Q. Is the U.S. Embassy in Havana open for visa processing?
- In May 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Havana will resume limited immigrant visa processing by prioritizing applicants in the IR-5 (parent of U.S. citizen) category. This change is part of the broader expansion of the Embassy’s functions to facilitate diplomatic and civil society engagement and to provide consular services. As we work to restart limited immigrant visa processing at Embassy Havana, Embassy Georgetown in Guyana will remain the primary processing location for the majority of Cuban immigrant visa applicants.
Q. What visa services will be provided?
- Havana will resume limited immigrant visa processing in May 2022 which will begin by processing applicants in the IR-5 (parent of U.S. citizen) category. We chose the IR-5 category recognizing the unique age, health, and mobility challenges for this category of applicants.
Q. Why are only IR-5 immigrant visas being processed in Havana and not other categories?
- Embassy Havana is starting by processing IR-5 (parent of a U.S. citizen) cases, recognizing the priority of immediate relatives as well as the unique age, health, and mobility challenges faced by this category of applicants. While we understand other applicants may have challenging circumstances, given current conditions, Embassy Havana is not able to accept transfer requests from other visa categories. We will continue to evaluate, as conditions permit, a further expansion of visa services in Havana.
Q. When will the full range of consular services be available in Havana?
- We do not have an exact date for when Embassy Havana will begin processing the full range of immigrant and non-immigrant visa services. The President directed the State Department to expand consular services at Embassy Havana, keeping in mind the safety and security of U.S. diplomatic personnel. The resumption of the processing of IR-5 applicants in Havana is the first step in expanding services, and we will continue to evaluate, as conditions permit, a further expansion of visa services in Havana. Embassy Havana’s Consular Section will continue to provide essential American Citizens Services and limited emergency nonimmigrant visa processing.
- Please continue to review the embassy’s website for updates: https://cu.usembassy.gov/consular-services-available-at-u-s-embassy-havana/
Q: I am an IR-5 applicant, why did I receive a message that I will be interviewed in Georgetown?
- An IR-5 applicant (parent of a U.S. citizen) notified that their case is ready to be processed after April 1, 2022, will have their interview scheduled at Embassy Havana, not Embassy Georgetown. IR-5 applicants notified that their case is ready to be processed prior to April 1, 2022, will continue to be processed at Embassy Georgetown.
Q: I have an interview for an IR-5 scheduled in Georgetown, can I have it processed in Havana?
- Given resource constraints, the U.S. Embassy in Havana is not accepting transfer requests from applicants. If an IR-5 case (parent of a U.S. citizen) was already scheduled in Georgetown, it will be processed in Georgetown. Neither the U.S. Embassy in Havana nor the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown will be able to assist with requests to transfer cases.
Q. I heard some applicants were scheduled for an immigrant visa interview in Havana. Mine is still pending the scheduling of an interview in Georgetown. Can I transfer my appointment to Havana?
- If you are applying for an IR-5 (parent of a U.S citizen) immigrant visa and your interview has not been scheduled yet, you will be scheduled for an interview in Havana. Please expect to be contacted by the U.S. Embassy in Havana by email. All other categories of immigrant visas will be scheduled, interviewed, and adjudicated in Georgetown and cannot be transferred to Havana.
Q. Can Cuban citizens apply for nonimmigrant visas in another country?
- Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas may apply in any country in which they are physically present and where there are appointments available. As each U.S. Embassy has specific application procedures, you should contact the U.S. Embassy where you wish to apply directly. Contact information for U.S. embassies is available at state.gov.
