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

[Jvisa 4]

1 hour ago, Canucklehead said:

Crazy how some people get so many updates.

I had my interview Feb 1, 2023 

Filed DS-5535 on March 2, 2023

My last update of any kind was almost 3 months ago - Mar 17, 2023

 

Literally no criminal charges and they're not even looking at my damn application. Super frustrating

some people are lucky hear. Guys what is the maximum months of AP in the Montreal consulate?

is somebody hear waiting more than a year and how many months ?please

[APRIL2023 59]

I sent a follow up email again to inquire about my DS5535 form, because I never got one via email (my interview was in April). Got the same generic response again. However, I noted that their automatic response was different. It now has this “Immigrant Nisa Navigator” 

 

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=dFDPZv5a0UimkaErISH0Sy1YoH0qhFtLmlsn5fRWtORUM1VNMVlYWFAzNldZRU5KUjgwTjhFOVFWTCQlQCN0PWcu

 

it does have a section that talks about AP. Pretty much saying not to bother contacting them until 6 months has elapsed. 
 

Doesn’t help much, but at least u can tell that more is being done to address the backlogs that they are dealing with. 
 

[PZibran325 112]

1 hour ago, Jvisa said:

some people are lucky hear. Guys what is the maximum months of AP in the Montreal consulate?

is somebody hear waiting more than a year and how many months ?please

10 months from interview to issued for us. I was emailing the embassy regularly regardless of whether they sent me a generic response or a more personal one. In the 8th month we hired a PIC law firm to star the process for a WOM but ended up not filing one because we started seeing updates to our case last updated date and in their response to one of my emails, the embassy informed me that the case had cleared AP and we would be receiving further instruction after the CO had had a chance to review next steps. PIC refunded most of the money we had paid to retain them.

 

So ours went through without a WOM and several others have gone through without WOMs in the recent past. Based on this, I recommend waiting a little bit before filing a WOM unless you have cash to spare and you've discerned the opportunity cost of not having your spouse with you vs paying fees to file a WOM.

[Fk2004 0]

What is wom I have been waiting for 2 yrs still nothing kindly let me know 

[LAMA9 118]

8 hours ago, Fk2004 said:

What is wom I have been waiting for 2 yrs still nothing kindly let me know 

If you have been in DS-5535 AP for 2 years I would 100% retain a lawyer and file a WOM - read about the process here:  https://immigrationlawyerslosangeles.com/los-angeles-writ-of-mandamus-lawyer/

There are many litigators out there that do them and they are all mentioned in this thread.  We used Goldstein and despite some other reviews on this site about him, we had a good experience and I was issued my visa within 93 days of filing the suit after waiting 7.5 months in DS-5535 with no action from the consulate despite clear examples of hardship and Senator inquires.  

Best of luck to you.  

Edited June 7, 2023 by LAMA9

[throwitaway 190]

12 hours ago, APRIL2023 said:

I sent a follow up email again to inquire about my DS5535 form, because I never got one via email (my interview was in April). Got the same generic response again. However, I noted that their automatic response was different. It now has this “Immigrant Nisa Navigator” 

 

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=dFDPZv5a0UimkaErISH0Sy1YoH0qhFtLmlsn5fRWtORUM1VNMVlYWFAzNldZRU5KUjgwTjhFOVFWTCQlQCN0PWcu

 

it does have a section that talks about AP. Pretty much saying not to bother contacting them until 6 months has elapsed. 
 

Doesn’t help much, but at least u can tell that more is being done to address the backlogs that they are dealing with. 
 

You still don’t have your DS-5535??

[Pearljamm 65]

We hired PIC to work with Chris to file Writ of Mandamus. 

 

We will be filing early July as we will reach  3 months since the interview. 

 

Also, I notice they focus on when we submitted I130 and when it was approved. Does anyone why ? 

[throwitaway 190]

12 hours ago, Jvisa said:

some people are lucky hear. Guys what is the maximum months of AP in the Montreal consulate?

is somebody hear waiting more than a year and how many months ?please

Check out this info for 221g for DV 2022, it should have the same patterns as other IV at Montreal except in this case there is a maximum (DV cannot be issued past Sept 30 of the relevant fiscal year).

221(g) Statistics for Diversity Visa Applicants.pdf

[throwitaway 190]

17 minutes ago, Pearljamm said:

 

 

Also, I notice they focus on when we submitted I130 and when it was approved. Does anyone why ? 

Probably to build a timeline for your suit. 

[throwitaway 190]

23 hours ago, DeeM said:

Apart from "any recent trips outside US/Canada", no other questions. I have a great job offer and that company wants me to join in a few weeks. I am hoping the consulate will resolve this soon.

Best of luck!

[throwitaway 190]

13 minutes ago, throwitaway said:

Check out this info for 221g for DV 2022, it should have the same patterns as other IV at Montreal except in this case there is a maximum (DV cannot be issued past Sept 30 of the relevant fiscal year).

221(g) Statistics for Diversity Visa Applicants.pdf 951.19 kB · 1 download

For context you can compare MTL to MENA embassies 🫠

 

 

221g stats UAE.pdf 221g stats Riyadh.pdf

[Pearljamm 65]

I got a response back from Montreal Consulate after letting them know my intention to file writ of Mandamus 

 

"Good Morning, Thank you for this follow-up. Your case has been updated to note this.

 

We are constantly working to find mechanisms to improve our screening processes and to support legitimate travel and immigration to the United States while protecting U.S. citizens. The duration of administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. The Department of State is continuously working to refine our visa application, assessment, and security screening procedures. We continue to aim to reduce the time required for certain types of administrative processing. As soon as we are able to do so, the Visa Unit will advise you of the next steps to complete processing the case.

 

We hope that this information is helpful in replying to your inquiry. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance. Regards,"

 

At least it's different than the usual generic email 

[APRIL2023 59]

3 hours ago, throwitaway said:

You still don’t have your DS-5535??

No!!!! It doesn’t make sense. It has been 60 days since my interview and I have not received anything from the consulate. I asked multiple times and still, generic responses. This makes me wonder whether or not they actually touched my application at all. 

the new form indicates that 6 months is the processing time, nothing about the 60 days that was previously mentioned on their website. 
 

All status updates correlates with the date of generic email responses. 
 

I know many ppl inquired about WOM here and it really does frustrates me that it’s needed to get things going. Also makes me wonder will this delay timing for those who doesn’t file for WOM, since the WOM has totally become a “premium processing” equivalent for AP, only there’s no guarantee a decision within 15 days and if u have 5k to spare.
 

Just a thought. I’m frustrated. 

[Pearljamm 65]

21 minutes ago, APRIL2023 said:

No!!!! It doesn’t make sense. It has been 60 days since my interview and I have not received anything from the consulate. I asked multiple times and still, generic responses. This makes me wonder whether or not they actually touched my application at all. 

the new form indicates that 6 months is the processing time, nothing about the 60 days that was previously mentioned on their website. 
 

All status updates correlates with the date of generic email responses. 
 

I know many ppl inquired about WOM here and it really does frustrates me that it’s needed to get things going. Also makes me wonder will this delay timing for those who doesn’t file for WOM, since the WOM has totally become a “premium processing” equivalent for AP, only there’s no guarantee a decision within 15 days and if u have 5k to spare.
 

Just a thought. I’m frustrated. 

OMG! this is soooo frustrating! I am so sorry you have to go through this

 

Can you just email them the DS5535? this is ridiculous to be honest.. 

[AP_since_May2023 37]

2 hours ago, APRIL2023 said:

No!!!! It doesn’t make sense. It has been 60 days since my interview and I have not received anything from the consulate. I asked multiple times and still, generic responses. This makes me wonder whether or not they actually touched my application at all. 

the new form indicates that 6 months is the processing time, nothing about the 60 days that was previously mentioned on their website. 
 

All status updates correlates with the date of generic email responses. 
 

I know many ppl inquired about WOM here and it really does frustrates me that it’s needed to get things going. Also makes me wonder will this delay timing for those who doesn’t file for WOM, since the WOM has totally become a “premium processing” equivalent for AP, only there’s no guarantee a decision within 15 days and if u have 5k to spare.
 

Just a thought. I’m frustrated. 

Did you get an email from the Consulate requesting for information similar to DS-5535?

 

I didn't receive a DS-5535 form to complete either. However, I did get an email from the Consular Officer asking about my siblings, children, past passport numbers, phone numbers, and email addresses (no mention of social media handles)