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

[dennisv 23]

On 3/7/2023 at 10:28 PM, Irish89 said:

Hey. Question for all concerned. Has anyone emailed back their DS-5535 with additional evidence as attachments? The interviewer didn't take any of my spouses W2's, tax return and employment letter which I thought was of high importance?

Also my Passport expires sooner than the expected time in which we will see any final decision from DS-5535. Anyone have experience in a similar situation?

@Irish89 Usually the DS-5535 they ask that no attachments be sent. Also, if your passport expires sooner than later, maybe renew it.. 

[Beefybabygirl 8]

33 minutes ago, dennisv said:

@Beefybabygirl Unfortunately they don't CC your sponsor of those emails. I'm surprised you didn't update your email on CEAC prior to the interview. Anyway, the only option here is to email montreal-iv-dv@state.gov with your case number, your name, birthdate, sponsor name, their birthdate and see if you can get it updated. Or inquiry to montreal-iv-dv@state.gov. 

The email on CEAC was correct, they just sent all my emails to a .com instead of .ca for some reason

 

Thanks, I already emailed them, dunno what to do now

Edited March 9, 2023 by Beefybabygirl

[Lemonslice 4,792]

On 3/8/2023 at 12:28 AM, Irish89 said:

Hey. Question for all concerned. Has anyone emailed back their DS-5535 with additional evidence as attachments? The interviewer didn't take any of my spouses W2's, tax return and employment letter which I thought was of high importance?

Also my Passport expires sooner than the expected time in which we will see any final decision from DS-5535. Anyone have experience in a similar situation?

I very, very, strongly recommend that you renew your passport while you are still in Canada (even if it would "ok" for the visa - which am I not sure from what you said).  Get a new, fresh, 10-year passport and you will save yourself the cost and headache from renewing from abroad, for 10ish years.  

[Endlesslywaiting 9]

On 2/13/2023 at 2:27 PM, ice-qube said:

Congrats, it was a very hard decision for me if you recall, but in the end, was the only way out of it. May your case be finished much faster!

@ice-qube are you still here? Whatever happened to your WOM case?

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

1 hour ago, Evie6366 said:

@ice-qube are you still here? Whatever happened to your WOM case?

Glad you tagged him. I was wondering how his case was going. 

[throwitaway 190]

19 minutes ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

Glad you tagged him. I was wondering how his case was going. 

He was issued.

[ice-qube 648]

2 hours ago, Evie6366 said:

@ice-qube are you still here? Whatever happened to your WOM case?

Thanks for asking! Actually i have been quiet lately, it’s true. But yea I prevailed using the WOM case, in what has become such a common pattern now: i paid $5000 USD to law firm, they changed names and dates on a template, filed the suit, and whoever just said, k, just give him his visa now. It worked, yes; but forgive me if *even now* I remain no less disgusted by having had to do that than I was originally.

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

4 hours ago, Lemonslice said:

I very, very, strongly recommend that you renew your passport while you are still in Canada (even if it would "ok" for the visa - which am I not sure from what you said).  Get a new, fresh, 10-year passport and you will save yourself the cost and headache from renewing from abroad, for 10ish years.  

Sorry, but how is renewing Canadian passport in the US a hassle.

 

Curious as it may be relevant to me in the future.

[ice-qube 648]

25 minutes ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

Glad you tagged him. I was wondering how his case was going. 

Sorry I have been quiet. I actually just this week did my landing and been visiting my wife for the week. There is still more transitional logistics type stuff to be done before I physically move, but my legal journey with the dysfunctional immigration system is at least done. Thank G-d.

[Endlesslywaiting 9]

Wow, @ice-qube congratulations, I've read all the posts...so happy for you! Thank you for giving us some hope... Can you please share the lawyer you used? How long after they submitted the WOM did you get approved? 90 days? 

 

[Lemonslice 4,792]

4 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Sorry, but how is renewing Canadian passport in the US a hassle.

 

Curious as it may be relevant to me in the future.

it is not THAT bad to renew, and absolutely feasible, but it is:

- more expensive

- depending on where you live, a little, or a lot, more difficult to get the correct pictures [#1 reason why passport applications are rejected is because the pictures are not meeting the requirements; the back and forth by mail can also extend the processing time...]

- some American banks reject the payment, thinking it is fraudulent [mostly the case when paying from a Debit card on a credit card network]

 

it can be more challenging to request a new passport [after losing one, to change name, after the last one has been expired for too long]:

- Americans are not always willing to be a guarantor/sign the pictures 

- Document to support your identity has to match with your birth certificate/certificate of citizenship; the copy needs to be signed by your guarantor

- You need to send the original of your birth certificate/certificate of citizenship

 

---

All in all, when possible, renew in Canada (before leaving, or during an extended stay - quick service in Canada was pretty much the same price as snail mail service from the USA, last time I checked).  Otherwise, reach out to Passport Canada (and/or your local diplomatic mission [consulate/embassy]), for assistance before mailing your application, if ever you have questions.  

[Danii 312]

39 minutes ago, ice-qube said:

Sorry I have been quiet. I actually just this week did my landing and been visiting my wife for the week. There is still more transitional logistics type stuff to be done before I physically move, but my legal journey with the dysfunctional immigration system is at least done. Thank G-d.

So glad I decided to lurk today, many many many congratulations, ice-qube. I'm so happy this is over for you. Wishing the best for you and your wife and hoping that all your journeys from here on out go smoothly with no complications 🙏

[ice-qube 648]

42 minutes ago, Evie6366 said:

Wow, @ice-qube congratulations, I've read all the posts...so happy for you! Thank you for giving us some hope... Can you please share the lawyer you used? How long after they submitted the WOM did you get approved? 90 days? 

 

I used Hacking Law. If i recall correctly they submitted October 24. I was approved i believe on or about Jan 30, so that’s pretty close.

[ice-qube 648]

8 minutes ago, Danii said:

So glad I decided to lurk today, many many many congratulations, ice-qube. I'm so happy this is over for you. Wishing the best for you and your wife and hoping that all your journeys from here on out go smoothly with no complications 🙏

@Danii it was a long, long road. Thanks to all of you who were there to listen to my impotent raging along the way! 

[Irish89 44]

5 hours ago, Lemonslice said:

I very, very, strongly recommend that you renew your passport while you are still in Canada (even if it would "ok" for the visa - which am I not sure from what you said).  Get a new, fresh, 10-year passport and you will save yourself the cost and headache from renewing from abroad, for 10ish years.  

@lemonslice thanks for the input!