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

[Icecreamcastles 25]

8 hours ago, Fayisa said:

Guys it is been 8 weeks since I sent my passport. Should my husband reach a senator or a state representative? Do you think that will make any change. Please share your experiences. Thanks

We contacted both my fiance's senators and his congressperson while we were dealing with the DS-5535 process.  There wasn't much they could do, but it did make us feel like we were at least trying every option. I'm not sure it will help in your case, but you're so close that a little nudge might be good. I hope you get positive movement soon!

[Fayisa 21]

8 hours ago, Icecreamcastles said:

We contacted both my fiance's senators and his congressperson while we were dealing with the DS-5535 process.  There wasn't much they could do, but it did make us feel like we were at least trying every option. I'm not sure it will help in your case, but you're so close that a little nudge might be good. I hope you get positive movement soon!

Thanks a lot, I will try it and see how it goes. 

[tas005 4]

14 hours ago, throwitaway said:

Unfortunately, dates updates are not useful as it only means your file was touched - could be progress, could be routine administrative work. It’s impossible to know.  

How long it could take when they just asked for updated Resume only and not DS5535? Any idea, I noticed for IR1/CR1 they ask for DS5535. However, they ask for Resume only for those applied for B1/B2 or K1 visa.

[Leo The Great 141]

1 hour ago, tas005 said:

How long it could take when they just asked for updated Resume only and not DS5535? Any idea, I noticed for IR1/CR1 they ask for DS5535. However, they ask for Resume only for those applied for B1/B2 or K1 visa.

Consulate used to ask for Resume only when the DS-5535 was not introduced.

Resume can be asked from any IR/CR category depending on your education background or work experience in addition to DS-5535.  Would you mind telling what is your education background /work experience? 

In general if the AP can be resolved at consulate level, it will be relatively quicker but if your case is going to DC for clearance then it may take longer. Since they kept your passport and gave you 221g at the spot, you case may resolve quickly.

Your case is the first in VJ community where they asked for Resume only without DS-5535

Edited November 8, 2023 by Leo The Great

[jessmcad 17]

Hi everyone. My interview is in December in Montreal and I am super scared of receiving the DS-5535. I just got news that a friend of mine received a DS-5535 from because the beneficiary in the case travelled to Israel and Jordan within the past 5 years, therefore was on his DS-160 and stamped in his passport. 
 

I went to Israel but 6 years ago, so it is not listed in the DS-160 nor is it stamped in my passport. There is no sign of my travels there throughout this application. Is there any other way they will know I went? It is outside the asked about 5-year span. 
 

Very scared. 

[niloo 2]

Is it helpful to send an email every 10 days?

Is it helpful to ask help from senator or congressman?

It's end of 8th week. And no update at all.

They answered to the second email but didn't update my case, just confirmed that they have documents and is still processing.

I just want to know how long I have to wait for my passport? They said is between 6 to 8 weeks.  Now 8 weeks passed. 

 

[Leo The Great 141]

21 minutes ago, jessmcad said:

Hi everyone. My interview is in December in Montreal and I am super scared of receiving the DS-5535. I just got news that a friend of mine received a DS-5535 from because the beneficiary in the case travelled to Israel and Jordan within the past 5 years, therefore was on his DS-160 and stamped in his passport. 
 

I went to Israel but 6 years ago, so it is not listed in the DS-160 nor is it stamped in my passport. There is no sign of my travels there throughout this application. Is there any other way they will know I went? It is outside the asked about 5-year span. 
 

Very scared. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_Advisory_Opinion

[jessmcad 17]

4 minutes ago, Leo The Great said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_Advisory_Opinion

What about this? I understand this but -

 

If they ask about the last 5 years, does the beyond matter?

 

That’s more my question. If it’s not listed initially, it should be fine, no?

Edited November 8, 2023 by jessmcad

[Leo The Great 141]

6 minutes ago, jessmcad said:

What about this?

 

If they ask about the last 5 years, does the beyond matter?

This link show you what happen when you appear for interview. CO have system to search you in the system. to see if AP is required on not. Generally they ask for your travels in last five years outside USA. I would not mention my visits beyond five years unless CO ask. 

Edited November 8, 2023 by Leo The Great

[throwitaway 190]

2 hours ago, tas005 said:

How long it could take when they just asked for updated Resume only and not DS5535? Any idea, I noticed for IR1/CR1 they ask for DS5535. However, they ask for Resume only for those applied for B1/B2 or K1 visa.

Your visa class is not relevant. 

 

DS-5535 can and is requested from every category, including NIV, when deemed appropriate. 

 

Resume is usually TAL - which you can expect to take several months or more. 

Edited November 8, 2023 by throwitaway

[throwitaway 190]

43 minutes ago, jessmcad said:

Hi everyone. My interview is in December in Montreal and I am super scared of receiving the DS-5535. I just got news that a friend of mine received a DS-5535 from because the beneficiary in the case travelled to Israel and Jordan within the past 5 years, therefore was on his DS-160 and stamped in his passport. 
 

I went to Israel but 6 years ago, so it is not listed in the DS-160 nor is it stamped in my passport. There is no sign of my travels there throughout this application. Is there any other way they will know I went? It is outside the asked about 5-year span. 
 

Very scared. 

If they’re concerned they’ll ask you at interview. 

[tas005 4]

2 hours ago, Leo The Great said:

Consulate used to ask for Resume only when the DS-5535 was not introduced.

Resume can be asked from any IR/CR category depending on your education background or work experience in addition to DS-5535.  Would you mind telling what is your education background /work experience? 

In general if the AP can be resolved at consulate level, it will be relatively quicker but if your case is going to DC for clearance then it may take longer. Since they kept your passport and gave you 221g at the spot, you case may resolve quickly.

Your case is the first in VJ community where they asked for Resume only without DS-5535

Masters degree in Electronics Engineering and experience with Telecom companies. How would I know if case is at Consulate level or DC? In my CEAS profile still its showing interview will be schedule and not saying that case is AP, However in visa status check it says refused and updated twice. 
 

Also, when they gave me 221 g form it was written as “supplemental questions will be sent to you by email” but in the email they said case is AP now and only requested for updated resume only. 
 

The word “supplemental questions” refer to DS5535?? Or resume only can also be consider as “supplemental question” ??

 

I replied and sent my resume to the same email address from which I received an email, is it enough or do I need to send through courier as well? 

[Leo The Great 141]

20 minutes ago, tas005 said:

Masters degree in Electronics Engineering and experience with Telecom companies. How would I know if case is at Consulate level or DC? In my CEAS profile still its showing interview will be schedule and not saying that case is AP, However in visa status check it says refused and updated twice. 
 

Also, when they gave me 221 g form it was written as “supplemental questions will be sent to you by email” but in the email they said case is AP now and only requested for updated resume only. 
 

The word “supplemental questions” refer to DS5535?? Or resume only can also be consider as “supplemental question” ??

 

I replied and sent my resume to the same email address from which I received an email, is it enough or do I need to send through courier as well? 

Electronics Engineering is not in TAL list publicly available. It is hard to tell where your AP ends up until you receive visa stamp. There is annotation on visa that says "Clearance received on ....".  That mean your case went to DC for clearance

supplemental questions refer to DS-5535. and it is checked on 221g. The DS-5535 email from consulate contains online link for DS-5535 form now a days. Updated resume is mentioned in the same email if requested.  It is up to you to mail the hard copy to consulate or not. 

At this point all you can do wait like other members are suggesting.

Edited November 9, 2023 by Leo The Great

[Chamin27 1]

Hi all. My fiance had his interview this morning and unfortunately we got the DS-5535. The agent said he would approve us but the computer is flagging our case. My fiance traveled to Israel (to visit family) and Jordan 4 years ago. He was asked about that and traveling to the West Bank. We are assuming its because of that. We are devastated. He got his passport back. Where do we go from here? What are the current processing times?

[Leo The Great 141]

6 minutes ago, Abriel said:

Hi all. My fiance had his interview this morning and unfortunately we got the DS-5535. The agent said he would approve us but the computer is flagging our case. My fiance traveled to Israel (to visit family) and Jordan 4 years ago. He was asked about that and traveling to the West Bank. We are assuming its because of that. We are devastated. He got his passport back. Where do we go from here? What are the current processing times?

Sorry to hear about that. Please enter your information in the following spreadsheet for benefit of others in AP

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jV7rzX2eCRVoEDRhOtN9a6hDoHRLNEf1P3ZGZbQ0_Dc/edit#gid=0

You may look at it to get some idea about AP - Generally AP completion time varies from 2 - 6 months plus. Most of the member interviewed in Mar/April 2023 are still waiting for AP clearance. 

Edited November 9, 2023 by Leo The Great