The United States government could resume the granting of five-year visas for Cuban citizens, which were suspended in 2019.
as revealed America newsthree government sources revealed that the Biden administration plans to announce the restart of B2 visas at the end of the month, although it is not contemplated that consular interviews in Havana will resume.
The category B2 visas allow entry into the United States for tourism, leisure, or to visit friends and family.
Those who obtain it can participate in charity events, receive medical treatment, spend vacations, visit friends and relatives, participate in sporting or musical events without receiving payment, and enroll in apprenticeship courses as a hobby.
The news comes to light one day after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), announced the reopening of an international field office in the Cuban capital.
“This administration is taking steps to reduce illegal entries, deny resources to ruthless smuggling organizations, and simplify access to legal, safe, and orderly pathways for those seeking humanitarian aid. The reopening of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services field office of the United States in Havana helps us do just that,” said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
This week, former federal congressman Joe Garcia commented that he expected changes soon on the issue of five-year visas, which in his opinion would make it easier for the United States embassy to carry out its process and would remove the weight that currently exists, since Cubans cannot travel to the United States as they did years ago.
“There were many who had it and used it to enter and leave, today that visa is difficult to obtain or cannot be obtained particularly from the North American embassy, and what makes it more difficult for all people have to choose: ‘or I stay Either I go, or I wait a long time, because it was a trip and I’ll come back, or I stay. I mean, look, the situation in Cuba is very difficult, my future is outside the country because I can leave today, but it may be that tomorrow I won’t be able to get out…'” he explained.
García specified that many within Cuban civil society, including entrepreneurs who own MSMEs, as well as people living abroad, have requested that these visas be resumed.
“I think this is a great help and we saw the great advantage that made people say: ‘I can go in and out in a position, I can use that as a vehicle in my life to improve the state of my family and in particular to indicate resources to my company in Cuba,'” he said.
