Havana, Cuba

[KJG]

Also, you'll have to tell me what to do about the drivers license... My husband got his in 2011 and I was hoping he would be able to just do a test here and not do all the lessons and waiting around!

the only way he can do a test here and be fully licensed right away is if he gets a letter stating he has been driving for more than 2 years with no accidents or traffic violations from their ministry of transportation

 

[Avana]

I've heard they don't come off as the friendliest of ppl, but I guess I can understand that too!

haha hockey really?? To be honest there couldnt be a better answer to that question than "because she's canadian!" lol

good to know it wasnt that bad!! Still super happy!! You guys must have had an awesome week together!

 

[DDG]

DDG....why do you feel that way????

LOL I don't even know where to begin. We were married 4 months after we met, and I am 9 years older. You wouldn't know we have an age difference, lol , hes more mature than I am. I had a son when I was 15, he's an adult now -- he was my only family there, but my mothers doctor did provide a letter stating why she couldn't travel and she wrote one. I had some friends from Canada, that met him and was at the resort (we married on a Friday and had our reception at a resort and stayed there 2 nights with 17 ppl of his family and friends, and my son).

But the biggie..... is that I was married to a Cuban before, from 2007-2009, but... the relationship ended a few months after the wedding. I learned of his intent to use me. I vowed never to return to Cuba again. But....my mom's bestfriend lives there 6 months of the year, bc she founded a music exchage program there. She was sick and gets treatment in Cuba so asked me to travel back to Cuba with her. I met my husband bc he is her Cuban bestfriends grandson. I was only supposed to be there 2 weeks and changed my flight to stay with him 5 weeks. I went back the next trip and we got married and I stayed a month.

We've been married 18 months now. I've been there a total of 5 times, and spent 7 months there in total. I'm hoping that when they see how many times and how long i've been there they will not think I'm in the business of marrying cuban men. I love my husband. It's like we have known each other all of our lives. Oh, another thing...he couldn't speak English, nor I spanish. Well I knew some. But now we are both fluent. We taught each other. Was amazing really...lol He can read and write English now. So you see... all these things...amount to me having alot of stress. It's why I've taken every cent I have to live there with him, so they can see that we are genuine. I'm going to go live there this winter for 3 months. We also have his 6 year daughter, who is named after my mom's bestfriend actually, and she is on the application to accompany him.

I'm just soo soo nervous, because our situation is not a simple one.

 

[DDG]

oh...We have the internet in his house too, so we have so much communication. He's on facebook and interacts with my friends and family. I am just always always thinking about what 1 person is going to think without meeting us.

I really wish I could rewrite my letter too...

 

[DDG]

KJG- YAY YAY YAY YAYYYYYYYYYY! I knew it!! SO SO SO happy for you guys!! amazing news!! Good to know that all those things were good parts of the notes! Something you and I have in common! Now just a couple weeks left to go!! I hope I hear from them in november which is in similar timing to you!

How was the Visa Officer to him? I heard they can be tough! but I guess all the good proof you had made them not skeptical anyways! Crazy that they would judge you guys on someone being in your pictures! Was that really why they called your interview??

This calls for celebration!!

DDG- what makes you think your file has red flags? You're probably just over thinking it!

Maybe I am over thinking our age difference... I'm 35 he's 27. It doesn't look that bad on paper does it?? lol funny thing is, every canadian man I went out with was 10 years older or more.

 

[KJG]

DDG.....do not worry about the age difference......under 15 years is nothing......I am older than my husband as well and the only question she asked was about having children and Yoani told her the truth....yes I can still have children but I do not want anymore...I have had 4....I was young when I started......he told her we talked about it at the beginning and I was right up front I will not have anymore and Yoani was okay with that...he told the interviewer.....I would rather be with the woman I love and not have a child then to marry someone to have a child and not be fully happy...what kind of life is that!!! OMG......what a lovely answer that was!!!! But it is the truth. I think it is better that you have been married to a cuban before than he be married to a canadian before.....one question though....did you sponsor your first husband or did it not get that far....but again they are more intent on the cuban and not the canadian......so I think the fact that you have been together this long now...and have just applied shows that it is a real relationship......honestly, I think your husband will be called for an interview but with the amount of time you guys have spent together and everything I think it will be okay.........it is very rare not to have an interview......and alot of people I talked to have a "final interview" for a visa pickup which was why we were doubly happy that we got our visa same day....maybe it is for those people who did not pay the full fees up front...I do not know.....but you could order your notes around the end of 2.5 months from your AOR and see what is in them. If you order too soon your file might not even be open. It is hard to know when to order them when you don't get any type of contact from Havana!

 

[DDG]

DDG.....do not worry about the age difference......under 15 years is nothing......I am older than my husband as well and the only question she asked was about having children and Yoani told her the truth....yes I can still have children but I do not want anymore...I have had 4....I was young when I started......he told her we talked about it at the beginning and I was right up front I will not have anymore and Yoani was okay with that...he told the interviewer.....I would rather be with the woman I love and not have a child then to marry someone to have a child and not be fully happy...what kind of life is that!!! OMG......what a lovely answer that was!!!! But it is the truth. I think it is better that you have been married to a cuban before than he be married to a canadian before.....one question though....did you sponsor your first husband or did it not get that far....but again they are more intent on the cuban and not the canadian......so I think the fact that you have been together this long now...and have just applied shows that it is a real relationship......honestly, I think your husband will be called for an interview but with the amount of time you guys have spent together and everything I think it will be okay.........it is very rare not to have an interview......and alot of people I talked to have a "final interview" for a visa pickup which was why we were doubly happy that we got our visa same day....maybe it is for those people who did not pay the full fees up front...I do not know.....but you could order your notes around the end of 2.5 months from your AOR and see what is in them. If you order too soon your file might not even be open. It is hard to know when to order them when you don't get any type of contact from Havana!

Ok... we do want to have a child. In fact we have tried, but I think it's stress preventing it. I see a fertility specialist tomorrow actually. We want to wait until he is here, but I am getting nervous about my age. No, I did not ever apply to have my first husband here. What are the fees you are all talking about upfront. I sent 700 for him and his daughter, is there more I should have paid?

 

[shuster2210]

Yeah KJG!!! So happy for you!!!!
Congrats.

 

[KJG]

Ok... we do want to have a child. In fact we have tried, but I think it's stress preventing it. I see a fertility specialist tomorrow actually. We want to wait until he is here, but I am getting nervous about my age. No, I did not ever apply to have my first husband here. What are the fees you are all talking about upfront. I sent 700 for him and his daughter, is there more I should have paid?

the fees are $75 for admin, $475.00 processing and the $490 prf and $150 for the daughter....so it looks like you did not pay the $490 for the permanent resident fee.....if you are able to swing it you should do that as soon as possible because that can hold up an application for 6 to 8 weeks....you need to pay online then send receipt to Mississauga and fax and or e-mail to Havana......Havana cannot accept this a real proof but they can see that you have paid it and will know that Mississauga is in the process of confirming payment to them.....

 

[KJG]

Yeah KJG!!! So happy for you!!!!
Congrats.

hey shuster2210 thanks so much!!! yes I have to say I am glad it is over and done with!!! anything from Havana for you yet????

 

[DDG]

We were married fast bc he was supposed to go to Venuzuela for 2 years....but when we found out I could not go there with him, because I was willing to work there (I'm a nurse), so he backed out.
Then we spent the year collecting our papers, obtaining full custody of his daughter. That held us up too. Initially we were going to wait until she was older but we decided that if she only needs to be here 24 months out of 5 years then we will start there and transition her slowly. I am going to home school her a Canadian education while she still attends school in Cuba. Until she decided she wants to stay in Canada for school which I think won't take long, at least she will not be behind in Canadian cirriculum.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Hola mis chicas!!! I am back...exhausted and my husband has his VISA!!!!! ;D

Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you. Hopefully you had a fantastic weekend celebration. Time to start prepping home for his arrival

 

[DDG]

the fees are $75 for admin, $475.00 processing and the $490 prf and $150 for the daughter....so it looks like you did not pay the $490 for the permanent resident fee.....if you are able to swing it you should do that as soon as possible because that can hold up an application for 6 to 8 weeks....you need to pay online then send receipt to Mississauga and fax and or e-mail to Havana......Havana cannot accept this a real proof but they can see that you have paid it and will know that Mississauga is in the process of confirming payment to them.....

Ok I will pay it right away... Do I need to pay it for both of them?

 

[KJG]

We were married fast bc he was supposed to go to Venuzuela for 2 years....but when we found out I could not go there with him, because I was willing to work there (I'm a nurse), so he backed out.
Then we spent the year collecting our papers, obtaining full custody of his daughter. That held us up too. Initially we were going to wait until she was older but we decided that if she only needs to be here 24 months out of 5 years then we will start there and transition her slowly. I am going to home school her a Canadian education while she still attends school in Cuba. Until she decided she wants to stay in Canada for school which I think won't take long, at least she will not be behind in Canadian cirriculum.

DDG....I think you are just overthinking everything like all of us do.....it will be okay....you have a viable reason for getting married fast and when your husband explains that it should be fine.......I am sure he knows all about your first relationship because they will definitely question him on that if they call you for an interview so I don't think you need to worry......I know easier said then done and I was probably the worst....but truly we do make it so stressful for ourselves......with you having been married for so long know and your relationship with his daughter sounds strong...it will be fine.

 

[KJG]

Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you. Hopefully you had a fantastic weekend celebration. Time to start prepping home for his arrival

I know......we had friends over when we got back and then went out to Varadero to our first "date" spot and I was contemplating something and he is like baby.....what are you thinking and I honestly looked over at him and said my love...my closet.....I will have to share with you!!!! I haven't shared my closet in a long time....LOL

So I am just so excited that he is here for Christmas!!!!