What are the odds of succeeding in immigrating a cuban

by Jewel
(Brisbane Austalia)

Hi victor, I have written once before and are still trying to bring my cuban fiancee to Australia. first I have been trying to bring him as a tourist to see if he likes it and can make the adjustment and to do this we have to get all the paperwork to Mexico and so far have had no luck as he cant send money out of the country and also only earns little money as all cubans.. i finally found out i could pay his visa in australia so i did this and then had to send him the receipt which never arrived is the post un reliable in cuba ... in the meantime i found out i could of applied for a fiancee visa.. but this is very costly and no guarantees like everything in this matter and then theres the invitation that i have signed and had a notary sign that says i would return him in 11 months so therefore would the fiancee visa and cost be a waste of time and money?/ i am only an working class female with no assets of high value so I am wondering if it will actually be impossible and will cuba actually let him go and how much will they want total for this privelege as everything to do with a foreigner always seems to be at a tripple rate and I've heard they can still denie it even after you pay out all the cash for everything.. I would love to return to cuba and live there but I know that the rules on this are also impossible unlesss I am basically wealthy with an on going income...so is this love story just a impossible dream for both of us ?/ and now as time ticks on the invitation runs out in august and apparently the visa for a fiancee can take up to 6 months to be approved and then he needs a medical and lawyers or notarys to witness this and i think thats around 1,000 cuc does it ever end .. of course he just wants me to return as we have been apart for nearly a year now but even for me to visit is hard as i have to give up work which is a little scarse at the moment put my belongings in storage and find my dog a home and only to have to return in 2 months if they dont extend my visa so anyways is their a solution or is it just an imposible dream to be together?? is it less cruel to let him go and he can get on with his life as he knows it and meet a cuban girl and have children as also would he ever really be happy in Australia especially when we would have to save for years to ever return to see his family ?? any info would be appreciated AJ


ANSWER by Vic Webmaster Havana-guide.com

Well, Jewel! About this topic I can tell you hundreds of stories, most of them are not easy and there are lots of factors why some Cuban-Foreigner marriages or relations succeed and other not. I give a few highlights but it's up to you to decide.
1)This is really important, are the intentions of your fiancee honest? I know this sounds cruel, but it's good to know that many Cubans fake love and try to escape poverty by marriage. Only time can proof this, so don't rush, take your time
proceed slowly.
2) The invitation of a Cuban is NOT cheap,
it is not only the notary document (cost 140cuc) but you also have to pay, the passport, medical examination and the exit visa (I think 200-250 cuc). When he has his passport, he needs a visa of the inviting country (Australia)(again$$)and he has to show his plane ticket (return)($$$) before he get's his exit visa. The whole procedure can take 6 months up to more than one year, with a total cost of 1,500-2,000 USD. Don't forget the risks, you have signed the Cuban notary document that you will bear full responsibility for your invited Cuban. Note that most inviting countries ask you to sign a similar document and in some countries you have to proof you solvability before you can invite the Cuban. (Don't know what the rules are in Australia, but you better check!). I know the complete procedure and it's not easy, it took me more than one year and 2,500 USD to get a Cuban visitor for a 3 month trip to Europe.
3) When you send important documents to Cuba, NEVER use the regular post services, even registered post. Most of the post never arrives, a lot of post is opened (in search for money). The only reliable service is DHL courrier services, you can track your parcel or letter via the internet and you get a confirmation of the arrival. But not a cheap solution.
Cuba, does NOT allow the export of foreign money
or values and CUC (peso convertible) is not accepted outside Cuba. There's a very tight control on money transfers.
Final Advise: Think carefully about all the steps, go slowly, think not only about the emotional concequences (love) but also about the financial and legal concequences. Some foreigners have found love and friendship, but on the other hand many have found emotional and financial disaster. But eventually it's your decision. Wish you all the best! Good luck