The dreaded DS-5535 thread for Montreal. Post here and support each other (PART 2)

[ice-qube 648]

2 hours ago, Throwitaway1988 said:

In my opinion, once you file you’ll regret you waited so long.

I can guarantee that I will not drop to my knees and thank the government for forcing me to spend $7,000 CAD to file a lawsuit, so not exactly...

[EB_Stuck 47]

45 minutes ago, ohmygod said:

Have you crossed the border? Where did you cross? What additional information is required for border crossing?

 

 

Yes, we crossed the border in May 2022. We took the trip to Niagara Falls and visited family to activate our immigrant visas.  Just take your returned package from the embassy plus your passports with stamped visas at minimum. Refer to below link for moving your stuff to USA: https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-107?language=en_US

 

Good luck!

[jgauthi242 35]

Consulate requested passport two weeks after lawsuit filed! "AP is now complete".

 

Note that my wife had three visas in past seven years, which they had done AP on every time, usually taking around 6 weeks (very close to the 45 days mentioned by others who filed lawsuits).

 

With regards to DV priority, even though it's third tier, you're right that it's prioritized over immediate relative when it gets close to September 30. We know there's an immediate relative backlog, yet monthly visa issuance statistics for last several months show thousands of DVs being issued.

 

For those on the fence about whether to file lawsuits, now that September 30 is passed, you may consider waiting a little longer (e.g., end of October) to see if it's necessary. But, I still truly believe the only reason they looked at our case and approved it is because we sued them 10 days ago.

Edited October 5, 2022 by jgauthi242
Clarify

[Mmk2112 34]

4 minutes ago, jgauthi242 said:

Consulate requested passport two weeks after lawsuit filed! "AP is now complete".

 

Note that my wife had three visas in past seven years, which they had done AP on every time, usually taking around 6 weeks (very close to the 45 days mentioned by others who filed lawsuits).

 

With regards to DV priority, even though it's third tier, you're right that it's prioritized over immediate relative when it gets close to September 30. We know there's an immediate relative backlog, yet monthly visa issuance statistics for last several months show thousands of DVs being issued.

 

For those on the fence about whether to file lawsuits, now that September 30 is passed, you may consider waiting a little longer to see if it's necessary. But, I still truly believe the only reason they looked at our case and approved it is because we sued them 10 days ago.

Great news. Congratulations

[BatmanFlow 481]

19 minutes ago, jgauthi242 said:

Consulate requested passport two weeks after lawsuit filed! "AP is now complete".

 

Note that my wife had three visas in past seven years, which they had done AP on every time, usually taking around 6 weeks (very close to the 45 days mentioned by others who filed lawsuits).

 

With regards to DV priority, even though it's third tier, you're right that it's prioritized over immediate relative when it gets close to September 30. We know there's an immediate relative backlog, yet monthly visa issuance statistics for last several months show thousands of DVs being issued.

 

For those on the fence about whether to file lawsuits, now that September 30 is passed, you may consider waiting a little longer (e.g., end of October) to see if it's necessary. But, I still truly believe the only reason they looked at our case and approved it is because we sued them 10 days ago.

Which firm did you use? 
And congrats! 

[Siarg 72]

16 hours ago, ice-qube said:

I can guarantee that I will not drop to my knees and thank the government for forcing me to spend $7,000 CAD to file a lawsuit, so not exactly...

Not that you're thanking the government for forcing you, it's that you have spent 12 months in total agony. Stressing, fretting, researching and discussing how awful it is. In my opinion, if it's at all possible, the money is worth it to me to not have to worry any more. I was depressed, stressed, anxious, having difficulty sleeping, obsessing and being distracted at work, unable to function properly. I had multiple near-breakdowns and serious issues handling the anxiety of not knowing what my future held and the inability to have structure or planning for my future really got to me.

 

For me, the money was a lot to spend as well (and I paid a cheap lawyer and then a normal priced lawer), it was painful, but I worked hard for it and still think of it as money well-spent. The feeling of relief has completely turned things around for me. I'm optimistic and hopeful, and no longer struggling through every day. Maybe after a year, you've already gotten to that point, and knowing that its a marriage visa; you know eventually they'll get to it. 

 

I think spending ~$7k CAD to finally be with your wife, and not being emotionally fried every day is worth it. 

 

That being said, it doesn't change the frustration I feel towards the immigration system, the process they put us through and the issues that are causing it to happen to all of us in the first place. I don't feel thankful that it's pay-to-win, I personally hate it. The reality is that there is no way for us to contact DOS, and the consulate isn't the hold up. Senators and Congress contacting the consulate doesn't help because these are not waiting on the consulate, they're waiting on DOS. You will be waiting until they catch up and figure it out, or you can file a lawsuit and have it over pretty quickly. Mine was 7 days, and jgauthi was 10 days. It's up to you.

 

 

Edited October 5, 2022 by Siarg
grammar

[jandeep7519 0]

2 hours ago, jgauthi242 said:

Consulate requested passport two weeks after lawsuit filed! "AP is now complete".

 

Note that my wife had three visas in past seven years, which they had done AP on every time, usually taking around 6 weeks (very close to the 45 days mentioned by others who filed lawsuits).

 

With regards to DV priority, even though it's third tier, you're right that it's prioritized over immediate relative when it gets close to September 30. We know there's an immediate relative backlog, yet monthly visa issuance statistics for last several months show thousands of DVs being issued.

 

For those on the fence about whether to file lawsuits, now that September 30 is passed, you may consider waiting a little longer (e.g., end of October) to see if it's necessary. But, I still truly believe the only reason they looked at our case and approved it is because we sued them 10 days ago.

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS! Very happy for you and your wife. 

 

When did you submit your passport? They requested my husbands passport as well and it was delivered through their courier service on Sept.14, however the consulate is saying they haven't received it yet! We have emailed them with the tracking information to show it was infact delivered but haven't heard back from the consulate. 

 

Not sure if we should wait at this point or hire a lawyer.

[Siarg 72]

If you already have the passport submission, you’re very close to being issued, a lawyer would be a waste of money at this point - just be patient, they take a while to process documents (their delivery place is separate from the actual consulate)

10 minutes ago, jandeep7519 said:

Not sure if we should wait at this point or hire a lawyer.

 

[jandeep7519 0]

22 minutes ago, Siarg said:

If you already have the passport submission, you’re very close to being issued, a lawyer would be a waste of money at this point - just be patient, they take a while to process documents (their delivery place is separate from the actual consulate)

 

Issue is my husbands Police Clearance Certificate expires Oct. 9th. Seems like another delay is inevitable. 

Edited October 5, 2022 by jandeep7519

[BatmanFlow 481]

23 minutes ago, jandeep7519 said:

Issue is my husbands Police Clearance Certificate expires Oct. 9th. Seems like another delay is inevitable. 

police certs are good for two years, not sure how long youve been in this limbo

[jandeep7519 0]

13 minutes ago, BatmanFlow said:

police certs are good for two years, not sure how long youve been in this limbo

Too long! It was issued in 2020. Our interview was Oct. 25th 2021.

I am @deep2ca wife, btw 🙂

 

[ConsistentCut 17]

Had interview this morning and got DS5535ed. Worst fear, now realized. The two family visa guys before me got them too. They kept my passport. Other guy got his back. He didn't even know such a thing was possible and was shocked when I explained it to him. Awesome. Here's to at least 2 more months waiting and another $7k in expenses!

Edited October 5, 2022 by ConsistentCut

[BatmanFlow 481]

1 hour ago, jandeep7519 said:

Too long! It was issued in 2020. Our interview was Oct. 25th 2021.

I am @deep2ca wife, btw 🙂

 

Oh wow

 

i think your guys case is the only one that moved from October without a WOM being filed 

[BatmanFlow 481]

17 minutes ago, ConsistentCut said:

Had interview this morning and got DS5535ed. Worst fear, now realized. The two family visa guys before me got them too. They kept my passport. Other guy got his back. He didn't even know such a thing was possible and was shocked when I explained it to him. Awesome. Here's to at least 2 more months waiting and another $7k in expenses!

2 months??? That’s on the very optimistic side. 
 

lawyers suggest to wait 4 months at least before WOM filing. 
 

but here’s hoping for you that it’s a very short stay and no WOM is needed 

[ConsistentCut 17]

10 minutes ago, BatmanFlow said:

2 months??? That’s on the very optimistic side. 
 

lawyers suggest to wait 4 months at least before WOM filing. 
 

but here’s hoping for you that it’s a very short stay and no WOM is needed 

AT LEAST 2 more months