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

[appleblossom 2,482]

On 4/7/2024 at 3:01 PM, Phil_K_IR1 said:

After reading what others posted, my spouse and I are looking into the H1-B visa option, as the field would work for it...

 

Just in case you're not already aware, you've missed the boat for 2025 FY unless it's a cap exempt role.

 

Good luck.  

[Phil_K_IR1 83]

15 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

Just in case you're not already aware, you've missed the boat for 2025 FY unless it's a cap exempt role.

 

Good luck.  

Spouse can work in a cap exempt role (healthcare but within some kind of higher learning facility). 
 

Honestly it's more of a grasp at straws for any movement in any way. No harm shooting a shot... 😕 

[appleblossom 2,482]

4 minutes ago, Phil_K_IR1 said:

Spouse can work in a cap exempt role (healthcare but within some kind of higher learning facility). 
 

Honestly it's more of a grasp at straws for any movement in any way. No harm shooting a shot... 😕 

 

Ah perfect. Yes, may as well give it a go, good luck. 

[DadofUSCitizen 20]

 

20 minutes ago, Phil_K_IR1 said:

Spouse can work in a cap exempt role (healthcare but within some kind of higher learning facility). 
 

Honestly it's more of a grasp at straws for any movement in any way. No harm shooting a shot... 😕 

 

Are you going to keep your Consular Processing IV application open while applying for the H1-B? Thanks.

[Phil_K_IR1 83]

2 minutes ago, DadofUSCitizen said:

 

 

Are you going to keep your Consular Processing IV application open while applying for the H1-B? Thanks.

We plan to! But we're also having to wait til at least June/early July to even begin applying for the H1B (needs a state license, needs an ITIN for one, etc). 
 

Hoping IR1 is done before any of that, but the way we're seeing it is that we're at least "doing something" in the event it takes even longer. 
 

Also re: medical exams - I thought the IV ones are only valid for 6 months? The ones USCIS extended are for AOS I thought. 

[ajxl888 38]

Has anyone abandoned this route and decided to have their American spouse immigrate to Canada instead?  What is that process like?  Is it just as slow?

[Crazy Cat 41,837]

1 hour ago, DadofUSCitizen said:

 

Does anyone know if Canada panel physicians use the same I-693 form to report to MTL? Is the Medical Exam Report still valid only for 6 months? Thanks!

 

 Your quote applies to USCIS policy.

[mam521 2,062]

35 minutes ago, ajxl888 said:

Has anyone abandoned this route and decided to have their American spouse immigrate to Canada instead?  What is that process like?  Is it just as slow?

There have been some people.  Canada's processing has slowed somewhat and you're looking at about a year I believe unless your spouse falls into one of the employment categories that allows for express entry.  Still seems to be less arduous than trying to get into the US and one can apply for citizenship after 3 years in Canada, as long as the requirements are met.  

[DadofUSCitizen 20]

1 hour ago, Phil_K_IR1 said:

We plan to! But we're also having to wait til at least June/early July to even begin applying for the H1B (needs a state license, needs an ITIN for one, etc). 
 

Hoping IR1 is done before any of that, but the way we're seeing it is that we're at least "doing something" in the event it takes even longer. 
 

Also re: medical exams - I thought the IV ones are only valid for 6 months? The ones USCIS extended are for AOS I thought. 

 

I think you are correct regarding the medical exams. Thanks!

51 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

 Your quote applies to USCIS policy.

 

Thanks. I understand now.

[nneettiiee 8]

2 hours ago, ajxl888 said:

Has anyone abandoned this route and decided to have their American spouse immigrate to Canada instead?  What is that process like?  Is it just as slow?

My Father-in-law's fiancé just did. It took approx. a year. They chose to do the Canadian one as it was faster and would ensure they could be together sooner. She is American and he is Canadian. 

[Ontarkie 14,218]

~~One post removed for TOS Violation. PLanning to change your mine on a visit is still fraud and against the TOS. No further discussion of this is to continue.~~

[LukeCanada 18]

I was Document Qualified on Jan 9th and interviewed at Montreal on Apr 5th. Got DS 5535ed after a pretty quick and painless interview. I asked if I'm missing any documents, he said no. "We just want to get some more information from you, just fill out this online form, it'll come straight to our office, then you'll send your passport to our address and we'll send it back to you"

 

So I'm a little confused, I wait for them to review and approve the DD 5535 (which I sent back on Apr 6th 2024) before I send away my passport, correct?

[Leo The Great 141]

25 minutes ago, LukeCanada said:

I was Document Qualified on Jan 9th and interviewed at Montreal on Apr 5th. Got DS 5535ed after a pretty quick and painless interview. I asked if I'm missing any documents, he said no. "We just want to get some more information from you, just fill out this online form, it'll come straight to our office, then you'll send your passport to our address and we'll send it back to you"

 

So I'm a little confused, I wait for them to review and approve the DD 5535 (which I sent back on Apr 6th 2024) before I send away my passport, correct?

Our 221g slip says Passport (When requested). Passport is needed to stamp visa once the clearance is received that could be from several months to more than a year for MTL.

Please enter your info for the benefit of other VJ members in AP with DS-5535/Resume

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jV7rzX2eCRVoEDRhOtN9a6hDoHRLNEf1P3ZGZbQ0_Dc/edit#gid=0

Edited April 9 by Leo The Great

[Superluminal 146]

39 minutes ago, LukeCanada said:

I was Document Qualified on Jan 9th and interviewed at Montreal on Apr 5th. Got DS 5535ed after a pretty quick and painless interview. I asked if I'm missing any documents, he said no. "We just want to get some more information from you, just fill out this online form, it'll come straight to our office, then you'll send your passport to our address and we'll send it back to you"

 

So I'm a little confused, I wait for them to review and approve the DD 5535 (which I sent back on Apr 6th 2024) before I send away my passport, correct?

Rough luck. This is almost the exact same interaction I had with the CO. My interview was almost a year ago and I'm still waiting. I won't sugar coat it... my advice is to buckle up for an 8 - 16 month wait and hope it goes faster. Lots of folks here have been caught up in AP with a DS-5535 with little to no issues at the interview phase.

[dmitrych 14]

15 hours ago, ajxl888 said:

Has anyone abandoned this route and decided to have their American spouse immigrate to Canada instead?  What is that process like?  Is it just as slow?

 

I started the process of sponsoring my wife for a Canadian permanent residency in 2019, she received it in less than a year, and now she already got her Canadian citizenship at the beginning of 2024.

I prepared all her Canadian and my US immigration forms by myself, and I think the Canadian process is simpler, faster and has much more predictable timing.

In the US, no matter whether you apply for green card through consular processing or AOS, you have no clue how much you'll have to wait.

 

(While it's useful for the participants of this thread to know of alternatives, feel free to ask any remaining questions in a DM to me, so that we don't derail the thread).