The year opened with the upgrade of the Cuban migration policy and now, with just a little over a month left in the year, the Interests Section of Cuba in Washington was forced to announce limitations on family visits, and on academic, cultural, educational, scientific, sports exchanges…
The announcement was made last Tuesday, November 26, the day that ‘ until further notice’ slammed in the lives of people who planned to come to the island during the end of the year and still don’t have their papers ready.
Only “humanitarian formalities ‘ and no ‘ issue of passports, visas, legalization of documents” … A person who resides in the United States, via Facebook, tells me: ” In this unfortunate situation caused by an absurd and outdated policy that the economic embargo unjustly imposed against the people of Cuba, I think the Cuban government should allow those most affected to enter Cuba with expired passports and give them the opportunity to renew them in the country. ” Too bad the good wishes are not always possible.
The end of the year, which is expected in Cuba as a boisterous party, and longed eagerly for family reunions, this time, will be a little less jolly for some families. Although Tessie Aral, president of Miami-based ABC Charters that fly to Cuba, said that those who booked between December 20 and December 31 will not be affected because they have their documentation.
But those who still do not have visas are not so lucky, especially because all Cuban immigrants in the U.S. must keep their passports through the Cuba Interests Section in Washington.
Those who resides there and wants to travel here, if born in the island, has the obvious need for the office, especially when it is known that about 350 thousand Cubans come every year and since 2012 the United States is the sixth vacationers emitting market to Cuba. And about 67 thousand Americans were here between January and September 2013.
This time the affected ones are who thought of enjoying the end of a year with their families but the story, as much as I analyze it, was a lot like another.
In 2004, the Bush administration created the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, entity that sharply limited travel. Remember that all U.S. citizens could travel to their country of origin as often as they wished except for the Cubans that could only do 14 days every three years if they had a license from the Treasury Department.
In order to travel they had to prove that at least one member of the family lived in Cuba and yet, from the U.S., the Cuban family concept was redefined. Thus, cousins, nephews, uncles and other close relatives were no longer part of the same family, only the grandparents, parents, siblings, children and spouses. Accordingly a Cuban could not visit her aunt in Cuba or send financial assistance to his cousin.
Hopefully one day the bad news so prevalent among both countries cease, and Cubans, as party goers as peaceful, can live without the permanent political anxieties.
Consular Services for Cuban Citizens in Washington :
Migratory Services:
Consular Registration
Passport Renewal
Passport Extension
Identity and Travel Document
Extension of the Permit to Travel Abroad (PVE)
Extension of the PVE for longer than eleven months
Permit to live abroad (PRE)
Indefinite Exit Permit (PSI)
Authorization for a New Passport
Entry Permit
PE-4 Application for Repatriation
Notary Services:
Marriage
Marriage Registration
Divorce
General Power of Attorney
Special Power
Power of Attorney for Departure of a Minor
Power of Attorney for Marriage
Power of Attorney for Divorce
Power of Attorney for Inheritance Declarations
Birth Certificate Transcript
Death Certificate Transcript
Legalization and Certification of Documents
Letter of Invitation
Requesting documents in Cuba while abroad:
Birth Certificate
Driver’s License Certificate
Single Status Certificate
Legal Capacity for Marriage Certificate
Criminal Record Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Divorce Certificate
Last Will Certificate
Legal Heir Certificate
Migratory Movement Certificate
Certificate of non-citizen national status
Certificate of Nationality
Certificate of Citizenship
Certificate issued by Educational Institutions
Baptismal Certificate
Death Certificate
Ascertaining Whereabouts
Other consular services:
Transfer of corps to Cuba /
Transfer of ashes to Cuba
Consular services for foreigners:
Tourist Visa (Tourist Card)
Family Visa (A-2)
D-6 or Press Visa
Business Visa
Other Visas
Request to reside in Cuba
Legalization and Certification of Documents
Marriages in Cuba
Marriages Abroad
Divorce
Household Pets Declaration
