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

[throwitaway 190]

On 2/21/2023 at 12:15 PM, Canucklehead said:

Thanks for responses everyone!

I received an email from the consulate today! It was in response to an email I had sent to Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov inquiring about what supplemental info they needed - email was sent 14 days ago.

I'm not sure when I would have received these questions had I not reached out to the consulate directly, so I would advise anyone else in a similar situation to reach out directly to the consulate if you are awaiting next steps after your 221(g) was issued. I was kind and respectful in my initial email, and included all of my pertinent information.

The email asked me to supply a variety of info including:

• My passport and travel history
• Info about my relatives
• My address history
• Contact details history/social media history
• Employment history

A few questions:

1. It mentions an OMB number and the expiry is a date in the past (Feb 28, 2021) - is this a mistake on their end/something I should be addressing? It also says the estimated burden is 60 minutes. This is going to take me a lot longer than 60 minutes - I've been to over 20 countries in the past 15 years and have held numerous different jobs too. What do they mean by burden?
2. I already submitted a lot of this information on my initial application - is it better for me to just put it all in again? I would hate to omit anything and face even more delays
3. There was no mention that this was DS-5535 - is this email considered DS-5535?
4. For anyone who does have extensive travel history, are there any tips for ensuring you get the dates/length of stay correct for places you've visited? I unfortunately do not have all of my receipts for flights, etc. over last 15 years and don't want to make any mistakes!

1. Ignore that OMB stuff, it’s equivalent to “Office Use Only” 

2. Check the email carefully again - unless they’ve changed it, there’s wording that says:

“Aside from your name, date of birth, and visa classification, please only provide information not included in your current visa application. For example, if all of your children are listed in your current visa application (Form DS-160 or DS-260), you do not need to list them again. “

3. Yes. 

4. Check all your former passports, the entry stamps will help. For US visits, you can look at your I-94 online. 

 

[WMBB 23]

Hi Folks,  I requested status update and to have my passport back on Jan 30.  They finally responded on Feb 13 with a generic message and no reference to my passport to be returned.

 

Today I received email notification via DOS visa system that passport is being returned.  
 

case status date was updated today, Feb 23 but still showing refused.  Is this just them simply returning passport on my request?  10 days later of replying to my last email without referencing passport to be sent?   Why would they have not sent it back the day they responded to email?

 

glimmer of hope or fat chance?  Interviewed in Nov and placed in AP DS5355.

 

thanks 

[P3P 4]

14 minutes ago, WMBB said:

Hi Folks,  I requested status update and to have my passport back on Jan 30.  They finally responded on Feb 13 with a generic message and no reference to my passport to be returned.

 

Today I received email notification via DOS visa system that passport is being returned.  
 

case status date was updated today, Feb 23 but still showing refused.  Is this just them simply returning passport on my request?  10 days later of replying to my last email without referencing passport to be sent?   Why would they have not sent it back the day they responded to email?

 

glimmer of hope or fat chance?  Interviewed in Nov and placed in AP DS5355.

 

thanks 

Likely just returning your passport based on your request.

[farzady 42]

New member in AP. 

[throwitaway 190]

16 hours ago, WMBB said:

Hi Folks,  I requested status update and to have my passport back on Jan 30.  They finally responded on Feb 13 with a generic message and no reference to my passport to be returned.

 

Today I received email notification via DOS visa system that passport is being returned.  
 

case status date was updated today, Feb 23 but still showing refused.  Is this just them simply returning passport on my request?  10 days later of replying to my last email without referencing passport to be sent?   Why would they have not sent it back the day they responded to email?

 

glimmer of hope or fat chance?  Interviewed in Nov and placed in AP DS5355.

 

thanks 

They only send out on certain days, and it takes a while for it to go from the consulate to the third party mailing site, so it’s completely reasonable that it’s just your passport as you requested.

[throwitaway 190]

27 minutes ago, farzady said:

New member in AP. 

Did you receive 5535? This thread is specifically for 5535 AP, as it can differ greatly from standard 221g AP. 

[farzady 42]

2 hours ago, throwitaway said:

Did you receive 5535? This thread is specifically for 5535 AP, as it can differ greatly from standard 221g AP. 

Not yet. She issued 221g right away and told me to wait for the email. She said they need to check my military and will ask to send them my cv again. 

[farzady 42]

4 hours ago, throwitaway said:

Did you receive 5535? This thread is specifically for 5535 AP, as it can differ greatly from standard 221g AP. 

I just received the 5535 email from embassy and asking for the same thing as she explained to me. 

[LAMA9 118]

1 hour ago, farzady said:

I just received the 5535 email from embassy and asking for the same thing as she explained to me. 

I'm sorry.  It's a frustrating and gut wrenching place to be in.  Fill in all the information as best as you can and prepare for a long wait.  If you haven't had any movement four months from submitting your return DS-5535 email consider the WOM.  I waited 7 months before filing and wish I had done it months before.  My WOM took 92 days from filing until I had my visa in hand.  

Best of luck to you.  

[farzady 42]

2 hours ago, LAMA9 said:

I'm sorry.  It's a frustrating and gut wrenching place to be in.  Fill in all the information as best as you can and prepare for a long wait.  If you haven't had any movement four months from submitting your return DS-5535 email consider the WOM.  I waited 7 months before filing and wish I had done it months before.  My WOM took 92 days from filing until I had my visa in hand.  

Best of luck to you.  

Will do. thank you.

[Fayisa 21]

On 2/24/2023 at 9:59 AM, farzady said:

New member in AP. 

When was your interview? My wife got it too beginning of Feb. 

[farzady 42]

36 minutes ago, Fayisa said:

When was your interview? My wife got it too beginning of Feb. 

mine was Feb 24. 

[GHSDK 0]

Hi,

 

A question for those who already crossed the border: After being in ds-5535 AP for over an year, I have finally received my visa with the package that should not be opened. However, the package has tears on the bottom of the envelope almost 5 inches in length. The papers cannot be removed and the material is not compromised. Has anyone had a similar experience? Was those tears on the envelope created any problems when crossing the border? Thanks!

[Mmk2112 34]

12 hours ago, GHSDK said:

Hi,

 

A question for those who already crossed the border: After being in ds-5535 AP for over an year, I have finally received my visa with the package that should not be opened. However, the package has tears on the bottom of the envelope almost 5 inches in length. The papers cannot be removed and the material is not compromised. Has anyone had a similar experience? Was those tears on the envelope created any problems when crossing the border? Thanks!

Great happy for you man. Could you please tell your interview date or month and also did you file WOM? TY!

[WMBB 23]

If visa is issued before expiration of medical/police certification, is it then you have up to 6 months to cross border?

 

Or if my visa is issued today but medical expires next week, does that mean I only have 1 week to cross the border?