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

[throwitaway 190]

31 minutes ago, lomnd said:

Does anyone have experience of the ceac visa status showing as Refused but you're actually approved?

 

Got an email today that my passport is being returned to me and yet when I checked ceac it's showing refused.... Just being anxious here.

 

Thank you!

How do you know you’re approved? They could be returning it because they can’t issue yet due to AP. Unless your case status is Issued, you’re not yet issued. 

[stuckinlimbo 1]

16 minutes ago, throwitaway said:

How do you know you’re approved? They could be returning it because they can’t issue yet due to AP. Unless your case status is Issued, you’re not yet issued. 

I don't know if I'm approved. I am hoping someone can share an experience they had in the past that's similar. Thank you!

25 minutes ago, Mmk2112 said:

Didn't happen to me however I have heard such things before. Sometimes, the officers forget to update the online system.

Got it, thank you! I'm hoping that's the case  again, just being anxious! Lol

[mam521 2,024]

21 hours ago, lomnd said:

Does anyone have experience of the ceac visa status showing as Refused but you're actually approved?

 

Got an email today that my passport is being returned to me and yet when I checked ceac it's showing refused.... Just being anxious here.

 

Thank you!

It pretty much always shows "refused" before it moves into "issued" status.  Pretty normal, but definitely causes alarm.  

[F3MTL 9]

We actually got an email from the Embassy saying that the AP was complete and that an officer would be adjudicating the visa again. No timeline as for when that will happen but they said they will contact us if they need anything. Does this mean the DS 5535 has been concluded? 

 

We contacted a State Senator but no communication from them, so unknown if that played any role in the email we received. 

Edited February 17, 2023 by F3MTL

[Mmk2112 34]

1 hour ago, F3MTL said:

We actually got an email from the Embassy saying that the AP was complete and that an officer would be adjudicating the visa again. No timeline as for when that will happen but they said they will contact us if they need anything. Does this mean the DS 5535 has been concluded? 

 

We contacted a State Senator but no communication from them, so unknown if that played any role in the email we received. 

Great news man. COuld you please confirm your interview date and if you filed WOM?

[F3MTL 9]

10 minutes ago, Mmk2112 said:

Great news man. COuld you please confirm your interview date and if you filed WOM?

Interview was in June 2022. No WOM. 

 

Forgot to mention, we followed up with the embassy inquiring about the case, and about 3 weeks later, they replied saying AP was complete. Not sure if the Senator request played any role in it.

[Mmk2112 34]

1 minute ago, F3MTL said:

Interview was in June 2022. No WOM. 

 

Forgot to mention, we followed up with the embassy inquiring about the case, and about 3 weeks later, they replied saying AP was complete. Not sure if the Senator request played any role in it.

Great news. I hardly doubt it if Senetor played any role. Regardless, happy for you and 9 months timeline without WOM.

[F3MTL 9]

15 minutes ago, Mmk2112 said:

Great news. I hardly doubt it if Senetor played any role. Regardless, happy for you and 9 months timeline without WOM.

Thanks. I’ll update here if anything changes

[Canucklehead 102]

Has anyone on here actually went to visit their spouse in the USA after being given the 221(g)? 

Many people on here have said it's ok to visit as long as you respect all requirements (I.e. 6 months in 12 month window) but I can't help but be a little nervous! 

I would love to fly down for a few weeks just to visit and would love to hear anyone else's experiences (I.e. were you hassled by customs or was it clear sailing, etc.).

Edited February 18, 2023 by Canucklehead

[dennisv 23]

1 hour ago, Canucklehead said:

Has anyone on here actually went to visit their spouse in the USA after being given the 221(g)? 

Many people on here have said it's ok to visit as long as you respect all requirements (I.e. 6 months in 12 month window) but I can't help but be a little nervous! 

I would love to fly down for a few weeks just to visit and would love to hear anyone else's experiences (I.e. were you hassled by customs or was it clear sailing, etc.).

Clear sailing over here

 

went down for Xmas for a month. 221g since Nov 8 2022 !

 

happy Travels 

[emergence 47]

On 2/18/2023 at 7:56 AM, Canucklehead said:

Has anyone on here actually went to visit their spouse in the USA after being given the 221(g)? 

Many people on here have said it's ok to visit as long as you respect all requirements (I.e. 6 months in 12 month window) but I can't help but be a little nervous! 

I would love to fly down for a few weeks just to visit and would love to hear anyone else's experiences (I.e. were you hassled by customs or was it clear sailing, etc.).

My fiancé is currently here in the US visiting for a month. No issues at the border.

[Canucklehead 102]

Thanks for responses everyone!

I received an email from the consulate today! It was in response to an email I had sent to Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov inquiring about what supplemental info they needed - email was sent 14 days ago.

I'm not sure when I would have received these questions had I not reached out to the consulate directly, so I would advise anyone else in a similar situation to reach out directly to the consulate if you are awaiting next steps after your 221(g) was issued. I was kind and respectful in my initial email, and included all of my pertinent information.

The email asked me to supply a variety of info including:

• My passport and travel history
• Info about my relatives
• My address history
• Contact details history/social media history
• Employment history

A few questions:

1. It mentions an OMB number and the expiry is a date in the past (Feb 28, 2021) - is this a mistake on their end/something I should be addressing? It also says the estimated burden is 60 minutes. This is going to take me a lot longer than 60 minutes - I've been to over 20 countries in the past 15 years and have held numerous different jobs too. What do they mean by burden?
2. I already submitted a lot of this information on my initial application - is it better for me to just put it all in again? I would hate to omit anything and face even more delays
3. There was no mention that this was DS-5535 - is this email considered DS-5535?
4. For anyone who does have extensive travel history, are there any tips for ensuring you get the dates/length of stay correct for places you've visited? I unfortunately do not have all of my receipts for flights, etc. over last 15 years and don't want to make any mistakes!

Edited February 21, 2023 by Canucklehead

[dennisv 23]

6 minutes ago, Canucklehead said:

Thanks for responses everyone!

I received an email from the consulate today! It was in response to an email I had sent to Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov inquiring about what supplemental info they needed - email was sent 14 days ago.

I'm not sure when I would have received these questions had I not reached out to the consulate directly, so I would advise anyone else in a similar situation to reach out directly to the consulate if you are awaiting next steps after your 221(g) was issued. I was kind and respectful in my initial email, and included all of my pertinent information.

The email asked me to supply a variety of info including:

• My passport and travel history
• Info about my relatives
• My address history
• Contact details history/social media history
• Employment history

A few questions:

1. It mentions an OMB number and the expiry is a date in the past (Feb 28, 2021) - is this a mistake on their end/something I should be addressing? It also says the estimated burden is 60 minutes. This is going to take me a lot longer than 60 minutes - I've been to over 20 countries in the past 15 years and have held numerous different jobs too. What do they mean by burden?
2. I already submitted a lot of this information on my initial application - is it better for me to just put it all in again? I would hate to omit anything and face even more delays
3. There was no mention that this was DS-5535 - is this email considered DS-5535?
4. For anyone who does have extensive travel history, are there any tips for ensuring you get the dates/length of stay correct for places you've visited? I unfortunately do not have all of my receipts for flights, etc. over last 15 years and don't want to make any mistakes!

Welcome to the 5535 nightmare now.

 

1/ OMB is just the form reference they use. OMB 1405-0226  so don't worry about that.

2/ Put all the same information in again, it's just very repetitive. 

3/ the questionnaire is your DS-5535 

4/ Check your emails, friends you might have travelled with, tripit app, expedia or other booking sites. 

 

60 min burden is an understatement, I think I took 36 hours since the 2007-2011 trips were a little blurry to remember but I did my best. I had over 300 lines of trips in 15 yrs so maybe it was just me. 

[Canucklehead 102]

6 minutes ago, dennisv said:

Welcome to the 5535 nightmare now.

 

1/ OMB is just the form reference they use. OMB 1405-0226  so don't worry about that.

2/ Put all the same information in again, it's just very repetitive. 

3/ the questionnaire is your DS-5535 

4/ Check your emails, friends you might have travelled with, tripit app, expedia or other booking sites. 

 

60 min burden is an understatement, I think I took 36 hours since the 2007-2011 trips were a little blurry to remember but I did my best. I had over 300 lines of trips in 15 yrs so maybe it was just me. 

I can totally see this being me too - thanks for your prompt response!  For source of funds - did you just put Savings for every trip?

 

I can already see this being a nightmare - I'm just wondering how they will verify my info for countries visited - it would be great if I had access to whatever they have so I can make sure I get all the dates correct.

Edited February 21, 2023 by Canucklehead

[Ds553513 16]

Hi

i was reading in visa journey eb2 Montreal one guy experience.he had interview last Feb 2022 and he had missing police report.officer gave him 221g and he got his approval after 9 month .he got approval in end of November and got his passport in January 2023

for only 221 g for almost 1 year even no 5535Ds

thank you