US Embassy in Havana Closing?

[T-Bone 0]

15 hours ago, DiamondEyes490 said:

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.

Hi DiamondEyes, thanks again for all your help and the quick response. Good luck with your visa process! Let me know how it goes and I will also keep you posted.

[DiamondEyes490 126]

2 hours ago, T-Bone said:

Hi DiamondEyes, thanks again for all your help and the quick response. Good luck with your visa process! Let me know how it goes and I will also keep you posted.

Any time  I have a friend that's applying for a K-1 visa for Cuba as well and has been reaching out to to the embassies  in T&T and Barbados, so I'll let you know what she hears.

 

Also, if you can find anyone on here that went through the process in Venezuela in the past year or two, they should be able to give us an idea of how long it took the gov't to get their act together once they stopped processing most visas in Caracas. 

[DiamondEyes490 126]

Hey everybody,

 

The message on the Havana embassy site changed. Sounds like they're in the process of working it out and we'll have clarity soon: https://cu.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas-2/

 

"The Department of State will work with its colleagues in the Department of Homeland Security to ensure continued operation of the Cuban Family Reunification Parole program, and the refugee processing center. The State Department will soon announce arrangements for immigrant visa applicants."

[EmilySF 6]

Hey DiamondEyes and T-Bone. Been reading your thread and I'm in a similar boat.

 

Just received notice on Sept 19 that the NVC received our approved I-129F and that they would forward the petition to Havana. Well obvi the embassy isn't doing visas now. My Cuban fiancé called and said they don't have his Packet 3 for the health exam and I need to figure things out from the U.S. side.

 

Our I-797 Notice of Action expires Dec 30 and with all the holidays and it's horrible timing to try to play visa detective. This thread has been the most helpful thing I'be found. 

 

Please do update on what your attorney hears fron NVC and thanks for the tip on T&T and flights through Panama. Was there any vaccination or other documentation needed to get out of Cuba and into T&T? I told my dude we might have our Luna de Miel before we get married, trying to stay hopeful ...

 

I'm just going to start preparing my afadavit of support and evidence that we love eachother now and just wait? 

 

This is is really frustrating and the LDR is pretty sucky with hurricanes and spotty wifi. Please update with anything you hear and I'll do the same.

[Marianatomas 3]

Great information, everyone, thanks to all for sharing.

My fiancé is Cuban, we received our NVC and Invoice #'s just an hour before the embassy was reported closed. 

I thought I had searched every inch of the web, but had not heard about the idea of finishing the process through a third-country. I love the idea of T&T. 

We're continuing with the steps for the D-160, and we think we're prepared with all required information (save for the soon to be completed medical exam).

So....I'm understanding that once we're to the point we would have our interview, we proceed with all documentation to the 3rd country? And that I would attempt to schedule that appointment by calling the embassy in T&T?

You all are the best, and best of luck to all---

 

[T-Bone 0]

Hi guys. Indeed, very helpful comments being posted here. Section 62.a and 62.b of I-129F is where you indicate Consular Processing Information, City/Town and Country where fiancee will apply for K1 visa (interview, etc.) I'm going to contact the Embassy in T&T to see if they can handle the request to do the interview there. Just want to get my ducks in a row!

[DiamondEyes490 126]

I recommend calling the NVC and the embassy's directly. If T&T says no, Barbados and Guyana are other viable options. 

 

Also, no request for vaccines or anything when my husband left Cuba. It was completely painless.

[Malonya Kelly 1]

My fiancée is going to interview in Guyana, at the American embassy there, since the American Embassy in La Habana is closing. Cubans can travel to Guyana with their Cuban passport.

[DiamondEyes490 126]

3 minutes ago, Malonya Kelly said:

My fiancée is going to interview in Guyana, at the American embassy there, since the American Embassy in La Habana is closing. Cubans can travel to Guyana with their Cuban passport.

Did the Guyana embassy agree to process your case and everything? We've been talking about the possible visa free countries in this thread, but that doesn't guarantee the particular embassy will take our interviews.

[Malonya Kelly 1]

I'm going to email the American Embassy in Guyana now at visageorge@state.gov. Barbados is another possible solution as well.

[DiamondEyes490 126]

3 minutes ago, Malonya Kelly said:

I'm going to email the American Embassy in Guyana now at visageorge@state.gov. Barbados is another possible solution as well.

Let us know what they say. Trinidad & Tobago works as well. I'm actually living in Port of Spain with my husband right now.

[EmilySF 6]

I just called a Visa Help number specifically for Cuba, located in Miami.  (786) 408-5995

 

Clicked through to the automated system until I got the right (K-1) thread then stayed on the line for a service agent.

 

He updated my information (my phone, fiance's phone, my email, fiance's email + asked for my fiance's passport number and DOB). I'm the petitioner, my fiance is the beneficiary. Said I would receive notification by mail/phone/email about the process.

 

Also, I don't think (not sure tho) that you can just go straight to the embassy in another country. I did a lot of digging and it seems there is a number you receive the "packet 3" and also a secure envelope that the beneficiary's health check must be sealed in upon entry to the U.S.

 

The pain point is identifying where the packet is now, how to re-route it to either you in the U.S. or your fiance in Cuba and then where/how to schedule the interview.

 

The agent also told me not to worry about the validity date of our I-757 approval notice which, for us, is Dec 30 2017 .. makes me nervous!

 

Please post your findings in Guyana, T&T or Barbados. I'm also looking for similar processes/interview options. We're also considering El Salvador because there is a direct flight from HAV to SAL on Aviana.

 

Good luck everyone!

Edited October 11, 2017 by EmilySF

[DiamondEyes490 126]

19 minutes ago, EmilySF said:

I just called a Visa Help number specifically for Cuba, located in Miami.  (786) 408-5995

 

Clicked through to the automated system until I got the right (K-1) thread then stayed on the line for a service agent.

 

He updated my information (my phone, fiance's phone, my email, fiance's email + asked for my fiance's passport number and DOB). I'm the petitioner, my fiance is the beneficiary. Said I would receive notification by mail/phone/email about the process.

 

Also, I don't think (not sure tho) that you can just go straight to the embassy in another country. I did a lot of digging and it seems there is a number you receive the "packet 3" and also a secure envelope that the beneficiary's health check must be sealed in upon entry to the U.S.

 

The pain point is identifying where the packet is now, how to re-route it to either you in the U.S. or your fiance in Cuba and then where/how to schedule the interview.

 

The agent also told me not to worry about the validity date of our I-757 approval notice which, for us, is Dec 30 2017 .. makes me nervous!

 

Please post your findings in Guyana, T&T or Barbados. I'm also looking for similar processes/interview options. We're also considering El Salvador because there is a direct flight from HAV to SAL on Aviana.

 

Good luck everyone!

I really feel for you EmilySF. Please let us know what you hear. Already having your packet already there and them having no idea what the process is yet is just the worst combination. I might try calling that number and see if they offer any info for CR-1 yet.

[Malonya Kelly 1]

Per my lawyer, you can get the interview in another country so long as you indicated this when you submitted the

K-1 visa paperwork. At the end of the application it asks you to state at what embassy you want to have your interview. If you have already submitted the paperwork,  with the Havana Embassy listed, that would be problematic.

[MehgandMarcos 4]

21 minutes ago, Malonya Kelly said:

Per my lawyer, you can get the interview in another country so long as you indicated this when you submitted the

K-1 visa paperwork. At the end of the application it asks you to state at what embassy you want to have your interview. If you have already submitted the paperwork,  with the Havana Embassy listed, that would be problematic.

What if you have submitted the paperwork but are still waiting on the NOA2?  Is this something that could be updated?  Im sure at this point everyone who has a Cuban fiancé listed the Havana Embassy if they have submitted paperwork by now.