Form DS-5535 'SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS FOR VISA APPLICANTS'

[MO&RA 22]

1 hour ago, SoniaG said:

Hi guys!

 

I am new in this boat of the DS-5535! I am also very frustrated with the procedure and the waiting time. I have been waiting for 6 weeks now and I did not get any updates. I want to share with you my story, I will feel less alone on this boat. Also, it could be useful for someone who is stuck in the same situation. 

I've applied for a J1 visa on February 8th at the embassy of Paris to travel to the US for my postdoctoral position. The officer has asked me very quick questions, gave me a formula and told me to go home, fill the DS-5535 and wait. 

I have called the embassy and the NVC today on the 6033340888 and the answer was "Your case is still under AP, we will contact you if we need further information". Do you think this means that I will have to wait for months yet before getting any answer? :s

Most likely dear. It's a long wait. As you see people have been waiting for 6 MO's on this forum and still they didn't receive the visa

[TangierMorocco 52]

2 hours ago, SoniaG said:

Hi guys!

 

I am new in this boat of the DS-5535! I am also very frustrated with the procedure and the waiting time. I have been waiting for 6 weeks now and I did not get any updates. I want to share with you my story, I will feel less alone on this boat. Also, it could be useful for someone who is stuck in the same situation. 

I've applied for a J1 visa on February 8th at the embassy of Paris to travel to the US for my postdoctoral position. The officer has asked me very quick questions, gave me a formula and told me to go home, fill the DS-5535 and wait. 

I have called the embassy and the NVC today on the 6033340888 and the answer was "Your case is still under AP, we will contact you if we need further information". Do you think this means that I will have to wait for months yet before getting any answer? :s

Hi Sonia,

If you are coming to the USA just for the PostDoc and planning to return to your home country I advise you to look for a postdoc at another country consider Australia, Canada, UK or stay in France. The DS 5535 is an unknown process. We are American Citizens waiting for our spouses and yet, we have been treated like this. Divided from our loved ones, without an answer. I suggest you should not waste your valuable time after the PhD waiting an unknown! Your sponsor also will not wait for you that long if they are supporting you from a federal grant!

 

[Nhona Scott 93]

Hey guys Im just curious when you say ds 5535 we are under security checks? And security checks means NAME CHECK?

Please enlighten me 😔

 

[TangierMorocco 52]

11 minutes ago, Nhona Scott said:

Hey guys Im just curious when you say ds 5535 we are under security checks? And security checks means NAME CHECK?

Please enlighten me 😔

 

•  

Yes, the nature of DS 5535 is about all the social media activities of the applicants, yes it is a security clearance form.

[TangierMorocco 52]

Call your Congress representatives (The Two Senators and the Represents): This is how democracy work!

The congress doesn't know much about what is going on with us (suffering from the DS 5535). The dreamers issue (DACA) was raised by those who are effected by the current administration decision to cancel the DACA. The only way we can be heard is by calling and writing to our senators to let them know that we are suffering from the DS 5535 and made to wait for month and months even after completing all the requirements. Let the senators bring this issue to the attention of the congress and the nation to have it resolved and for good. I certainly support a fair screening process that keep our country (USA) safe. However it is very unfair to be divided from our loved ones and kept blind!

[LebanonUSA2018 9]

10 hours ago, MO&RA said:

Most likely dear. It's a long wait. As you see people have been waiting for 6 MO's on this forum and still they didn't receive the visa

Every case is different but most cases passed 6 months and still waiting .

[Nhona Scott 93]

11 hours ago, TangierMorocco said:

Yes, the nature of DS 5535 is about all the social media activities of the applicants, yes it is a security clearance form.

Thank you for your response! If its mostly about social media activities why are they taking such a long time just to review our social medias. We can be cleared from that in just a day. When they say security checks how are they doing all this background check? Thru screening names from different databases of different agencies?

[SabrinaJerome 52]

12 hours ago, Nhona Scott said:

Hey guys Im just curious when you say ds 5535 we are under security checks? And security checks means NAME CHECK?

Please enlighten me 😔

 

•  

 

12 hours ago, TangierMorocco said:

Yes, the nature of DS 5535 is about all the social media activities of the applicants, yes it is a security clearance form.

 

18 minutes ago, Nhona Scott said:

Thank you for your response! If its mostly about social media activities why are they taking such a long time just to review our social medias. We can be cleared from that in just a day. When they say security checks how are they doing all this background check? Thru screening names from different databases of different agencies?

Good morning 

The ds5535 includes several questions. I believe it's called the supplemental information form or something to that effect. Other questions are about where you have traveled in the past x years, family, work, etc.

We were only asked for the social media information on a 221g form, I suppose because my husband was thoroughly vetted to get a tourist visa some years back.  Not really sure about that. But regardless we are in the line for a security check as well. Given the estimates of how many people they chose to administer this form to ("a very small percentage - 1/2 a percent" of all visa applicants ) it is a very very long line. Hence the delay. Unless you have other theories... which many people have. 

And yes this check is being done by government agencies which have access to databases and other resources... the stuff of spy movies I imagine. 🙄

When I am on my computer I will post other information about it.

[SabrinaJerome 52]

12 hours ago, TangierMorocco said:

Call your Congress representatives (The Two Senators and the Represents): This is how democracy work!

The congress doesn't know much about what is going on with us (suffering from the DS 5535). The dreamers issue (DACA) was raised by those who are effected by the current administration decision to cancel the DACA. The only way we can be heard is by calling and writing to our senators to let them know that we are suffering from the DS 5535 and made to wait for month and months even after completing all the requirements. Let the senators bring this issue to the attention of the congress and the nation to have it resolved and for good. I certainly support a fair screening process that keep our country (USA) safe. However it is very unfair to be divided from our loved ones and kept blind!

I totally agree. Thanks for posting this! 

Does everyone know how to find your representatives? 

[LebanonUSA2018 9]

Let’s create a Whatsapp group so we can know everyone news if any one interested inbox me your number

[yousef5 4]

Hey just friendly advice please let’s all contact with the congress or the senators they r the only ones who can help us please let’s all do this. Thank u

[SabrinaJerome 52]

17 hours ago, LebanonUSA2018 said:

60 days is still early my friends I will be 6 months next week . After this nightmare finishes we must do a party all together 

Yes, I'm sorry about that... I am well aware, and nervous, that ours could take that long as well. 

I feel frustrated, sad, angry... the whole range of emotions because of the time it has taken us since we began this process. We have been separated since the summer of 2016.

But I feel it has been much worse for those of you with children,  and especially those of you who have been in the AP black hole for months. 

[LebanonUSA2018 9]

2 minutes ago, SabrinaJerome said:

Yes, I'm sorry about that... I am well aware, and nervous, that ours could take that long as well. 

I feel frustrated, sad, angry... the whole range of emotions because of the time it has taken us since we began this process. We have been separated since the summer of 2016.

But I feel it has been much worse for those of you with children,  and especially those of you who have been in the AP black hole for months. 

It’s a deep pain for all of us my friend , hearing everyone’s  story makes me feel am not alone God be with all of us to be with our beloved soon

[SabrinaJerome 52]

For anyone who hasn't yet seen the DS-5535 (Expired Nov 2017), here it is:

 

https://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/amresource/DS5535.pdf

[SabrinaJerome 52]

39 minutes ago, SabrinaJerome said:

For anyone who hasn't yet seen the DS-5535 (Expired Nov 2017), here it is:

 

https://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/amresource/DS5535.pdf

and this is the notice posted made by the government in May of 2017 when it was being implemented.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/05/04/2017-08975/notice-of-information-collection-under-omb-emergency-review-supplemental-questions-for-visa