Cuba K1

Note: August 2019 >> Some Information May Be Outdated.  Members, Please Update with Current Information & Remove this Notice at That Time.

Step 1: Submit your I-129F package to USCIS

Click here for instructions on submitting your I-129F packet.

As specific as your question may be, you can find most answers by doing a simple search of the VisaJourney website:

• Go to the VisaJourney website.
• See that blue toolbar near the top of the page? At the right-hand side, there is a box. Type your question in there.
• See that list of "hits"? Lots of people have asked your question! Click on the first page and read through the thread.
• Click on the second, third, fourth, tenth page and read the answers.
• If you still haven't found your answer, post it on VisaJourney.

Cuba-Specific Questions

What if I don't have a permit from the US Treasury to go to Cuba (aka go through a third country)? 

No problem! It hasn't been a problem for anybody on this page.

What about submitting my plane tickets to prove I've seen my partner within the past two years? 

You do not need to submit your plan tickets. Instead, submit photos, emails, and phone records.

What do I do next?

Wait 2-3 weeks for your first Notice of Action (NOA1) from USCIS. You will receive a letter in the mail confirming that they received your I-129F package (aka that big "fiance visa" package you sent in).

Step 2: Receive your NOA1

Two-three weeks after you mail your I-129F packet, you should receive your first Notice of Action. You will receive a letter in the mail. This is also known as NOA1.

What do I do next?

Wait 5-7 months to receive your second Notice of Action (NOA2) in the mail. Basically, do nothing. Just wait.

Another thing: During this time, your partner needs to get a passport! Once you receive your NOA2 things will move quickly.

When about 5 months have gone by, you should have your partner get copies of certain documents so that you are ready for the interview when it comes along. You don't want to get the documents too early though, because they could expire.

The documents that your partner needs to get are:

• Birth certificate
• Certificado de solteria or divorce records
• Criminal records

Is it going to be 5 months or 7 months or more?

Some good news!: Your NOA1 tells you which "Service Center" your petition has been forwarded to. Some examples include "Texas Service Center" and "California Service Center." You can use that information to find out how long it should take to get your NOA2. Each Service Center has its own rhythm. It might take 5 months to get an NOA2 if your petition was sent to the California Service Center, but 7 months if it is sent to a different Service Center. I know, it's not fair.

To find out how long it's taking other people to get their NOA2, depending on their Service Center, click here.

• Under the chart, you will see the word "Filter." Then you will see "Service Center." Select your Service Center.
• Click "Set Filter."
• But I only see a few rows? Scroll down all the way to the bottom of the page. Click on the button that says "Change # of Rows Displayed."
• A box will pop up. Put a large number, like 100. Click "OK."
• Look under the fourth column "I-129F NOA1" and look under the next column "I-129F NOA2" to find out who has been getting approved and when you can expect to be approved.

Step 3: Receive your NOA2

Congrats! You've received your second Notice of Action (NOA2). It comes as a letter in the mail.

Now your application is being forwarded from USCIS to the National Visa Center.

What do I do next?

Wait 1-2 weeks for another letter from the National Visa Center. Besides for waiting, do nothing.

According to this page: "Two weeks after you receive the NOA2 you can contact the NVC to see if they have received your approved I-129F. You can contact them at 603 334-0700."

Step 4: Receive your letter from the National Visa Center

Click here to see what the letter will look look. Notice that the HAV # is circled on the letter. You will need this number for Step 5 and Step 6. Here is also a picture of the envelope my letter came in.

The National Visa Center will now forward your file to the US Interests Section in Havana. It will take about a week.

What do I do next?

Gather the information you need to schedule your partner's interview. (See Step 5.) Also, tell your partner your HAV number. Your partner will need to know the HAV number for Step 6.

The US Interests Section will receive your file about a week after you've received your letter from the National Visa Center. Once they have your file you can call and schedule your interview. You will NOT know when the US Interests Section has received your file. You should just wait a week or so, and call. Calling costs money though, so wait at least a week or even two weeks!

Update: Some people have had success in scheduling their partner's interview immediately after receiving the HAV number from the National Visa Center (NVC). It may not be necessary to wait until your case is received in Havana. As mentioned in step 3, you can call begin to call the NVC two weeks after your NOA2 to verify that they have received your case and also obtain the HAV number over the phone. Once you have that number, follow the steps below to schedule the interview. This is worth a try if you want to get the interview scheduled ASAP.

Step 5: Schedule your partner's interview

About a week after you receive a letter from the National Visa Center, you are ready to schedule your partner's interview. This website is a bit confusing, but there you have all the information you need to schedule your appointment!

How to schedule the interview

Call the United States the Visa Information and Appointment Scheduling Service from anywhere in the U.S., 1-866-374-1769 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday-Friday on behalf of the applicant in Cuba.

You will be prompted to purchase a Personal Identification Number (PIN). PINs can be purchased for $11 USD using Visa or MasterCard. The PIN allows the caller to access the service multiple times for information and appointment scheduling for up to a total of 8 minutes. The PIN is nonrefundable. In the event it is lost the family member or associate must pay for a new one. If the time allowed for the PIN runs out, the caller must obtain a new PIN and call the service again. Up to 5 immediate family members residing in the same household may be scheduled on one call using one PIN. Immediate family members include: husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, mother and father. Please note there is no guarantee that all family members will be scheduled for the same day.

Information you will need to schedule the interview

• HAV#
• Full name of the applicant as it appears in the passport
• Date of birth
• Country of birth
• Applicant's complete address, including contact phone number in Cuba
• Email Address
• Passport number
• Purpose of visit: Fiance visa
• Check-in with your partner to make sure that there aren't any dates that wouldn't work for the interview: graduation, thesis presentations, etc.

What do I do next?

Your partner schedules a time to pick up their packet from the US Interests Section.

Step 6: Your partner schedules a time to pick up their packet from the US Interests Section

The US Interests Section will NOT deliver the packet to your partner's house. Your partner should call this Cuban-based phone number: (53)(7) 839-4100 between 8am and 4:30pm. They may have to call several times to get through. Your partner MUST provide the HAV #.

Update: Physically picking up the packet is not required. You can utilize the Interests Section website to review the documents required for the interview ([1]).

What do I do next?

Your partner picks up the packet.

Step 7: Your partner picks up the packet at the US Interests Section

That's it. Your partner picks up the packet. I wasn't there, but my partner said it was pretty straightforward.

What do I do next?

Start filling out the documents and getting documents prepared.

Step 8: Prepare the documents for your visa interview

To make things easier, I'm providing photos of the documents my partner received:

• Cover letter: Photo.
• List of the things we need to bring to the interview: Photo.
• List of hospitals for the chequeo medico: Page 1 and Page 2.

Things you will need to bring to the interview

• Carta de citacion: Click [here for image (Note: You will not have this if you do not physically pick up the packet. It is not required for the interview).
• Valid passport and photocopy of pages where issuance and expiration dates as well as the passport number and photo appear (Beneficiary)
• Form DS-160 - Confirmation page only as the application is completed online.
• Photos, (2) color photos on white background of the beneficiary facing the camera and measuring 50 mm x 50 mm taken within the last six months (Beneficiary)
• Birth certificate (Beneficiary)
• Proof of eligibility to marry: Acta de solteria (Beneficiary)
• Criminal Records from Cuba (Beneficiary)
• I-134 Affidavit of Support and supporting materials
• Relationship evidence
• Processing fee: $265 CUC or USD
• I would also suggest bringing the following documents if you can:
• Copy of the letter from National Visa Center
• Copy of the NOA2 received by mail
• Copy of the entire I-129F package
• Do not bring anything in envelopes, as they will empty each one at security. The only type of envelope allowed in are clear/plastic envelopes.

DS Forms & I-134 Form

For more information, including samples, of the DS forms and the I-134 form, click here.

As specific as your question may be, you can find most answers by doing a simple search of the VisaJourney website:

• Go to the VisaJourney website.
• See that blue toolbar near the top of the page? At the right-hand side, there is a box. Type your question in there.
• See that list of "hits"? Lots of people have asked your question! Click on the first page and read through the thread.
• Click on the second, third, fourth, tenth page and read the answers.
• If you still haven't found your answer, post it on VisaJourney.

Frequently Asked Questions Specific to Cuba

What if my partner is in the UJC or the Communist Party? 

Be honest when filing out the forms. Your partner should be ready to explain that membership was recommended, the young age at which they joined, etc. The people interviewing you will understand.

How much does the chequeo medico cost? 

400 CUC

Where can I get the certificado de solteria? 

Consultoría Internacional

Where can I get the police records? 

Consultoría Internacional

Where can I get the birth certificate? 

Consultoría Internacional

Question 

Answer

Step 9: The Interview!

Click here for more information on the interview. These reviews will probably answer many questions you have, so please read them first before posting questions.