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

[sundim 34]

59 minutes ago, spousalsponsor said:

Great, that makes sense. We did it via a courier (BLS Montreal) and they forgot to give us tracking (they use Purolator), so we went in person today to ask for the tracking. Passport was delivered October 30 but as of November 5 the consulate had not logged it. They said in an email: "All mail directed to the U.S. Consulate General in Montreal is received at an offsite mail processing facility. It takes additional time before the mail actually reaches the Visa Unit."

 

(Including this detail here in case someone else is in or has been in a similar situation.)

Glad to hear you got the tracking #.  Even if they don't have it at the visa center, at least you know it arrived.  I hope that helps your peace of mind.

[DuBrun20 22]

Has anyone who got issued this week received their tracking # yet? Now we are just impatient 

edit - we just received it!! 

Edited November 7 by DuBrun20

[AndrewsN 26]

Hey squad, 

I need some advice/ past experience anecdotes.  
 

Passport is at the consulate (since my interview in September). I got a 221g without the added DS form. No further info or docs requested.

 

I’m in negotiations for a short term contract for an amazing opportunity. It’s an international opportunity- I’d need to travel at the beginning of December. And would need that passport that’s stuck on someone’s desk at the consulate.  
 

Does anyone have an experience of rushing their issuance based on similar circumstances? 
Has anyone requested their passport prior to issuance? if so, what kind of delays did that cause on your application. 
 

Obviously, I’d love to take advantage of the contract offered without sabotaging my review process.

 

Thanks a mil in advance!  

Edited November 7 by AndrewsN

[JanMontrealDS5535 23]

On 11/5/2024 at 5:28 PM, candy895 said:

Hi does anyone know if the passport photos need to be date stamped?

Yes

[sundim 34]

Overall about 2 years from I-130 submission to entering the US with visa.  Here's my timeline to this point:

 

Oct 26 2022 - I-130 Submitted

Sep 14 2023 - I-130 Approved

Nov 30 2023 - DS-260 Submitted

Feb 14 2024 - Documentarily Qualified

Apr 17 2024 - Received interview letter

May 8 2024 - Medical Exam

May 17 2024 - Interview (refused for DS-5535)

May 21 2024 - Submitted DS-5535

8 CEAC updates

Aug 9 2024 - Clearance obtained (info from printed visa)

3 CEAC updates

Oct 22 2024 - Received email to submit passport

Oct 24 2024 - Passport delivered to consulate

Nov 5 2024 - Visa issued + US consulate called me to arrange passport pickup in person

Nov 7 2024 - Passport pickup in person + entered US at YUL airport

Nov 8 2024 - Medical expiry date/Visa expiry date

 

Just wanted to do a timeline update since I picked up my passport and entered the US yesterday.  The line at the consulate was pretty much the same as when I interviewed.  I told the security guard that my appointment was for 8 AM (which I arranged on the phone with the immigration officer earlier in the week) I was on the list so they let me in.  He was a little confused because I gave photo ID and not my passport so I clarified that I was there to pickup my passport.  Inside, they called upstairs to confirm where I needed to go.  I went through the metal detector, went upstairs to the desk, picked up my passport.  It was not with the same immigration officer that I interviewed with, nor the same person I spoke to on the phone.

 

At YUL airport, I checked in, tagged my bags, went through TSA and then to the CBP line.  I was with the first officer for maybe 60 seconds.  He asked if this was the first time using my visa, which it was.  He took my photo and walked me over to the secondary inspection area.  They called me to the desk once to confirm my name and my country of birth.  They called me to the desk a second time to hand over my stamped visa and outlined that it was valid for re-entry for 1 year.  The stamp says the day I entered, and they wrote in the day it expires underneath.  They also outlined that I would receive the physical green card within 6 months.  Very quick & simple.

 

I'll update again when I receive the SSN & the physical green card.

 

IT'S OVER!🫠😵😵‍💫

Edited November 8 by sundim

[candy895 4]

On 11/7/2024 at 12:19 PM, DuBrun20 said:

Has anyone who got issued this week received their tracking # yet? Now we are just impatient 

edit - we just received it!! 

CONGRATULATIONS!! Can you provide your timeline, how long did it take for them to issue you your visa after receiving your documents??

[DS5535_Child 14]

We finally got our passport in hand. Wanted to recap the journey since I found it very helpful when other people did:
 

Here is our IR5 timeline:

March 15: interview, received 221g with a link to the ds-5535

March 18: ds-5535 submitted

March 21-31st: 3 unsolicited updates

August 24 - Sep 8th: 3 unsolicited updates
Oct 1: Contacted representative.
Oct 8: unsolicited update

Oct 10: Representative forwarded email saying to send passport.
Oct 20: Sent medical

Oct 25: Sent passport + police record

Oct 27: Update
Nov 4: Update + Issued.
Nov 5: Email about passport being delivered.

Nov 6: Passport in hand.

Hope this helps! 

[Aab777 3]

1 hour ago, DS5535_Child said:

We finally got our passport in hand. Wanted to recap the journey since I found it very helpful when other people did:
 

Here is our IR5 timeline:

March 15: interview, received 221g with a link to the ds-5535

March 18: ds-5535 submitted

March 21-31st: 3 unsolicited updates

August 24 - Sep 8th: 3 unsolicited updates
Oct 1: Contacted representative.
Oct 8: unsolicited update

Oct 10: Representative forwarded email saying to send passport.
Oct 20: Sent medical

Oct 25: Sent passport + police record

Oct 27: Update
Nov 4: Update + Issued.
Nov 5: Email about passport being delivered.

Nov 6: Passport in hand.

Hope this helps! 

 
hey!! congrats and great to hear that passport was delivered to you within 2 days of being issued. did they expedite it quickly because your medical was expiring? curious to understand how it happened so quickly. these updates are so helpful, thank you! 

[AndrewsN 26]

3 hours ago, Aab777 said:

 
hey!! congrats and great to hear that passport was delivered to you within 2 days of being issued. did they expedite it quickly because your medical was expiring? curious to understand how it happened so quickly. these updates are so helpful, thank you! 

Couldn't have been. If you look at the timeline, DS5535_child had to redo their medical in October. So their original medical expired (likely in August if they did it just before their interview). Medicals are only good for 6 months.

[EveK 18]

Can someone share the DS-5535 excel tracking sheet? Thanks!

[DS5535_Child 14]

6 hours ago, Aab777 said:

hey!! congrats and great to hear that passport was delivered to you within 2 days of being issued. did they expedite it quickly because your medical was expiring? curious to understand how it happened so quickly. these updates are so helpful, thank you! 

 

I used the courier service. I can't recall if when I first signed up (when I had the interview), I paid for something expedited, but yes Im pretty sure it was:
Day 0: Issued
Day 1: Receive email saying passport was shipped

Day 2: Tracking number said passport is at local post office.

 

I'm in the GTA area.

[strawberri 0]

For the people who received a request for passport/ medical after 6 months - did you also submit new passport photos?

 

The email I received did not ask for them specifically, only passport and medical but everywhere I look online I see photos are only valid for 6 months so I am a bit confused.

[Sisa24 20]

3 hours ago, strawberri said:

For the people who received a request for passport/ medical after 6 months - did you also submit new passport photos?

 

The email I received did not ask for them specifically, only passport and medical but everywhere I look online I see photos are only valid for 6 months so I am a bit confused.

It is required. The email sent to me they asked for it. They aren’t very consistent in what they ask.

[JanMontrealDS5535 23]

Anyone here who has submitted second medical in early Oct.

 

How long does it takes to issue the visa?

 

Medical and passport submitted on Oct 10th.

Updates on Oct 11, 16, 23 and 30th.

 

 

[DS5535TXCAN 42]

16 hours ago, EveK said:

Can someone share the DS-5535 excel tracking sheet? Thanks!

Superliminal has stated that he is no longer monitoring it. Looks like its locked. Not sure if he will be periodically updating it, especially with the amount of movement happening since Aug till now. 

 

Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1G2Uy4IANSzFvQVRiywS4djPaujgHSRCfzE0qZK0eQCM/edit?usp=sharing