The dreaded DS-5535 thread for Montreal. Post here and support each other (split)

[Hello100 50]

3 minutes ago, ice-qube said:

Yeah i have nothing to go on here... not sure if they will actually wait until the DS-5535 is clear or do they ask for it at their leisure?

I wonder that too, and I also wonder what happens in the rare scenario that they approve and issue your Visa as your medical just expired, what happens then? For example, let's say they approve your Visa 3 days before your Medical expires, but you get your passport back in the mail 1 week later. Technically, your Visa was approved before the Medical expiration, but when you arrive at a Port of Entry, your Medical just expired. What happens then? Is the Visa more important in that case, or the Medical, or both? Also, would Administrative Processing loom once again just because of the Medical? Very complicated stuff!

[OceanWater 60]

No real update since February. I requested my passport be returned and have been in the US visiting since March. One day soon we all will be with our loved ones.

[Canada21 19]

9 minutes ago, JR90 said:

No real update since February. I requested my passport be returned and have been in the US visiting since March. One day soon we all will be with our loved ones.

The border did not give you any troubles? 

[OceanWater 60]

2 minutes ago, Canada21 said:

The border did not give you any troubles? 

Nope. Even told them I planned to stay until June or earlier if the visa is issued.

Edited April 6, 2022 by JR90

[Canada21 19]

3 minutes ago, JR90 said:

Nope. Even told them I planned to stay until June or earlier if the visa is issued.

That is nice. I am assuming you have an extensive travel history to the USA?

[OceanWater 60]

1 hour ago, Canada21 said:

That is nice. I am assuming you have an extensive travel history to the USA?

Yep, the only country I've traveled to outside of the UK in 2013 yet somehow triggered the DS-5535.

[Ontarkie 14,140]

16 hours ago, Hello100 said:

Why do you say there is no point, do you think that they will waste another 6 months and another Medical fee? 

WHen the medical expires you can only do another one when the Visa is ready to be issued and they tell you to get it done again. 

[BatmanFlow 481]

isnt it ironic that the DS 5535 is used to extreme vet individuals before they let them enter USA....but here we are, can get our passport back and enter USA for 6 months without much issue while we wait for them to process our DS5535 and do their extreme vetting.

 

Ah, what great immigration system

[ice-qube 648]

2 hours ago, BatmanFlow said:

isnt it ironic that the DS 5535 is used to extreme vet individuals before they let them enter USA....but here we are, can get our passport back and enter USA for 6 months without much issue while we wait for them to process our DS5535 and do their extreme vetting.

 

Ah, what great immigration system

It's freaking absurd. I have been struggling today with all this. Just feeling *angry* and no one really gets it. My wife certainly doesn't. 

[DS5535 135]

54 minutes ago, ice-qube said:

It's freaking absurd. I have been struggling today with all this. Just feeling *angry* and no one really gets it. My wife certainly doesn't. 

But you have to laugh at the irony of that. Haha, 

[ice-qube 648]

16 minutes ago, DS5535 said:

But you have to laugh at the irony of that. Haha, 

Lol yes!

[Ontarkie 14,140]

5 hours ago, BatmanFlow said:

isnt it ironic that the DS 5535 is used to extreme vet individuals before they let them enter USA....but here we are, can get our passport back and enter USA for 6 months without much issue while we wait for them to process our DS5535 and do their extreme vetting.

 

Ah, what great immigration system

Don't give them any ideas.

[Fna786 9]

In Feb of this year, we received an email from Montreal requesting updated DS 260, affidavit of support,  passport, police report,  medical etc

The original case status had said Refused because it was in administrative processing.

 

Well today we checked the case status and it's changed and has us concerned!

 

I already have my attorney working on an updated affidavit of support because my mom just passed away and she was the sponsor but now this message is concerning and it contradicts the email we received requesting the documents. 

 

We have been pretty confident since Feb thinking we finally got this if they're requesting the passport.

 

A little background...this is an old case that was originally refused but reinstated, changed embassies,  got hardship waiver approved now finally wrapping things up. 🙏🏼

 

Anyone know what this message means???

 

[Red rocks 4]

You guys want to start posting on the Consulate's FB page telling them to clear the DS5535 backlog. It works sometimes when multiple people start commenting and complaining. Doesn't seem like they have approved anyone in a long time. 

Edited April 7, 2022 by SN-2022

[A.Jon.Satko 10]

I see there are tons of people all experiencing the similar issues.

 

My husband had his interview yesterday and got the DS-5535 e-mail. We filled it out and set it back a couple hours later.

 

Our issue is he travels A LOT for business to countries around the world (but none would be on a "security issue" list). But, we do know now the exact dates or how long he was in each country. We gave as much information as we could.

 

They have his passport and now we are in limbo. He needs his passport to get back to work (travel industry, not an engineer or other high-tech field).

 

He's 55, we've been married 10 years and together for a total of 20.

 

Any idea how long it might take to be resolved?