Immigrant Visas

The Special Program for Cuban Migration

The U.S. Interests Section is not currently accepting appointment requests for parole under the Special Program for Cuban Migration, otherwise known as the bombo.  Any change in the availability of appointments for bombo applicants will be announced on the Interests Section's website.

(Cuban Lottery or Sorteo)

What is the Special Program for Cuban Migration?

How to Apply

The U.S. Interests Section is not currently accepting entries to the Cuban lottery.

Processing for Winners

Winners of the Cuban lottery are sent a packet of forms and instructions that they must complete in order to apply for Significant Public Benefit Parole under the Special Program for Cuban Migration.  Once the applicant has gathered the required documentation and appointments become available, he or she should request an appointment through the Interests Section’s Visa Information and Appointment Scheduling Service.

The Day of the Interview

The applicant (and spouse and children) should arrive at the U.S Interests Section (located at Calzada and L streets in Vedado, Havana) by 7:00 AM on the date of the interview appointment. The applicant should bring all of the documents requested in the winners packet for each member of the family who is applying (there is no need to bring the x-ray film from the medical exam). The applicant may also choose to submit an affidavit of support (form I-134) and/or job offers. If the applicant was married after 1998, he or she should bring evidence of the marital relationship to the interview.

Once all of the paperwork has been collected, a consular officer will interview the applicant. The officer will note all information related to parole eligibility. A USCIS official will then make a final determination in the case, based on the information provided by the applicant and consular officer. A consular official will generally notify the applicant of the outcome of the applicant’s parole request within one-month of the applicant’s interview date. If the application is denied, the applicant will be advised of what steps to take next.

If the application is approved, the applicant may receive his or her travel documents the same afternoon. However, all Cuban nationals between the ages of 16 and 80 (inclusive) are subject to additional, U.S.-based administrative processing that often delays approval for 2-3 months after the USCIS official has made a determination of eligibility. Delays vary from a few weeks to many months. It is impossible to determine how long a particular case will take to bring to a conclusion.

Once the Consulate has received confirmation that the processing has been completed, the applicant will be contacted by telephone or telegram to continue the process of parole.

Requesting Parole

Beneficiaries of the Special Program for Cuban Migration may not ask for parole for family members. The lottery winner may apply with a spouse and single, minor children who have no children of their own.

Additional Information

For additional information regarding the Special Program for Cuban Migration, please send a letter to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Office in Havana at the following address:

Sección de Intereses
Attn: USCIS (Bombo)
Calzada e/ L y M
Vedado
Ciudad Habana CP 10400