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

[MRJ9987 31]

18 minutes ago, LYV said:

😢I’m sorry. We feel you’re pain, we’ve all been there. It’s devastating. I feel like they tell you what you want to hear. Either that or they don’t know. But you can check the excel sheet and see how it has gone for most people here. It’s possible there may be people that got through faster and just have not found this forum because they got through so fast. 

There is a reason they are separated from the general public by glass or I can see it not getting pretty with some people.  I tried to get as much information and ask as much questions but I got very little.  I am sure they are used to all kinds of reactions. 

 

I do wonder how representative of a sample are people on her.  Would be nice to know how many people never end up here because their cases get resolved in reasonable times.  

[Daft_Cat 136]

1 hour ago, MRJ9987 said:

There is a reason they are separated from the general public by glass or I can see it not getting pretty with some people.  I tried to get as much information and ask as much questions but I got very little.  I am sure they are used to all kinds of reactions. 

 

I do wonder how representative of a sample are people on her.  Would be nice to know how many people never end up here because their cases get resolved in reasonable times.  

I feel we’re pretty representative unfortunately. At least for Montreal. Multiple attorneys have told me that extended waits are the norm and not the exception. I’d hazard an educated guess that most of the members in this thread began posting (or lurking) shortly after receiving the DS5535 - as you have. There’s no evidence to the contrary (e.g. that we’re some special sub-group that’s stuck in a black hole while everyone else clears in a few weeks).

It’s nonsensical, but it is what it is. You’ll get through it, but I’d stay flexible with your plans (I learned this the hard way).

 

Edited January 31 by Daft_Cat

[MRJ9987 31]

2 hours ago, Daft_Cat said:

I feel we’re pretty representative unfortunately. At least for Montreal. Multiple attorneys have told me that extended waits are the norm and not the exception. I’d hazard an educated guess that most of the members in this thread began posting (or lurking) shortly after receiving the DS5535 - as you have. There’s no evidence to the contrary (e.g. that we’re some special sub-group that’s stuck in a black hole while everyone else clears in a few weeks).

It’s nonsensical, but it is what it is. You’ll get through it, but I’d stay flexible with your plans (I learned this the hard way).

 

Aw well. That is a bummer. 
 

I always knew I was going to get DS-5535. I was worried about the fact that I have two passports. I always had a feeling so I started researching this topic in advance but learning about it was sending my anxiety into an overdrive so I forbade myself from exploring it.
 

Until now, when I am actually in this position, when I need to learn as much as can. Learning about this and how people are being treated is making me absolutely miserable.  I cannot believe that a country can mistreat their own citizens so badly. 

[APRIL2023 59]

32 minutes ago, MRJ9987 said:

Aw well. That is a bummer. 
 

I always knew I was going to get DS-5535. I was worried about the fact that I have two passports. I always had a feeling so I started researching this topic in advance but learning about it was sending my anxiety into an overdrive so I forbade myself from exploring it.
 

Until now, when I am actually in this position, when I need to learn as much as can. Learning about this and how people are being treated is making me absolutely miserable.  I cannot believe that a country can mistreat their own citizens so badly. 

Hang in there! If it’s a true ds5535 case then the wait time will be a black hole unfortunately. Start exploring alternative visa options asap. Can try local congress/ Senate representatives, but none of them have been helpful for pretty everyone here that tried (don’t listen to them if they say they’ll help move things along because it’s all a political tactic). 

[Inveigh 69]

Holy Jesus, were approaching PART 3 of this Forum at an Alarming rate.

 

I first saw Part 1 before I sent my petition into USCIS

And watched Part 2 for the first time when I got my 221(G)/DS-5535 8 months ago..

 

The fact that this is real feels shocking to my core (as im sure alot of you feel)

 

💔

[Maussanais 12]

19 hours ago, Cadtoverm said:

We’re you guys explicitly given ds5535 status? I was given an online form to fill out and asked to mail in my passport as soon as I filled it out. The online form asked questions similar to a ds5535 form, but no where was this ds5535 status explicitly told to me. Just a check mark for 221g and he just said he needed some more information about my travel and work history.

 

I am applying spousal IV, Canadian, good medical, good finances, already own home in the USA, marriage to American, transferring to an American employer.

 

I am seeing crazy wait times here, but the agent told me it should only be a few weeks. Any one have a similar experience as me? Am I in for a long haul?

 

 

I'm in the same boat here. I was also given an online form to fill out and instructed to mail in my passport as soon as I completed it.

I've been waiting for 4 weeks since the consulate received my passport... 

[haruharu 10]

18 hours ago, Cadtoverm said:

We’re you guys explicitly given ds5535 status? I was given an online form to fill out and asked to mail in my passport as soon as I filled it out. The online form asked questions similar to a ds5535 form, but no where was this ds5535 status explicitly told to me. Just a check mark for 221g and he just said he needed some more information about my travel and work history.

 

I am applying spousal IV, Canadian, good medical, good finances, already own home in the USA, marriage to American, transferring to an American employer.

 

I am seeing crazy wait times here, but the agent told me it should only be a few weeks. Any one have a similar experience as me? Am I in for a long haul?

 

 

I was told it’ll take 4-6 weeks. It’s going to be 10 months in a few days. I was hopeful we’d get second medical invites out soon but it doesn’t look like that’s coming anytime as Feb ppl haven’t mentioned anything. Is this going to really be a two year process? If you switch the last digit of the case number on CEAC it tells you the status of the cases before/after you. Seems like on my particular interview day alone, 6 people got put in APs. Pretty ridiculous. 

[Cadtoverm 1]

8 minutes ago, haruharu said:

I was told it’ll take 4-6 weeks. It’s going to be 10 months in a few days. I was hopeful we’d get second medical invites out soon but it doesn’t look like that’s coming anytime as Feb ppl haven’t mentioned anything. Is this going to really be a two year process? If you switch the last digit of the case number on CEAC it tells you the status of the cases before/after you. Seems like on my particular interview day alone, 6 people got put in APs. Pretty ridiculous. 

Did they ask for your passport when they have you the 221g? 
 

I wondering if taking my passport was a good sign, or if it was just a mistake by the CO. 
 

Does your status explicitly say AP? Did you get any updates to indicate you were getting more vetting?
 

That is terrible that they told you a few weeks and it has been 10 months. 

Has anyone tried going to the consulate in person to get more information? I live in Montréal, wondering if that is a way of getting additional information.

[MRJ9987 31]

13 minutes ago, Cadtoverm said:

Has anyone tried going to the consulate in person to get more information? I live in Montréal, wondering if that is a way of getting additional information.

I was in Toronto consulate for my daughter’s CRBA yesterday and I tried asking the CO about my case. She said there is nothing she knows and that they’re completely separate from Montreal. Which is bs, because they all talk and I know they must know stuff about each other. I wasn’t expecting to learn much but was hoping to get one of those chatty disgruntled employees who talk to public. 

[Leo The Great 137]

44 minutes ago, Cadtoverm said:

I wondering if taking my passport was a good sign, or if it was just a mistake by the CO.

 

Some folks 221g form says  "Passport"  in  the requested documents. I remember one case from July 2023. Those folks are still in AP.  In our case, 221g (Oct 2023) says "Passport(When requested)". May be consulate have two different templates for 221g. It is confusing when they put passport  in  requested documents on 221g even though the  case may take few months to year (DS-5535).

Edited January 31 by Leo The Great

[haruharu 10]

34 minutes ago, Cadtoverm said:

Did they ask for your passport when they have you the 221g? 
 

I wondering if taking my passport was a good sign, or if it was just a mistake by the CO. 
 

Does your status explicitly say AP? Did you get any updates to indicate you were getting more vetting?
 

That is terrible that they told you a few weeks and it has been 10 months. 

Has anyone tried going to the consulate in person to get more information? I live in Montréal, wondering if that is a way of getting additional information.

The CO gave back my passport. After questioning him as to why he said the DS5535 was to verify some travel history, all of which could be seen on DS260 albeit maybe 1-2 trips. Usually, if they keep your passport you’re more likely to have a faster processing! The consulate was quite strict when I had my interview about who they were letting in. We went back to ask some questions after my interview and the guard did not let us go in and just gave us a small note which had the email address to contact them (same one they send your form from) so I’m not sure they’ll allow you in but since you’re in Montreal it’s worth a shot! 

[AP_since_May2023 37]

38 minutes ago, Cadtoverm said:

Did they ask for your passport when they have you the 221g? 
 

I wondering if taking my passport was a good sign, or if it was just a mistake by the CO. 
 

Does your status explicitly say AP? Did you get any updates to indicate you were getting more vetting?
 

That is terrible that they told you a few weeks and it has been 10 months. 

Has anyone tried going to the consulate in person to get more information? I live in Montréal, wondering if that is a way of getting additional information.

 

Not to be a second bearer of bad news, but another user on this thread was also asked for their passport just a few weeks ago alongside the deficit 221g document, and received their passport after a couple of weeks without the visa.

 

The consulate will send you your passport back if they put you in AP so you can travel.

[Daft_Cat 136]

46 minutes ago, Cadtoverm said:

Did they ask for your passport when they have you the 221g? 
 

I wondering if taking my passport was a good sign, or if it was just a mistake by the CO. 
 

Does your status explicitly say AP? Did you get any updates to indicate you were getting more vetting?
 

That is terrible that they told you a few weeks and it has been 10 months. 

Has anyone tried going to the consulate in person to get more information? I live in Montréal, wondering if that is a way of getting additional information.

 

The fact that they're asking some people for their passport after they submit their responses seems to be a relatively new trend. It may mark a change in how they're processing new cases, or it may be an attempt to expedite the back-end so that approval of the DS-5535 and the stamping of the passport can be done as a single step. Until recently, these two steps have been done separately, which has led to even longer delays for some applicants and probably doesn't help with resourcing issues (assuming that is part of the root cause). 

Personally, as someone who flies semi-regularly (and knowing what I know about AP processing times), I'd be nervous about sending the consulate my passport before they approved my visa. But then again, they asked you to do it, so your choices may be limited. Have you discussed with an immigration attorney? I believe you can always request your passport back if you're in a pinch, but obviously not ideal.

As for visiting Montreal: I'd advise against that. I doubt they'll even let you upstairs without an appointment, and if by some miracle they do, the wait will likely be incredibly long just for an officer to tell you they can't do diddly-squat. 

Edited January 31 by Daft_Cat

[AP_since_May2023 37]

17 hours ago, Cadtoverm said:

Has anyone cleared this in a reasonable amount of time? My pregnant wife is due in a month   and we were expecting to move into our home.

 

 Any stories of someone who filled out the form and got their visa?

 

Is your wife already in the US and a US citizen? 

 

Did you buy or rent your new home? Either way, it shouldn't affect your ability to close nor rent as long as you have enough down payment and can foot the monthly mortgage.

[Cadtoverm 1]

1 minute ago, SGtoMurica said:

 

Is your wife already in the US and a US citizen? 

 

Did you buy or rent your new home? Either way, it shouldn't affect your ability to close nor rent as long as you have enough down payment and can foot the monthly mortgage.

My wife is an American, currently living in Canada with me in Montreal. We bought our house in Vermont when we got married and started the immigration process. At the time we thought it would be an 8 month process….

 

We are having a baby in 3 weeks, and was hoping to be able to move full time to be close to her family and live in our house. The uncertainty of this situation is really impacting my mental health.

 

 Thanks everyone for sharing your stories and information….. it makes a bit easier to go through the experience.