The dreaded DS-5535 thread for Montreal Only. Post here and support each other (PART 3)

[tas005 4]

On 2/4/2024 at 3:15 PM, Phil_K_IR1 said:

When was your last case update date change on CEAC? 
 

I had sent letters to my senator and congressperson, and just heard back from the congressperson that they sent an inquiry on the 1st of Feb, so wondering if the Feb 2 update we got was due to them inquiring. 
 

But it adds up to the dates changing a week ish apart regardless, seems we may be close potentially. 
 

Your case and ours are very similar, curious to see if there's movement on your end too. 

updated only when they replied to the inquiry in which there was just an acknowledgement, no any update after that

[AP_since_May2023 37]

On 2/5/2024 at 4:03 PM, Daft_Cat said:

Another unsolicited case update today. My last one was Jan 31st. Sent an email a couple weeks ago, but no reply to that.

Can you update the spreadsheet? Thanks! 

[Sisa24 20]

I was also given the dreaded form on January 24, 24. What are our options beside waiting? Category CR1

[SEP-27-DS_5535 33]

55 minutes ago, Sisa24 said:

I was also given the dreaded form on January 24, 24. What are our options beside waiting? Category CR1

Wait and pray for the next 6months

[Daft_Cat 136]

1 hour ago, Sisa24 said:

I was also given the dreaded form on January 24, 24. What are our options beside waiting? Category CR1

I know it's unintentional, but some of these posts rub me the wrong way. Many of us are coming up on a year at this point, so you'll understand if appetites aren't high to help others jump the line. 

You're in for an extended wait. That's the reality of it, as ridiculous as it sounds. There are about 66k people sitting in AP right now, and only 35 resources dedicated to processing them. Slow processing times are a Montreal-centric problem unfortunately - they utilize the DS-5535 more than other consulates, and have been under-resourced since the pandemic kickstarted an applicant backlog. Some attorneys have speculated that the DS-5535 is being used to relieve the backlog by relaxing requirements around processing timelines for a certain percentage of applicants.

 

I wouldn't recommend doing anything for the next 6 months (at least) other than sending the occasional reminder email to Montreal. If you have imminent plans to move to the US, put a pin in them.

 

Once you're past the 6-month point, talk to an immigration attorney about the appropriate timing for a Writ of Mandamus. At the moment, few firms are willing to file a WOM until 6-12 month post-interview (and that timeline has been increasing). On current timelines, you're looking at 12-15 months even if you do file a WOM. That may change (for better or for worse) depending on the outcome of the election as well as Montreal's ability to address resourcing & shrink the backlog.  

 

 

Edited February 7 by Daft_Cat

[LYV 63]

There is a group on Facebook for worldwide DS-5535 and someone on there was a Feb 2023 Montreal interview. They were contacted in September to resubmit medical. Could mean they’ve taken some sort of 

break and the rest of the Feb interviews will get notice soon. 

[Superluminal 146]

3 minutes ago, LYV said:

There is a group on Facebook for worldwide DS-5535 and someone on there was a Feb 2023 Montreal interview. They were contacted in September to resubmit medical. Could mean they’ve taken some sort of 

break and the rest of the Feb interviews will get notice soon. 

Visa category seems to have an impact on timeline for DS-5535 processing. Some EB visas seem to process faster, I suspect because of economic interests. This doesn't apply to everyone with an EB application though.

[Daft_Cat 136]

5 minutes ago, LYV said:

There is a group on Facebook for worldwide DS-5535 and someone on there was a Feb 2023 Montreal interview. They were contacted in September to resubmit medical. Could mean they’ve taken some sort of 

break and the rest of the Feb interviews will get notice soon. 

 

I had no updates between June of 2023 (triggered by an email), and Jan of 2024. Before the last couple weeks, there hadn't been any unsolicited case updates on my file. 

It's not that my case was complex, or that it was taking longer to clear - they literally were not touching it. 

Can't speak to the individual in the Facebook group, but maybe they took a chance and filed their WOM early - I didn't file mine until September. Or maybe they got lucky or were pestering the consulate more frequently.

[Sisa24 20]

1 hour ago, Daft_Cat said:

I know it's unintentional, but some of these posts rub me the wrong way. Many of us are coming up on a year at this point, so you'll understand if appetites aren't high to help others jump the line. 

You're in for an extended wait. That's the reality of it, as ridiculous as it sounds. There are about 66k people sitting in AP right now, and only 35 resources dedicated to processing them. Slow processing times are a Montreal-centric problem unfortunately - they utilize the DS-5535 more than other consulates, and have been under-resourced since the pandemic kickstarted an applicant backlog. Some attorneys have speculated that the DS-5535 is being used to relieve the backlog by relaxing requirements around processing timelines for a certain percentage of applicants.

 

I wouldn't recommend doing anything for the next 6 months (at least) other than sending the occasional reminder email to Montreal. If you have imminent plans to move to the US, put a pin in them.

 

Once you're past the 6-month point, talk to an immigration attorney about the appropriate timing for a Writ of Mandamus. At the moment, few firms are willing to file a WOM until 6-12 month post-interview (and that timeline has been increasing). On current timelines, you're looking at 12-15 months even if you do file a WOM. That may change (for better or for worse) depending on the outcome of the election as well as Montreal's ability to address resourcing & shrink the backlog.  

 

 

It seems you misunderstood me. I am not here trying to find a quick solution for a problem that is taking others months or years. I am very much aware of the excel sheet that is showing the processing times of other applicants, and know that feb 23 applicants still waiting for news. It’s frustrating for us all. We’ve all waited a year and half or two yrs and now add another year for this. 

[Canucklehead 102]

Interviewed Feb 1, 2023. My last update remains November 13, 2023 and I am pretty sure that's just because they gave me a canned response that day replying to an email I'd sent asking for an update.

 

For all those who recently got put into same process, my suggestions are:

 

Don't plan on getting your green card any time in the next year at the very least (not being harsh, just being realistic).

 

You can still visit your spouse so long as your true intention is solely to visit and you do not overstay. I.e. Have a return flight booked, don't fly with 3 cases of luggage for a 2 week trip.

 

Writing to politicians accomplishes nothing

 

Filing a WOM does nothing (save your money and use it for trips instead)

 

Don't be afraid to talk to friends and family about your situation. I was ashamed for a while to talk about it, but really this has nothing to do with you messing up and everything to do with bureaucratic processes. Their support and empathy can help.

 

Do try to make trips to visit each other if possible. I realize this can be hard as many people have jobs/children. However having a trip to look forward to so that you can see your loved ones can really help mental health.

 

Work on yourself in the meantime. Eat healthier, workout, learn a new skill. Don't let yourself become stagnant just because your application becomes stagnant.

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

Edited February 7 by Canucklehead

[Pending DS5535 22]

We also had our interview on Jan 24 in Montreal and were handed over this form DS-5535 and resume and research publication docs as well, Visa Category IR5, and we submitted everything on Jan 25. I hardly see any IR5 in the Excel sheet of ds-5535. But there was a lady ahead of us, she also got this form, and she told us outside the embassy that her daughter and son both also got this form, but they got their visa in 58 days. Hard to believe. 

So far, we got 3 date updates on ceac website.

Edited February 7 by Pending DS5535

[AP_since_May2023 37]

2 hours ago, LYV said:

There is a group on Facebook for worldwide DS-5535 and someone on there was a Feb 2023 Montreal interview. They were contacted in September to resubmit medical. Could mean they’ve taken some sort of 

break and the rest of the Feb interviews will get notice soon. 

Can you share the name of the FB group? Don't post link as that is against the rules of this forum.

8 minutes ago, Pending DS5535 said:

We also had our interview on Jan 24 in Montreal, and were handed over this form DS-5535 and resume and research publication docs as well, Visa Category IR5, although I hardly see any IR5 in the Excel sheet of ds-5535. But there was a lady ahead of us, she also got this form, and she told us outside the embassy that her daughter and son both also got this form, but they got their visa in 58 days. Hard to believe. 

 

I was asked for my CV only (without DS-5535) and I've been waiting for 9 months now. 

[Pending DS5535 22]

1 hour ago, Sisa24 said:

It seems you misunderstood me. I am not here trying to find a quick solution for a problem that is taking others months or years. I am very much aware of the excel sheet that is showing the processing times of other applicants, and know that feb 23 applicants still waiting for news. It’s frustrating for us all. We’ve all waited a year and half or two yrs and now add another year for this. 

Have you submitted it? Did you get any dates update on CEAC website?

[Phil_K_IR1 83]

3 minutes ago, AP_since_May2023 said:

Can you share the name of the FB group? Don't post link as that is against the rules of this forum.

 

I was asked for my CV only (without DS-5535) and I've been waiting for 9 months now. 

We're also asked for CV only and our interview was Nov 9 2023, have had 10 total case updates but nothing from the consulate still. 
 

This is so depressing 

[Pending DS5535 22]

9 minutes ago, Phil_K_IR1 said:

We're also asked for CV only and our interview was Nov 9 2023, have had 10 total case updates but nothing from the consulate still. 
 

This is so depressing 

Our last 2 date updates were on Feb 02, and Feb 05, like your case date updates and we have not sent any email so I do not think that the concept of getting dates updates is due to emails is true. 

Edited February 7 by Pending DS5535