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

[AndrewsN 46]

18 minutes ago, FaithinChrist said:

Did they ask for any other documents or just your passport?

They didn’t ask for my passport. They just kept it at the interview. I didn’t get requests for additional documents. 

[FaithinChrist 2]

Just now, AndrewsN said:

They didn’t ask for my passport. They just kept it at the interview. I didn’t get requests for additional documents. 

Ok. You are almost there

[FaithinChrist 2]

10 hours ago, AndrewsN said:

They didn’t ask for my passport. They just kept it at the interview. I didn’t get requests for additional documents. 

Ok so I picked up our passports and there are no other instructions. I am literally freaking out and completely stressed. What do I do. Do I send an email and ask for next steps 

[apsincejune23 16]

1 hour ago, FaithinChrist said:

Ok so I picked up our passports and there are no other instructions. I am literally freaking out and completely stressed. What do I do. Do I send an email and ask for next steps 

Hi, my passport that I sent through BLS also got returned without anything. Are you sure the consulate ever received it? When I went to go pick up from BLS they said that the delivery at the consulate was refused, and they are having issues delivering to Montreal - all the packages are getting refused. They said they will look into why. I took my package back since they tried to send it twice and it was refused both times.

[FaithinChrist 2]

3 hours ago, apsincejune23 said:

Hi, my passport that I sent through BLS also got returned without anything. Are you sure the consulate ever received it? When I went to go pick up from BLS they said that the delivery at the consulate was refused, and they are having issues delivering to Montreal - all the packages are getting refused. They said they will look into why. I took my package back since they tried to send it twice and it was refused both times.

Yes they recieved it and confirmed they recieved it.  All of a sudden they sent it back after having it with them for 5 months. No visa stamped nothing. No instructions nothing. 

[itsmissbebe 2]

On 11/15/2024 at 6:38 PM, apsincejune23 said:

I ended up sending my stuff today through FedEX. Kind of a risk I think? It should get there on Monday morning so I'll let ya'll know how that goes. I originally sent through the courier service in BLS International, which was the recommended courier in my city but the package kept getting refused.
 

Yes please let me know if the consulate accepts your documents through FedEx. Thank you. 

[deeper_vision 1]

Hi everyone,

 

I had my visa interview at the Montreal consulate on October 15, 2024, and unfortunately, my application was refused under 221g. During the interview, the visa officer requested my CV, which I promptly provided. I was also given the DS-5535 form to fill out online, which I completed the same day out of frustration. Surprisingly, on October 17, 2024, I received an email from the consulate requesting my passport, valid for at least six months beyond my intended travel date. I sent my passport through Canada Post Express Courier on the same day and the consulate received the package on October 18, 2024. Since then, I’ve noticed about three unsolicited updates to my case status, but the case status still shows as "Refused."

Case Information:

• Case Type: EB2-NIW
• Country of Eligibility: ROW
• DQ Date: May 23, 2023
• Interview Letter Received: October 4, 2024 (Expedited)
• Interview Date: October 15, 2024
• Medical Received: October 17, 2024
• Passport Request: October 17, 2024
• Passport Sent: October 17, 2024
• Passport Received by Consulate: October 18, 2024
• Last Case Update: November 6, 2024

 

I’m beginning to feel a bit anxious as the case status hasn’t changed from "Refused," despite the updates. Has anyone been in a similar situation, and how long did it take for your case to be resolved? Is it a good sign that my case has been updated multiple times? I would appreciate any advice or insights you might have.

Thank you!

[spousalsponsor 9]

On 11/16/2024 at 12:15 PM, apsincejune23 said:

When I went to go pick up from BLS they said that the delivery at the consulate was refused, and they are having issues delivering to Montreal - all the packages are getting refused.

Curious if this is the BLS Montreal courier office or one in a different location?

 

We sent my husband's passport and photos on October 29 from BLS Montreal (literal STEPS from the Consulate), and see through the Purolator tracking that it was signed for and delivered the next day, October 30. However, as of November 13, the consulate is telling us they still have not received it (they suggest delays via their offsite mail processing...). So, it was "delivered" after we sent with BLS Montreal but somehow it hasn't been "received." 😅 

[candy895 10]

23 minutes ago, spousalsponsor said:

Curious if this is the BLS Montreal courier office or one in a different location?

 

We sent my husband's passport and photos on October 29 from BLS Montreal (literal STEPS from the Consulate), and see through the Purolator tracking that it was signed for and delivered the next day, October 30. However, as of November 13, the consulate is telling us they still have not received it (they suggest delays via their offsite mail processing...). So, it was "delivered" after we sent with BLS Montreal but somehow it hasn't been "received." 😅 

Which email did you use to ask Montreal consulate if they received your documents?

[sundim 38]

14 hours ago, deeper_vision said:

Hi everyone,

 

I had my visa interview at the Montreal consulate on October 15, 2024, and unfortunately, my application was refused under 221g. During the interview, the visa officer requested my CV, which I promptly provided. I was also given the DS-5535 form to fill out online, which I completed the same day out of frustration. Surprisingly, on October 17, 2024, I received an email from the consulate requesting my passport, valid for at least six months beyond my intended travel date. I sent my passport through Canada Post Express Courier on the same day and the consulate received the package on October 18, 2024. Since then, I’ve noticed about three unsolicited updates to my case status, but the case status still shows as "Refused."

Case Information:

• Case Type: EB2-NIW
• Country of Eligibility: ROW
• DQ Date: May 23, 2023
• Interview Letter Received: October 4, 2024 (Expedited)
• Interview Date: October 15, 2024
• Medical Received: October 17, 2024
• Passport Request: October 17, 2024
• Passport Sent: October 17, 2024
• Passport Received by Consulate: October 18, 2024
• Last Case Update: November 6, 2024

 

I’m beginning to feel a bit anxious as the case status hasn’t changed from "Refused," despite the updates. Has anyone been in a similar situation, and how long did it take for your case to be resolved? Is it a good sign that my case has been updated multiple times? I would appreciate any advice or insights you might have.

Thank you!

 

There's a few people here who are in the EB2 category on the spreadsheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1G2Uy4IANSzFvQVRiywS4djPaujgHSRCfzE0qZK0eQCM/edit?gid=0#gid=0

 

From my own experience and reading others, it's normal to get a few updates right after submitting the DS-5535 followed by radio silence.  I'm not in the same category as you but you might be able to find others in your category in the spreadsheet and then looking up what they have to say in this thread.  Sorry this happened to you, & good luck!

[sundim 38]

Updating my timeline:

 

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 + paid immigrant fee + entered US at YUL airport 

Nov 8 2024 - Medical expiry date/Visa expiry date

Nov 8 2024 - Social Security card issued (info from card)

Nov 18 2024 - Received Social Security number via mail

Edited November 18 by sundim

[apsincejune23 16]

17 hours ago, itsmissbebe said:

Yes please let me know if the consulate accepts your documents through FedEx. Thank you. 

it was delivered and signed today so looks like it was accepted!

[apsincejune23 16]

5 hours ago, spousalsponsor said:

Curious if this is the BLS Montreal courier office or one in a different location?

 

We sent my husband's passport and photos on October 29 from BLS Montreal (literal STEPS from the Consulate), and see through the Purolator tracking that it was signed for and delivered the next day, October 30. However, as of November 13, the consulate is telling us they still have not received it (they suggest delays via their offsite mail processing...). So, it was "delivered" after we sent with BLS Montreal but somehow it hasn't been "received." 😅 

Ah ok! In my case the package wasn’t accepted by the consulate at all. Looks like yours is on the right track, might just take a bit of time for them to  process that they’ve received it

[AnnaSalu 29]

15 hours ago, deeper_vision said:

Hi everyone,

 

I had my visa interview at the Montreal consulate on October 15, 2024, and unfortunately, my application was refused under 221g. During the interview, the visa officer requested my CV, which I promptly provided. I was also given the DS-5535 form to fill out online, which I completed the same day out of frustration. Surprisingly, on October 17, 2024, I received an email from the consulate requesting my passport, valid for at least six months beyond my intended travel date. I sent my passport through Canada Post Express Courier on the same day and the consulate received the package on October 18, 2024. Since then, I’ve noticed about three unsolicited updates to my case status, but the case status still shows as "Refused."

Case Information:

• Case Type: EB2-NIW
• Country of Eligibility: ROW
• DQ Date: May 23, 2023
• Interview Letter Received: October 4, 2024 (Expedited)
• Interview Date: October 15, 2024
• Medical Received: October 17, 2024
• Passport Request: October 17, 2024
• Passport Sent: October 17, 2024
• Passport Received by Consulate: October 18, 2024
• Last Case Update: November 6, 2024

 

I’m beginning to feel a bit anxious as the case status hasn’t changed from "Refused," despite the updates. Has anyone been in a similar situation, and how long did it take for your case to be resolved? Is it a good sign that my case has been updated multiple times? I would appreciate any advice or insights you might have.

Thank you!

 

first, it seems to be a good indication. you were asked for passport in 2 days! based on the timelines others have shared, it may take a while before it moves to "issues". hope for a speedy process!

[Pending DS5535 25]

2 hours ago, sundim said:

Updating my timeline:

 

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 + paid immigrant fee + entered US at YUL airport 

Nov 8 2024 - Medical expiry date/Visa expiry date

Nov 8 2024 - Social Security card issued (info from card)

Nov 18 2024 - Received Social Security number via mail

Congratulations, can we pick up passport in person instead of mailing option, did you request in person pick up of passport, or they just offer it to you.