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

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

1 minute ago, A.Jon.Satko said:

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?

Sorry, you have had to join this thread. No one knows how long it can take. The fastest has been 45 days, but people are waiting 190 days and counting…. 
 

If your husband needs the passport for work, I recommend he request his passport back. They will return it, and ask for it when the DS-5535 issue is resolved.

 

For a better idea of timelines, refer to @Danii’s spreadsheet, which you can find in her signature (only on PC, not visible on phone browser).

[ice-qube 649]

1 hour ago, SN-2022 said:

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. 

By all means you can try it, and perhaps I am too skeptical of a person, but I sadly doubt it will make any difference. Those of us long-haulers in here have been emailing the consulate for months, getting congresspeople's offices involved, etc., none of that seems to make any difference. I believe the pressure would have to come from the top of the bureaucracy or even the political level; the immigration system, much less the consulate, is not set up to be responsive to the "customers."

[ice-qube 649]

On 4/6/2022 at 1:49 PM, JR90 said:

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

This actually seems bizarre that they were ok with that, according to their own rules.

[Ontarkie 14,226]

1 hour ago, SN-2022 said:

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. 

No need to post on FB Montreal has made it real clear over the years they read VJ. 

[ice-qube 649]

2 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

No need to post on FB Montreal has made it real clear over the years they read VJ. 

Yeah, and quite frankly they probably read it so they can see if people are being shady, not for customer service improvement!

[Ontarkie 14,226]

1 minute ago, ice-qube said:

Yeah, and quite frankly they probably read it so they can see if people are being shady, not for customer service improvement!

I 100% agree with you about that.

[ice-qube 649]

3 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

I 100% agree with you about that.

I have done everything above board, I even gave them my VJ handle because I didn't want to leave anything out. Alas. I have been rewarded with... this.

[Ontarkie 14,226]

2 hours ago, ice-qube said:

I have done everything above board, I even gave them my VJ handle because I didn't want to leave anything out. Alas. I have been rewarded with... this.

It really makes no sense. I wish they would be open and tell everyone why they are doing this. 

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

2 hours ago, Ontarkie said:

No need to post on FB Montreal has made it real clear over the years they read VJ. 

Curious - how did this become apparent?

[Ontarkie 14,226]

27 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Curious - how did this become apparent?

Over the years CO's have made comments that they knew the person's VJ user name and how all the members on VJ always assembled their folder the same way. 

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

34 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

Over the years CO's have made comments that they knew the person's VJ user name and how all the members on VJ always assembled their folder the same way. 

Woah 🤯 

Edited April 7, 2022 by From_CAN_2_US

[Ontarkie 14,226]

10 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Woah 🤯 

It's not just Montreal that has said they do. I've seen a few other members mention there country too. Just can't remember them.

[ohmygod 60]

14 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

It's not just Montreal that has said they do. I've seen a few other members mention there country too. Just can't remember them.

I remember someone saying that Dr. Mascarenhas office in Toronto had trouble submitting the 2nd medical. Has that been resolved?

[Danii 312]

On 4/6/2022 at 8:48 PM, Fna786 said:

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???

 

Seen this a few times when a case has been at NVC for a while. Just call NVC to have them take care of this, they'll normally revert it back to the previous status

[Fna786 9]

30 minutes ago, Danii said:

Seen this a few times when a case has been at NVC for a while. Just call NVC to have them take care of this, they'll normally revert it back to the previous status

Our attorney is going to send email. But it's weird because we just received an email in end of January to send everything