Havana, Cuba

[KJG]

Sassy....hoping for your approval today......and Shuster2210.....where is that damn PRE!!!!!!!

 

[Avana]

Hey Avana....when Yoani got his pre they would not physically release it to him until he had his airplaine ticket in hand. I used Cubana Airlines and when I called they asked if he had his PRE already before I booked...I said yes and that they will release it to him when he shows them his airline ticket. Booked my flight right away through the agent. Had my ticket in 5 minutes and Yoani picked a copy up the next day in a travel office that has Cubana Airlines.

Hmmm... always gets more confusing huh? lol The good thing is because its thew holidays there are many many more flights that usual, and all the companies are doing one way flights even though they dont usually, for example sunwing you can reserve a one way, and air transat too. The travel agent that my parents use said they can not reserve a ticket until he has the visa and the PRE. I wanted to take my chance and book it before anyways, and when I go online I can book it all with no paper information at all. So can I just do that? but if they wont release the PRE till the plane ticket is purchased then the travel agent is at least half wrong... lol what to do, what to do....

 

[shuster2210]

Hmmm... always gets more confusing huh? lol The good thing is because its thew holidays there are many many more flights that usual, and all the companies are doing one way flights even though they dont usually, for example sunwing you can reserve a one way, and air transat too. The travel agent that my parents use said they can not reserve a ticket until he has the visa and the PRE. I wanted to take my chance and book it before anyways, and when I go online I can book it all with no paper information at all. So can I just do that? but if they wont release the PRE till the plane ticket is purchased then the travel agent is at least half wrong... lol what to do, what to do....

Are you planning on buying the ticket for the 3rd. And who do you want to book the ticket with?
To be able to pick up the PRE, they need a confirmed flight, but if sunwing and AT wont let you book I wouldn't be using them.... Be safer with ac or Cubana or west jet.

The freaking PRE is being ridonculous!!!!
So and so isn't there to sign off, blah blah blah.
Nothing we can do, well he can, like he has been, going to line up at the office everyday....
This has been the hardest part so far for sure.

But we are still doing ok, I know people that have waited up to 3 month for a PRE so we are still lucky.
Apparently immigration has been super busy, a lot of people trying to get out now, before the big mess well happen in January.
It's going to be crazy for the first few months after they get rid of the exit visas so some people are preferring to pay and do it now just to avoid the chaos that immigration will be in the new year

 

[KJG]

Are you planning on buying the ticket for the 3rd. And who do you want to book the ticket with?
To be able to pick up the PRE, they need a confirmed flight, but if sunwing and AT wont let you book I wouldn't be using them.... Be safer with ac or Cubana or west jet.

The freaking PRE is being ridonculous!!!!
So and so isn't there to sign off, blah blah blah.
Nothing we can do, well he can, like he has been, going to line up at the office everyday....
This has been the hardest part so far for sure.

But we are still doing ok, I know people that have waited up to 3 month for a PRE so we are still lucky.
Apparently immigration has been super busy, a lot of people trying to get out now, before the big mess well happen in January.
It's going to be crazy for the first few months after they get rid of the exit visas so some people are preferring to pay and do it now just to avoid the chaos that immigration will be in the new year

GRRRRR..Shsuter2210....so damn close and I can imaginge your frustration......hopefully very very soon......yes I think January will be an absolute nightmare for those needing to apply after the 14th.....

 

[sassylassie]

Awww Shuster.....I can imagine how frustrating this is...you are so close. We are your cheerleaders as Everyone always says.....we are sending you good vibes

KJG it seems Yoani was lucky with the timing of his approval he got just before the bedlam hit!

In other news......
I decided to call the call centre today. To at least ask if I have a UCI to keep checking online. She advised that I was approved Nov 19 2012 and a letter was sent.

OK now I can give birth without this on my mind....I feel the contractions coming on now : ) : )
(not really) but any day now

Going to call my Husband....

 

[Avana]

Awww Shuster.....I can imagine how frustrating this is...you are so close. We are your cheerleaders as Everyone always says.....we are sending you good vibes

KJG it seems Yoani was lucky with the timing of his approval he got just before the bedlam hit!

In other news......
I decided to call the call centre today. To at least ask if I have a UCI to keep checking online. She advised that I was approved Nov 19 2012 and a letter was sent.

OK now I can give birth without this on my mind....I feel the contractions coming on now : ) : )
(not really) but any day now

Going to call my Husband....

YAYYYYYY congrats!!!!!!! Step one is done!!! So they sent the approval in the mail? So wishy washy with not knowing which way they send it! Are you really that close to giving birth??? for some reason I thought you still had a month to go! lol SO exciting!!!!

 

[sassylassie]

YAYYYYYY congrats!!!!!!! Step one is done!!! So they sent the approval in the mail? So wishy washy with not knowing which way they send it! Are you really that close to giving birth??? for some reason I thought you still had a month to go! lol SO exciting!!!!

They are so wishy washy! So frustrating as you ladies know! I looked online and it says his medicals have been received so I think this is a good sign. Off to Havana you go you pesky (not so) lil application!

Yes she is due in dec 3rd.

 

[Avana]

Are you planning on buying the ticket for the 3rd. And who do you want to book the ticket with?
To be able to pick up the PRE, they need a confirmed flight, but if sunwing and AT wont let you book I wouldn't be using them.... Be safer with ac or Cubana or west jet.

The freaking PRE is being ridonculous!!!!
So and so isn't there to sign off, blah blah blah.
Nothing we can do, well he can, like he has been, going to line up at the office everyday....
This has been the hardest part so far for sure.

But we are still doing ok, I know people that have waited up to 3 month for a PRE so we are still lucky.
Apparently immigration has been super busy, a lot of people trying to get out now, before the big mess well happen in January.
It's going to be crazy for the first few months after they get rid of the exit visas so some people are preferring to pay and do it now just to avoid the chaos that immigration will be in the new year

Ya i wanted to get the ticket for the 3rd with cancellation just in case! I know the chances are slim to none but it would kill me to know everything got done and then he cant fly back so I wanna cover the grounds in case.... Its not AT or SW saying they wont do it, its the dumb travel agent! I can very well go online and just book it with cancellation insurance just like that! Hubby went to the immigration office today to ask some questions but they were SO full they just locked the door and put a sign they wont let anyone else come in for the day. Seems everyone is rushing in now for real before the changes. I just REALLY hope we can get it before the 13th and not have to deal with it all.... it would give us 20 days exactly so its iffy. I can imagine Havana office being even crazier than the holguin one...but were sending you all good vibes as Sassy said and you'll get it all done!! Hows the house papers doing? Better? He will land the 3rd of dec, you'll see

 

[Avana]

Shuster--PS: it made me lol that you said ridonculous, I always say ridonculous!haha

 

[Avana]

They are so wishy washy! So frustrating as you ladies know! I looked online and it says his medicals have been received so I think this is a good sign. Off to Havana you go you pesky (not so) lil application!

Yes she is due in dec 3rd.

Def a good sign about his medicals being received. doesnt say decision made though? it should soon so keep checking!
And congratssss de 3rd is so soon!! you both must be so excited!

KJG- how long did it take for your interview to show up on Ecas? Ours is still not there Did it say it on both your side of Ecas and his?

I remember reading that they issue visas on thursdays... do you guys think if our interview is on a monday they'll make us come back on thursday for visa pick up? They told him to bring his passport, but maybe they just plan on keeping it till Thursday? Hope not! it would mean having to stay in Havana over christmas instead of being with both of our families that'll be in holguin! :-\

 

[shuster2210]

Hmmm. That is interesting about the day of the week, I just noticed that.
I know that it has always been that visas are issued on Thursday.
Our friends parents were I interviewed on a Monday and had to return on the Thursday to pick up the visa.
Unfortunately you won't know until that day :-(

Immigration offices have been insane!!!

Hoping for good news for all today!!!

 

[sassylassie]

Def a good sign about his medicals being received. doesnt say decision made though? it should soon so keep checking!
And congratssss de 3rd is so soon!! you both must be so excited!

KJG- how long did it take for your interview to show up on Ecas? Ours is still not there Did it say it on both your side of Ecas and his?

I remember reading that they issue visas on thursdays... do you guys think if our interview is on a monday they'll make us come back on thursday for visa pick up? They told him to bring his passport, but maybe they just plan on keeping it till Thursday? Hope not! it would mean having to stay in Havana over christmas instead of being with both of our families that'll be in holguin! :-\

Sorry yes....decision made and medicals received and application received Oct 11

You know Avana...i meant to mention yesterday Dec 24 is very special day in Cuba...I have a really good feeling about that day.

 

[sassylassie]

Hmmm. That is interesting about the day of the week, I just noticed that.
I know that it has always been that visas are issued on Thursday.
Our friends parents were I interviewed on a Monday and had to return on the Thursday to pick up the visa.
Unfortunately you won't know until that day :-(

Immigration offices have been insane!!!

Hoping for good news for all today!!!

: ( I hope this is not the case.

 

[KJG]

Awww Shuster.....I can imagine how frustrating this is...you are so close. We are your cheerleaders as Everyone always says.....we are sending you good vibes

KJG it seems Yoani was lucky with the timing of his approval he got just before the bedlam hit!

In other news......
I decided to call the call centre today. To at least ask if I have a UCI to keep checking online. She advised that I was approved Nov 19 2012 and a letter was sent.

OK now I can give birth without this on my mind....I feel the contractions coming on now : ) : )
(not really) but any day now

Going to call my Husband....

That is awesome Sassy abour the approval......step one is done......on to step two and of course the birth of the little one!!!!

 

[KJG]

Ya i wanted to get the ticket for the 3rd with cancellation just in case! I know the chances are slim to none but it would kill me to know everything got done and then he cant fly back so I wanna cover the grounds in case.... Its not AT or SW saying they wont do it, its the dumb travel agent! I can very well go online and just book it with cancellation insurance just like that! Hubby went to the immigration office today to ask some questions but they were SO full they just locked the door and put a sign they wont let anyone else come in for the day. Seems everyone is rushing in now for real before the changes. I just REALLY hope we can get it before the 13th and not have to deal with it all.... it would give us 20 days exactly so its iffy. I can imagine Havana office being even crazier than the holguin one...but were sending you all good vibes as Sassy said and you'll get it all done!! Hows the house papers doing? Better? He will land the 3rd of dec, you'll see

Avana.....just double check about the cancellation insurancel....alot of times he needs to be supported with a doctor's note....not just for the sake of cancelling..........and there is a very good chance you may need to attend on the Thursday to pick up the visa....what time is your interview for?????