Havana, Cuba

[Galano1213]

This theory makes more sence as I came through Pearson airport and it was crazy busy but then what does that have to with issuing Cuban visa ?

 

[Mapleson]

I am just speculating here, but with immediate relatives in the US, the US apprehension of Cuban espionage, the close cooperation of the US/Canada on immigration and FBI/NSA wait times, it may be that as part of the security check, the US connection is adding 2-4 months to the total, while waiting for Washington to give the all clear.

I've started a spreadsheet of Cuban applications just for my own benefit. If you like, I can put it on Google Docs and share it with you here.

I have a count of 14 applications in the last year with 6 already landed, plus 3 people that intend to file shortly.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ijdUWeVm8WQPi-wfmxCx9NubIUrrVbb3YfFYSNOE5zc/edit?usp=sharing

I still have to do more combing through this thread to find other people.

 

[Galano1213]

You could very well be right regarding the USA relatives. My hubbie's father went to the USA before he was born and never returned to Cuba He died there some years ago. He never contacted anyone in Cuba and not sure how my hubbie's deceased mother found out he was dead. Not sure if he married in the USA or not or had any children. No one in the family knows anything other then the death. My hubbie is not interested in knowing which I understand.

 

[Mrs.DoryBaby]

Hi Everyone! I know you all must be feeling frustrated, especially because it has been so quiet with the members on this form, but remember we are just a little fraction of the people that in fact have applied to Havana!

I know when I did the Visitors Visa for my Mother in Law back in April they were very busy with those applications. The usual wait of 1 week was taking almost 20 days!

As for the questions about Family in the USA... this is an issue, I know because I met a young man at the airport last year who had been waiting a little longer than me for his wife, she had an interview and he mentioned that the MAIN issue they had with her was the 'family' she had in the United States. They asked IF she had intention of visiting and or even moving there... she left the interview without an answer and I really don't know what happened thereafter BUT. you do have to take into consideration that they don't really like when Cuban's have family in the UNITED STATES and if they have a lot of family in Canada also! (THEY THINK ITS THEIR MOTIV FOR LEAVING)

Also, I want to mention - AND we don't realize but the process in Havana is different for everyone because sometime they need to investigate or look into certain documents to verify dates and employment... it's not always a bad thing! everyone keep you head up!!

I PROMISE YOU, THE SECOND YOUR SPOUSE LANDS HERE IN CANADA ALL THE STRESS AND SADNESS AND ANXIETY YOU HAD DURING THIS HORRIBLE PROCESS GOES AWAY!

- Dory

 

[mslolita]

Thank you for the encouragement!

 

[Galano1213]

Thank you Mrs Dorybaby for the explanation. I gather that the people in Havana don't think about the fact that you must have a passport to enter the USA and the Border guards would have issues with Cuban passports at point of entry and if you enter illegally or not you cannot work legally in the USA. We will be at 6 months July 6th. A total of 1 year since we submitted we will celebrate 2 years of marriage Sept 26th. This is not an easy process.

 

[Europeo]

Thank you Mrs Dorybaby for the explanation. I gather that the people in Havana don't think about the fact that you must have a passport to enter the USA and the Border guards would have issues with Cuban passports at point of entry and if you enter illegally or not you cannot work legally in the USA. We will be at 6 months July 6th. A total of 1 year since we submitted we will celebrate 2 years of marriage Sept 26th. This is not an easy process.

Galano, not sure if you're aware, but a Cuban national can enter the US and claim asylum at any US land border crossing (Mexico or Canada) by simply presenting proof of Cuban nationality (Cuban passport or even ID card) as per the "wet foot/dry foot" policy, getting their US PR is a formality after that.. Havana is all too well aware of this fact.

 

[Mrs.DoryBaby]

Actually Galano - I know for a fact that crossing the Niagara border for Cubans is quiet common and very easy to do (it is more common than we think!)

If you have family in the states than its all the more reason to want to do it... having help and support on the other side to get you started! Just saying, this is not your case but IT HAPPENS ALOT... more than we like to admit.

Thank you Mrs Dorybaby for the explanation. I gather that the people in Havana don't think about the fact that you must have a passport to enter the USA and the Border guards would have issues with Cuban passports at point of entry and if you enter illegally or not you cannot work legally in the USA. We will be at 6 months July 6th. A total of 1 year since we submitted we will celebrate 2 years of marriage Sept 26th. This is not an easy process.

 

[Galano1213]

Did not know that. Thought the wet for dry foot was changed when the embargo was negotiated. I personally am not concerned as my husband's father abandoned him.

 

[mslolita]

I'm curious why people are thinking that the Pan Am games would impact family visas? i thought that the family class sponsorships were handled by seperate department in havana not related to visitor visas?

 

[Mrs.DoryBaby]

I'm curious why people are thinking that the Pan Am games would impact family visas? i thought that the family class sponsorships were handled by seperate department in havana not related to visitor visas?

I think they are just very busy issuing visas for the player and associates! For sure they are just boggled down with paperwork and they are prolly now cleared up with that and will be back on track with your stuff as soon as they take a "mental break" lol

 

[newgirl1]

Did not know that. Thought the wet for dry foot was changed when the embargo was negotiated. I personally am not concerned as my husband's father abandoned him.

It's true, Cubans are the only nationality in the world who can literally just drive up to the border and say they want to stay in the US without a problem. All Cubans know this and it happens a lot. My husband has no family in the US so maybe that is why it only took like 3 months from when our application hit Havana. But at the same time it doesn't make sense why it never took so long before. I guess the amount of applications went up and wait times did too. Maybe also because of the negotiatons with the embargo people are afraid that the wet foot dry foot policy will be no more once the embargo gets lifted fully. The embargo is still in place. The number of Cubans fleeing Cuba by boat increased A LOT since Obama has been trying to fix relations between the two countries so it would make sense that they are making sure people aren't desperately trying to get through Canada before it's too late.

 

[newgirl1]

Oh also just a heads up. There is now wifi on 23rd street in Havana and ETECSA has lowered rates to $2/hr. Hey r suppose to put up 35 wifi hotspots in Cuba this year. Soooo I would make sure your hubby's and wives have iPads or iPhones or something that they could use so you guys could stay in touch easier. I know how hard it was not being able to use what's app or whatever. Anyways this should help

 

[newgirl1]

Oh also just a heads up. There is now public wifi hotspot on 23rd street in Havana and ETECSA has lowered rates to $2/hr. Hey r suppose to put up 35 wifi hotspots in Cuba this year. Soooo I would make sure your hubby's and wives have iPads or iPhones or something that they could use so you guys could stay in touch easier. I know how hard it was not being able to use what's app or whatever. Anyways this should help

 

[newgirl1]

Oops never mind..... They already opened up 35 around the country as of today. http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/cuba-opens-wi-fi-hotspots-across-country-1509237