Non-immigrant Visas
U.S. law applicable worldwide creates a presumption that visa applicants are immigrants unless they can establish to the satisfaction of a consular officer that they qualify as nonimmigrants. In most visa categories this requires that the applicant have a residence in a foreign country which he or she has no intention of abandoning. Thus the obligation is on the applicant to demonstrate that he or she will in fact return to their home country once they have completed their temporary stay in the U.S. (Section 214 (b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended). Consular officers must consider not only the fact that the applicant has a residence abroad at the time of application, but must also consider whether or not the applicant has demonstrable, strong economic, career, family, or social ties to their place of residence abroad.
Normally, individuals can meet this obligation by demonstrating that they have a stable, lucrative job, a home or other substantial property holdings, and close family ties in their home country that will impel them to return. In Cuba, this is very difficult to do as the Communist system provides those who have jobs with the equivalent of $10-$20 per month in salary, private ownership of homes, autos, etc. is almost non-existent, and many potential travelers have as many close relatives in the U.S. as in Cuba. A letter from a relative, church leader, or other person "guaranteeing" that the person will return is not legally sufficient to overcome the presumption no matter how respected the individual writing it.
There is no assurance of privacy in the circumstances under which we must operate in
Cuba. All applicants approaching the Consular Section are observed and are subject to
being questioned by Cuban police posted outside the Consular Section.
New Appointment System for Non-Immigrant Visas
Beginning February 2, 2004, the U.S. Interests Section will implement a telephone
appointment system for Non-Immigrant Visas. Applicants who are interested in traveling to
the United States for a temporary visit should call the Interests Section at 833-1196 or
833-1198, Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., to schedule an appointment.
Appointments granted through this system will be the only appointments honored after
February 9, 2004.
On the business day before the scheduled interview, applicants should come to the
Interests Section to drop off their passports and pick up a visa application from the drop
box located on Calzada at L Street.
On the day of the scheduled interview, applicants should arrive at the Interests Section
at 7:30 a.m. with a completed application, a 50 mm x 50 mm photograph (black and white or
color), and $100 in U.S. currency for the non-refundable fee.
Applicants who are approved for a non-immigrant visa should be prepared to wait for several weeks after the initial interview for the visa to be issued. Consequently, applicants are advised to schedule interview appointments well in advance of anticipated travel since the Interests Section is unable to expedite any visa requests.
For additional information on non-immigrant visas please call 833-1196 or 833-1198.
U.S. Interests Section.