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

[anotheronewaiting 7]

17 minutes ago, dmitrych said:

Is anyone here considering WoM but haven't started the process yet?

I talked to Goldstein today, apparently they're giving 10% discount to both me and the referred person if I refer someone to attend the initial free consultation. And apparently the discount doesn't disappear if one of us ends up not filing.

 

The bad news is that Goldstein has increased their fee to $6299 starting from January 1, so the discount just brings it back to a bit above what it used to be last year. I'll look at other lawyers too.

We just filed with Goldstein before the fee change.. hoping we have some success, I figured we had nothing to lose even if the WOMs have had push back recently. Goldstein seems to have a method that works for them . I have a feeling the fee increase is due to the extensions they’ve been facing.. but I will update the timeline as we go. Our interview was August 15, 2023. So it’s been 5 months, and after our 4 month wait inquiry with the consulate they got back to us in 3 weeks with the same generic AP message… seems like we are getting nowhere without intervention.

[Ontarkie 14,190]

8 hours ago, Phil_K_IR1 said:

Or be like us and asked for a CV and still waiting lol

 

I wonder if it even matters anymore what you're asked to give.. they just take forever for no reason

Even before the DS-5535 issue started Montreal took 8 weeks to clear AP for missing or extra documents. You should be just about done. 

[Phil_K_IR1 83]

23 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

Even before the DS-5535 issue started Montreal took 8 weeks to clear AP for missing or extra documents. You should be just about done. 

I hope so... 🙏🏼

 

Just passed the 6 week point aha

[northface 30]

10 hours ago, ShawnK said:

What's super frustrating (good for them though, wouldn't wish this in anyone ) is you see other embassies starting to clear these 5535s efficiently.

 

I've recently seen posts from folks in Beruit and Ankara cleaning in 3-8 weeks. Even Islamabad.

 

I understand these  security clearances go to some other unknown agencies for processing, it just seems odd that for Canadians -who come from a country  which instantly  shares all police/security issues with the US... - would face such severe delays ? 

 

Saw a post from someone who was worried their spouse would be stuck in DS5535 because they lived in Turkey , close to Syria, but cleared in a few weeks? 

 

Yet Canadians, who mostly live in the thin habitable strip near the US border, are being heavily delayed?

 

I just really question what is going on?  Are our files just sitting there until someone picks them up, does a few clicks, "yeah he/she is good". 

 

If anyone had any sort of background security concerns, they would never be allowed to enter the US.

 

 

 

https://foia.state.gov/

might check the above web site , search record with MTL, keyword. and get the answers

[AP_since_May2023 37]

12 hours ago, ShawnK said:

What's super frustrating (good for them though, wouldn't wish this in anyone ) is you see other embassies starting to clear these 5535s efficiently.

 

I've recently seen posts from folks in Beruit and Ankara cleaning in 3-8 weeks. Even Islamabad.

 

I understand these  security clearances go to some other unknown agencies for processing, it just seems odd that for Canadians -who come from a country  which instantly  shares all police/security issues with the US... - would face such severe delays ? 

 

Saw a post from someone who was worried their spouse would be stuck in DS5535 because they lived in Turkey , close to Syria, but cleared in a few weeks? 

 

Yet Canadians, who mostly live in the thin habitable strip near the US border, are being heavily delayed?

 

I just really question what is going on?  Are our files just sitting there until someone picks them up, does a few clicks, "yeah he/she is good". 

 

If anyone had any sort of background security concerns, they would never be allowed to enter the US.

 

 

 

My understanding of DS-5535 is that all of them go through the same line, regardless of the consulate. Those that cleared sooner, must not have been under the same SAO.

[ShawnK 82]

14 hours ago, northface said:

 

https://foia.state.gov/

might check the above web site , search record with MTL, keyword. and get the answers

Wow, seems they see Montreal as a shady  place.

 

 

Edited January 17 by ShawnK

[ShawnK 82]

19 hours ago, dmitrych said:

Is anyone here considering WoM but haven't started the process yet?

I talked to Goldstein today, apparently they're giving 10% discount to both me and the referred person if I refer someone to attend the initial free consultation. And apparently the discount doesn't disappear if one of us ends up not filing.

 

The bad news is that Goldstein has increased their fee to $6299 starting from January 1, so the discount just brings it back to a bit above what it used to be last year. I'll look at other lawyers too.

What exactly is their method? I'm curious what they said regarding MTD.

 

Basically, you can respond to a MTD, government responds back...then you wait for the judge, and the judge can take as long as he/she wants. 

 

 

[ShawnK 82]

19 hours ago, dmitrych said:

Is anyone here considering WoM but haven't started the process yet?

I talked to Goldstein today, apparently they're giving 10% discount to both me and the referred person if I refer someone to attend the initial free consultation. And apparently the discount doesn't disappear if one of us ends up not filing.

 

The bad news is that Goldstein has increased their fee to $6299 starting from January 1, so the discount just brings it back to a bit above what it used to be last year. I'll look at other lawyers too.

 

On 1/16/2024 at 12:28 PM, APRIL2023 said:

Ya I agree 100%.

 

When I was given 221g, I was told that a ds5535 will be sent to me but that never happened. I waited 3 weeks and took matters into my own hands and send in the anticipated information myself. I was only able to confirm receipt after multiple follow-up emails. 
 

I guess for anyone new here waiting for AP clearance, start looking for alternative route. WIT doesn’t sound like an effective solution anymore compared to a year ago. If you are given 221g with ds5535 requirement, you are in for a long long ride. I hope that I’m wrong but expect wait time to be at least 8+ months. 

Seems now creeping up to 12+ months.

 

There seems to be no relief.

[Phil_K_IR1 83]

Has anyone involved congresspersons in this matter? 

Are they able to force a reply from the consulate/DHS?

[APRIL2023 59]

11 minutes ago, ShawnK said:

Wow, seems they see Montreal as a shady  place.

 

 

Which document did u look at? 

[Bestbest7 9]

Hi everyone and happy New Year,

 

Montreal office requested for my passport after being on AP for 10 months, But unfortunately am still in the U.S with family and was wandering if I can send my passport to a family member in Canada and have them mail it to the visa office in Montreal since I don’t want to be away from my family? Not sure if am over pushing it😇.

Will appreciate your feedback.

[Ontarkie 14,190]

9 minutes ago, Bestbest7 said:

Hi everyone and happy New Year,

 

Montreal office requested for my passport after being on AP for 10 months, But unfortunately am still in the U.S with family and was wandering if I can send my passport to a family member in Canada and have them mail it to the visa office in Montreal since I don’t want to be away from my family? Not sure if am over pushing it😇.

Will appreciate your feedback.

When were you going to head back to Canada? 

Even sending mail priority it takes its sweet old time getting through the border. Plus chances of it getting lost.

[Phil_K_IR1 83]

19 minutes ago, Bestbest7 said:

Hi everyone and happy New Year,

 

Montreal office requested for my passport after being on AP for 10 months, But unfortunately am still in the U.S with family and was wandering if I can send my passport to a family member in Canada and have them mail it to the visa office in Montreal since I don’t want to be away from my family? Not sure if am over pushing it😇.

Will appreciate your feedback.

Do you mind elaborating on if your AP was for the DS5535 or just missing docs/other? 
 

also- it's best if you're in Canada for this

[APRIL2023 59]

13 minutes ago, Bestbest7 said:

Hi everyone and happy New Year,

 

Montreal office requested for my passport after being on AP for 10 months, But unfortunately am still in the U.S with family and was wandering if I can send my passport to a family member in Canada and have them mail it to the visa office in Montreal since I don’t want to be away from my family? Not sure if am over pushing it😇.

Will appreciate your feedback.

Congrats! Do u have to repeat the medical exam? Also, what can you use as alternative to enter the country (ie. nexus)? My understanding is that you’ll have to enter the US with the sealed package they give you. Do you plan to ask family members to mail you the package in US? 
 

I’d never been in the situation so apologies I don’t have the answers to your questions. I’ll be curious to see if the above is possible as well cause I might be on the same boat as u when the time comes! 

[LetsGoFast 13]

29 minutes ago, Bestbest7 said:

Hi everyone and happy New Year,

 

Montreal office requested for my passport after being on AP for 10 months, But unfortunately am still in the U.S with family and was wandering if I can send my passport to a family member in Canada and have them mail it to the visa office in Montreal since I don’t want to be away from my family? Not sure if am over pushing it😇.

Will appreciate your feedback.

I think APRIL2023 made a good point about medical report. The old medical report will expire after 6 months. To me it's a little strange that the consulate did not request both passport and new medical at the same time. Since your AP takes 10 months, if you mailed your passport from the US, and then they also asked for a new medical check, which can only be taken within the Canada, then your situation would be awkward.

 

It might be safe to send the consulate an email to check this before sending back your passport, but I am not sure if they can give you a concrete answer.. sorry. Good luck!