US Embassy in Havana Closing?

[Wrightk77 1]

My question is, if they decide to close the embassy in Havana, are we still able to apply for the K-1 visas? Or does this close the door on being able to go this route to get my fiance here? Anyone have any idea?

[Sarah&Michel 6]

Article from the BBC announcing that the US is pulling most of its staff from the embassy.  "They say the US is halting visa processing in Cuba indefinitely. They say the steps will remain until Cuba can assure the US its diplomats are safe."  Doesn't look good for those waiting for a visa.

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41446697

 

[Wrightk77 1]

I read that we can still process them, but that we have to interview at the nearest Embassy...which would be where I wonder?

[npantoj2 0]

I filed for my fiance also, I sure hope we call still continue with this process. I'm devastated

[T-Bone 0]

US is halting visas to Cuba indefinitely according to AP news story: https://apnews.com/3602399b00044443883aa2bdef0f1a84

 

I filled for a K1 Visa for my fiancee and I am currently waiting for NOA2 (got NOA1 6-26-2017), will this affect my application? The article says that "Cubans seeking visas to enter the U.S. may be able to apply through embassies in nearby countries" but this is a K1 Visa. I haven't mentioned anything to her as this news just came to light...I'm not sure how to take this or how or if it affects my petition...

[Wrightk77 1]

They way I am reading these articles is that maybe we can still go through the process but the interview would be in  US Embassy in Nicaragua or some other country? But that would mean we would need to get a tourist visa for another country for our fiances JUST to have the interview? Is this what we need to do?

[DiamondEyes490 126]

Cubans can go to Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, and a few other islands visa free. I would expect the State Dept would pick one of those countries. 

 

Also, the one articles from Reuters I saw said it may only be nonimmigrant (i.e. student, visitor, etc.) visas that they stop processing. I think we need to wait to see how this pans out as the week progresses.

 

Btw the husband and I are staying in T&T on a tourist visa together currently. It's pretty nice here, so I'd recommend it if you have Port of Spain as an option for the interview.

[Wrightk77 1]

My fiancé says that he has to have a letter "inviting" him to be able to travel. Do you know if that applies to the islands that do not require a visa?

[DiamondEyes490 126]

1 minute ago, Morales77 said:

My fiancé says that he has to have a letter "inviting" him to be able to travel. Do you know if that applies to the islands that do not require a visa?

No longer true. They gave Cubans freedom to travel without any of that a few years ago. For T&T, etc. you just show up at the airport. Make sure he has his passport and a current prorroga. We had zero issues.

[Wrightk77 1]

That is fantastic news. I am not sure he is aware of that. I will let him know. Thank you so much! :-)

[DiamondEyes490 126]

Hey guys. Just FYI my attorney is reaching out to his contacts at DoS on my behalf. I'll share here whatever they say. Remember, I'm a CR-1 visa, not K-1, so it might not be 100% the same process for you.

[T-Bone 0]

On 10/2/2017 at 1:10 PM, DiamondEyes490 said:

No longer true. They gave Cubans freedom to travel without any of that a few years ago. For T&T, etc. you just show up at the airport. Make sure he has his passport and a current prorroga. We had zero issues.

Thanks for your input. I've been looking at flights from Havana to T&T, Barbados, and Guyana and there are no direct flights. All of the flights have layovers in places that would require Cubans to have a transitory visa (I think.) Did you fly directly from Cuba? If so, which airport did you fly out of? Any suggestions on where to get the airline tickets, (other than at the airport)? Thanks. Any input will be appreciated.

[DiamondEyes490 126]

7 minutes ago, T-Bone said:

Thanks for your input. I've been looking at flights from Havana to T&T, Barbados, and Guyana and there are no direct flights. All of the flights have layovers in places that would require Cubans to have a transitory visa (I think.) Did you fly directly from Cuba? If so, which airport did you fly out of? Any suggestions on where to get the airline tickets, (other than at the airport)? Thanks. Any input will be appreciated.

We flew from Cuba via Panama. They do not need transit visas in Panama if you stay airside, everything is on one reservation, and your layover is 12 hours or less.

 

I just booked online like I normally would for myself. Started from Kayak, ended up on the Copa site.

 

Btw if you book with Copa (which is pretty much the only or 1 of 2 options for these places), they have a section on their website where you can input passport country, origin country, country of transit, and destination, and they give you visa info. It was very helpful as I wanted to double check on the transit requirement and the Panama embassy was zero help.

[T-Bone 0]

44 minutes ago, DiamondEyes490 said:

We flew from Cuba via Panama. They do not need transit visas in Panama if you stay airside, everything is on one reservation, and your layover is 12 hours or less.

 

I just booked online like I normally would for myself. Started from Kayak, ended up on the Copa site.

 

Btw if you book with Copa (which is pretty much the only or 1 of 2 options for these places), they have a section on their website where you can input passport country, origin country, country of transit, and destination, and they give you visa info. It was very helpful as I wanted to double check on the transit requirement and the Panama embassy was zero help.

Thanks so much! I was going crazy looking for direct flights and there are none. I did manage to see that there was no transit visa necessary for Cubans going through Panama, but I wasn't so sure about the website making the claim. I'm hoping that the US Embassy in Havana will resume visa processing before I get the NOA2 for my K1 application (should be early November) but it's not looking well for that. I have so many questions, I hope you can help. I hate not planning for stuff and that's why I'm getting on top of this now.

 

Did the State Department just tell you which embassy to go to or did they let you select?

Once you knew it was the embassy in T&T, how did it proceed from there (the embassy in T&T sent a letter and documents to your husband in Cuba, etc.)?

Did he do the medical and DS-3025 form paperwork in Cuba?

Any word on your attorney's contacts at DoS regarding US Embassy in Havana?

 

I know yours was a CR-1, but I think these aspects of the procedure are the same. As I said, any input would be appreciated. Thanks again for all of the help!

[DiamondEyes490 126]

13 minutes ago, T-Bone said:

Thanks so much! I was going crazy looking for direct flights and there are none. I did manage to see that there was no transit visa necessary for Cubans going through Panama, but I wasn't so sure about the website making the claim. I'm hoping that the US Embassy in Havana will resume visa processing before I get the NOA2 for my K1 application (should be early November) but it's not looking well for that. I have so many questions, I hope you can help. I hate not planning for stuff and that's why I'm getting on top of this now.

 

Did the State Department just tell you which embassy to go to or did they let you select?

Once you knew it was the embassy in T&T, how did it proceed from there (the embassy in T&T sent a letter and documents to your husband in Cuba, etc.)?

Did he do the medical and DS-3025 form paperwork in Cuba?

Any word on your attorney's contacts at DoS regarding US Embassy in Havana?

 

I know yours was a CR-1, but I think these aspects of the procedure are the same. As I said, any input would be appreciated. Thanks again for all of the help!

Hi T-Bone. Happy to help of course

The State Dept hasn't told me squat yet. My attorney reached out to the NVC, but he said it's completely normal for them to take 2-3 weeks to get back to you. Those three countries would just be the most logical "third country" solutions since Cubans can travel there visa free. If I can pick, I'm going with T&T since we've already been staying here, so I know the place should I have to return in Feb-March.

He has not done medical yet. NVC review takes 8-11 weeks for CR-1, and my attorney just sent my papers in today, so we have some extra time.