Havana, Cuba

[shuster2210]

Was he high in the government or just doing general security?

Nope, thank god no. He worked for Sepsa doing security at the Cadecas in Havana, but Sepsa/Transval are run by Ministry of the Interior. But his position is classified as civilian, and that was listed on our package.


@Avana, he is from Havana and I'm from Toronto

 

[mc1234]

Nope, thank god no. He worked for Sepsa doing security at the Cadecas in Havana, but Sepsa/Transval are run by Ministry of the Interior. But his position is classified as civilian, and that was listed on our package.

Oh okay, great Well im sure it wont be much longer until you know whats going on. I know the wait is unbearable.. but hopefully it is soon!

 

[Avana]

Shuster-- Did he need a liberation letter for the job? My hubby worked in tourism but he already has that waiting thank god, because i know it could take a long time for tourism to wait for that letter... especially his hotel is very well known in Cuba and was visited by Castro himself for the opening!

 

[shuster2210]

Yup. Liberation letter is signed sealed and delivered lol.

And I just booked my trip!!

 

[Avana]

YAYYYYYY!! theres something to celebrate!!

 

[sassylassie]

In the end it wouldn't work out for this weekend... Thanks for your help anyways Shuster! I'm actually trying to pop over next weekend for one night (I know, I'm crazy) for his birthday party!

I hope KJG's interview went really well and her hubby got his visa same day!! Can't wait to hear the details!

A day?!?! Avana I love your spirit! Glad I have you as my cheerleader!

 

[sassylassie]

Shuster-- Did he need a liberation letter for the job? My hubby worked in tourism but he already has that waiting thank god, because i know it could take a long time for tourism to wait for that letter... especially his hotel is very well known in Cuba and was visited by Castro himself for the opening!

Wait whooahhA? WHat is a liberation letter? Oh gawd something else to worry about. My hubby still works in his resort. He works not for the military company that some of the others at the resort work for but as a contract worker through a company that is run by the ministry of tourisim...They contract cubans to other countries to work too.

UPDATE: My package is done. Just going now to review in detail everything to look for mistakes. Then I am going to pay the fee (including the final fee everyone says hurries things along) and then I will write up a table of contents for the front of the package. Any suggestions on how to put it together? Right now I have each individual form in its own plastic protector (sheets are loose and can easily be removed). I have a lil cover pages for each type of additional evidence with a wee explanation. I have the pictures labeled and separated by visit. Should I just put it all in a folder with an elastic around it? I cannot put it into a binder. Any other suggestions?

Can't wait to hear back from KJG I was thinking of her all day Thursday too!

 

[Avana]

Sassy-- yes a day!! Hopefully 2 but have to beg for friday off first! I know, Im crazy! but its worth it! lol His family is throwing a big party for him and his mom's bday (theyre 4 days apart) and theyre going all out knowing that itll be his last bday there.. hopefully that is!

Liberation letter is something that they need to get a PVE/PRE after they get the visa. I was under the assumption that everybody needed one that worked for the government? But maybe im wrong!! Maybe someone else can chime in about that! Might only be govt employees which my husband was.. employee of Gaviota, which is one of the harder companies to get a job with, and one of the harder ones to leave. which is why as soon as we got engaged, he left his job because they could have rly delayed him getting his liberation letter for lying about me! If your hubby does need one though, I wouldnt worry he has plenty of time! Just one more thing for you guys to look into! You excited?? lol

YAYYYY for your package to be completed!! That was fassst! I heard that its best to put it in order of the checklist with that on top, and thats what I did! Sounds like you are perfectly organized other than that! Yes I put each section together with binder clips and then put an elastic around the whole thing and put it in a box (didn't fit in an envelope) But either works! I brought the whole thing in a bag to the post office and then bought the box there and sent it off with tracking and signature required! Not necessary but i would recommend the tracking for sure! then I went home and opened a bottle of wine to celebrate! haha Maybe in your case a nice apple cider, or non-alcoholic bubbly? you gotta celebrate it one way or another! Maybe cake? lol

I'm so excited for you I might just have a glass of wine to celebrate your accomplishments!

 

[OhCanadiana]

I heard that its best to put it in order of the checklist with that on top, and thats what I did! Sounds like you are perfectly organized other than that! Yes I put each section together with binder clips and then put an elastic around the whole thing and put it in a box (didn't fit in an envelope)

Yes, it's best to use minimum number of paperclips and then use elastic bands to hold everything together.

sassylassie - even though the plastic protectors make it look pretty, it makes it harder for CIC to process it so if you can, try to just put everything in order of the checklists and use (few) binder clips and (more) elastic bands to hold everything together and make sure they pull everything out of the envelope/box.

Good luck!!!

 

[sassylassie]

Sassy-- yes a day!! Hopefully 2 but have to beg for friday off first! I know, Im crazy! but its worth it! lol His family is throwing a big party for him and his mom's bday (theyre 4 days apart) and theyre going all out knowing that itll be his last bday there.. hopefully that is!

Liberation letter is something that they need to get a PVE/PRE after they get the visa. I was under the assumption that everybody needed one that worked for the government? But maybe im wrong!! Maybe someone else can chime in about that! Might only be govt employees which my husband was.. employee of Gaviota, which is one of the harder companies to get a job with, and one of the harder ones to leave. which is why as soon as we got engaged, he left his job because they could have rly delayed him getting his liberation letter for lying about me! If your hubby does need one though, I wouldnt worry he has plenty of time! Just one more thing for you guys to look into! You excited?? lol

YAYYYY for your package to be completed!! That was fassst! I heard that its best to put it in order of the checklist with that on top, and thats what I did! Sounds like you are perfectly organized other than that! Yes I put each section together with binder clips and then put an elastic around the whole thing and put it in a box (didn't fit in an envelope) But either works! I brought the whole thing in a bag to the post office and then bought the box there and sent it off with tracking and signature required! Not necessary but i would recommend the tracking for sure! then I went home and opened a bottle of wine to celebrate! haha Maybe in your case a nice apple cider, or non-alcoholic bubbly? you gotta celebrate it one way or another! Maybe cake? lol

I'm so excited for you I might just have a glass of wine to celebrate your accomplishments!

Fingers are crossed for your weekend away!!!!! You deserve it after all you have been through! I will let you know when to crack open the wine! I will have Ginger Ale in a champagne flute too : ) I know Gaviota, my husband got his brother a job with a resort they own in their area. But my husband works for a different company. thank you for the suggestions on the binderclips. Weee getting close! Ok back to work! Happy Thanksgiving !

 

[sassylassie]

Yes, it's best to use minimum number of paperclips and then use elastic bands to hold everything together.

sassylassie - even though the plastic protectors make it look pretty, it makes it harder for CIC to process it so if you can, try to just put everything in order of the checklists and use (few) binder clips and (more) elastic bands to hold everything together and make sure they pull everything out of the envelope/box.

Good luck!!!

Thanks for the suggestion! I will take everything out of the protectors then. Its not that it looks pretty it is -in my mind easier to see each form with its attached evidence faster. So you suggest that it is better to have all the forms stacked unpaperclipped together. Using as little binderclips as possible? Then just put one big elastic around the whole package? Then I will put in a box and send off with tracking # and signature required? ( I planned on doing this anyways so I know when it arrived )
Sorry can you clarify.
Avana...is this how yours went too?
Thanks again to both of you for chiming in i really appreciate it!

 

[Avana]

Hey sassy!

Yep that's exactly what I did! I think OhCanadiana is right about the plastic sleeves! I feel like they would probably take them off and throw them out right away anyways! I don't think it would harm your application, but I feel like they would rather deal with a pile of paper!

I'm just about to make a 3hr tortellini soup for this lazy sunday! Hope you all are having a good long wknd!

 

[shuster2210]

I would def remove the plastic sheets.
I had all my sections and info clipped together as listed in the checklist.
Made additional info sheets for additional info etc
Put one elastic around it and put it in a pop open plastic folder all together.
Then into the box etc.

Regargding the "liberation " papers. It is called a BaJa and Iam almost 100% certain anyone applying for a PVE or PRE needs this to receive the carta Blanca to leave the country.
Many people have been held up months after the visa has been issued because the Cubans employer is slow and uninterested in issuing the baja. Hubby went to immigration in Havana to confirm all that he needs for the PRE and the baja was listed.
My hubby had to quit before we got married, and his Baja took 4 months to be signed.

 

[DDG]

Yes everyone needs a liberation letter. It's a release of obligation and obtaining it is different for everyone. It depends on what you do, for example, someone with a University Education can not be liberated until they have worked for 5 years, someone who went on a mission to another country can not be liberated for 2 years. My husband is the Commissioner of Waterpolo in his Province, he works with the Minister and we are in the process of getting 4 signatures to be released. It's a nightmare really, this whole process. I was so happy to receive the AOR and then fell into a deeper depression because everything seems so far away again. At the starting line again. I havn't been there in 5 months, and usually I go every 3, and stay for 2 months. I'm holding off this time so I can go in December and stay there until he comes back with me. I don't want to wait alone anymore. My family doctor is writing a letter to immigration asking to rush my process because I'm so stressed and have so much anxiety.

 

[DDG]

I should also add though, that ANYTHING can be boughten in Cuba.