2017 Post NOA2 for Cuba K1 - getting ready for interview

[Mocuepa25 0]

For those asking about traveling to Cuba under the changes, you can travel under other categories. Check out: 

 

https://www.viahero.com/travel-to-cuba/cuba-info-for-americans

 

I'm going in Nov. If you arranged your travel before the changes were announced you can still go under the category you initially picked, I did. 

[pukka 11]

How is everyone post-Irma? The area around US embassy in Havana was flooded badly and they cancelled all their Appointments from Sept 7-22. I feel really bad for those people, they have been rescheduled to November. Is anyone of their loved ones affected? I am hoping my interview isn't but waiting to hear soon...

[Dayr123 4]

5 hours ago, pukka said:

How is everyone post-Irma? The area around US embassy in Havana was flooded badly and they cancelled all their Appointments from Sept 7-22. I feel really bad for those people, they have been rescheduled to November. Is anyone of their loved ones affected? I am hoping my interview isn't but waiting to hear soon...

Goodmorning Good , how are you

 

My interview was on the 12 and it got postpone, they said the embassy was flooded and it had damages

 

when is yours ??

[058rocale 74]

On 9/3/2017 at 0:32 PM, 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.

 Well what a shame, that is a lot of money! I am sure you will find another great option! 

[pukka 11]

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/09/17/politics/rex-tillerson-cuba/index.html

 

Thoughts on how this would affect us?

On 9/15/2017 at 0:46 PM, Dayr123 said:

Goodmorning Good , how are you

 

My interview was on the 12 and it got postpone, they said the embassy was flooded and it had damages

 

when is yours ??

Sorry to hear that! Mine is in early October.

[amandaclaire 3]

My fiance's visa was scheduled for October 2nd and I JUST got an email saying it was rescheduled for December 11. I understand Irma has affected all but it's crazy frustrating they would move something only 4 days. I called and they said they couldn't do anything, but that I could sign online and see if there were any earlier appointments. There was one for Nov 6th I snagged. It's such a bummer to wait for an additional 5 weeks after all this waiting.... thankfully I didn't have a ticket booked there for the interview but I'm sure some people did and they're losing all that money. 

 

What is the usual timeline after the interview? Sounds like it's about a week. I was hoping to go meet him in Havana or Miami on Nov 11, but sounds like it won't move that quickly... Ugh:(

[Mocuepa25 0]

For those visiting your fiancée, under what category are you traveling? Is it possible to travel under the family one if I’m going to apply for a family visa once I get there? What’s the best approach, as I want to make sure we do thing right.

 

Also, with this new issue with the Embassy, anyone know how the process was before the Embassy was opened a couple of years ago?

[JacNCoke 20]

12 hours ago, Mocuepa25 said:

For those visiting your fiancée, under what category are you traveling? Is it possible to travel under the family one if I’m going to apply for a family visa once I get there? What’s the best approach, as I want to make sure we do thing right.

 

Also, with this new issue with the Embassy, anyone know how the process was before the Embassy was opened a couple of years ago?

I have friends who went through this process about 12 years ago. The interview was held at the Office of Interest in Cuba (don't know where it was, but I will ask them for more details and circle back on this post). The process was the same, but was not managed by the embassy because it was not open. 

 

I am going to spend Christmas with my fiancé and will be traveling under the Support of the Cuban People license. Not sure about how you should handle your situation, but I wish you the best of luck and safe travels!

[pukka 11]

On September 28, 2017 at 11:45 PM, amandaclaire said:

My fiance's visa was scheduled for October 2nd and I JUST got an email saying it was rescheduled for December 11. I understand Irma has affected all but it's crazy frustrating they would move something only 4 days. I called and they said they couldn't do anything, but that I could sign online and see if there were any earlier appointments. There was one for Nov 6th I snagged. It's such a bummer to wait for an additional 5 weeks after all this waiting.... thankfully I didn't have a ticket booked there for the interview but I'm sure some people did and they're losing all that money. 

 

What is the usual timeline after the interview? Sounds like it's about a week. I was hoping to go meet him in Havana or Miami on Nov 11, but sounds like it won't move that quickly... Ugh:(

 

Thank god for your message...!!! I just saw it and was able to tale Nov 8. Didnt know i could log in online and change it! You saved us! Ours was Oct 3. But i am already in Cuba for two weeks now and in a few hours we are going to get on the bus to Havana. We are on the eastern side. Fiancé just quit his job, gave away his clothes, said goodbye to everyone! Then we got the dreaded email. Its not for Irma, its another issue...just google it and you will see it...its a bit crazy...could even affect Nov appointments but we can try! I am losing money big time because i am here already and we already have all our tickets but hopefully we can survive the extra time in havana with the cash i have...

[bruji & bichi 31]

Hi everyone... We are in the post NOA1 - pre NOA2 phase of our K1 visa application. Now that the embassy in Havana will be partially closed and the processing of visas is on indefinite hold, does anyone know or have heard how visa processing will be handled? Thanks! 

Edited October 1, 2017 by bruji & bichi

[bruji & bichi 31]

On 9/30/2017 at 6:30 AM, JacNCoke said:

I have friends who went through this process about 12 years ago. The interview was held at the Office of Interest in Cuba (don't know where it was, but I will ask them for more details and circle back on this post). The process was the same, but was not managed by the embassy because it was not open. 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Interests_Section_in_Havana

[amandaclaire 3]

31 minutes ago, bruji & bichi said:

Hi everyone... We are in the post NOA1 - pre NOA2 phase of our K1 visa application. Now that the embassy in Havana will be partially closed and the processing of visas is on indefinite hold, does anyone know or have heard how visa processing will be handled? Thanks! 

When did you hear processing of visas is on indefinite hold? The embassy rescheduled some interviews due to flooding in the embassy but when i called they definitely did not say anything was on indefinite hold...

[amandaclaire 3]

i think people are getting confused. there are two very different issues happening at the embassy. it was severely flooded which is why visa appointments were rescheduled. the website does not say they have stopped issuing visas, yet anyway: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/cu/index.html?firstTime=No

the reduction in personnel i dont believe has begun to affect anything, although it probably will eventually. this is a total nightmare for those of us waiting for interview. we began this process in february and it's heartbreaking not knowing whats happening now. 

[bruji & bichi 31]

44 minutes ago, amandaclaire said:

i think people are getting confused. there are two very different issues happening at the embassy. it was severely flooded which is why visa appointments were rescheduled. the website does not say they have stopped issuing visas, yet anyway: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/cu/index.html?firstTime=No

the reduction in personnel i dont believe has begun to affect anything, although it probably will eventually. this is a total nightmare for those of us waiting for interview. we began this process in february and it's heartbreaking not knowing whats happening now. 

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article176086411.html

 

"U.S. suspends all visas for Cubans, withdraws most staff from embassy in Havana"

 

"Cuban Americans seeking to have their relatives join them from the island will not be able to do so — at least for the time being — as a result of the announcement Friday of a significant withdrawal of staff from the U.S. Embassy in Havana.

It is not known how long the suspension of the visa reunification program will last."

 

"The State Department announced the suspension of visas for Cubans without having finalized the details on how they will handle this situation. Another official said that perhaps Cubans could apply for visas in third countries without explaining how the procedure would work.

“Nobody understands what is happening,” said Adrián Núñez, who arrived to Miami from Cuba two years ago and is in the process of seeking a visa for his mother who is still on the island.

“With these new measures I don’t know what will happen,” he said. “Getting out of Cuba is very complicated because few countries allow entry for Cubans without visas.”"

 

[bruji & bichi 31]

"Cubans are heartbroken, angry can't seek U.S. visas in Havana"

 

I guess this article has my answer... “We have suspended most visa processing in Havana,” a notice on its website read. “Cuban applicants for non immigrant visas may apply at another U.S. embassy or consulate overseas.”

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-cuba-visas/cubans-are-heartbroken-angry-cant-seek-u-s-visas-in-havana-idUSKCN1C501W