Visiting Cuba for Interview

[namasphos 0]

Hello all!!

I'm new to the site and looking for more information on K1 visas with a Cuban fiancé. My fiancé and I have been together for almost two years, in which I've visited 4 times, and we are just about to submit the petition! Beforehand I'd like to get a few questions answered...

1) Is it legal to go to Cuba for the interview? And can American citizens get permission to travel to Cuba if they are in the fiancé visa process? I have always gone with a European passport, but would like to make sure that everything is in order with travel plans during this process.

2) How necessary is a lawyer? This site has been super-helpful and I seem to understand the process, but I don't know how many complications may arise especially given US/Cuban relations.

3) For those who have been through the process, how much evidence did you provide for the petition? And for the interview? I have plenty of photos, letters, drawings and have put aside only about 100 of thousands of emails to be translated and used as proof... Do I need more?

4) Anything else you think I should know?

Thanks ahead of time to anyone who puts the time into answering. The power of love is strong, and it's nice to find a community that feels that way too!

--Alexandra

[namasphos 0]

....Anyone? Please?

[escape81 2]

....Anyone? Please?

if you click on embassy info you can look up cuban embassy and i think it should have members on there then you can click on members and look to the left and click on timeline its in the members profile if they have been to the interview it will have a review more than likely which has been very helpful.

welcome to the site by the way

[escape81 2]

just went and looked for you and no cuba so wasn't much help.there have been people on here dealing with cuba. sorrrrrrrrrrry

http://havana.usint.gov/ try this

hahahahaha found them here are the cuba members http://www.visajourney.com/portals/memberlist.php?country=Cuba

hope that helps you

Edited January 18, 2013 by escape81

[namasphos 0]

Right, there isn't an official embassy but there is an Office of American Interests run by the Swiss embassy. I'll keep investigating.... Thanks, anyway!!

[escape81 2]

Right, there isn't an official embassy but there is an Office of American Interests run by the Swiss embassy. I'll keep investigating.... Thanks, anyway!!

was reading some of there timelines and thats what most are saying went to swiss embassy.

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=104004

Edited January 18, 2013 by escape81

[tila_vida 6]

Namasphos, hi there, welcome to the cuban journey! So I just came across this post, and even though its old, I figured to address it:

I'm a Cuba petitioner too, so here's what I've learned:

1) it is illegal to travel to cuba even if you are in fiance visa process (you do not fall under general license until you are married). However this is a violation of Dept of Treasury (assuming that if you go to cuba, you are spending money in cuba- we dont have a travel embargo with Cuba, we have a economic embargo), but since we have a beautiful thing called division of power, immigration does not care if you've traveled there illegally. Personally, I only have a US passport, have traveled there, and put evidence of such in my application packet.

2) Many (maybe most?) people on this site manage without a lawyer. There is so much guidance available on this site and then so many came back with the good news of success. So, personally, I am not using a lawyer- even though it's cuba.

3) and 4) For these questions, I recommend clicking on "portal" (one of the tabs at the top of the home page) which will take you to a portal of reviews and postings by only Cuba petitioners. There is a box that says "quick links" one of which is consulate reviews. You will fill a lot of first hand info over there. Also, one of our star members started a cuba k1 wiki page, which is excellent, and will get even better as more people add in their advice/experiences.

feel free to direct email me if anything :-)

Best of luck!

~tila

[namasphos 0]

Thanks, Tila! Yes, I've seen the wiki page and it is quite informative. In fact I'll leave a link for those who might read this: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Cuba_K1#Frequently_Asked_Questions_Specific_to_Cuba

As far as traveling for the interview, I planned on going through a third country and figured it wouldn't be a problem but thank you for giving me that "division of power" term-- makes sense!! I've also heard of travel with agencies out of Miami that do the visa paperwork for you, but it's only for Florida residents (and I'm not sure if the Treasury Dept is cool with it).

Hope your visa is going well! Our petition just got approved and we're waiting on the NVC letter to set up the interview.

Thanks again!!

[namasphos 0]

Hi everyone!

I was told when I made the interview appointment that I could not join (that Americans weren't allowed at the Office of American Interests). This is totally bizarre, because I've always been told that it's acceptable//encouraged for the couple to be together at the interview, and plus I have been at the Office of American Interests before. Anyone know about this?

[snowjoe 0]

I don't think this can be correct. I am an American and have been to the U.S. Interest Section in Havana several times. I can't imagine that they would exclude you from the interview if you want to be there. Whether you go or not I assume is a personal choice. It seems that some go and some do not.

Edited June 26, 2013 by snowjoe

[namasphos 0]

Thanks-- At first I thought theyd changed the rules, but I've heard that it's just what they're supposed to say.

[bigdog 376]

Good Luck with all of this.