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

[Siarg 72]

39 minutes ago, ice-qube said:

It is worth stating, I am a chump. I selected Hacking as they have a good name on this forum and were generally more responsive than Goldstein was in the exploration phase. Now, since actually retaining them in November I have never heard from a lawyer, I just get handled by the paralegal who usually tells me "contact the consulate." I am not very happy about it.

I’ve seen it with all of the recommended ones, however you should be coming up to a response time soon, no? 
 

Usually it’s 60 days to respond, and the reason these law firms can be hands off is because the government lawyers usually just settle it before they have to argue against it (leading to a voluntary dismissal). 
 

There was a period where they were requesting more time for another 20-30 days, but that seems to have passed now. 
 

The paralegal telling you to contact the consulate is just a palming off technique to feel like you’re doing something, they know that no amount of contacting will change the case. 

[likethefox 3]

We filed a WOM with Hacking Immigration Law in late October after being given the DS 5535 on July 14 (DS 5535 came one day after my interview in Montreal).  The initial 60 day deadline was December 27... however, as expected from other reports and stories, the department of state filed a 30 day extension request on December 20 (new deadline of January 26)

 

CEAC hadn't updated since July but we've recently had updates on December 28, January 5, and now today, Jan 9.  Also today, the consulate requested a new medical and two new passport photos (my 1st medical expired like 3 weeks ago... argh!)

 

I'm wondering if anyone has a recent experience or an estimate of a timeline for visa approval AFTER the second medical is sent to the consulate.  The second medical appears to be the last hurdle before in the consular officer's words they can "finalize processing" of the visa.  

 

Thanks in advance! 

[BatmanFlow 481]

1 hour ago, likethefox said:

We filed a WOM with Hacking Immigration Law in late October after being given the DS 5535 on July 14 (DS 5535 came one day after my interview in Montreal).  The initial 60 day deadline was December 27... however, as expected from other reports and stories, the department of state filed a 30 day extension request on December 20 (new deadline of January 26)

 

CEAC hadn't updated since July but we've recently had updates on December 28, January 5, and now today, Jan 9.  Also today, the consulate requested a new medical and two new passport photos (my 1st medical expired like 3 weeks ago... argh!)

 

I'm wondering if anyone has a recent experience or an estimate of a timeline for visa approval AFTER the second medical is sent to the consulate.  The second medical appears to be the last hurdle before in the consular officer's words they can "finalize processing" of the visa.  

 

Thanks in advance! 

about 4-5 weeks once they get your medical, and the passport photos

[throwitaway 190]

2 hours ago, likethefox said:

We filed a WOM with Hacking Immigration Law in late October after being given the DS 5535 on July 14 (DS 5535 came one day after my interview in Montreal).  The initial 60 day deadline was December 27... however, as expected from other reports and stories, the department of state filed a 30 day extension request on December 20 (new deadline of January 26)

 

CEAC hadn't updated since July but we've recently had updates on December 28, January 5, and now today, Jan 9.  Also today, the consulate requested a new medical and two new passport photos (my 1st medical expired like 3 weeks ago... argh!)

 

I'm wondering if anyone has a recent experience or an estimate of a timeline for visa approval AFTER the second medical is sent to the consulate.  The second medical appears to be the last hurdle before in the consular officer's words they can "finalize processing" of the visa.  

 

Thanks in advance! 

Get those in ASAP, they’ll want to issue it before Jan 26 so you‘ll withdraw the suit. 

[throwitaway 190]

20 hours ago, Gha said:

Hi

I am looking for any one same experience.I have received questionsair mail after 2 month but in the mail no metion it’s 5535 

just metion in the mail just metion we need some more information to processing your case

Thank you 

 

Same experience in what way? If you received a questionnaire about 15 years of history, that’s what is being referred to here as 5535, which is the experience of almost everyone on this thread. 

[throwitaway 190]

8 hours ago, PZibran325 said:

In similar boat as you except our interview was a month after yours in July of 2022. I hope this is the month for us

Did you end up filing WoM? 

[throwitaway 190]

On 1/8/2023 at 6:24 PM, familyapart said:

Hi all-

 

I’m looking for anyone in a similar situation. My husband was denied at his interview in June of 2022 at the Consulate in Montreal. We received the dreaded ds5535 and submitted just days after our interview. Our case is still reading as refused and in administrative processing. We are so frustrated and overwhelmingly exhausted. My husband is separated from our children and we living apart. Looking for hope!

We interviewed in June as well, we had to sue to get things moving. It was just so awful being stuck. I’m sorry your family is going through this. 

[familyapart 0]

8 minutes ago, throwitaway said:

We interviewed in June as well, we had to sue to get things moving. It was just so awful being stuck. I’m sorry your family is going through this. 

Have you had any updates since filing the lawsuit? 

[throwitaway 190]

1 minute ago, familyapart said:

Have you had any updates since filing the lawsuit? 

We were issued already, back in September.

[Jvisa 4]

19 hours ago, throwitaway said:

We were issued already, back in September.

Could you please let me know who was your lawyer as I want to do WOM and I do not know how to start .

[Tikitch 21]

Hey guys!

 

I was reading through some of the newer posts, and someone mentioned we shouldn't have any attachment to the DS5525 email. Ive travelled extensively for the past 15 years so it's impossible to add those in one email. I attached an excel file with all my travel records. Im freaking out now.

 

Any advice on what to do? Will this be a problem? 

 

This visa process will seriously be the end of me..

 

[throwitaway 190]

13 minutes ago, Tikitch said:

Hey guys!

 

I was reading through some of the newer posts, and someone mentioned we shouldn't have any attachment to the DS5525 email. Ive travelled extensively for the past 15 years so it's impossible to add those in one email. I attached an excel file with all my travel records. Im freaking out now.

 

Any advice on what to do? Will this be a problem? 

 

This visa process will seriously be the end of me..

 

I get the feeling DOS would be hesitant to open an excel file in an email. But if there were an issue I also think they would have told you by now to re-do. If it’s really bothering you, maybe send them an email asking if the 5535 response was acceptable? At least this way you’re getting ahead of a possible “please re-send your response without attachments” months later. If it helps, I know people who have sent in 5535 with errors (like not listing all previous passport numbers) and they were notified immediately to re-do. 

[Tikitch 21]

8 minutes ago, throwitaway said:

I get the feeling DOS would be hesitant to open an excel file in an email. But if there were an issue I also think they would have told you by now to re-do. If it’s really bothering you, maybe send them an email asking if the 5535 response was acceptable? At least this way you’re getting ahead of a possible “please re-send your response without attachments” months later. If it helps, I know people who have sent in 5535 with errors (like not listing all previous passport numbers) and they were notified immediately to re-do. 

Yikes. Will email them right away! Thank you! It's been 3 months since my interview, and my case has only been updated when I asked for my passport back from them. So not even sure anyone has started working on my file

[AnimeLover89 2]

Ok guys just wanna update that my CEAC status is literally updating every single day now since the 6th. I have been seeing a date change everyday. Can someone tell what this exactly means?

[LAMA9 118]

6 hours ago, Tikitch said:

Hey guys!

 

I was reading through some of the newer posts, and someone mentioned we shouldn't have any attachment to the DS5525 email. Ive travelled extensively for the past 15 years so it's impossible to add those in one email. I attached an excel file with all my travel records. Im freaking out now.

 

Any advice on what to do? Will this be a problem? 

 

This visa process will seriously be the end of me..

 

Yes, this is not for the faint of heart- it nearly destroyed me as well.  I am still not recovered and I just crossed last week.  I submitted a PDF of an excel sheet of all my travel with my DS5535 response email as I had over 100 trips to report.  It wasn't an issue.  You should be fine.  .