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

[BatmanFlow 481]

23 minutes ago, Tikitch said:

Hey everyone, I applied for a spousal immigrant visa around a year ago. Had my interview on October 14th and the offer said my visa was approved and that I would receive my passport back in under 10 days. 3 hours later, I receive an email saying im in administrative processing and that I have to fill out the DS535 form. I've filled it out and submitted it on October 17th. I checked the status of my visa and it says refused and case updated on October 31st.

 

They still have my passport and I have work trips to do next month. What do I? What happens if I ask them back for my passport? anyone knows how to do it and how long it takes to get it back?

Ive read so many horrifying stories in this thread and part 1, I'm so anxious. Obviously we know if someone finds this group then it's because theyre going through this, but Im so concerned. Anyone knows of people in AP and that actually heard back in 2 months and under like they say it usually takes? 

Thanks!

5535 can take anywhere from 60 days to god knows how long. some have been in it for 13+ months already. my mom was in it for 12 months and we are still waiting for visa as they asked for more information.

you can email them and ask for passport back. the email was given a few pages back. they will send the passport back and once they are done with 5535, they will ask for your passport back

[Tikitch 21]

1 minute ago, BatmanFlow said:

5535 can take anywhere from 60 days to god knows how long. some have been in it for 13+ months already. my mom was in it for 12 months and we are still waiting for visa as they asked for more information.

you can email them and ask for passport back. the email was given a few pages back. they will send the passport back and once they are done with 5535, they will ask for your passport back

My immigration lawyer advised me to not ask for my passport back. Does it delay the process to ask for it back? My lawyer seems to be convinced it will take up to 2months max, but after reading messages on the thread I'm for sure not I'm as optimistic. 

[BatmanFlow 481]

2 hours ago, Tikitch said:

My immigration lawyer advised me to not ask for my passport back. Does it delay the process to ask for it back? My lawyer seems to be convinced it will take up to 2months max, but after reading messages on the thread I'm for sure not I'm as optimistic. 

i am pretty sure your lawyer has zero idea how long this will take. every case is unique and lawyers cant really change that timeline unless you file a WOM and even then the government can ask for extensions, motion to dismiss, etc.

pretty sure asking for passport also has zero bearing on delays. we have people who have asked for passport back and got their cases processed before people who didnt ask their to be returned.

 

this process is pretty "your mileage may vary". Some are done within 60 days or less, and some cant see an end to this madness

[Tikitch 21]

1 minute ago, BatmanFlow said:

i am pretty sure your lawyer has zero idea how long this will take. every case is unique and lawyers cant really change that timeline unless you file a WOM and even then the government can ask for extensions, motion to dismiss, etc.

pretty sure asking for passport also has zero bearing on delays. we have people who have asked for passport back and got their cases processed before people who didnt ask their to be returned.

 

this process is pretty "your mileage may vary". Some are done within 60 days or less, and some cant see an end to this madness

I really appreciate your answers! So happy I found this thread! Thank you and good luck to everyone

[Rosinasaur 58]

On 11/21/2022 at 4:16 PM, candyg said:

Congrats!! BTW did they email you a tracking number, like a separate email after your status said issued? I haven't received a tracking number when they issued my visa 😕 I keep checking but there's nothing. 

 I got an email with the subject line "U.S. DoS Visa system return travel document shipment notice" from donotreply@usvisa-info.com . In the body of the email, it had the Purolator tracking number. I did select to have it delivered to my home address.
 

As far as I'm aware, CEAC switched to Issued on the same day I got that email.

[US2197 9]

Hello everyone,

 

How many days have you all waited once passport and medical get delivered?

 

[throwitaway 190]

8 hours ago, Tikitch said:

My immigration lawyer advised me to not ask for my passport back. Does it delay the process to ask for it back? My lawyer seems to be convinced it will take up to 2months max, but after reading messages on the thread I'm for sure not I'm as optimistic. 

No seasoned immigration lawyer in the field right now would ever say that Montreal of all places would take two months max, that’s just not the reputation it has. They don’t need your physical passport at all to background check you, it’s just for the printing, so I don’t see how it could delay your visa in any meaningful way (aside from the several days it will take to return it, print, and send it back to you). 

Edited November 23, 2022 by throwitaway

[throwitaway 190]

48 minutes ago, US2197 said:

Hello everyone,

 

How many days have you all waited once passport and medical get delivered?

 

It’s usually at least six weeks if I’m not mistaken, but with the holidays coming up they might be a bit faster. 

[Rosinasaur 58]

5 hours ago, US2197 said:

Hello everyone,

 

How many days have you all waited once passport and medical get delivered?

 

Mine was oddly fast. Medical and passport were delivered Nov 10th and I got my visa in hand on the 22nd.

[LAMA9 118]

5 hours ago, Rosinasaur said:

Mine was oddly fast. Medical and passport were delivered Nov 10th and I got my visa in hand on the 22nd.

I noticed that yesterday! You are very lucky!!

Edited November 23, 2022 by LAMA9

[MikeBr 11]

Hi All.  Looks like I join the ranks with all of you fine people.

 

Had my interview yesterday at Montreal Consulate.  It went relatively well.  Provided my original documents - marriage license, passport photo, birth certificate, police certificate and a copy of 2021 taxes.  She did what she needed with them and returned the originals back.  She kept my passport.

 

she also took my fingerprints too.

 

Second person asked me simple questions - who is your petitioner, where did you meet, what you like about your spouse, where you would live.  He was friendly.

 

He then said you have been randomly selected for additional processing.  Visa refused at moment.  Await email with questionnaire for completion.  Once completed send it back to the email it came with (and not to attach and corresponding documents, just answer the questions).

 

He then said would it be ok for them to hold onto my passport, so I said yes.

 

A few hours later I received email with questionnaire.  It was a DS-5355.  I now read unsettling stories about it.  I completed it and sent it back last evening.

 

I have seen stories where it can take up to 60 days to review, if not much longer!!!

 

this process has been long enough, but I have to remain optimistic.  I am a Canadian citizen with no concerning background.  

 

any insight on this matter would be greatly appreciated. I do have my Nexus which I referenced in the questionnaire, but not sure if that will help expedite the process.  
 

thanks 

[BatmanFlow 481]

28 minutes ago, MikeBr said:

 

Hi All.  Looks like I join the ranks with all of you fine people.

 

Had my interview yesterday at Montreal Consulate.  It went relatively well.  Provided my original documents - marriage license, passport photo, birth certificate, police certificate and a copy of 2021 taxes.  She did what she needed with them and returned the originals back.  She kept my passport.

 

she also took my fingerprints too.

 

Second person asked me simple questions - who is your petitioner, where did you meet, what you like about your spouse, where you would live.  He was friendly.

 

He then said you have been randomly selected for additional processing.  Visa refused at moment.  Await email with questionnaire for completion.  Once completed send it back to the email it came with (and not to attach and corresponding documents, just answer the questions).

 

He then said would it be ok for them to hold onto my passport, so I said yes.

 

A few hours later I received email with questionnaire.  It was a DS-5355.  I now read unsettling stories about it.  I completed it and sent it back last evening.

 

I have seen stories where it can take up to 60 days to review, if not much longer!!!

 

this process has been long enough, but I have to remain optimistic.  I am a Canadian citizen with no concerning background.  

 

any insight on this matter would be greatly appreciated. I do have my Nexus which I referenced in the questionnaire, but not sure if that will help expedite the process.  
 

thanks 

unfortunately no real insight, aside from pray for the best, but expect the worse.

 

after 4ish month you can file a WOM suit that can, maybe, help them speed up the review of your case. Costs about $5500K USD

[Jvisa 4]

Hi All,

 

I had my interview in August and officer kept my passport, he said email us your resume and 15 years history ,  I never received email for DS5535 but I emailed them my resume and all my history and then noticed they reopened my DS 260 in NVC and requesting document like i-864 EZ in NVC , I upload all document, but I never received response from them even Auto response email whenever email them ,so worried and I think they never received my emails and my documents, Does anyone else has the same experience why I am not receiving AOUT RESPONSE EMAIL ANYMORE please????????

 

this happening for you are they keeping your passport as well?

Edited November 24, 2022 by Jvisa

[throwitaway 190]

1 hour ago, Jvisa said:

Hi All,

 

I had my interview in August and officer kept my passport, he said email us your resume and 15 years history ,  I never received email for DS5535 but I emailed them my resume and all my history and then noticed they reopened my DS 260 in NVC and requesting document like i-864 EZ in NVC , I upload all document, but I never received response from them even Auto response email whenever email them ,so worried and I think they never received my emails and my documents, Does anyone else has the same experience why I am not receiving AOUT RESPONSE EMAIL ANYMORE please????????

 

this happening for you are they keeping your passport as well?

15 years history of what? 

[ice-qube 648]

2 hours ago, throwitaway said:

15 years history of what? 

Lol i think this person is talking about the DS-5535, which in fact asks for 15 years of travel history