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

[4EverAp 30]

8 hours ago, sundim said:

General question for those of you still here who have cleared, gotten the visa and crossed the border:

 

Anything notable about the port of entry?  Does CBP ask for anything other than visa + passport?  I'm aware that I should be ready with the immigrant fee paid.  Other than that, all my worldly belongings, important documents etc.  But asking specifically for anything CBP might want.  Feel free to share your experience too, if you want.

 

I'm currently waiting for my visa stamp.  My passport arrived at the Montreal consulate today.  My medical exam expires on November 8th so I want to make sure I'm ready to leave last minute just in case it arrives before I have to re-do medical (I realize they're slow but I still have hope).  I have time now to prepare, which I might not have when I have the visa in hand.  Thanks in advance!

Hey guys . I will gladly answer this one as I finally crossed the border 9 days ago and I am officially a permanent resident . YAY ! so there is a light at the end of the tunnel . In my particular case , I had read and researched to be at the port of entry 1-2 hours prior to what you would normally get there to ensure you sign and complete documents. but on my end it was smooth and quick  . Personally they have asked me way more questions when I was visiting than when I actually moved. I left from YUL airport ( I was suggested to cross by Champlain since "CBP is normally less strict by car" , but I have no comment to validate or deny those claims ) , I had a very early flight at 6:00AM . I got to the airport at 3, customs did not open until 4:30 (I was really nervous about maybe missing the flight , if it took too long in customs ). I got to the officer's kiosk , he asked me where I was going . I handed my passport in the visa page and said I was moving today , she looked at it and took me to the back (secondary inspection). At that point I was a bit nervous because I did not know how long it would take , she handed my passport to another officer . After maybe 5-10 minutes , the other officer called me up , to validate my address and phone number in the US and was about my way. The whole thing took probably 15 minutes at most , I was expecting to spend hours there. I must say though , I probably had the earliest flight that morning and was probably the first immigrant immigrating , which is why my turnaround was probably as fast. But honestly , I was not asked a single question other than to validate my US ADRESS and US phone number. I was also expecting to fill out a form with all of my assets that I can move to the US with whiteout tax implications , even that they did not ask (not sure if they were supposed to) . Either or , it was a quick and easy process. Much quicker than I anticipated. 

[Adam RS 13]

Hello everyone,

 

In 2023, I had an interview for the lottery, during which the officer requested that I submit DS-5535. After the administrative processing was completed, I was asked to send my passport. However, two days later, the visa cap was reached, and my passport was returned without a visa.

 

I had another interview on May 31, 2024, for my EB2-NIW case. The officer again requested DS-5535 and placed my case in administrative processing. He mentioned that he would flag my application since I had previously undergone administrative processing and would expedite my case. As of now, I have not received any updates.

 

What steps can I take to address this situation?

[DS5535TXCAN 44]

9 hours ago, apsincejune23 said:

Interesting, I emailed AIS and they said I shouldn’t expect any status change or a tracking number until they mail my passport back. It’s inconsistent with your page though 😕  Now I’m just hoping it’s not lost, that would really be the cherry on top of this whole thing lol

 

I think everyone's AIS website might look different. Please note that what you saw in my screenshot is documents I sent TO the consulate after they requested them. When I requested a courier-in authorization certificate my 3 pages included a QR code that the post office scanned to allow them to print the return slip. Yours might be different because your instructions might have been different.  Again, it's important you follow the instructions provided to YOU by the consulate.

 

I am still waiting for CEAC to update my case status to ISSUED. After that happens I will expect a tracking number sent to me via the AIS site or by email. 

 

For detailed information on document delivery, I suggest to review the FAQ on the AIS site: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv/information/faqs

[DS5535TXCAN 44]

Adding our last few case status updates for others who may be in the same position. 

 

Aug 8, 2024 - Passport requested.

........... 

Oct 8. Medical exam and passport photos requested separately from passport.

Oct 10. Medical was completed.

Oct 17. Passport photos delivered (did not get a case status update for this between when it was delivered and next update)

Oct 22. Email received from Drs Office that the medical exam was submitted and confirmation will be sent out next day. 

Oct 23. Case Status Updated (confirming consulate received the medical)

Oct 25. Another case status update (2 updates in one week 🙏)

[DuBrun20 27]

8 minutes ago, DS5535TXCAN said:

Adding our last few case status updates for others who may be in the same position. 

 

Aug 8, 2024 - Passport requested.

........... 

Oct 8. Medical exam and passport photos requested separately from passport.

Oct 10. Medical was completed.

Oct 17. Passport photos delivered (did not get a case status update for this between when it was delivered and next update)

Oct 22. Email received from Drs Office that the medical exam was submitted and confirmation will be sent out next day. 

Oct 23. Case Status Updated (confirming consulate received the medical)

Oct 25. Another case status update (2 updates in one week 🙏)

We got a case update today too, this is our 4th unsolicited update since sending the passport and medical! Hopefully we will all get processed soon, this wait is agonizing 😫

[zero1331 6]

I have been using the status tracker, checking daily and just keeping track.  my question is,     does anyone know of a way to see all the updates in your case listed my date ?  the tracker only shows the most recent update, not all.  

 

[candy895 5]

On 10/25/2024 at 2:13 PM, zero1331 said:

I have been using the status tracker, checking daily and just keeping track.  my question is,     does anyone know of a way to see all the updates in your case listed my date ?  the tracker only shows the most recent update, not all.  

 

I think you can only see the last update and not a list of updates. 

[221gM 10]

I got one more update today but it still shows as refusal. to people who have submitted their 2nd medical and passports, did you get the update today? I found it seems like the updates are in similar pattern lately.

[g_canadian 11]

2 hours ago, 221gM said:

I got one more update today but it still shows as refusal. to people who have submitted their 2nd medical and passports, did you get the update today? I found it seems like the updates are in similar pattern lately.

My last update was on Friday, no update today. 😕

[DuBrun20 27]

14 hours ago, g_canadian said:

My last update was on Friday, no update today. 😕

Same here 

[tdot2nj 71]

Officially crossed the border yesterday. I did get pulled into secondary however they just confirmed some details around my address and who sponsored me. Goodluck to everyone! 🙏🏻🇺🇸

[candy895 5]

3 hours ago, tdot2nj said:

Officially crossed the border yesterday. I did get pulled into secondary however they just confirmed some details around my address and who sponsored me. Goodluck to everyone! 🙏🏻🇺🇸

Congrats!! How long did it take you to receive passport and visa in hand after sending all the requested documents to Montreal? 

[tdot2nj 71]

9 minutes ago, candy895 said:

Congrats!! How long did it take you to receive passport and visa in hand after sending all the requested documents to Montreal? 

October 8 they received everything and I got my passport with visa in hand on October 18. 

[221gM 10]

Did you contact the senator or congressman to push it through after you submitted all the required documents? a few persons on this forum have submitted their second medicals etc a week ago but still in wait...

58 minutes ago, tdot2nj said:

October 8 they received everything and I got my passport with visa in hand on October 18. 

Did you contact the senator or congressman to push it through after you submitted all the required documents? a few persons on this forum have submitted their second medicals etc a week ago but still in wait...

[sundim 38]

Updating my timeline of CEAC updates:

Interview Friday May 17 2024

Tuesday May 21 (after sending completed DS-5535)

Friday May 24

Friday May 31

Friday June 7

Tuesday June 18 (after phone number update)

Tuesday June 25

Thursday August 1 (after passport update)

Wednesday August 7

Friday August 9

Tuesday August 13

Monday August 19

Monday October 21

Tuesday October 22 (received email to submit passport, sent Oct 23)

Tuesday October 29