DS-5535 and Administrative Processing after K1 Visa Interview. What's next?

[Catperson_rx 43]

My fiance had her interview at the Abu Dhabi US embassy yesterday. They refused her visa for no apparent reason. The interviewer gave her a sheet that our case requires "administrative processing" and may take several months. They did not ask for any evidence of relationship, I-134 form, W2 forms, or the any financial support documents even though we had all of those with us! We are utterly devastated because we waited 637 for an interview date and we planned the wedding and we were not expecting having to wait more months. This morning they sent me (petitioner) to fill out DS-5535. The questions in DS-5535 are almost the same as DS-160 which we filled out like 3 months ago. I don't know what to expect after this. Does anybody know how much longer we would need to wait?

[Redro 4,611]

1 hour ago, Catperson_rx said:

My fiance had her interview at the Abu Dhabi US embassy yesterday. They refused her visa for no apparent reason. The interviewer gave her a sheet that our case requires "administrative processing" and may take several months. They did not ask for any evidence of relationship, I-134 form, W2 forms, or the any financial support documents even though we had all of those with us! We are utterly devastated because we waited 637 for an interview date and we planned the wedding and we were not expecting having to wait more months. This morning they sent me (petitioner) to fill out DS-5535. The questions in DS-5535 are almost the same as DS-160 which we filled out like 3 months ago. I don't know what to expect after this. Does anybody know how much longer we would need to wait?

DS5535 is for additional vetting. Unfortunately AP of this type has no timeline. 

People from all over receive this paper but they do focus on people from certain countries and certain professions.

The Canada Forum has a DS5535 thread and most people appear to file a mandamus lawsuit after 4-6 months... 

Here are some threads more threads explaining things 

 

 

[throwitaway 190]

1 hour ago, Catperson_rx said:

My fiance had her interview at the Abu Dhabi US embassy yesterday. They refused her visa for no apparent reason. The interviewer gave her a sheet that our case requires "administrative processing" and may take several months. They did not ask for any evidence of relationship, I-134 form, W2 forms, or the any financial support documents even though we had all of those with us! We are utterly devastated because we waited 637 for an interview date and we planned the wedding and we were not expecting having to wait more months. This morning they sent me (petitioner) to fill out DS-5535. The questions in DS-5535 are almost the same as DS-160 which we filled out like 3 months ago. I don't know what to expect after this. Does anybody know how much longer we would need to wait?

Iranian applicants often face DS-5535 vetting, and Ankara, one of the designated Iranian posts explicitly says that administrative processing for Iranians can take six months or more. Sorry, it must be devastating. Good news is that most eventually clear.

 

 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,982]

2 hours ago, Catperson_rx said:

My fiance had her interview at the Abu Dhabi US embassy yesterday. They refused her visa for no apparent reason. The interviewer gave her a sheet that our case requires "administrative processing" and may take several months. They did not ask for any evidence of relationship, I-134 form, W2 forms, or the any financial support documents even though we had all of those with us! We are utterly devastated because we waited 637 for an interview date and we planned the wedding and we were not expecting having to wait more months. This morning they sent me (petitioner) to fill out DS-5535. The questions in DS-5535 are almost the same as DS-160 which we filled out like 3 months ago. I don't know what to expect after this. Does anybody know how much longer we would need to wait?

This is all completely normal.  Some regions require additional vetting and background checks.  Unfortunately, it takes time.  Patience is still the key.   The DS-160 was about the beneficiary. 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Catperson_rx 43]

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

This is all completely normal.  Some regions require additional vetting and background checks.  Unfortunately, it takes time.  Patience is still the key.   The DS-160 was about the beneficiary. 

I'm sorry but I just can't accept that. They had 637 days to investigate my fiance in every shape and form required. DS 5535 and DS 160 are both about the beneficiary. They are almost identical (questions about social media presence, previous addresses, employers etc.). So why is there a need to answer the same questions again? I can't justify it to myself.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

13 minutes ago, Catperson_rx said:

I'm sorry but I just can't accept that. They had 637 days to investigate my fiance in every shape and form required. DS 5535 and DS 160 are both about the beneficiary. They are almost identical (questions about social media presence, previous addresses, employers etc.). So why is there a need to answer the same questions again? I can't justify it to myself.

Those 637 days were just waiting for his place in the queue to get an interview. They weren't investigating during that time. Now they're investigating (or rather they will once you give them the DS-5535). As frustrating as it is, you don't really have a choice but to fill out the DS-5535 and wait.

[Crazy Cat 41,982]

14 minutes ago, Catperson_rx said:

I'm sorry but I just can't accept that. They had 637 days to investigate my fiance in every shape and form required. DS 5535 and DS 160 are both about the beneficiary. They are almost identical (questions about social media presence, previous addresses, employers etc.). So why is there a need to answer the same questions again? I can't justify it to myself.

 Unfortunately, MENA cases often go through extended AP.  It could be completed soon.  There is just no way to predict how long it will take.  

[Verrou 1,962]

38 minutes ago, Catperson_rx said:

I'm sorry but I just can't accept that. They had 637 days to investigate my fiance in every shape and form required. DS 5535 and DS 160 are both about the beneficiary. They are almost identical (questions about social media presence, previous addresses, employers etc.). So why is there a need to answer the same questions again? I can't justify it to myself.

sorry it happened to you. i understand it can be frustating. but dealing with USCIS, consulate, embassy during immigration journey sometimes arent easy. i learned to just give what they want because we need the visa 

[Chancy 6,242]

*** Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to K1 Progress Reports ***

 

[Boiler 45,731]

56 minutes ago, Catperson_rx said:

I'm sorry but I just can't accept that. They had 637 days to investigate my fiance in every shape and form required. DS 5535 and DS 160 are both about the beneficiary. They are almost identical (questions about social media presence, previous addresses, employers etc.). So why is there a need to answer the same questions again? I can't justify it to myself.

There is a lady who posts here, I think her SO has just gone past the 6 month mark.

 

As far as I can tell things are handled sequentially, why background check somebody if they are not otherwise qualified for a visa.

 

Your only option would be to file a WoM, if you checkout Hacking on YT, you will see it is his favourite thing to do.

[JeanneAdil 6,579]

1 hour ago, Catperson_rx said:

I'm sorry but I just can't accept that. They had 637 days to investigate my fiance in every shape and form required. DS 5535 and DS 160 are both about the beneficiary. They are almost identical (questions about social media presence, previous addresses, employers etc.). So why is there a need to answer the same questions again? I can't justify it to myself.

the ds 5535  goes back 15 years so not quite like the ds 160 

 

https://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/amresource/DS5535.pdf

Provide all addresses where you have lived during the last 15 years, if not already provided in your application.

and info on all siblings

Siblings (brothers and sisters) - Provide the full name(s) and date of birth of any sibling (full, half, step, adopted), living or deceased

all  info for employers last 15 years

Provide the following information on all employers in the last fifteen years, if not already provided in your application.

 

It is now a shorter form only 3 pages as much of the info is on the ds 160 but to search 15 years and siblings will take time

 

u can't justify it????  USCIS will not try to justify / BTW  we applied K1 2009 and got our IR1 2015 (no 5535)  just normal vetting

 

3 things you should know

 

• #1 The Immigration System is Very Complicated. Number one, the immigration system is extremely complicated. ...
• #2 The Wait Times Are Very Long. ...
• #3 Always Know Your Status and The Terms of That Status.

[SalishSea 17,970]

9 hours ago, Catperson_rx said:

My fiance had her interview at the Abu Dhabi US embassy yesterday. They refused her visa for no apparent reason. The interviewer gave her a sheet that our case requires "administrative processing" and may take several months. They did not ask for any evidence of relationship, I-134 form, W2 forms, or the any financial support documents even though we had all of those with us! We are utterly devastated because we waited 637 for an interview date and we planned the wedding and we were not expecting having to wait more months. This morning they sent me (petitioner) to fill out DS-5535. The questions in DS-5535 are almost the same as DS-160 which we filled out like 3 months ago. I don't know what to expect after this. Does anybody know how much longer we would need to wait?

It is because she is Iranian.

 

k-1 is not a great choice if you want to be able to plan a wedding, because, as you’re finding, it’s not possible to plan.

[Beth & Achraf 328]

7 hours ago, Catperson_rx said:

I'm sorry but I just can't accept that. They had 637 days to investigate my fiance in every shape and form required. DS 5535 and DS 160 are both about the beneficiary. They are almost identical (questions about social media presence, previous addresses, employers etc.). So why is there a need to answer the same questions again? I can't justify it to myself.

She is also from a MENA country, and the normally means AP

Yes,  even women from MENA countries are put in AP, especially after the 2015  San Berdino shooting involving Tashfeen Malik  from Saudi Arabia came in on a  K1 visa 

 

 

. 

[mam521 2,111]

There was one guy on the Canadian forum, Canadian born, Canadian raised, Canadian parents, never been to a MENA country and he was issued the DS-5535 in October 2021 and only received his visa at the end of January this year.  He had to file a WoM to get traction on his IR-1 case.  

 

Another person on the same forum had parents who applied together, elderly, retired, nothing that should have triggered, interview together and stepdad got his visa but mom was handed the DS-5535.  Took good long time to sort it out (over a year, IIRC).     

 

This extreme vetting seems to be the popular "thing" for the moment.  

[Niccie 12]

13 hours ago, Catperson_rx said:

My fiance had her interview at the Abu Dhabi US embassy yesterday. They refused her visa for no apparent reason. The interviewer gave her a sheet that our case requires "administrative processing" and may take several months. They did not ask for any evidence of relationship, I-134 form, W2 forms, or the any financial support documents even though we had all of those with us! We are utterly devastated because we waited 637 for an interview date and we planned the wedding and we were not expecting having to wait more months. This morning they sent me (petitioner) to fill out DS-5535. The questions in DS-5535 are almost the same as DS-160 which we filled out like 3 months ago. I don't know what to expect after this. Does anybody know how much longer we would need to wait?

Hi! I know exactly how you’re feeling. I am an Iranian born female who has been living in the Netherlands since 3 years old. I never had an Iranian passport ever. And also I got the DS5535 after my interview. I am not going to wait another 6-12 months in AP after waiting almost two years for the interview. I’m gonna file a WOM soon because I think for Iranians it’s just really bad luck…and it’s so unfair