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

[Krisara 29]

Hi @Outwest99,  Sorry this has happened to you.  I really feel for all those who would otherwise be approved but didn't have the medical in time.  It is astonishing and inexcusable the amount of time people who are just missing a simple document are waiting. 

Nothing is fair about this process.  You can see others timelines here:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L8T4Yp7oWm0imRrEOEES_28QicBY1DsKKvMmEGMVPd4/edit#gid=0

First - send a public inquiry asking them to check the system for your results and let them know what date it was sent and ask them for an ETA. 

https://ca.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/public-inquiry-form/

If that doesn't work you can reach out to your state Senator(s) or Congresspeople to inquire on your behalf - some members of this group have found success with that. 

 

I hope you hear back soon.

 

[NykahDeah 71]

13 hours ago, ice-qube said:

My wife was pretty harsh with me last night. It made me feel really like garbage. This forum isn't a counselling session, but it sure made me feel low.

Spouses make easy targets unfortunately... not counselling but still sending you some well wishes, if you need to vent.. can always DM.. totally understand the frustrations, promise I won't say just go there (since I also get the same "advice", lol). Waiting is not my strong suit but I hope you have a little faith that there is an end, even if none of us know when.

[Hamlet 122]

My passport has been delivered via Canada Post. Does the consulate  acknowledge that they received it? 

[NykahDeah 71]

2 minutes ago, Hamlet said:

My passport has been delivered via Canada Post. Does the consulate  acknowledge that they received it? 

You might get a case update sometime today, or an email from them. Also doesn't seem to be consistent in terms of communication but if CP said it's delivered then the courier service received it.

 

[BatmanFlow 481]

happy new week all, lets hope for some updates this week!

[Sean7 0]

Hi guys! I have a question since we are in the similar situation. The consular officer gave us 221g paper and also asked us to send them a missing document. She did not provide any instructions on how to send them the document except in the paper was mentioned to send the documents via mail. So we did mail it. But I have heard that we should also upload it on CEAC website. Is that true? Any help appreciated.

[Federico 147]

45 minutes ago, SeanSee said:

Hi guys! I have a question since we are in the similar situation. The consular officer gave us 221g paper and also asked us to send them a missing document. She did not provide any instructions on how to send them the document except in the paper was mentioned to send the documents via mail. So we did mail it. But I have heard that we should also upload it on CEAC website. Is that true? Any help appreciated.

Just follow paper instructions, in my case (DS5535) the letter said we should upload the required documents trough CEAC but the CO gave me a copy of the DS and told me fill out this form and mail it back. I didn’t upload it just did mail it as CO told me.

[NykahDeah 71]

So another day of checking CEAC religiously.. no changes.

 

But I did want to share my communication experience:

 

My husband did get a response to the inquiry through Congress, and they got Template #1 which they copied and pasted into a nice official looking template. So I agree with previous suspicions that requesting an update through congress or senate does not mean you'll get movement on the case.

 

The last 2 updates I've received (one direct to my email and this one through congress) have not generated case updates on the CEAC website. 

 

Hopefully this provides at least some information for anyone curious.

Template #1:

 

This case is currently under review with a consular officer. As soon as the review is complete, the Visa Unit will advise of the next steps if anything else is needed to complete processing the case. While we cannot predict when the processing of your visa will be completed, please be assured that the Consulate and the Department of State are aware of your concerns and will contact you as soon as the processing is complete.

 

Template #2:

This case is currently under review with a consular officer. As soon as the review is complete, the Visa Unit will advise of the next steps if anything else is needed to complete processing the case.

 

We realize that these extended time periods cause frustration to many individuals, and we are sensitive to the fact that the purpose of the immigrant visa program is to facilitate legitimate travel to the U.S. Nonetheless, the Consulate in Montreal, like all U.S. Embassies and Consulates, must adjudicate visas in accordance with the provisions of the law, and, in some cases, this involves extensive consular review and administrative processing. 

 

While we cannot predict when the processing of your visa will be completed, please be assured that the Consulate and the Department of State are aware of your concerns and will contact you as soon as the processing is complete.

 

Slight different wording from the Congress email (Says it will be rather than currently under review):

The case will be reviewed by a consular officer. As soon as the review is complete, the Visa Unit will advise of the next steps if anything else is needed to complete processing the case

 

 

 

 

[Sharma Ali 36]

48 minutes ago, NykahDeah said:

So another day of checking CEAC religiously.. no changes.

 

But I did want to share my communication experience:

 

My husband did get a response to the inquiry through Congress, and they got Template #1 which they copied and pasted into a nice official looking template. So I agree with previous suspicions that requesting an update through congress or senate does not mean you'll get movement on the case.

 

The last 2 updates I've received (one direct to my email and this one through congress) have not generated case updates on the CEAC website. 

 

Hopefully this provides at least some information for anyone curious.

Template #1:

 

This case is currently under review with a consular officer. As soon as the review is complete, the Visa Unit will advise of the next steps if anything else is needed to complete processing the case. While we cannot predict when the processing of your visa will be completed, please be assured that the Consulate and the Department of State are aware of your concerns and will contact you as soon as the processing is complete.

 

Template #2:

This case is currently under review with a consular officer. As soon as the review is complete, the Visa Unit will advise of the next steps if anything else is needed to complete processing the case.

 

We realize that these extended time periods cause frustration to many individuals, and we are sensitive to the fact that the purpose of the immigrant visa program is to facilitate legitimate travel to the U.S. Nonetheless, the Consulate in Montreal, like all U.S. Embassies and Consulates, must adjudicate visas in accordance with the provisions of the law, and, in some cases, this involves extensive consular review and administrative processing. 

 

While we cannot predict when the processing of your visa will be completed, please be assured that the Consulate and the Department of State are aware of your concerns and will contact you as soon as the processing is complete.

 

Slight different wording from the Congress email (Says it will be rather than currently under review):

The case will be reviewed by a consular officer. As soon as the review is complete, the Visa Unit will advise of the next steps if anything else is needed to complete processing the case

 

 

 

 

I had a similar experience and was wondering wether this was specific to me. The Senator was given the same template answer. 

[Redie 124]

3 hours ago, NykahDeah said:

So another day of checking CEAC religiously.. no changes.

 

But I did want to share my communication experience:

 

My husband did get a response to the inquiry through Congress, and they got Template #1 which they copied and pasted into a nice official looking template. So I agree with previous suspicions that requesting an update through congress or senate does not mean you'll get movement on the case.

 

The last 2 updates I've received (one direct to my email and this one through congress) have not generated case updates on the CEAC website. 

 

Hopefully this provides at least some information for anyone curious.

Template #1:

 

This case is currently under review with a consular officer. As soon as the review is complete, the Visa Unit will advise of the next steps if anything else is needed to complete processing the case. While we cannot predict when the processing of your visa will be completed, please be assured that the Consulate and the Department of State are aware of your concerns and will contact you as soon as the processing is complete.

 

Template #2:

This case is currently under review with a consular officer. As soon as the review is complete, the Visa Unit will advise of the next steps if anything else is needed to complete processing the case.

 

We realize that these extended time periods cause frustration to many individuals, and we are sensitive to the fact that the purpose of the immigrant visa program is to facilitate legitimate travel to the U.S. Nonetheless, the Consulate in Montreal, like all U.S. Embassies and Consulates, must adjudicate visas in accordance with the provisions of the law, and, in some cases, this involves extensive consular review and administrative processing. 

 

While we cannot predict when the processing of your visa will be completed, please be assured that the Consulate and the Department of State are aware of your concerns and will contact you as soon as the processing is complete.

 

Slight different wording from the Congress email (Says it will be rather than currently under review):

The case will be reviewed by a consular officer. As soon as the review is complete, the Visa Unit will advise of the next steps if anything else is needed to complete processing the case

 

 

 

 

I had the exact same experience!

[DS5535 135]

On 1/17/2022 at 5:22 PM, Hamlet said:

Wives will be wives….. no offence ladies 🙃 

I always find that flower delivery with a note always helps. Especially when you send it to their work or school so then other girls get to see how sweet their loved one is. 
 

 

Yea man, inflation is like 150% in Canada. A Chocolate bar is like 9 dollars now. Screw flowers 

[ice-qube 648]

26 minutes ago, DS5535 said:

Yea man, inflation is like 150% in Canada. A Chocolate bar is like 9 dollars now. Screw flowers 

lmao😂

[ice-qube 648]

14 hours ago, NykahDeah said:

Spouses make easy targets unfortunately... not counselling but still sending you some well wishes, if you need to vent.. can always DM.. totally understand the frustrations, promise I won't say just go there (since I also get the same "advice", lol). Waiting is not my strong suit but I hope you have a little faith that there is an end, even if none of us know when.

Thank you so much for that Nykah, you are very kind.

[NykahDeah 71]

8 hours ago, DS5535 said:

Yea man, inflation is like 150% in Canada. A Chocolate bar is like 9 dollars now. Screw flowers 

I think flowers are cheaper than chocolate these days. You can still find flowers for free  but now you can’t even get a sample of chocolate at Costco. 

[ice-qube 648]

1 hour ago, NykahDeah said:

I think flowers are cheaper than chocolate these days. You can still find flowers for free  but now you can’t even get a sample of chocolate at Costco. 

And I think I would sooner go play in traffic on a busy highway than go to Costco…😂