US Embassy in Havana Closing?

[MehgandMarcos 4]

4 hours 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!

Is a visa needed to for Cubans to go to El Salvador?  I would prefer going to an embassy in a spanish speaking country to eliminate translating all documents

[EmilySF 6]

Yep, you're right. Cubans need a visa to go to El Salvador. I read the chart wrong. 

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Cuban_citizens

 

looks like T&T or Guyana are the top picks for third country application 

 

also, I've done a bunch of the documentation and I think I only translated an updated "intent to marry" statement. I didn't bother with IMO/What's App messages bc I have a bazillion pages of skype call logs and photos. 

 

I use "Babble On" in San Francisco for certified translation. Everything is online and they are super fast and thorough, if you're looking for a rec, I like them.  

Edited October 12, 2017 by EmilySF

[EmilySF 6]

12 hours ago, DiamondEyes490 said:

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

Yeah my understanding is that you have to have "the packet" for the health check envelope, and to do the D-160 and schedule an interview. Or do you guys think I should just call T&T embassy and try to just go for it? Headed to Cuba tmrw to see my guy, eat some mango and hopefully relax for a minute!

[DiamondEyes490 126]

7 hours ago, EmilySF said:

Yeah my understanding is that you have to have "the packet" for the health check envelope, and to do the D-160 and schedule an interview. Or do you guys think I should just call T&T embassy and try to just go for it? Headed to Cuba tmrw to see my guy, eat some mango and hopefully relax for a minute!

I'm honestly not sure what to do in your situation since they already sent everything to Havana in your case. So you need to get them to forward your paperwork to another embassy. I'd probably call Port of Spain to see if they agree to take your case and then call Havana as they need to send it.

 

Everyone else here is still pre-NOA2. In my case, I'm going through the NVC processing for CR-1 (already married), so I have another 8-11 weeks before they will be sending my case anywhere.

 

For pre-NOA2 people, you can request your case to be sent elsewhere by calling USICS. My friend (who is doing a K-1) did change hers to Port of Spain. The risk is that none of these consulates have explicitly said yet if they will be processing Cuban immigrant visa applications, so you may end up needing to then get them to send it somewhere else. And since K-1 applicants have a much narrower timeframe for which the NOA2 is valid, it's a big risk.

[Malonya Kelly 1]

So I emailed the American Embassy in Guyana. Gere is what they said:

 

The applicant is welcome to choose Guyana for his interview. Please note however that applicants from Cuba may be offered an alternative Embassy location if there is no U.S Embassy facility to process the visa in Cuba.

 

Sincerely,

 

Visa Inquiries Unit

US Embassy, Georgetown

Tel: 592-225-8732 (Call Center – Non-Immigrant and General Visa Questions)

Fax: 592-227-0221

Website: http://georgetown.usembassy.gov

[DiamondEyes490 126]

14 minutes ago, Malonya Kelly said:

So I emailed the American Embassy in Guyana. Gere is what they said:

 

The applicant is welcome to choose Guyana for his interview. Please note however that applicants from Cuba may be offered an alternative Embassy location if there is no U.S Embassy facility to process the visa in Cuba.

 

Sincerely,

 

Visa Inquiries Unit

US Embassy, Georgetown

Tel: 592-225-8732 (Call Center – Non-Immigrant and General Visa Questions)

Fax: 592-227-0221

Website: http://georgetown.usembassy.gov

I think she's getting at my point that the Dept of State is most likely going to designate a particular embassy or two to process them on. For example, Iranians always go to Istanbul or Naples (no idea why the latter).

[Malonya Kelly 1]

Just emailed the US Embassy in Havana and this is what they said:

 

Cuban applicants for nonimmigrant visas may apply at another U.S. embassy or consulate overseas.  Immigrant visa and parole applicants should wait until further information is available.

The Embassy is returning passports, visas, parole and other travel documents that have been issued. You may check to see if your documents are ready for pickup by accessing the following webpage: https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Default.aspx?App. If your documents are ready, you can pick them up at the Embassy - Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m.

Please, visit the Embassy Havana website <https://cu.usembassy.gov/> for the latest messages related to Embassy operations


We hope this information is of assistance.
 

 

[EmilySF 6]

3 hours ago, Malonya Kelly said:

Just emailed the US Embassy in Havana and this is what they said:

 

Cuban applicants for nonimmigrant visas may apply at another U.S. embassy or consulate overseas.  Immigrant visa and parole applicants should wait until further information is available.

The Embassy is returning passports, visas, parole and other travel documents that have been issued. You may check to see if your documents are ready for pickup by accessing the following webpage: https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Default.aspx?App. If your documents are ready, you can pick them up at the Embassy - Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m.

Please, visit the Embassy Havana website <https://cu.usembassy.gov/> for the latest messages related to Embassy operations


We hope this information is of assistance.
 

 

I'm going to Cuba tonight so i'll swing by the embassy to see if I can collect my packet Monday at 10am. I checked the link Malonya sent (thank you) and it says "ready" so we'll see what I can get done in person, I'll wear a pencil skirt and see if I can make something happen. 

 

Alternatively, the NVC said I could call Port of Spain to see if they will request it to be transferred but then maybe my fiancé would have to do his health check at T&T which gets more complicated.

 

NVC also told me don't worry about the expiration on the approval. Also both people I called (NVC and embassy services in Miami) said if I wait, I'll receive official instructions on what to do next. 

 

To act or not to act, that is the question!

Edited October 12, 2017 by EmilySF

[Malonya Kelly 1]

Wow! EmilySF, good info!

[Sarah&Michel 6]

It seems like the US Embassy in Havana is moving immigrant visa applications to the US Embassy in Bogota.

 

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/cubans-seeking-move-to-us-must-get-visas-in-colombia-now/2340910

 

[DiamondEyes490 126]

Which means we'd all need to get tourist visas for our spouses/fiancees.

 

Has anyone tried calling the embassy in Bogota yet by chance?

[MehgandMarcos 4]

11 minutes ago, DiamondEyes490 said:

Which means we'd all need to get tourist visas for our spouses/fiancees.

 

Has anyone tried calling the embassy in Bogota yet by chance?

Isn’t a k1 visa concidererd nonimmigrant?  If so then we could choose any embassy that would take us. 

 

Going to Columbia would be for immigrant visas. 

 

But it if I’m wrong getting a visa for Cubans to go to Columbia is going to make this whole process a lot harder. 

[DiamondEyes490 126]

6 minutes ago, MehgandMarcos said:

Isn’t a k1 visa concidererd nonimmigrant?  If so then we could choose any embassy that would take us. 

 

Going to Columbia would be for immigrant visas. 

 

But it if I’m wrong getting a visa for Cubans to go to Columbia is going to make this whole process a lot harder. 

I'm not sure about K-1, honestly. My friend and I were debating this morning as they list K-1 as non-immigrant in some places and immigrant in others.

 

I'm CR-1, so I'll have to go if this is true  

[Sarah&Michel 6]

1 hour ago, MehgandMarcos said:

Isn’t a k1 visa concidererd nonimmigrant?  If so then we could choose any embassy that would take us. 

 

Going to Columbia would be for immigrant visas. 

 

But it if I’m wrong getting a visa for Cubans to go to Columbia is going to make this whole process a lot harder. 

If you look at the US Embassy in Havana page, they count K-1 visas as “family-based immigration.” In Havana, K-1 interviews are handled separately from the non-immigrant visa interviews. 

[Malonya Kelly 1]

So i just got word from the Asmerican Embassy in Guyana that the K1 1 interviews for Cubans are being conducted at the Embassy in Bogotá Colombia. Still trying to confirm this with with the Embassy in Colombia