide. Perhaps some of you have some connections, friends, family?

Hi! I actually do know some people in Habana that have a business for everything wedding related and I love their work!  So you can contact them for pictures. They are called Aire de Fiesta 

This is their facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airedefiestacuba/?hc_ref=ARTnq_uDI4H5uH7kK8C2_U2LuUDj3hZj-NrX7c2-eR6BJkXjrDIse1nswBYHOSccSHA&pnref=story.unseen-section

 

Or you can go to their website: 

http://www.airedefiestacuba.com

 

 

[MehgandMarcos 4]

21 hours ago, pukka said:

Hey, random fun question -- anybody know of a good photographer to shoot engagement photos in Havana? Just thinking that since we have all this time, might as well! Tried doing some google searches but couldn't get anything. Just thinking some good classic Havana shots -- like the Malecon, old American cars, etc with us in them. Someone who has some experience, a good camera, a good eye, and can just get us the high quality photos on a USB stick I would provide. Perhaps some of you have some connections, friends, family?

I am looking for photographers as well!  I came across this photographer and her work looks good.

 

Here is her website:

http://www.ayenianour.com

[forena99 74]

@TatiyPablo,

Congratulations! So excited for you!  Sorry for just reponding now!  Been so involved with everything.  We've been very happy in moving forward with our lives, but things can still get stressful.  I think the worst is over because at least we are together.  But we still need to get my paperwork done.  Husband now has a SSN and is going to English class.  But we need to get his paperwork in for his AOS.  When do you get married?

 

Seems so long ago, we were talking about starting this whole process.  Congrats and keep us informed on what's going on.  

Cheers,

Forena99

[forena99 74]

On 8/9/2017 at 5:56 AM, 058rocale said:

Hello TatiyPablo!

Leaving Cuba for my fiance was no problem at all. He showed his ticket information, his visa, checked his bag and he was gone.

Once here, it took like 2-3 hours for him to go through. They asked him a couple of questions like if he was aware we had to get married within 90 days of his arrival. Nothing about our relationship, just about the nature of his visa. They took the package the Embassy in Havana gave him and they kept his passport to add the visa page. They allowed for him to go get their luggage and wait together with all the other Cubans arriving with different visas.

I bought his ticket through Southwest and sent him the confirmation page to his email, as well as giving him the number of his ticket just in case. So yes, you can buy just one way and off any company

 

 

On 8/8/2017 at 0:45 PM, TatiyPablo said:

Question for those whose fiances have arrived in the US. What was the process like leaving Cuba? Did they have any trouble, or have to go through any special process at the Cuban airport? And then what was the process like and their experience like with the officers upon arriving in the US? One thing I wonder is if they're going to question him about all the cash he's bringing, which he'll have to report I'm assuming?

 

And then in terms of buying his flight ticket, he was just going to buy a one way off jet blue or delta. Is that what everyone else did?

 

Thanks!!

Probably too late for this info, but we were not able to buy a one-way ticket on JetBlue.  I had to get a round trip and I could NOT buy it online.  I had to call over the phone.  I ended up getting a FULL refund for the return trip because I purchased the Refundable ticket for the return ticket.  It was pricy, like $400, but I got it ALL back in the end.  Had to call JetBlue and cancel the return flight after he arrived on the first flight.  I booked my return flight about 2 weeks after his flight just to give me time to call them and not lose the $400!  

 

My fiance's customs only took 20 min.  Very fast.  They were really nice to him, spoke to him in English.  They explained that he had to get married while he was here in the 90 days.  Just an aside, they also told him that he couldn't urinate in public here in the US.  That he could go to jail for doing that.  I thought that was interesting.  

Forena99

[pukka 11]

On 8/24/2017 at 2:36 PM, 058rocale said:

Hi! I actually do know some people in Habana that have a business for everything wedding related and I love their work!  So you can contact them for pictures. They are called Aire de Fiesta 

This is their facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airedefiestacuba/?hc_ref=ARTnq_uDI4H5uH7kK8C2_U2LuUDj3hZj-NrX7c2-eR6BJkXjrDIse1nswBYHOSccSHA&pnref=story.unseen-section

 

Or you can go to their website: 

http://www.airedefiestacuba.com

 

 

I contacted Aire de Fiesta -- they asked for 500 cuc for a few hours couples shoot. Far beyond my means, unfortunately. Checking with Cuban friends...please share info if you find something.

 

On 8/24/2017 at 7:04 PM, forthesoul said:

I am looking for photographers as well!  I came across this photographer and her work looks good.

 

Here is her website:

http://www.ayenianour.com

Did you get in touch with her? I haven't tried yet, but please share any further info you find. When are you looking for? Feel free to PM me.

Also -- to all, or for those on this fourm that have recently entered Cuba (since the June announcement from Trump) -- where did you enter and what was it like going through passport control? I booked my flight a few weeks after his announcement, but I am entering from another country, which is what I have always done. I have only been questioned once -- but when I did it was intense!  I was never asked to declare my purpose of travel, except that one time, and it was just after Trump's election when, coincidentally, the Cuban military were running a bunch of drills somehow linked to US. This is why I am worried that given the announcement, entering from another country may get trickier.

 

So, how did it work for you? Were you asked anything? What did you say upon entering? So what should I say is my purpose of travel when I enter, if they ask, since people to people is no longer allowed? Should I claim "family" or on the basis I'm going for the interview at the US embassy, or even just use it as my purpose of travel, even though my fiance isn't technically family yet? Or perhaps "official business of US government", even though technically speaking I am not required to be at the interview? Or "support for Cuban people" even?

 

 

 

[MehgandMarcos 4]

28 minutes ago, pukka said:

I contacted Aire de Fiesta -- they asked for 500 cuc for a few hours couples shoot. Far beyond my means, unfortunately. Checking with Cuban friends...please share info if you find something.

 

Did you get in touch with her? I haven't tried yet, but please share any further info you find. When are you looking for? Feel free to PM me.

Also -- to all, or for those on this fourm that have recently entered Cuba (since the June announcement from Trump) -- where did you enter and what was it like going through passport control? I booked my flight a few weeks after his announcement, but I am entering from another country, which is what I have always done. I have only been questioned once -- but when I did it was intense!  I was never asked to declare my purpose of travel, except that one time, and it was just after Trump's election when, coincidentally, the Cuban military were running a bunch of drills somehow linked to US. This is why I am worried that given the announcement, entering from another country may get trickier.

 

So, how did it work for you? Were you asked anything? What did you say upon entering? So what should I say is my purpose of travel when I enter, if they ask, since people to people is no longer allowed? Should I claim "family" or on the basis I'm going for the interview at the US embassy, or even just use it as my purpose of travel, even though my fiance isn't technically family yet? Or perhaps "official business of US government", even though technically speaking I am not required to be at the interview? Or "support for Cuban people" even?

 

 

 

I have a call with her late next week, I will let you know...

 

I recently went to Cuba beginning of August.  Before I went I was worried due to Trumps rule change.  But it ended up being nothing, the same as I went before in January.  But I will add, I did make my travel arrangements before his announcement.  I did not go through another country, I went through Miami.  I had no problems and no one seemed to care.  I have family in Cuba, so I have always used family visit, under the 12 categories.  Not sure how in the future they can check if someone is family or not.  But if anyone did ask we all said family visit.  

 

Im assuming you would be ok if you are going through another country and not getting you passport stamped.  Actually as I was leaving Havana, she stamped my boarding pass and not my passport.  I did not notice until I was waiting to board, I wondered why she did that, but then again my stamps in my passport are a couple pages in.  So maybe she just assumed that I did not want my passport stamped, cause she didn't see the entry stamp.  I have no idea.

Edited September 3, 2017 by forthesoul

[MehgandMarcos 4]

Question for anyone-

 

What documents are needed for my fiancé for going to college in the US?  

 

I called my local community college and they said they needed sealed and signed official transcripts.  When I talked to my fiancé about this, I sent him mine as an example if he had anything similar. All he said he had was a certificate of completion.   Which I'm thinking is not what the community college is looking for. 

 

Has anyone or had their SO go through the college registration process?  What paperwork did you/ they bring?  And where in Cuba did you/ they get them?  As he would not want to go through high school again and I was told he would not be able to get financial aid without official transcripts.