The U.S. Embassy in Havana has announced plans to expand visa services to include certain categories of work and exchange program visas.

Under the new changes, which take effect on August 19, Cuban citizens who wish to travel to the United States for academic or cultural exchange purposes, for a temporary job or to study at a U.S. university will be able to apply for a nonimmigrant visa in Havana, reports VisaGuide.World.

In addition, the U.S. Embassy also processes visas for artists, athletes, members of religious groups, people with extraordinary abilities, and employees moving to other corporate positions in the United States.

Until now, Cuban citizens had to apply for such visas in third countries.

However, the embassy stressed that the changes do not include nonimmigrant visas for individuals seeking to visit the U.S. temporarily for business (B-1 visa) or tourism purposes (B-2 visa). Cubans will still need to travel to another U.S. embassy or consulate for routine B1/B2 visa interviews.

Several categories benefit from enhanced visa services at the U.S. Embassy in Havana

The U.S. Embassy in Havana’s enhanced visa services include the following categories:

• H-3 visa – temporary workers or interns
• J-Visa – Exchange Visitor
• L-1 visa – intra-company transferees
• O-Visa – Workers with exceptional skills or achievements
• P-Visa – Artists, Athletes, Entertainers
• Q-Visa – Participant in international cultural exchange
• R visa – members of a religious denomination who perform religious work

However, the embassy stressed that a visa appointment is not a guarantee of visa issuance. Applicants must demonstrate their qualifications for the visa in accordance with U.S. laws and regulations.

To schedule an interview for categories H, L, O, P, Q, and R, applicants must provide proof of their approved application (Form I-797 Notice of Action) from USCIS. To schedule an interview for a J visa, applicants must provide a Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (Form DS-2019) issued by the exchange program sponsor. Interviews will be scheduled only after an approved Form I-797 or Form DS-2019 is submitted to the embassy.

In addition, applicants must submit their application documents, a valid passport, fees and a recent photograph.

Visa services in Cuba were suspended in 2017 by the Trump administration due to incidents related to Havana Syndrome and the need to reduce staff to a minimum, so Cuban nationals planning to travel to the United States were asked to travel to a third country to obtain a visa.

In May 2022, the Biden administration began processing some immigrant visas again, and as of January 2023, all immigrant visa categories were being processed. However, the embassy has not issued nonimmigrant visas, except for some activists and private entrepreneurs.