Havana, Cuba

[justagirrl]

Thank you justagirrl!

The only catch is that his criminal record is expired, and he has to apply for a new one. The fastest we have ever gotten it was in 14 days...he has exactly 7 days until he has to be in Havana. What do we do?!? He lives super far, in Holguin, 700 km from Havana...

Hmm.....the only thing that ever helps things go faster in Cuba is $$$. Any chance he can provide a "gift" to help that police clearance go faster? It's so frustrating there....ugh.

 

[mrschula]

Hmm.....the only thing that ever helps things go faster in Cuba is $$$. Any chance he can provide a "gift" to help that police clearance go faster? It's so frustrating there....ugh.

I know and even with $$ it's still not that fast he he he...he's going tomorrow morning and they will tell him exactly how fast they can do it, and of course he will try the gift route. I will let you know the outcome.

But he did speak with the embassy about maybe not having the certificate in time and they said they can move the appointment a week later, lol eager to come he said NO! Worse case scenario he will have to move it...

I also am going to check at home, I may have an extra copy. It's actually kind of annoying because I knew that the current criminal record was set to expire so before I left Cuba we got a new one, and I have that one with me, and I asked CIC if I should send it and they said no. Now they want it. LOL, whatever at least our application is moving along, I will check back in with more updates ASAP

Good luck justagirrl and the rest of the visa crew

MC

 

[MrsHubby]

That is awesome!!!
Best of luck mrschula!! ;D

Congrats!! Sounds like you are getting really close. Sending positive vibes that everything goes smoothly!

 

[mrschula]

Congrats!! Sounds like you are getting really close. Sending positive vibes that everything goes smoothly!

Thank you Mrs Hubby!!

He had to call them today and push the interview back 2 weeks so he can have his criminal record certificate ready in time....

we are waiting for them to email us and tell us when the interview will be reschedule for.

too bad he couldn't have been prepared!

Thanks for all your support

xo MC

 

[MrsHubby]

Thank you Mrs Hubby!!

He had to call them today and push the interview back 2 weeks so he can have his criminal record certificate ready in time....

we are waiting for them to email us and tell us when the interview will be reschedule for.

too bad he couldn't have been prepared!

Thanks for all your support

xo MC

I thought as long as the police cert was issued 3 months before the application was received, that it would be ok. If not, I guess we will need another one too. The cert is dated May 9, 2014, and the app was received July 16, so I was thinking we would be ok. How are we supposed to have an "unexpired" police cert, when we don't know when they will be processing it?

 

[mrschula]

I thought as long as the police cert was issued 3 months before the application was received, that it would be ok. If not, I guess we will need another one too. The cert is dated May 9, 2014, and the app was received July 16, so I was thinking we would be ok. How are we supposed to have an "unexpired" police cert, when we don't know when they will be processing it?

I think your best bet is to just make sure that your husband always has an up to date one on hand, that is still within its 6 month validity so that when they do call for an interview he is ready.

Mine went today to try and get his expedited with no luck. He actually has not rescheduled his interview yet, he still has it booked for next Wednesday Oct 1. Some friends are saying that he can go without the up to date certificate and just supply it when he goes to retrieve his passport and visa.

I sent an email to the embassy just now and attached the most recent certificate that expired in August and requested the above scenario.

I just want him to go to the interview and deal with the certificate later! I don't want any more delays or to go back on the waiting list!!

 

[MrsHubby]

I think your best bet is to just make sure that your husband always has an up to date one on hand, that is still within its 6 month validity so that when they do call for an interview he is ready.

Mine went today to try and get his expedited with no luck. He actually has not rescheduled his interview yet, he still has it booked for next Wednesday Oct 1. Some friends are saying that he can go without the up to date certificate and just supply it when he goes to retrieve his passport and visa.

I sent an email to the embassy just now and attached the most recent certificate that expired in August and requested the above scenario.

I just want him to go to the interview and deal with the certificate later! I don't want any more delays or to go back on the waiting list!!

AGREED! Getting the interview behind you is a major step!!!

 

[MrsHubby]

AGREED! Getting the interview behind you is a major step!!!

Only draw back is that as of May 1, the police certs are 65CUC (I think). I know they are no longer free, so getting a new one every 5 months adds more money to the Cuban government pot! What a surprise.... not!

 

[mrschula]

Only draw back is that as of May 1, the police certs are 65CUC (I think). I know they are no longer free, so getting a new one every 5 months adds more money to the Cuban government pot! What a surprise.... not!

I heard the same thing but my husband paid the normal 5 pesos cuban for his most recent one so not sure if that is infact correct...?

I don't know how he pulled it off but he actually probably bribed SOMEONE because he ordered it yesterday and he has it today, he even emailed me a photo of it!

So right now everything is in place for the interview on Wednesday and I don't know how I will live until then it is so much pressure and so exciting. I found a round trip ticket leaving Sunday for dirt cheap, so I could technically be there for the interview if you all think it's helpful?

Thoughts anyone, MrsHubby?

 

[mrschula]

UPDATE:::

The Havana VO just replied to me and told me that the certificate I have already is valid for 1 year, not 6 months, even though printed on the certificate it clearly says 6 months.

No problem, that just makes it easier for me, even though he already got the new one.

I finally feel like I am catching a break!!

XO MC XO

 

[MrsHubby]

UPDATE:::

The Havana VO just replied to me and told me that the certificate I have already is valid for 1 year, not 6 months, even though printed on the certificate it clearly says 6 months.

No problem, that just makes it easier for me, even though he already got the new one.

I finally feel like I am catching a break!!

XO MC XO

So happy for you!!!!!

 

[MrsHubby]

I heard the same thing but my husband paid the normal 5 pesos cuban for his most recent one so not sure if that is infact correct...?

I don't know how he pulled it off but he actually probably bribed SOMEONE because he ordered it yesterday and he has it today, he even emailed me a photo of it!

So right now everything is in place for the interview on Wednesday and I don't know how I will live until then it is so much pressure and so exciting. I found a round trip ticket leaving Sunday for dirt cheap, so I could technically be there for the interview if you all think it's helpful?

Thoughts anyone, MrsHubby?

Technically, it's not supposed to make a difference. You are not allowed in for the interview. BUT... I would totally go if I had the opportunity. I can't see how it can only help. Besides, I would want to hear all about it. With any luck at all, he *may* leave with a visa.

 

[mrschula]

MrsHubby are you saying sometimes at the conclusion of the interview they hand the visa?

I heard that you usually have to return about a week later to get it...

That would be great!!

 

[MrsHubby]

MrsHubby are you saying sometimes at the conclusion of the interview they hand the visa?

I heard that you usually have to return about a week later to get it...

That would be great!!

I have only heard of one person for which that happened. Another person was told that they need to come back the following week because the person that does the visa's was not in that week.

Have you decided if you are going for the interview?

 

[mrschula]

Hi!

MrsHubby I am NOT going. My husband is on his way to Havana now and the interview is tomorrow morning. I decided not to go because I would rather take the time off work when he arrives so I can show him around Toronto.

Having said that, I wish I could be there because I will be a nervous wreck until tomorrow when it is over. I hope they issue the visa immediately because then I will book his plane ticket immediately.

xox

MC