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

[throwitaway 190]

1 hour ago, Toronto28 said:

Hi all - 

 

I had my interview (CR1) in Montreal and was provided a 221g form with a link to submit the DS5535 directly on the sheet. One thing that seemed different from the other posts in this thread, is that there was a link with the DS5535 form to fill out directly on the form. Is this a new process the Montreal Consulate is following, as opposed to sending an email with the questionnaire attached to that? Please let me know if anyone else has a similar experience.

 

Thanks,

 

That’s totally new. Is it a webform? Maybe this is a part of their push to streamline the process.

Edited June 16, 2023 by throwitaway

[Toronto28 3]

12 minutes ago, throwitaway said:

That’s totally new. Is it a webform? Maybe this is a part of their push to streamline the process.

Yes - it's a webform in the format of forms.office.com/... . So looks like the form answers will be sent to Montreal consulate and then from there Montreal will distribute to appropriate authorities.

 

Hopefully this is a good sign in terms of streamlining the process!

[AP_since_May2023 37]

On 6/13/2023 at 1:37 PM, throwitaway said:

They don’t care. 

 

The only way they move is if a DOS attorney defending them in court (after a lawsuit has been filed) contacts them personally to see what can be done. 

 

In some stats half of all applicants at MTL go into extreme vetting, similar to places like Baghdad, which is absolutely insane. The US already has access to information about Canadians. 

What are the different degrees of vetting? Simple vs Extreme? How many days have to pass before it qualifies as extreme vetting? Thanks! 

[throwitaway 190]

1 minute ago, SGtoMurica said:

What are the different degrees of vetting? Simple vs Extreme? How many days have to pass before it qualifies as extreme vetting? Thanks! 

When DS-5535 is used, it’s extreme vetting, based on the scope and extent of information requested. 

[AP_since_May2023 37]

2 minutes ago, throwitaway said:

When DS-5535 is used, it’s extreme vetting, based on the scope and extent of information requested. 

Many of the questions in DS-5535 (15 year history) were already asked in the DS-260 form (5 year history) right? 

[throwitaway 190]

Just now, SGtoMurica said:

Many of the questions in DS-5535 (15 year history) were already asked in the DS-260 form (5 year history) right? 

Correct

[AP_since_May2023 37]

Just now, throwitaway said:

Correct

Any idea why some applicants wait a short while (<3 months) while others wait almost 1 year despite both receiving DS-5535? 

 

Anyone receive DS-5535 despite not having any relations to MENA countries/heritage?

[throwitaway 190]

4 minutes ago, SGtoMurica said:

Any idea why some applicants wait a short while (<3 months) while others wait almost 1 year despite both receiving DS-5535? 

 

Anyone receive DS-5535 despite not having any relations to MENA countries/heritage?

- I haven’t seen < 3 months at MTL. 

 

- Many, including myself. 

[AP_since_May2023 37]

7 minutes ago, throwitaway said:

- I haven’t seen < 3 months at MTL. 

 

- Many, including myself. 

Both Farzady and justanamericangrl received their response in <4 months but I guess this is because of their WoM

Edited June 18, 2023 by SGtoMurica

[throwitaway 190]

40 minutes ago, SGtoMurica said:

Both Farzady and justanamericangrl received their response in <4 months but I guess this is because of their WoM

Yeah, I haven’t seen cases at MTL clear in that time frame organically, at least not for a few years now. I think in the original thread there were maybe a couple. At other embassies DS-5535 can clear quickly, in Pakistan some clear in a month. 

[AP_since_May2023 37]

2 minutes ago, throwitaway said:

Yeah, I haven’t seen cases at MTL clear in that time frame organically, at least not for a few years now. I think in the original thread there were maybe a couple. At other embassies DS-5535 can clear quickly, in Pakistan some clear in a month. 

I seem to have a different understanding based on what the consulate officer told me. He said that all APs of the same category go to the same place, regardless of Embassy location. There are of course multiple different reasons for AP, including as simple as a missing document or as serious as background check due to national security risk. If it is the latter, then all of those go through the same lineup. 

[throwitaway 190]

5 minutes ago, SGtoMurica said:

I seem to have a different understanding based on what the consulate officer told me. He said that all APs of the same category go to the same place, regardless of Embassy location. There are of course multiple different reasons for AP, including as simple as a missing document or as serious as background check due to national security risk. If it is the latter, then all of those go through the same lineup. 

Even if it were true that all AP of the same type go to the same place, cases do not clear first in, first out.

 

There is also an assumption there that once AP is cleared externally that the embassy immediately acts on the clearance. MTL sits on clearances and issues visas in batches for DV, I can’t imagine it would be different for other visas that don’t even have a sunset clause. 

Edited June 18, 2023 by throwitaway

[justanamericangrl 23]

On 6/18/2023 at 6:18 PM, throwitaway said:

Even if it were true that all AP of the same type go to the same place, cases do not clear first in, first out.

 

There is also an assumption there that once AP is cleared externally that the embassy immediately acts on the clearance. MTL sits on clearances and issues visas in batches for DV, I can’t imagine it would be different for other visas that don’t even have a sunset clause. 

Anyone know or have a guess how often they issue the visas in batches? The consulate received my husbands passport on the 12th and we had an update on the 14th (assuming that’s when someone actually got ahold of it) but crickets since then.  

[WatchingPaintDry 26]

1 hour ago, justanamericangrl said:

Anyone know or have a guess how often they issue the visas in batches? The consulate received my husbands passport on the 12th and we had an update on the 14th (assuming that’s when someone actually got ahold of it) but crickets since then.  

I'm in the same situation. The consulate has my passport since May-31. Case updated on Jun-2 then update Jun-7. Been almost 2 weeks and no update. Just watching paint dry. Please let me know if you hear anything.

[justanamericangrl 23]

2 hours ago, WatchingPaintDry said:

I'm in the same situation. The consulate has my passport since May-31. Case updated on Jun-2 then update Jun-7. Been almost 2 weeks and no update. Just watching paint dry. Please let me know if you hear anything.

Wow. That’s ridiculous. I will let you know and please let me know as well! Here’s to hoping we both hear something soon!