BenniRed

My fiancee is Canadian. We plan on marrying next year but not applying for Canadian citizenship for me. I need to keep my American citizenship for financial reasons.

He wants to winter in Cuba. I know that I'm not allowed to fly to Cuba from America to meet him there.

Would I be allowed to go with him, from Canada, for 3 months? Or will I have repercussions from the US government?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

SFO777

Let me understand. You are going to marry someone that wants to live somewhere where you can't visit? Not exactly the way to start a marriage.
I'd tell him to drop his Cuba-fetish or you'll drop him.

BenniRed

He will only be there Jan-Mar. He is a professor and has plans to teach/tutor there during that time.

I was hoping that if I go with him from his home in Canada that I wouldn't suffer at the hands of customs either in Cuba or in USA where I will visit several times a year.

BenniRed

No further suggestions? Anyone?

AlmostJesus

If you fly from Canada and are living in Canada, there really isnt a way for US authorities to find out. Cuba issues paper tourist visas to Americans and will not stamp your passport (Even if you ask, I was there legally and they still wouldn't) So, it should not be a problem. If you go through US Customs, don't tell them you've been to Cuba and you will be fine.
When I was there in January and visited the Interests Section, they emphasized to us that even Americans that visit the island illegally still have access to the services of the Interests Section without penalty. They said they operate separate from the OFAC, just something to bear in mind if you do go.

BenniRed

Thank you so much! Your reply is very helpful.

He is considering other places to winter in but none are as cheap as Cuba.

AlmostJesus

Cuba really was an interesting place to visit. It is very cheap to stay, and nothing gives you a better perspective than seeing a completely different political system. It is a beautiful island, and the people in general are nice (outside of the tourist areas).
I wouldn't be too concerned about having US authorities find out, I ran into quite a few Americans in Havana that were visiting Havana through the "back door." The Cuban authorities are just fine with having Americans come and stay and will be no problem.

BenniRed

Thanks for your feedback, I really appreciate it.

czarina

+1

It's your marriage and do what you wish, however, be aware that *if* you are discovered to have traveled and/or remained in Cuba you can be heavily fined by the Treasury.

SuperCargo

Canadian and American citizenships are not mutually exclusive -- you can become Canadian and still keep your American nationality (although that won't really help you in your Cuba situation).

MR_MAMA

Agree with this. If you get caught huge fines. Personally I would not risk it. Whether other Americans do it or not and get away with it, it is illegal. Look at all the flak Beyonce just went through

duranza

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_833061.html

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...y_requirements

You can fly to Cuba and back from US , must have required visa , license
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-cen...uba_tr_app.pdf

and passport.

Contact them directly for more information

FlyingUnderTheRadar

If your spouse is a professor and doing bonafide work as a spouse you may be able to get a license to travel with them. Otherwise if you are living in Canada I would get dual Citizenship if possible. If can come in handy not just with countries like Cuba.

As for being caught - slim chance - if you do not transit through the US at any point after departing Cuba.

Here is an interesting case:
http://travel.usatoday.com/destinati...-trip/812249/1

craigsf

First, you won't have any problems with Cuba or Canada doing this as a US citizen, it's of course the US where you could have problems

Education type permission is pretty easy to get for Cuba (eg teaching, study abroad, anything museum related, etc.) and I believe they can cover a spouse. The fact that your husband is Canadian makes it more complicated I assume. There are companies that specialize in Cuba visas - contact one of them and see if such a spousal arrangement is possible given that your husband will be there for educational reasons. Another option would be to explore study or educational (eg volunteer at a museum) opportunities yourself to get legal permission to go there.

The less legal option is to just go and not tell the US government. It's hardly unusual for someone with a Canadian husband to spend month in Canada and the US immigration isn't going to question it - though maybe let the tan fade before you cross back

Finally, technically the law is that you're prohibit to spend money in Cuba or on travel to Cuba, so on the almost 0% chance you get caught it might just turn out that your controlling Canadian husband handled all of the finances and certainly that none of the funds you spent there originated in the US!

MSPeconomist

The USAToday link doesn't work for me.