Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program

Can the father of an American citizen participate in the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program?
No. This program is only open to Cuban beneficiaries of an approved immigrant visa petition for which an immigrant visa is not yet immediately available.  An immediate immigrant visa petition such as parent, spouse, and minor child of an American citizen is not subject to numerical limitations and can be sent to the U.S. Interests Section in Havana as soon as the file is completed by the National Visa Center.

Can a fiancé visa be processed under the Cuban Family Parole Program?
No. This program is not open to K-1 visa applicants (fiancé/e of an American citizen).

I received an approval letter from the National Visa Center to participate in the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program but I was not allowed to schedule my appointment at this time. Why?
Please contact the Consular Information Unit if you were unable to schedule your appointment through our Visa Information and Appointment Scheduling Service. We can be reached via e-mail at havanaivappointments@state.gov

How can I expedite my interview appointment?
The U.S. Interests Section is limited to the number of American personnel it can have in Cuba. Due to these numerical limits, the Interests Section can only provide a limited number of appointments per day. However, if an emergency situation arises that justifies expediting an appointment, the petitioner may call our Visa Information and Appointment Scheduling Center to request an earlier appointment.

I sent an Affidavit of Support to the National Visa Center when I filed my petition. Can this form be used during my relative’s interview at the U.S. Interests Section?
If the interviewing consular officer or the offices of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service in Havana deem necessary the submission of an affidavit of support, the petitioner will be required to submit Affidavit of Support, Form I-134. Any documents that were sent to fulfill the requirements of the original petition will not be sent to Havana. If there are documents in this file that are relevant to your case, please bring additional copies to the parole interview.

I filed a petition on behalf of my sister but have not yet received any information about the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program. What should I do?
Please contact the National Visa Center at telephone number (603) 334-0700 or via e-mail nvcinquiry@state.gov for a status update on your petition.

Are there any fees to be processed under this program?
No.  There is no cost associated with the interview or issuance process.

I scheduled an interview appointment for my relative. Could I get a confirmation?
The U.S. Interests Section is not currently offering this service. Please contact our Visa Information and Appointment Service at 1-866-374-1769 if you need to verify the date and time of your relative’s interview appointment at the U.S. Interests Section.

How long will it take for my relative to get a visa after the interview?
Once a CFRP applicant is interviewed at the U.S. Interests Section, the parole application is transferred to the USCIS office in Havana for a final determination.  The applicant will be issued a pass to come back a month after the interview date to pick up the parole results. If approved, the applicant will receive travel documents to immigrate to the United States.

The second letter I received from the National Visa Center did not include my brother's newborn child. How can I fix this?
Petitioners in the United States are required to inform the National Visa Center (NVC) of any changes in the applicant’s family composition when they enter the CFRP program. If the petitioner did not inform NVC of these changes, the additional family member is not included in the petition.

On the day of the applicant’s interview, he or she will need to bring documentation to include the additional member of the family in the petition. In the case of a child, the applicant will need to bring the child’s birth certificate. In the case of a spouse, the applicant will need to bring their marriage certificate. Once the additional member is included in the petition, they will be able to obtain a letter from the U.S. Interests Section to have their medical examination in Cuba.

The National Visa Center did not include my sister’s daughter in the case. Why?
Family-based petitions  F-3 and F-4 only include the applicant, his or her spouse, and minor single children age 21 or younger. If the applicant's child has aged out during the process or married, s/he will be excluded from the petitioner. However , the applicant will have the opportunity to ask for family-based parole the day of the interview at the U.S. Interests Section.

If your inquiry regards a consular matter that is not covered in this page, please send the Consular Information Unit a brief message using the following form.