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

[ak47 33]

Did any of the Feb 2023 interviewees receive any response to their DS5535 ?

 

As we know, some people from January started receiving some response in the last couple of weeks.

[APRIL2023 59]

3 hours ago, Ahmad0606 said:

How long that radio silence will last? Eventually, they have to respond at the end!!

I did not get a response for my Oct and Nov inquiry. I emailed two weeks ago and received a response yesterday, although response is generic. Difference is that I have specific inquiry in the most email, rather than a broad request for status update. My “last update” status was then updated as well online. 
 

my interview was April 2023. Sigh. 

[SEP-27-DS_5535 33]

34 minutes ago, APRIL2023 said:

I did not get a response for my Oct and Nov inquiry. I emailed two weeks ago and received a response yesterday, although response is generic. Difference is that I have specific inquiry in the most email, rather than a broad request for status update. My “last update” status was then updated as well online. 
 

my interview was April 2023. Sigh. 

I also received an email response from the consulate on January 09th. Same generic email mention “case is currently under administrative processing”.

 

My interview was on September 27th, 2023.

[haruharu 10]

1 hour ago, Ahmad0606 said:

I also received an email response from the consulate on January 09th. Same generic email mention “case is currently under administrative processing”.

 

My interview was on September 27th, 2023.

No replies between Sep-Oct. I received the standard response for an inquiry sent 12/26 on 1/6. Interview was early April 2023. Really praying to hear back in the next few weeks 😓

[SEP-27-DS_5535 33]

9 hours ago, haruharu said:

No replies between Sep-Oct. I received the standard response for an inquiry sent 12/26 on 1/6. Interview was early April 2023. Really praying to hear back in the next few weeks 😓

I am positive that you’ll be hearing good news soon by the end of January.

[Daft_Cat 136]

18 hours ago, ak47 said:

Did any of the Feb 2023 interviewees receive any response to their DS5535 ?

 

As we know, some people from January started receiving some response in the last couple of weeks.

Not yet. The extension the state department requested is close to expiring - though the US attorney has apparently been pretty receptive / cooperative in the past. Working with my lawyer now to figure out next steps - whether it’ll be signing off on another extension or fighting a motion to dismiss (whichever we ultimately end up with). I suppose there’s a possibility I miraculously hear from the consulate over the next week but not holding my breath.

Edited January 13 by Daft_Cat

[Canucklehead 102]

On 1/12/2024 at 7:06 PM, ak47 said:

Did any of the Feb 2023 interviewees receive any response to their DS5535 ?

 

As we know, some people from January started receiving some response in the last couple of weeks.

Feb 1 interview here...still have not heard back anything. Submitted all docs back in early March.

[LetsGoFast 13]

On 12/29/2023 at 12:12 PM, LetsGoFast said:

A little bit updates:

I saw the last update date change to Dec 28, 2023 for both of us and on Dec 29, 2023 morning, we received an email for asking for new medical exams.

 

For the inquiry that we sent to get back the passports, there is no reply yet.

We decided to do the new medical exams no matter whether they agree to mail back our passports or not.

Since Dec 29, 2023, some more updates:

 

Jan 2, 2024 - We went to do the second medical exam

Jan 2, 2024 - Saw Case Last Updated changed to Jan 2, 2024 for myself only. In the past, this happens when we received some email replies.. This time, no any response for my email sent on Dec 13, 2023 about getting back our passports.. I am not sure if in the last stage, the consulate will ignore this request because they thought the process is close to the end ...... 

Jan 5, 2024 - The doctor's office told us that the reports were submitted for both of us. I saw Case Last Updated time changed to Jan 5, 2024 for both me and my husband.

Jan 8, 2024 - The Case Last Updated time changed to Jan 8th, 2024 for both of us.. I guess this was triggered by receiving our new medical reports.. 

 

And since then, no any other information from the consulate. From some previous posts, people said they usually will return the passport back in 4-6 weeks after they received all documents. Actually, my passport has been hold for 2.5 months. I knew some delays were caused by the holiday season, which unfortunately triggers the expiration for medical reports.

 

I told myself everyday that we are close to the end, just insist one more day. We have been in our friends place for a long time, work remotely for a really long time, and scheduling prenatal exams in Canada makes everything even harder for me. We are grateful for all understandings from our friends and colleagues. I hope everyone has the best luck in the new year and the same good luck for my new baby, who will come this June (I really hope that at that time, we are already back in our home in the US).

 

 

[haruharu 10]

18 minutes ago, LetsGoFast said:

Since Dec 29, 2023, some more updates:

 

Jan 2, 2024 - We went to do the second medical exam

Jan 2, 2024 - Saw Case Last Updated changed to Jan 2, 2024 for myself only. In the past, this happens when we received some email replies.. This time, no any response for my email sent on Dec 13, 2023 about getting back our passports.. I am not sure if in the last stage, the consulate will ignore this request because they thought the process is close to the end ...... 

Jan 5, 2024 - The doctor's office told us that the reports were submitted for both of us. I saw Case Last Updated time changed to Jan 5, 2024 for both me and my husband.

Jan 8, 2024 - The Case Last Updated time changed to Jan 8th, 2024 for both of us.. I guess this was triggered by receiving our new medical reports.. 

 

And since then, no any other information from the consulate. From some previous posts, people said they usually will return the passport back in 4-6 weeks after they received all documents. Actually, my passport has been hold for 2.5 months. I knew some delays were caused by the holiday season, which unfortunately triggers the expiration for medical reports.

 

I told myself everyday that we are close to the end, just insist one more day. We have been in our friends place for a long time, work remotely for a really long time, and scheduling prenatal exams in Canada makes everything even harder for me. We are grateful for all understandings from our friends and colleagues. I hope everyone has the best luck in the new year and the same good luck for my new baby, who will come this June (I really hope that at that time, we are already back in our home in the US).

 

 

Hope this works out fast for you! I’m not sure if you’ve already posted this information but when was your interview and what type of visa are you guys? 

[LetsGoFast 13]

23 minutes ago, haruharu said:

Hope this works out fast for you! I’m not sure if you’ve already posted this information but when was your interview and what type of visa are you guys? 

Thanks!

Yes, more previous timelines about my case was posted in https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/786919-the-dreaded-ds-5535-thread-for-montreal-post-here-and-support-each-other-part-2/page/177/#comment-10934342. All answers for your questions were there.

[Toddhugh 0]

Hi,

 

new to the thread, montreal AP for F2B visa.

 

interview was May 28/ 2023

submitted DS 5535 June 12th

 

Nothing but automatic responses. Wondering if anyone has any insights as too how long these visas are taking to clear AP? 
 

was advised by PIC law that 95% of cases are getting dismissed in Montreal and to not file a writ unless it’s been at least a year but preferably 2 years. 
 

any insight would be appreciated. 

[Phil_K_IR1 83]

Hi all!

 

My spouse had her IR1 interview at Montreal on Nov 9, 2023. 
 

She is in the TAL list and was given a 221g refusal. Later that day, we were told to submit a CV/resume.

 

This was all submitted and confirmed receipt on Nov 28, 2023. 
 

We were NOT given a 5535. It's now been 6 weeks since receipt of documents (or their last communication). Every email we've sent we got automated replies/unhelpful responses. The last update was Dec 18, 2023, where it was just an email reply.

 

Does anyone know when we could expect approval or further information? Her medical expires in April 2024, based on receipt of it in October 2023. We were given back the passport, as a "courtesy" since the holidays were approaching, according to the officer. 
 

(She is a Canadian citizen, born in China, working in medical sciences.) 

 

Thank you for any timeline input 🥲

Edited January 15 by Phil_K_IR1

[LYV 63]

9 minutes ago, Toddhugh said:

Hi,

 

new to the thread, montreal AP for F2B visa.

 

interview was May 28/ 2023

submitted DS 5535 June 12th

 

Nothing but automatic responses. Wondering if anyone has any insights as too how long these visas are taking to clear AP? 
 

was advised by PIC law that 95% of cases are getting dismissed in Montreal and to not file a writ unless it’s been at least a year but preferably 2 years. 
 

any insight would be appreciated. 

 

Hi @Toddhugh I am EB1A Visa almost the exact same timing as you. Interview May 26th, Submitted DS 5535 on June 7th. 

Here is our current Excel Tracking Sheet, you can see those who have got through so far. Someone who had an interview in January I believe just got their greencard in hand but no one in February that we know of has even gotten a request for return of passport yet. So we are a bit troubled by that. Please take a moment to enter your info on the sheet so we can follow along. 

 

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

 

[Toddhugh 0]

@LYV 

 

thanks for the info and fast response. Looking at the list is doesn’t seem like they’re giving too many of these APs out like I thought they were. And by the sounds of it we’re looking at a year to a year and a half to clear AP. Glad to see legal immigration is being discouraged lol.

[LYV 63]

1 minute ago, Toddhugh said:

@LYV 

 

thanks for the info and fast response. Looking at the list is doesn’t seem like they’re giving too many of these APs out like I thought they were. And by the sounds of it we’re looking at a year to a year and a half to clear AP. Glad to see legal immigration is being discouraged lol.

It’s quite the slog, I would say the timeline of a year is good. We were seeing average around 200-300 days post interview. Like yourself just finding this thread, I’m sure there are many more in AP who are not on this list. So it is not the most accurate picture. But there are people getting through without filing WOM so at least that is encouraging.