US Embassy in bogota doing interviews for Cuban

[Luisa_eris 1]

I just finished reading that the interviews for immigrant visas for Cubans will be held at the US embassy in Bogota, Colombia. This means that any petitions for K1 or CR1 will be transferred to that embassy. Not only am I heart broken and confused . But I’m so upset because I just don’t understand how does the US government believe a Cuban who earns $30 a Month, can afford a trip to Colombia? And to top it off you need A VISA to travel there? I mean isn’t this automatic denial ? They’re just violating the 1994 agreement to let AtleaSt 20,000 Cubans enter the US per year. And now they’re settimg is up for failure. Why not just work with the Swiss embassy and open the interest section again? Why make the Cuba beneficiary who makes $30 a month and cant get a visa to go to Colombia , “travel” all the way over there? They’re expecting to send letters to existing petitions that were approved on how to handle it , but this is so not fair. You’re humiliating one of the poorest countries in the world. 

 

I ask that someone answer me or atleast give me some advice because I’m about to lose my mind. 

 

 

 

[Sarah&Michel 6]

Here is some more information via the FAQ page on the US Embassy's website:https://cu.usembassy.gov/frequently-asked-questions/

 

Are IV and CFRP applications closed?  Has the CFRP program ended? Can IV and CRFP interviews be done at another embassy or consulate?
The U.S. Embassy in Havana will cancel all previously-scheduled nonimmigrant, immigrant visa, and CFRP interview appointments.  In the coming weeks, we will begin transferring current immigrant visa applications and scheduling immigrant visa interviews for Cuban nationals at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia.  The State Department is working with our colleagues in the Department of Homeland Security to ensure continued operation of the Cuban Family Reunification Program (CFRP) and will soon announce arrangements for the CFRP applicants. 

How does the change affect immigrant visa applicants?
Immigrant visas for Cubans will be processed at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia.  The U.S. Embassy in Bogota is currently determining when these interviews can begin.  If your case has already been sent to the U.S. Embassy in Havana for an interview, you will be contacted with further instructions.

How are you communicating with applicants?
We will continue to provide updates on the U.S. Embassy in Havana’s website. Applicants who had previously scheduled immigrant visa appointments between September 29 and December 31, 2017 will be contacted directly to reschedule their appointment. Those who have not yet had an immigrant visa interview appointment scheduled may contact the National Visa Center for a status update on their case.

What about applicants who previously had an immigrant visa interview scheduled in Havana?
We will begin scheduling immigrant visa interview appointments for Cuban nationals at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota as soon as possible.  We anticipate these first appointments to be made available no sooner than November 2017. Applicants who had previously scheduled immigrant visa interview appointments between September 29 and December 31, 2017 will be contacted directly.

What if I would prefer to process my immigrant visa case at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate? Am I required to process my case in Bogota?
While current immigrant visa applications will automatically be transferred to, or scheduled at, the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, immigrant visa applicants may request to process their application, or continue processing their application, at another U.S. embassy or consulate.  Such applicants must provide justification for the case transfer (such as, for example, a move or change in residency to another country) and show that they can legally reside in the country while their case is being processed. Any such request must be forwarded directly to the Immigrant Visa Unit at the chosen U.S. embassy or consulate.  If the U.S. embassy or consulate agrees to accept the case and the case is qualified for scheduling, the case will be transferred. 

What are the requirements for Cuban nationals to enter Colombia?
The Government of Colombia makes determinations regarding the entry of foreign nationals into that country.  Cuban nationals traveling to Colombia for an immigrant visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota must first obtain a visa to enter Colombia.   For more information, please contact Migración Colombia or the nearest Colombian embassy or consulate.

What if my case takes a long time to process? Will I need to stay in Bogota the entire time?
Immigrant visa applicants should plan to spend at least a few weeks in Colombia.  However, if additional administrative processing is required, applicants may choose to leave Colombia and return at a later point to finalize processing.  Applicants should address case specific questions to U.S. Embassy Bogota.

[Sarah&Michel 6]

It's ridiculous that they chose a country which requires a visa for Cuban travelers, but I suppose they did this on purpose to make the process even more difficult .  You could try to request moving the application to Panama, which does not require a visa for Cuban travelers but it may delay the process even more. It's also ridiculous that they expect the applicant to "stay at least a few weeks."  Who knows how long it will take between the interview and when the visa is actually ready for pick up.  In the event that they need to do further "administrative processing," it may require an additional trip to Colombia or wherever since AP can taken anywhere from a couple of weeks to two years.

 

It's really crazy and I am sorry for all of you who are going through this. I urge you to contact your representatives (Congress and Senate) and make a formal complaint. There is also this petition: https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/rescind-cuba-travel-warning?source=c.fwd&r_by=945311

 

[SazKap 75]

Hi all!

 

A couple of questions kicking around my head:

 

Aren't K1 visas technically non-immigrant visas?

Don't they usually hold your passport during "Administrative Processing?" Wouldn't that prevent you from leaving/re-entering? 

Is it true that Cubans don't need a visa to enter Panama?

 

Before the Colombia news, I requested to have my application transferred to Trinidad & Tobago - waiting to see if the embassy in T&T declines my request.

[SazKap 75]

Digging into the K1 visa question, the FAQ says this:

 

How do applicants schedule an appointment with a different embassy or consulate?
While immigrant visa applications for Cuban nationals will be transferred to the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, applicants for nonimmigrant visas may apply at any U.S. embassy or consulate around the world. Please visit www.ustraveldocs.com to schedule an interview.

 

and then USCIS says this:

 

After the Fiancé(e) Visa is Issued

Once issued, the fiancé(e) visa (or K-1 nonimmigrant visa) allows your fiancé(e) to enter the United States for 90 days so that your marriage ceremony can take place. Once you marry, your spouse may apply for permanent residence and remain in the United States while USCIS processes the application. For additional information, see the “Green Card” section.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-us-citizens/fiancee-visa/fiancee-visas

 

[Sarah&Michel 6]

On 10/20/2017 at 1:10 PM, SazKap said:

Hi all!

 

A couple of questions kicking around my head:

 

Aren't K1 visas technically non-immigrant visas?

Don't they usually hold your passport during "Administrative Processing?" Wouldn't that prevent you from leaving/re-entering? 

Is it true that Cubans don't need a visa to enter Panama?

 

Before the Colombia news, I requested to have my application transferred to Trinidad & Tobago - waiting to see if the embassy in T&T declines my request.

K-1 visas are technically non-immigrant visas, but the US embassy in Havana processes them the same as other immigrant visas. Per their website, the instructions for K-1 visas are under the immigrant visa category. 

 

I was wrong when I stated that Cubans do not need a visa to go to Panama. They DO need a visa to travel to Panama. 

 

They did hold onto my husband’s passport during AP.  However, I doubt they would expect the applicant to stay in a third country for the duration. The website says that if the case has to go through AP it may require an additional trip (in which case they would have to return the passport, no?)

 

What a pain! 

[Raulandlisa 0]

Has anyone  obtained  the  information as to  what Colombia "Migración Colombia or the nearest Colombian embassy or consulate" requires  to approve a visa for cuban citizen ? (ex. Bank account, cash on hand, ownership of property, etc.) I did find this site, https://colombia.visahq.com/requirements/cuba/  (Anyone find anything  different ?)

Colombia tourist visa is required for citizens of Cuba.

 

Currently VisaHQ visa services are for residents of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, UAE, India, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland and Singapore.

Citizens of Cuba residing in Cuba must apply for a visa to Colombia in person at the nearest consulate of Colombia in Cuba. Please note, application procedures and fees may vary by location. If there is no consulate of Colombia in Cuba there may be a consulate of Colombia in a neighboring country that covers the jurisdiction of Cuba.

While we cannot process your travel visa request, travelers should take note of the following advice:
 

• Check the current validity of your passport
  
  For international travel, all travelers will need a passport, valid for at least 90 days following your departure date. However, we strongly recommend traveling with six months validity on your passport at all times.
  
  It is also recommended that your valid passport have at least two un-used pages remaining, for any necessary entry and exit stamps that may be issued. It is also a good idea to review the number of pages and validity remaining your passport well in advance of overseas travel. This will allow for time needed if a replacement passport may be required.
   
• Use our Embassy Guide
  
  Here you can look up embassy and consular contact information. Our comprehensive database of worldwide embassy address and contact details can help you locate the nearest embassy to seek country-specific guidance pertaining to travel regulations.
   
• Still in need of more information?
  
  There is a good chance that you may find the answer within our frequently asked questions pages. This is a useful resource for anyone new to the travel visa or passport applications process.
   
• Further useful information
  
  Review our Travel tips pages and global Customs Regulations sections before traveling. Here you will find sound advice and up-to-date customs information for any destination country.

Edited November 11, 2017 by Raulandlisa

[AriSmith 11]

We FINALLY scheduled our K-1 visa interview at the embassy in Bogota. You have to create an account and get your DS-160 first. https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-co/niv

 

Then after you do that, create an account on that website and schedule your interview. If it doesn't let you schedule it, email them at: asa_contactus+co+ivcasenumber@visaops.net 

And include the following in your email:

1. Subject: Case number is not ready to be programmed. 

• Full name of the applicant: 
• Applicant's date of birth: 
• Scanned copy of the appointment notification letter you received from the National Visa Center (NVC) or the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) or letter of instructions you received from the Consular Section. 

I included my NVC approval and attached it to the email as proof. 

 

Buena suerte!

Follow our visa journey!

https://www.facebook.com/chicagomeetshavana/

 

 

[YandJ 40]

9 hours ago, AriSmith said:

We FINALLY scheduled our K-1 visa interview at the embassy in Bogota. You have to create an account and get your DS-160 first. https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-co/niv

 

Then after you do that, create an account on that website and schedule your interview. If it doesn't let you schedule it, email them at: asa_contactus+co+ivcasenumber@visaops.net 

And include the following in your email:

1. Subject: Case number is not ready to be programmed. 

• Full name of the applicant: 
• Applicant's date of birth: 
• Scanned copy of the appointment notification letter you received from the National Visa Center (NVC) or the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) or letter of instructions you received from the Consular Section. 

I included my NVC approval and attached it to the email as proof. 

 

Buena suerte!

Follow our visa journey!

https://www.facebook.com/chicagomeetshavana/

 

 

Are you in th process of applying to the visa for Colombia? How does it work and what documents do the Cuban needs to apply for the visa? 

 

Cubans can go to Guyana, Dominica and Russia without a visa. What gets me is that they are expected to stay there for an extended period because they keep their passport to do the visa, it's like, can you at least expedite the visa so they don't have to wait forever?

[AriSmith 11]

Yes we are. My fiance is at the Columbian embassy in Havana as we speaking trying to figure that out. 

 

You cannot expediate the fiance visa there in Bogota but you do receive it within 10 business days. Sometimes sooner I hear. 

[DiamondEyes490 126]

Just now, AriSmith said:

Yes we are. My fiance is at the Columbian embassy in Havana as we speaking trying to figure that out. 

 

You cannot expediate the fiance visa there in Bogota but you do receive it within 10 business days. Sometimes sooner I hear. 

Hi. I'm waiting for our interview right now for CR-1. Two questions:

 

1. What's your interview date?

2. I've read that you need to get vaccine and medical history for the medical exam in Cuba. Do you have details as to the exact requirements and where you can get everything in Cuba?

[AriSmith 11]

So our interview date is December 27 & 28. The 27th is his fingerprinting and photo appointment in Bogota. The 28th is the actual visa interview.

Also, you have to do the doctor's appointment in BOGOTA. If you look on the U.S. Embassy Havana website, they updated their documents. Look at the doc attached. 

 

HAV - Havana.pdf

[DiamondEyes490 126]

Just now, AriSmith said:

So our interview date is December 27 & 28. The 27th is his fingerprinting and photo appointment in Bogota. The 28th is the actual visa interview.

Also, you have to do the doctor's appointment in BOGOTA. If you look on the U.S. Embassy Havana website, they updated their documents. Look at the doc attached. 

 

HAV - Havana.pdf

Thank you

 

My husband is going back to Cuba tomorrow (we are island hopping through all of the visa free countries in the mean time so we can just be together), and I want him to grab all of the documents if possible.

[AriSmith 11]

Niiice! That's so cool! Well if you have any further questions, we're documenting our journey on FB: https://www.facebook.com/chicagomeetshavana/ Check us out! 

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

On ‎10‎/‎16‎/‎2017 at 10:24 AM, Sarah&Michel said:

What if my case takes a long time to process? Will I need to stay in Bogota the entire time?
Immigrant visa applicants should plan to spend at least a few weeks in Colombia.  However, if additional administrative processing is required, applicants may choose to leave Colombia and return at a later point to finalize processing.  Applicants should address case specific questions to U.S. Embassy Bogota.

What?  They expect Cubans with little or no means to travel to Colombia, and stay there "a few weeks".   #######?