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

[throwitaway 190]

11 hours ago, ShawnK said:

In terms of travel to the US, there is a big sticker on the back of my passport from the interview day? Would that cause a flag? Anyone have any issues with that and what did you say to cbp?

No, you just say you had an interview there. There’s nothing to hide really, you’re not breaking any rules. 

[can_do 18]

22 hours ago, PanFriedTofu said:

Attended IR1 interview March 22nd 2023.

Handed 221g and passport was returned.

Got DS-5535 today, over 3 weeks later.

Had my answers ready to go and sent it.

 

Now we wait to file WOM.

Hi,

 

Can you please share the approximate timeline for the whole WOM process, i.e. from the time you engage a lawyer till the time they actually file?

I'm seriously considering a WOM as well.

Don't want the medicals to expire (that'll add more time and cost to this saga).

I was given the DS-5535 and sent it immediately. Some updates were done on CEAC and now again, radio silence...

This is quite a roller coaster!

[ShawnK 82]

1 hour ago, throwitaway said:

No, you just say you had an interview there. There’s nothing to hide really, you’re not breaking any rules. 

Thanks, so assuming you bring adequate proof of ties , you are ok to enter as a Canadian on B1/B2? Even if under AP with DS5535? 

 

Just curious if anyone was asked by cbp about their DS5535, I am assuming they will see it when they scan you in, and if you have to go to secondary to explain.

 

 

 

 

 

[ak47 32]

4 hours ago, can_do said:

Hi,

 

Can you please share the approximate timeline for the whole WOM process, i.e. from the time you engage a lawyer till the time they actually file?

I'm seriously considering a WOM as well.

Don't want the medicals to expire (that'll add more time and cost to this saga).

I was given the DS-5535 and sent it immediately. Some updates were done on CEAC and now again, radio silence...

This is quite a roller coaster!

When was the last Update date change ? You had a couple of updates after you sent DS5535 which is common. Are there any recent updates like this week. 

[LAMA9 118]

20 hours ago, can_do said:

Hi,

 

Can you please share the approximate timeline for the whole WOM process, i.e. from the time you engage a lawyer till the time they actually file?

I'm seriously considering a WOM as well.

Don't want the medicals to expire (that'll add more time and cost to this saga).

I was given the DS-5535 and sent it immediately. Some updates were done on CEAC and now again, radio silence...

This is quite a roller coaster!

@can_do you can see the timelines for a bunch of us that filed WOMs last year here (see first two tabs):  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oh7cj_1HiWa-JH82xOeRtYb6gJWjU3KcF7ALuyQmV4w/edit?usp=sharing

you can see that the timelines from file to visa in hand differ.  For me personally, it took 95 days from file to case closed.  It generally takes 2 weeks from signing on with a lawyer for them to prepare your WOM and file it with the court.  Hope this helps.  Wish I had filed a lot sooner.  we waited for 7 months in DS-5535.  If I could do it all over again, I would have filed at 90 days.  Good luck to you!

Edited April 16, 2023 by LAMA9

[mam521 2,062]

On 4/14/2023 at 1:55 PM, PanFriedTofu said:

I'm pretty sure the CO forgot to send the email. It took two emails to the embassy for them to send it.

Ugh...just reading this makes me a bit sick in the pit of my stomach for you.  Extreme vetting and yet, it's sent by e-mail and forgotten about.  Makes you wonder how important it really is but yet, you're stuck in immigration purgatory as a result.  All I can say is I'm sorry and I'm sending timely passage vibes for everyone stuck in this process.  

[throwitaway 190]

17 minutes ago, mam521 said:

Ugh...just reading this makes me a bit sick in the pit of my stomach for you.  Extreme vetting and yet, it's sent by e-mail and forgotten about.  Makes you wonder how important it really is but yet, you're stuck in immigration purgatory as a result.  All I can say is I'm sorry and I'm sending timely passage vibes for everyone stuck in this process.  

I do wonder why they’re so hard on Canadians, it’s baffling.

[Mmk2112 34]

On 4/15/2023 at 10:07 AM, ShawnK said:

Thanks, so assuming you bring adequate proof of ties , you are ok to enter as a Canadian on B1/B2? Even if under AP with DS5535? 

 

Just curious if anyone was asked by cbp about their DS5535, I am assuming they will see it when they scan you in, and if you have to go to secondary to explain.

 

 

 

 

 

No they don't ask such DS 5535 questions. However they will ask about returning dates and if you have return ticket, show them. or just your Canadian employment details or lease or property info. Even if you go to secondary (which is random) you will be cleared as you're legally good to visit USA for upto 6 months.

[APRIL2023 59]

5 hours ago, mam521 said:

Ugh...just reading this makes me a bit sick in the pit of my stomach for you.  Extreme vetting and yet, it's sent by e-mail and forgotten about.  Makes you wonder how important it really is but yet, you're stuck in immigration purgatory as a result.  All I can say is I'm sorry and I'm sending timely passage vibes for everyone stuck in this process.  

That’s exactly it! Up to this point all forms and completed paperwork are tracked and barcoded. There’s no official data online that states the exact wait time, just the general 60 days resolution. I feel like I’m stuck at a system that’s intentionally designed to be opaque, while I don’t know how I got flagged the first place. 
 

Still waiting for the DS5535 from consulate…

[mam521 2,062]

49 minutes ago, throwitaway said:

I do wonder why they’re so hard on Canadians, it’s baffling.

Montreal is a bit of an enigma as far as consulates go. 

 

Maybe Canadian immigration is perceived as too easy.  Maybe it's because Canadians are some of the biggest violators in terms of overstay.  It's all a bit bizarre. 

[can_do 18]

On 4/15/2023 at 2:29 PM, ak47 said:

When was the last Update date change ? You had a couple of updates after you sent DS5535 which is common. Are there any recent updates like this week. 

I sent DS-5535 response on Mar 31. Nearly daily updates till Apr 05. Been quiet since then...

[can_do 18]

On 4/16/2023 at 6:49 AM, LAMA9 said:

@can_do you can see the timelines for a bunch of us that filed WOMs last year here (see first two tabs):  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oh7cj_1HiWa-JH82xOeRtYb6gJWjU3KcF7ALuyQmV4w/edit?usp=sharing

you can see that the timelines from file to visa in hand differ.  For me personally, it took 95 days from file to case closed.  It generally takes 2 weeks from signing on with a lawyer for them to prepare your WOM and file it with the court.  Hope this helps.  Wish I had filed a lot sooner.  we waited for 7 months in DS-5535.  If I could do it all over again, I would have filed at 90 days.  Good luck to you!

Thank you so much for sharing this.

I just can't rationalize spending another ~$4K just to get a response, but then...

[ajxl888 38]

Hi Everyone,

 

I had my interview this past Thursday. Everything went well, and the officer even told me she intended on approving me and took my passport.  She told me to expect it within 2 weeks.  I received an email today to fill out the DS-5535 and status in CEAC is showing "refused".   

 

I have seen people denied at interview and then asked to fill out the form, but has anyone been in the situation as me where they have my passport now and was told they were going to approve?

 

At a loss and feeling super discouraged and confused.  I have a pretty extensive travel history so filling that out for past 15 years seems very daunting.  Any insight welcome.

 

Amanda

[P3P 4]

15 minutes ago, ajxl888 said:

Hi Everyone,

 

I had my interview this past Thursday. Everything went well, and the officer even told me she intended on approving me and took my passport.  She told me to expect it within 2 weeks.  I received an email today to fill out the DS-5535 and status in CEAC is showing "refused".   

 

I have seen people denied at interview and then asked to fill out the form, but has anyone been in the situation as me where they have my passport now and was told they were going to approve?

 

At a loss and feeling super discouraged and confused.  I have a pretty extensive travel history so filling that out for past 15 years seems very daunting.  Any insight welcome.

 

Amanda

Hi Amanda. Welcome to this crappy club. I had the same situation as you happen. My interview was short and seemed to go very well. My interviewing officer said she will recommend me for approval and even told me to enjoy my stay in my fiances state. My passport was kept. Two hours later I was shocked to receive the DS-5535 email.

 

I'm so sorry you're here 😞 

Edited April 18, 2023 by P3P

[ajxl888 38]

11 minutes ago, P3P said:

Hi Amanda. Welcome to this crappy club. I had the same situation as you happen. My interview was short and seemed to go very well. My interviewing officer said she will recommended me for approval and even told me to enjoy my stay in my fiances state. My passport was kept. Two hours later I was shocked to receive the DS-5535 email.

 

I'm so sorry you're here 😞 

Hi there, thank you.  I'm sorry you're in the same boat too.  Have you received any updates?

 

This is really such an awful process.