A.E. Ellis asked Aaron Hamburger:

I'm writing a historical fiction novel about my grandfather, who in 1918 immigrated to Havana from Colfax, WA, so he could live in Cuba long enough (6 months) to get a Cuban visa to work as a pineapple farm supervisor in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution (a time when Americans weren't welcome). How difficult was it for your grandmother to obtain a Cuban residency visa and how long was she allowed to live in Cuba?

Aaron Hamburger Wow, that sounds like an amazing story! I don't know the legal particulars as it would relate to your grandfather's situation, but in my grandmother's case, the rule was that it took a year to establish residency in Cuba, which she wanted to do in order to enter the U.S. avoiding the quotas on immigration from Eastern Europe. However, in her actual situation (which deviates from what happens in the novel) she got some help from someone in the U.S. consulate and was able to leave Cuba a little earlier than a full year. Good luck with your novel!

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