DS-5535 Timeline

[minie07 2]

Hello, My husband had his interview (Tunisia ) on late August. His interview was approved. But according to the consular officer the DS-5535 was needed to issue his visa. He was given 221g sheet and asked to fill out DS-5535 Supplemental Questions as soon as possible. He was told that the form will be sent to Washington DC for a review. We got the DS5535 form on the same day of his interview (appx. after 2 hours). We filled out and send back to them on same day. After sending the form, we sent an email to confirm that they received and send the form to Department of State. We got confirmation email on next day of interview that they received the form and sent to Department of State. He was told that his case now is under Administrative Processing. 

Since then, we have not seen any status or date update on CEAC website. It's been exactly 40 days passed since the interview. I was wondering if anyone been through same process before? I know the process does not have a fix time and it varies US consulate.

My question is, will that be helpful to involve my local congressman or senator in this situation? What rights do we have in order to get an update in our case status?

 

Thank you

[Crazy Cat 41,184]

There is nothing your Senator or Congressperson can do.  Administrative Processing is mandatory for all cases.  It can be neither waived nor expedited.  Some cases are placed in extended AP which can last for weeks, months, or even years.  This is more common in some areas of the world.    Cases are not actually approved until after all administrative processing is complete and checks are satisfactory.  Watch for the status to change to "Issued".  You can contact the consulate, but you will likely receive the "still in Administrative Processing" response, if any at all.

Edited October 3, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[minie07 2]

6 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

Administrative Processing is mandatory for all cases.  It can be neither waived nor expedited.  Some cases are placed in extended AP which can last for weeks, months, or even years.  This is common in some areas of the world.    Cases are actually approved until after all administrative processing is complete.

I know all of those. If you read my post well you will see I am asking if its helpful to involve congressman?

[Crazy Cat 41,184]

2 minutes ago, minie07 said:

I know all of those. If you read my post well you will see I am asking if its helpful to involve congressman?

If you reread my post , you will see I answered that.  I edited it.  Your Congressperson or Senator can't really help...Good luck.

Edited October 3, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[jamesbond123 14]

7 hours ago, minie07 said:

Hello, My husband had his interview (Tunisia ) on late August. His interview was approved. But according to the consular officer the DS-5535 was needed to issue his visa. He was given 221g sheet and asked to fill out DS-5535 Supplemental Questions as soon as possible. He was told that the form will be sent to Washington DC for a review. We got the DS5535 form on the same day of his interview (appx. after 2 hours). We filled out and send back to them on same day. After sending the form, we sent an email to confirm that they received and send the form to Department of State. We got confirmation email on next day of interview that they received the form and sent to Department of State. He was told that his case now is under Administrative Processing. 

Since then, we have not seen any status or date update on CEAC website. It's been exactly 40 days passed since the interview. I was wondering if anyone been through same process before? I know the process does not have a fix time and it varies US consulate.

My question is, will that be helpful to involve my local congressman or senator in this situation? What rights do we have in order to get an update in our case status?

 

Thank you

 

we also got DS 5535. I am surprised that the embassy staff told you that the form will goto D.C? Are you sure? They didn't tell me anything like that. All they did sent me email text questioner (which is similar to ds5535 form). Call me to reply back asap. which I did. its been 20 days. No update. I reached out to my local congress office. They got reply back from embassy that my case is undergoing admin process and don't know how long it will take.

 

if these forms are all going to DC for approval it would faster process. Since DC is somewhat opened in covid times.

 

Did you have travel history?

 

 

 

 

[minie07 2]

12 minutes ago, jamesbond123 said:

 

we also got DS 5535. I am surprised that the embassy staff told you that the form will goto D.C? Are you sure? They didn't tell me anything like that. All they did sent me email text questioner (which is similar to ds5535 form). Call me to reply back asap. which I did. its been 20 days. No update. I reached out to my local congress office. They got reply back from embassy that my case is undergoing admin process and don't know how long it will take.

 

if these forms are all going to DC for approval it would faster process. Since DC is somewhat opened in covid times.

 

Did you have travel history?

 

Hi, yes the DS5535 is going to Department of State which is located in DC for the security clearance. its been 40 days for us and no update at all. We have not involve the congressman yet. Unfortunately this is a black hole. We will never know how long it will take. I have seen some got visa issued after 2-3 weeks and I saw posts here that there are people waiting for 4 years . Yes, he has travel history. Did you? Also, do you think congress office is helpful?

 

 

 

[jamesbond123 14]

41 minutes ago, minie07 said:

 

we only went to Maldives for 3 days. Thats about it. No jobs etc

 

where & how long is your travel history

 

congress office is not going to help speed process. Only get reply back from embassy  

Edited October 4, 2020 by jamesbond123

[A Mo and L ma 10]

20 hours ago, minie07 said:

Hello, My husband had his interview (Tunisia ) on late August. His interview was approved. But according to the consular officer the DS-5535 was needed to issue his visa. He was given 221g sheet and asked to fill out DS-5535 Supplemental Questions as soon as possible. He was told that the form will be sent to Washington DC for a review. We got the DS5535 form on the same day of his interview (appx. after 2 hours). We filled out and send back to them on same day. After sending the form, we sent an email to confirm that they received and send the form to Department of State. We got confirmation email on next day of interview that they received the form and sent to Department of State. He was told that his case now is under Administrative Processing. 

Since then, we have not seen any status or date update on CEAC website. It's been exactly 40 days passed since the interview. I was wondering if anyone been through same process before? I know the process does not have a fix time and it varies US consulate.

My question is, will that be helpful to involve my local congressman or senator in this situation? What rights do we have in order to get an update in our case status?

 

Thank you

We are in the same position:( it’s been one month. Congressman can’t help expedite it or anything but usually they can get more detailed responses than a generic one you would get. Especially for those who have direct, previously worked-with ‘contacts’ at that embassy (as mine does).

 

All you can do is wait....:( and check for updates to see if your case is at least being worked on. 
 

If it takes ‘too long’ you can file a writ of mandamus against the deciding agencies but it’s costly and not guaranteed to do anything...

 

[Crazy Cat 41,184]

12 hours ago, minie07 said:

Also, do you think congress office is helpful?

It will helpful to make you feel better...maybe....but it not speed up the process.

[minie07 2]

56 minutes ago, A Mo and L ma said:

We are in the same position:( it’s been one month. Congressman can’t help expedite it or anything but usually they can get more detailed responses than a generic one you would get. Especially for those who have direct, previously worked-with ‘contacts’ at that embassy (as mine does).

 

All you can do is wait....:( and check for updates to see if your case is at least being worked on. 
 

If it takes ‘too long’ you can file a writ of mandamus against the deciding agencies but it’s costly and not guaranteed to do anything...

 

 

 

May I know the beneficiary Country? 

[A Mo and L ma 10]

27 minutes ago, minie07 said:

 

 

May I know the beneficiary Country? 

Egypt

[JeanneAdil 6,398]

22 hours ago, minie07 said:

I know all of those. If you read my post well you will see I am asking if its helpful to involve congressman?

The short answer is NO 

i got in touch with mine and was informed they have no influence over immigration (not funded by the federal government but by our fees)

Congress is only in control of (or should be and they do nothing) the immigration laws and rules

They can do an inquiry on your behalf and will get same response you will get /  that the case is in AP for security checks to be completed 

As for the ds 5535 check here under forums and this site for further discussion of the ds5535

 

 

[minie07 2]

6 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

The short answer is NO 

i got in touch with mine and was informed they have no influence over immigration (not funded by the federal government but by our fees)

Congress is only in control of (or should be and they do nothing) the immigration laws and rules

They can do an inquiry on your behalf and will get same response you will get /  that the case is in AP for security checks to be completed 

As for the ds 5535 check here under forums and this site for further discussion of the ds5535

 

 

Thank you. I rather wait then involve the congressman then.

[Ahmed&Freda 628]

On 10/3/2020 at 3:20 PM, minie07 said:

Hello, My husband had his interview (Tunisia ) on late August. His interview was approved. But according to the consular officer the DS-5535 was needed to issue his visa. He was given 221g sheet and asked to fill out DS-5535 Supplemental Questions as soon as possible. He was told that the form will be sent to Washington DC for a review. We got the DS5535 form on the same day of his interview (appx. after 2 hours). We filled out and send back to them on same day. After sending the form, we sent an email to confirm that they received and send the form to Department of State. We got confirmation email on next day of interview that they received the form and sent to Department of State. He was told that his case now is under Administrative Processing. 

Since then, we have not seen any status or date update on CEAC website. It's been exactly 40 days passed since the interview. I was wondering if anyone been through same process before? I know the process does not have a fix time and it varies US consulate.

My question is, will that be helpful to involve my local congressman or senator in this situation? What rights do we have in order to get an update in our case status?

 

Thank you

Congressman and senator are not much help while in AP (they will just get the same blanket responses) however they can sometimes get a more detailed response.  There were a few instances where the embassy made mistakes and were not answering our inquiries but the senator was able to get a response from them then magically they would respond with the corrections or an actual answer.

[jamesbond123 14]

On 10/3/2020 at 3:20 PM, minie07 said:

Hello, My husband had his interview (Tunisia ) on late August. His interview was approved. But according to the consular officer the DS-5535 was needed to issue his visa. He was given 221g sheet and asked to fill out DS-5535 Supplemental Questions as soon as possible. He was told that the form will be sent to Washington DC for a review. We got the DS5535 form on the same day of his interview (appx. after 2 hours). We filled out and send back to them on same day. After sending the form, we sent an email to confirm that they received and send the form to Department of State. We got confirmation email on next day of interview that they received the form and sent to Department of State. He was told that his case now is under Administrative Processing. 

Since then, we have not seen any status or date update on CEAC website. It's been exactly 40 days passed since the interview. I was wondering if anyone been through same process before? I know the process does not have a fix time and it varies US consulate.

My question is, will that be helpful to involve my local congressman or senator in this situation? What rights do we have in order to get an update in our case status?

 

Thank you

did they keep your husband passport? and when does your medical expire