part IV, the big IR1/CR1 DQ'd message group...

[harshshah 15]

 w

Edited November 9, 2021 by harshshah

[CanadianJeff 22]

7 minutes ago, harshshah said:

 Sorry to ask stupid ques, but how do I get to this page? I had my interview yesterday and want to know status.

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?App=IV

 

That's the address for checking your status

[harshshah 15]

APPROVED!!!

 

DQ Jan 16 2021

 

Had my interview yesterday at 8.15 AM. It was a smooth process with lot of waiting as everyone said. 

 

Got there at 8.05 for 8.15 interview. When through security and up the elevator and was told to go to Window 6.

 

Submitted my passport and passport size picture. She kept it and got a number and had to wait for my turn. 

 

After waiting for about an hour was called to window 8. Confirmed my name and address. Asked for fingerprint and to submit the original PC, marriage cert and tax docs. Then asked to wait

 

After waiting for another hour got called on window 2 for actual interview. She swore me in and did the fingerprint again and got asked bunch of routine question

 1. Tell me about ur spouse

2. what do u do

3. what does she do

4. Where do i intend to live

5. have i ever been refused for a visa - I was in 2011 for visitor visa - didn't seem to be a big deal

6. there was an anomaly in my middle name - seemed like a no big deal

7. Asked if i had any other document for marriage. I had marriage license, She took it and made a copy

8.  Where have I lived ? Have I traveled anywhere in last years?

9. Did u read the domestic Violence  doc? Any ques?

 

She said I am waiting for some system check but it should be find and I intend to approve ur visa

 

Looked like they are having some system issues. As she was putting info in it looked like there was something wrong on the computer. 

 

 

[ME_RHEDZ77 269]

45 minutes ago, harshshah said:

APPROVED!!!

 

DQ Jan 16 2021

 

Had my interview yesterday at 8.15 AM. It was a smooth process with lot of waiting as everyone said. 

 

Got there at 8.05 for 8.15 interview. When through security and up the elevator and was told to go to Window 6.

 

Submitted my passport and passport size picture. She kept it and got a number and had to wait for my turn. 

 

After waiting for about an hour was called to window 8. Confirmed my name and address. Asked for fingerprint and to submit the original PC, marriage cert and tax docs. Then asked to wait

 

After waiting for another hour got called on window 2 for actual interview. She swore me in and did the fingerprint again and got asked bunch of routine question

 1. Tell me about ur spouse

2. what do u do

3. what does she do

4. Where do i intend to live

5. have i ever been refused for a visa - I was in 2011 for visitor visa - didn't seem to be a big deal

6. there was an anomaly in my middle name - seemed like a no big deal

7. Asked if i had any other document for marriage. I had marriage license, She took it and made a copy

8.  Where have I lived ? Have I traveled anywhere in last years?

9. Did u read the domestic Violence  doc? Any ques?

 

She said I am waiting for some system check but it should be find and I intend to approve ur visa

 

Looked like they are having some system issues. As she was putting info in it looked like there was something wrong on the computer. 

 

 

Congratulations!

[DGF 730]

22 hours ago, mam521 said:

At the rate we're going, we're going to have to add a page to the FAQ's for the 5535.  I know there is a lot of information that needs to be gathered...might be worth it so people waiting for the dreaded form to arrive can begin preparations.  Unfortunately, I cannot provide any experience on what it asks because I was not "gifted" it.  

Agree, I added a placeholder question about it a few days ago, just waiting for people to go through the process so we have some actual answers. 

[katcat29 28]

20 hours ago, katcat29 said:

Hi everyone,

I have been a long time viewer of this thread, just recently joined because I have a question and am hoping someone has some advice.

I did my IR1 interview in Montreal on Monday October 25. I was approved at the interview. Since then, I've been checking the CEAC  tracker, and it has only ever said 'Ready'. The case also has not been touched in over a week, since October 29, 2021.

Over the weekend, I sent an email to the Consulate (even though I know they probably won't get back to me, or just tell me to check the tracker). 

Has this ever happened to anyone? I know they say you have to wait 2-3 weeks for your passport back, but it is so absolutely discouraging to see people who interviewed a full week after you, get their passports already, and my status hasn't even changed once! Really hoping to hear positive advice... Thank you!

 

Has this not happened to anyone? Any insight?  

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

21 minutes ago, katcat29 said:

Has this not happened to anyone? Any insight?  

Considering it has not crossed 3 weeks since the interview, I wouldn't worry. The passport will arrive.

 

This has happened to many before. More recently, I remember @katelynns.

 

You can find their updates if you scroll back on this thread and the previous.

 

I remember reading that they dispatch passports on Fridays, so yours might be dispatched on Nov 12.

Edited November 9, 2021 by From_CAN_2_US

[opallynn 30]

I stayed at a hotel about a 35 minute walk from the embassy. Are there any lockers near the embassy to store my phone and stuff, or is it 100% best to leave them at the hotel? I like to take pictures while I'm walking, and listen to music, but it's more of a First World Problem. Interview's tomorrow morning!!

[CanadianJeff 22]

25 minutes ago, katcat29 said:

Has this not happened to anyone? Any insight?  

Given that you haven't seen any movement for awhile it may be worth emailing the consulate. It seems that a few of us are experiencing unexpected delays. I wonder if it's because they hired new staff and have recently increased the number of interviews they are doing. I can't help but imagine my application sitting in a random forgotten pile somewhere. In my mind, emailing them should at least prompt someone to make sure the application is still being processed. I wouldn't expect much from their reply beyond "we are working on it", "we understand the frustration", and " every application takes a different amount of time" but it still made me feel better to see a reply of sorts.

 

If you want to email:

Email: Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov
Use a Topic line that includes your case number and name, something like : MTL######## -- LAST NAME, GIVEN NAMES
 

[CanadianJeff 22]

3 minutes ago, AMooseInTheHoose said:

I stayed at a hotel about a 35 minute walk from the embassy. Are there any lockers near the embassy to store my phone and stuff, or is it 100% best to leave them at the hotel? I like to take pictures while I'm walking, and listen to music, but it's more of a First World Problem. Interview's tomorrow morning!!

they have a post box size locker (locks with a key) where you can store your phone and small items. No issues taking your phone and headphones, you'll just need to lock it up. When I was there there did not seem to be any lack of lockers available for people. The FAQ suggested people have had issues getting a locker in the past, but they probably let more people into the waiting area before COVID.

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

7 minutes ago, AMooseInTheHoose said:

I stayed at a hotel about a 35 minute walk from the embassy. Are there any lockers near the embassy to store my phone and stuff, or is it 100% best to leave them at the hotel? I like to take pictures while I'm walking, and listen to music, but it's more of a First World Problem. Interview's tomorrow morning!!

Feel free to take your phone. They provide a locker to stow away your phone before you enter, and they are perfectly safe.

[opallynn 30]

Just now, CanadianJeff said:

they have a post box size locker (locks with a key) where you can store your phone and small items. No issues taking your phone and headphones, you'll just need to lock it up. When I was there there did not seem to be any lack of lockers available for people. The FAQ suggested people have had issues getting a locker in the past, but they probably let more people into the waiting area before COVID.

Thank you! The embassy site said they had no storage area at all, so I was getting concerned about having to walk around in a strange city without my phone being handy.

[katcat29 28]

19 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Considering it has not crossed 3 weeks since the interview, I wouldn't worry. The passport will arrive.

 

This has happened to many before. More recently, I remember @katelynns.

 

You can find their updates if you scroll back on this thread and the previous.

 

I remember reading that they dispatch passports on Fridays, so yours might be dispatched on Nov 12.

Yes I read their updates. Seems they got movement after about a week. 

 

If they are to hit the 3 week mark with me, then yes it would hopefully be issued this Friday, however, I am slowly losing hope and am extremely discouraged. 

 

Thanks for the response, it's appreciated.

[katcat29 28]

5 minutes ago, CanadianJeff said:

Given that you haven't seen any movement for awhile it may be worth emailing the consulate. It seems that a few of us are experiencing unexpected delays. I wonder if it's because they hired new staff and have recently increased the number of interviews they are doing. I can't help but imagine my application sitting in a random forgotten pile somewhere. In my mind, emailing them should at least prompt someone to make sure the application is still being processed. I wouldn't expect much from their reply beyond "we are working on it", "we understand the frustration", and " every application takes a different amount of time" but it still made me feel better to see a reply of sorts.

 

If you want to email:

Email: Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov
Use a Topic line that includes your case number and name, something like : MTL######## -- LAST NAME, GIVEN NAMES
 

Thank you for validating my concern. I saw you went through something similar. I too, have the same thought that my case has been forgotten in a pile. 

I did email them over the weekend, and then noticed the subject line should have case number and name, which I didn't initially include, so I replied to the same email with a change in subject line. I think I would be put at ease if they do email me back. Even if it is a generic response, I know that they would have physically looked at my case number and potentially get something going. 

 

How long did it take for you to receive a response via email from the consulate? 

 

I have my spouse on standby to see if we need to contact the gov't rep/senator, etc. to get involved if it does hit the 3 week mark. 

 

[CanadianJeff 22]

12 minutes ago, katcat29 said:

How long did it take for you to receive a response via email from the consulate? 

 

I have my spouse on standby to see if we need to contact the gov't rep/senator, etc. to get involved if it does hit the 3 week mark. 

 

Reply time varied from 1 to 7 business days (so about 9 days in total with a weekend in the middle).

 

Our senator's office was quite receptive to enquiring on our behalf. Their website even has a page that talks about having the senator's office help citizens navigate the red tape of government agencies so it must be a relatively routine thing they get involved with.