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

[Ontarkie 14,309]

1 minute ago, WMBB said:

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?  

The medical and visa expiry dates should be the same. Check the visa, the dates should match. So yes cross asap. 

[Ontarkie 14,309]

13 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!

Your package didn't go digital? Most have been digital for awhile now. 

Try to cross the way it is.  Montreal is very slow to get things sorted out. I would try my luck. Years ago anything more then a small rip we would have said get it fixed.

[Fayisa 21]

Hello guys, so my wife submitted the questionnaires last Monday and since then every day, we check the case we are seeing a new update on the date. The case's last update is today the 27th. Is it normal? What do these updates mean? Thank you, guys. 

[WMBB 23]

For those that filed a WOM, how soon did you start to see traction/updates to your case?  

[Ds553513 16]

@Fayisa it is normal .first 2 to 3 weeks you will see lot of up date update ( around 4 or 5 ) and then after everything will stop 

it’s my personal experience and also some people share  their experience 

thank you 

Edited February 27, 2023 by Gha

[Fayisa 21]

6 minutes ago, Gha said:

@Fayisa it is normal .first 2 to 3 weeks you will see lot of up date update ( around 4 or 5 ) and then after everything will stop 

it’s my personal experience and also some people share  their experience 

thank you 

 

Thank you so much 

[addpeace 40]

54 minutes ago, WMBB said:

For those that filed a WOM, how soon did you start to see traction/updates to your case?  

We filed on the 31st of January. No notice of receipt yet, but have had 3 updates on the account Feb 14th, 17th and 23rd. 

[GHSDK 0]

2 hours ago, Mmk2112 said:

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

Interview: Feb 2021, Received DS-5535 forms the same day.

Did not file WOM.

Request to do 2nd medical/send Passport/send new Photos/Redo DS-260: Dec-2021.

Visa expiry: Exactly 6 month after 2nd medical date. 

[GHSDK 0]

1 hour ago, Ontarkie said:

Your package didn't go digital? Most have been digital for awhile now. 

Try to cross the way it is.  Montreal is very slow to get things sorted out. I would try my luck. Years ago anything more then a small rip we would have said get it fixed.

Thanks, I am thinking the same thing: I will try to cross the border a month before visa expiry with the envelopes as they are. If any problems happens will try to contact consulate urging (begging) them to let me deliver envelopes in person and picking them also in person. I wish I could cross border sooner but unfortunately that's not possible. 

[addpeace 40]

1 minute ago, GHSDK said:

Thanks, I am thinking the same thing: I will try to cross the border a month before visa expiry with the envelopes as they are. If any problems happens will try to contact consulate urging (begging) them to let me deliver envelopes in person and picking them also in person. I wish I could cross border sooner but unfortunately that's not possible. 

You could try calling the border and asking them about the damaged package and the wait time from the consulate/post. They may be able to confirm that you need a new one or if that one is fine. 

[mymissingpiece 22]

6 hours ago, Ontarkie said:

Your package didn't go digital? Most have been digital for awhile now. 

Try to cross the way it is.  Montreal is very slow to get things sorted out. I would try my luck. Years ago anything more than a small rip we would have said get it fixed.

 

I just crossed on Dec 29 and packages are definitely not digital…not sure where you heard this from.

 

@GHSDK mine wasn’t ripped so I can’t comment on that. I think your medical and perhaps your 129f is in there. But if you’re worried about the extent of the rip, I think you have to weigh yourself whether you wanna flag it to the Consulate or wait and see if the border cares. It’s a tough call

[Canucklehead 102]

Hey all, a few questions for those who couldn't find exact dates for their travel history:

 

Did you add a note explaining why you couldn't provide the exact date? AND/OR

Did you give an estimate for when you thought the trip was?

 

I am 100% certain of dates for the majority of my trips. However, for some of my trips from 10+ years ago, I cannot find any record for them (I.e. in my passport/email/messages). I've so far just put a message similar to:

"Country X. Dates: May 2-5 (these dates are an estimate based on talking to others who travelled with me. None of us have  specific information for when the trip was)"

 

Also, if I happen to go on any trips after submitting my DS-5535 - do I need to update the embassy of these trips as well?

[dennisv 23]

36 minutes ago, mymissingpiece said:

 

I just crossed on Dec 29 and packages are definitely not digital…not sure where you heard this from.

 

@GHSDK mine wasn’t ripped so I can’t comment on that. I think your medical and perhaps your 129f is in there. But if you’re worried about the extent of the rip, I think you have to weigh yourself whether you wanna flag it to the Consulate or wait and see if the border cares. It’s a tough call

K1 Visa (129f- Fiancé) are still a package, physically handed to the CBP and they forward to a service center. 
 

Marriage visa types (CR1/IR1) are digital and are pulled up on the system by CBP. Hope that helps 

[throwitaway 190]

13 hours ago, Canucklehead said:

Did you add a note explaining why you couldn't provide the exact date? AND/OR

Did you give an estimate for when you thought the trip was?

A simple (estimate) should suffice. They just copy paste the data into whatever portal they’re using to submit it. 

 

13 hours ago, Canucklehead said:

Also, if I happen to go on any trips after submitting my DS-5535 - do I need to update the embassy of these trips as well?

 

No, I wouldn’t. In my opinion the form should be true on the day you submit it - anything after that is 🤷 because 1) They don’t mention this 2) I have a feeling it will delay clearance further

[Tiabeanie 39]

After being in AP for 120 days with no DS-5535, I finally got approved. I'm so happy to be done with this. Now I'm waiting on my passport to be returned.

Edited February 28, 2023 by Tiabeanie