Havana, Cuba

[KJG]

Re: This terrible, terrible waiting game... but good to know people who understand!!

Hi everyone, SO very glad to have found this discussion board, its so good to see other people going through the same excruciating process as you are!!

I too married a Cuban and am in the process, I have received my approval from canada (YAY!) on Aug 30, and it is its on its way to Havana now... Anyone know how long this takes and if there's any was to find out when it's arrived?? I'm nervous about it because I'm sure you all know with Cuba, no es facil... lol Since I live in Montreal, I have an extra step too which needs to be done during the time the Canada file is being sent to Cuba so I'm going through that right now too. UGH! sooo many papers and I can only imagine that we've only just begun with all the things to be done! Obviously its worth it, but geez, it gets harder and harder to say goodbye as it seems you never get used to the distance. I met my husband 4 years ago now, and I have to admit in the beginning, I was terribly afraid to commit with all the terrible things that you hear!! So its nice to see some positivity here!! I'm completely sure of my decision so at this point I dont care what certain (negative) people think. My family and friends all know him now and they are all very supportive which makes me a very lucky girl!! My parents and grandma are actually there now with him!! (while im stuck working at home-sniff sniff lol)

At least I gave him my old blackberry and we communicate through BBM, literally all day!! lol So have to admit it could be a lotttt worse!!

Here's my general timeline:

Submitted to Canada June 22, got my response back from them Aug 30, and it said its on its way to Havana, in the meantime doing Quebec papers, and waiting from something--ANYTHING to find out about when it gets to Havana. Going back for a weekend in October, by then Quebec papers should be done then its the waiting game for Havana... Is it completely unrealistic for me to hope he can come back with me January 10th or so? (Will be there again over the christmas holidays...)

Also just got back last week as I was there for the long labor day weekend... doing whatever I can! lol

Would love some feedback from you all!! You all seem to know so much about this stuff, I have a feeling I could learn a lot from you guys!

Hola Avana and welcome to our thread!!!

That is awesome that your first stage was so very fast!!! ;D With respect to stage two sometimes you will get an email from Havana with a DND ( a do not disturb date which means you can't contact them until after that date is past) and most times you don't. Our application was sent to Havana on June 20th. On August 9th I emailed Havana and asked them if they had are file...wasn't asking if they were working on it or processing it, we just wanted confirmation that it was there......on August 20th received a generic response back saying they aren't responding to our email and that they are with CIC timelines (currently 10 months)....needless to say we were not happy. But then on August 31 my husband got called for an interview for the first week on October....so I am on my way to Cuba on Sept 30th to attend with him. So our timeline was just under 2.5 months from the time our file left Mississuaga till we heard from Havana......so while it felt like forever it was not too bad.

So once they get the visa then they have to apply for the pve/pre and that seems to really vary in times. It seems to depend on many things like employers and the province they live in. My husband is from Matanzas City, Matanzas.

My husband and I have been together for three years as well and family and friends are very supportive and that is awesome for sure.

So definitely ask away and somebody here will answer that is for sure!!!!

 

[Avana]

wow, KJG that's great that you're already at the interview in less than a month from now!!! you must be soo excited!! So going on that Im hoping to hear something in the month of November then! (keeping my fingers crossed!!) My first stage did go really fast and I sent a huge box with thousands of emails, phone bills pictures and vacation reservations with it, so i started to worry it would take longer since I had sent so much!! lol Thats also wonderful you'll be able to support him for the interview and I would hope to do the same for my husband when that time comes! My husband worked at a very high up government hotel so he had to quit when we got engaged or he could have been fired and then they could have made him wait a loooong time for his liberation papers. In the end they made him wait a long time but he did get them already so were in the clear for that. He's from Holguin city in Holguin. Really, really hoping to come back with him after the holidays in dec/jan, but if its not possible im hoping it wont be longer than a month or two after that. Im going straight for residency with him to not have complications in the long run! Hoping that wont take too long! Is there anything for the Residency papers we could do in advance to save time later? Mind you for now he's sipping on cristal at the beach with my parents, but he'll be done with all that in a few days now.. haha and he can get right back to work!!

 

[KJG]

wow, KJG that's great that you're already at the interview in less than a month from now!!! you must be soo excited!! So going on that Im hoping to hear something in the month of November then! (keeping my fingers crossed!!) My first stage did go really fast and I sent a huge box with thousands of emails, phone bills pictures and vacation reservations with it, so i started to worry it would take longer since I had sent so much!! lol Thats also wonderful you'll be able to support him for the interview and I would hope to do the same for my husband when that time comes! My husband worked at a very high up government hotel so he had to quit when we got engaged or he could have been fired and then they could have made him wait a loooong time for his liberation papers. In the end they made him wait a long time but he did get them already so were in the clear for that. He's from Holguin city in Holguin. Really, really hoping to come back with him after the holidays in dec/jan, but if its not possible im hoping it wont be longer than a month or two after that. Im going straight for residency with him to not have complications in the long run! Hoping that wont take too long! Is there anything for the Residency papers we could do in advance to save time later? Mind you for now he's sipping on cristal at the beach with my parents, but he'll be done with all that in a few days now.. haha and he can get right back to work!!

I think November is very realistic as well!!!!! Yes will my box was 10kg as well....LOL.....sounds like our files our similair.....had like 2300 hundred emails......couple hundred texts......300 pics and 100 wedding pics.....all my trips...cards etc.....so from my box to yours hopefully.

That is awesome that your husband has got his liberation letter already...that is the big hold up from what I hear. My husband works as a security guard at a medical clinic so he is not going to have problems to get his letter...at least that is what he is telling me. I got freaked out when I first heard about the baja but he said where he works it will be okay. We are doing the same....going right for the PRE......I just want everything over and done with and when he lands in Canada I really don't want to have to deal with the Cuba consulate..........

As far as I know there is nothing that can be done prior too other than the letter which you have. My husband tells me until such time as he has the visa they immigration office really won't do anything.....one thing I know is that when he does apply for his pre they must have a marriage certificate that is under 90 days old....so he will need to get another copy from the notary who performed your marriage.

I hope to be sipping a cristal myself in 3 weeks and 1 hour to be exact!!!!!!i

 

[Avana]

Haha... does sound like our files were similar! Probably send 2000 emails as well, but I left half of them home, because the pile was getting ridiculous! There were close to 5000 in total, so I spoke to some people who said that was a little excessive. I sent them of all time periods that weve known each other though, and sent emails between me and his family, and him and my family as well. Its no problem for my husband to get a new marriage certificate , he's done it before and gotten it the same day as he requested it!

The PRE usually takes about a month after the visa? and usually you get the visa soon after the interview right? Just can;t wait for it all to be OVER!! Hope you all had a good weekend!! Mine was filled with baby shower stuff for my best friend, so although a great distraction, im EXHAUSTED now! lol now to start another work week! the only good thing about that is that more time is passing for papers to be processed!

 

[KJG]

Haha... does sound like our files were similar! Probably send 2000 emails as well, but I left half of them home, because the pile was getting ridiculous! There were close to 5000 in total, so I spoke to some people who said that was a little excessive. I sent them of all time periods that weve known each other though, and sent emails between me and his family, and him and my family as well. Its no problem for my husband to get a new marriage certificate , he's done it before and gotten it the same day as he requested it!

The PRE usually takes about a month after the visa? and usually you get the visa soon after the interview right? Just can;t wait for it all to be OVER!! Hope you all had a good weekend!! Mine was filled with baby shower stuff for my best friend, so although a great distraction, im EXHAUSTED now! lol now to start another work week! the only good thing about that is that more time is passing for papers to be processed!

from what I know and seen from friends....the visa can be anywhere from two weeks to month after the interview and the pre anywhere from one month to six months......the pve seems to be anywhere from 2 weeks to a couple of months....but again I think alot is luck and the province you are from!!!!! So we are hoping for his arrival for mid-November.....best case scenario and worst case would be after Christmas!!!

my work will be busy for the next three weeks before I leave so I will be putting in alot of overtime which will make the time go superfast....thank goodness!!!!

 

[Avana]

Long days of checking Ecas and waiting for news, but i thought i would suggest a really good read for people in our specific situation! anyone ever read Es Cuba? Its an amazing based-on-a-true-story about a woman who fell in love in Havana Cuba... If you guys want to pass the time, pick it up, I read it almost 4 years ago after I first met my now-husband, and I couldnt put it down!

Good luck to everyone!

 

[Avana]

Maybe someone can help me with this:

My file has been transferred to Havana as of Aug 30. I will be returning to Cuba (most likely Havana) for a weekend in early October. I have more evidence of our relationship since I submitted my application to CIC on June 22. I went back for two weeks in July, went back for a weekend in September, and as I mentioned will be going back in early October. That's 3 trips since the June submission. As well, my parents went on vacation and had my husband come and stay with them at the hotel for 5 days, as well as going to my husband's family's house for dinner one night, and taking them out for dinner another night. As well, being in constant communication through BBM. Is this a good amount of evidence to give after my application was submitted? Has anybody ever done this, or know anyone who has and know if it would slow down our file, or maybe help it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[KJG]

Maybe someone can help me with this:

My file has been transferred to Havana as of Aug 30. I will be returning to Cuba (most likely Havana) for a weekend in early October. I have more evidence of our relationship since I submitted my application to CIC on June 22. I went back for two weeks in July, went back for a weekend in September, and as I mentioned will be going back in early October. That's 3 trips since the June submission. As well, my parents went on vacation and had my husband come and stay with them at the hotel for 5 days, as well as going to my husband's family's house for dinner one night, and taking them out for dinner another night. As well, being in constant communication through BBM. Is this a good amount of evidence to give after my application was submitted? Has anybody ever done this, or know anyone who has and know if it would slow down our file, or maybe help it?

Yes Avana...you should absolutely submit this proof at the embassy when you go back in October. You are allowed to submit additional proof up to the time an interview is requested, if one is requested, and at that time you must keep all additional proof and bring it to the interview.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Avana]

Thanks KJG!! so just to confirm, to do this, We just go to the embassy in Havana and give them an envelope with this proof, and they will put it together with the rest of our information? What if by chance they have not yet received our application from CIC (which would mean it took over a month to get there, which I think would be crazy, but with Cuba, I guess you never know..)

You are so quick and helpful with your responses, I REALLY appreciate it!! Hope good Karma brings your hubby here soon! ;D

 

[KJG]

Thanks KJG!! so just to confirm, to do this, We just go to the embassy in Havana and give them an envelope with this proof, and they will put it together with the rest of our information? What if by chance they have not yet received our application from CIC (which would mean it took over a month to get there, which I think would be crazy, but with Cuba, I guess you never know..)

You are so quick and helpful with your responses, I REALLY appreciate it!! Hope good Karma brings your hubby here soon! ;D

Hey Avana.....your file should be safely in the embassy by October......just make sure you include a cover letter with your UCI# and the Application/File #.........so they can be matched up.....when are you going in October???

 

[Avana]

OK great advice KJG!!!

I will most likely be going back from October 5th to the 8th (Friday to Monday). Obviously they are closed over the weekend, but depending on my landing time or departure time We may have time on Friday or Monday, and if not my husband can go on his own on one of those days.

Its a short trip, but Im out of vacation days, so I try to take advantage of all the long weekends I can. That will be the last one though until I go back at Christmas. More than 2 months apart will kill me but there's nothing else to do!! Hoping good news from Havana during that time will make the wait less painful!!

Its been a crazy past few years, having gone January, March, May, July, September, October and then back again December/January. Lots of traveling is exhausting, but worth it. Have to admit, as much as I LOVE cuba, I'm looking forward to going back somewhere else again! lol I've been all over Europe, US, Japan, Many Caribbean islands, Mexico.. and I havent gone anywhere but Cuba in almost 4 years now!! 8) lol

 

[Avana]

OHH its true!! You will be there to go for the interview on October 4th, right?? Maybe we'll cross paths! Is the interview at the Embassy as well?

 

[KJG]

yes....you never know!!!!! yes I love Cuba and I have gone to a few different places in between.....but always felt a little guilty...LOL...but alot of those plans had been long term and in the works before I met Yoani!!! It certainly will be nice to travel with Yoani....outside of Cuba......already in the works is a Walt Disney Vacation for August 2013!!!!

 

[Avana]

Disney is like my favorite place ever!!! (apart for cuba of course, but that opinion is a little biased... lol) I heard to go to the states you have to apply for a visa to the US, is that relatively easy to get? Then I heard once you get it you usually have a year to go in and out to the states. Living in Montreal this is great, because we're just an hour drive from New York state, and could include a little NYC trip in there. Can't wait to see his face in the middle of Times Square one day! lol Even for me, as someone who's been there like 10 times and live here where we see it often, I still get amazed every time I'm there!

Obviously we will continue to travel to Cuba at least twice a year to see his family in Holguin though... do you think it will be harder for Leonel (my husband) or anyone to travel back to Cuba if they have a US stamp in their passport? I hope not!!

As for us, we are hoping for a European cruise as our official (and very delayed) honeymoon. Leonel is terrified of any rides (he has seen them a time or two at local fairs in Holguin), but ive told him rides here at our amusement park, or Disney for example don't even come close to comparing! Ive also told him he will have no choice but to face his fear when we one day have children who will say "I wanna go on this ride with daddy!!" haha I think he;ll change his mind anyways... when I first met him he told me I was crazy for going shark diving in Hawaii (in a cage nonetheless), but now he is more than willing to do it! It's a whole new world for him, which is super exciting for him AND me!!

 

[KJG]

Yes we do have to apply for a US visa and go through a bunch of jumps and hoops is my understanding....I have also heard and have not investigated this thorough yet.....but Cubans who hold a PR in Canada only get single entry Visa's...which absolutely suck......I quite often skip over to States on a whim....and like you a long weekend in New York City or Lake Placid would be awesome...but if you have to pay $160++ for a visa entry everytime will certainly suck.......really hoping the source who told me about the single entry is wrong......I don't think a USA stamp on their visa will cause a problem...all the times I have been to the states only the last time when I went to Vegas in April did they stamp my passport.......but anyway I really want a muti-entry visa even if it is only yearly!!!!