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

[Adam RS 13]

Hello everyone, In 2023, I had an interview for the DV 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? How can I find a congressman to help me?

[spousalsponsor 7]

17 hours ago, strawberri said:

My medical and passport both arrived to the consulate today so I am joining the group of everyone waiting 😭

Hope it goes quickly. When you say it arrived, is that just from tracking or did you get an email too? (We saw my husband's passport was delivered Oct 30, but as of a few days ago the consulate told us they still didn't have it.)

[mattu 2]

Hello, any update on your case? My status showing expiring soon as well 

 

[as2023 7]

53 minutes ago, mattu said:

Hello, any update on your case? My status showing expiring soon as well 

 

Hello Mattu;

 

I see this question about expiring soon coming so often.I don't have this remark so I can't check it to see if it's related to the DS260.I guess it does ,if you Mattu or any one who has this remark wanna try checking it with me by doing this below, it gonna be a helpful answer for everybody in this forum.

 

If you access  your account with case number and invoice number ,then click on IV Application, then see next to where it says paid and next to it completed, the last case says VIEW, you click on that VIEW ,then on the top right ,it gives you the expiry date of the DS260.

 

Please confirm to us how many months or days left to reach that expiry date so we know ruffly the time they set up to trigger this remark and applicants will know when to expect it.

 

Thanks in advance.

[JanMontrealDS5535 24]

12 hours ago, MasterRoger said:

Can you please share your interview date?

My interview was on Jan 24, 2024

[mattu 2]

2 hours ago, as2023 said:

Hello Mattu;

 

I see this question about expiring soon coming so often.I don't have this remark so I can't check it to see if it's related to the DS260.I guess it does ,if you Mattu or any one who has this remark wanna try checking it with me by doing this below, it gonna be a helpful answer for everybody in this forum.

 

If you access  your account with case number and invoice number ,then click on IV Application, then see next to where it says paid and next to it completed, the last case says VIEW, you click on that VIEW ,then on the top right ,it gives you the expiry date of the DS260.

 

Please confirm to us how many months or days left to reach that expiry date so we know ruffly the time they set up to trigger this remark and applicants will know when to expect it.

 

Thanks in advance.

Hello,

Expiry date  of my Ds-260 shows Oct-31-2025

[as2023 7]

57 minutes ago, mattu said:

Hello,

Expiry date  of my Ds-260 shows Oct-31-2025

Thanks Mattu,so no link to that date,apparently no link also to the one year of creating DS260 because many applicants got their visas after 1 year and they didn't receive such remark,total randomness. The thing I noticed about this remark is that applicants ,who weren't asked to update their DS260 ,got their visa or asked about second medical soon after that .I hope it's the case here.

Edited Wednesday at 11:14 PM by as2023

[AndrewsN 26]

Hey Ds 5535 crew!

I've officially hit a dilemma.

 

I have a short term international contract offer on the table. My passport is at the MTL embassy. 

I'm about 2.5 months into this 221g process.

 

I need a passport to travel for this contract. I went to the Canadian embassy. They said I can't get a temp passport, I have to do a renewal. 

If I do the renewal, I will have to send the new passport in to the US embassy.

 

What delay in admin processing have people experienced from sending in a new passport? I recognize this is an almost impossible question. But any experience would be appreciated. I'm so torn whether to take the additional resume point and experience or scrap yet another opportunity as I sit in this black hole of a waiting process...

[strawberri 3]

6 hours ago, spousalsponsor said:

Hope it goes quickly. When you say it arrived, is that just from tracking or did you get an email too? (We saw my husband's passport was delivered Oct 30, but as of a few days ago the consulate told us they still didn't have it.)

No email from them - I only saw on the tracking proof from UPS that it was delivered.

[sundim 38]

1 hour ago, AndrewsN said:

Hey Ds 5535 crew!

I've officially hit a dilemma.

 

I have a short term international contract offer on the table. My passport is at the MTL embassy. 

I'm about 2.5 months into this 221g process.

 

I need a passport to travel for this contract. I went to the Canadian embassy. They said I can't get a temp passport, I have to do a renewal. 

If I do the renewal, I will have to send the new passport in to the US embassy.

 

What delay in admin processing have people experienced from sending in a new passport? I recognize this is an almost impossible question. But any experience would be appreciated. I'm so torn whether to take the additional resume point and experience or scrap yet another opportunity as I sit in this black hole of a waiting process...

 

My passport was returned to me at the interview.  I renewed my passport and informed the US consulate in Montreal via email on July 12.  My case was cleared on August 9.

 

If you go to https://ca.usembassy.gov/u-s-montreal-consulate/ and scroll down to "Immigrant visa applications: Visit our information center" there is a link to instructions on how to request your passport be returned.  However.... the Canada post strike is on.  Even in the scenario of renewing your passport, you still have to contend with the strike.

 

Definitely a tough question.  I hoped this small bit of info helps, good luck!

[AndrewsN 26]

21 minutes ago, sundim said:

 

My passport was returned to me at the interview.  I renewed my passport and informed the US consulate in Montreal via email on July 12.  My case was cleared on August 9.

 

If you go to https://ca.usembassy.gov/u-s-montreal-consulate/ and scroll down to "Immigrant visa applications: Visit our information center" there is a link to instructions on how to request your passport be returned.  However.... the Canada post strike is on.  Even in the scenario of renewing your passport, you still have to contend with the strike.

 

Definitely a tough question.  I hoped this small bit of info helps, good luck!

So, in your particular case, you updated your passport and saw clearance in 3 weeks. 
 

Id say that’s not a substantial delay to hold me back. 
 

Thanks a mil! Very helpful 

[Cholte cholte 17]

Hi...how long is the DS260 valid? When does teh clock start...from the day of the interview? I have not been able to located any definite information. Thanks

[Cholte cholte 17]

Hi Mattu,

 

What is the website? Can you send the link pleases...sincw you were able to check the date of expirey of your DS 260.. "Expiry date  of my Ds-260 shows Oct-31-2025".  That would of great help to me.

[mattu 2]

37 minutes ago, Cholte cholte said:

Hi Mattu,

 

What is the website? Can you send the link pleases...sincw you were able to check the date of expirey of your DS 260.. "Expiry date  of my Ds-260 shows Oct-31-2025".  That would of great help to me.

https://ceac.state.gov/iv/login.aspx

You can login here with your information and check your Ds-260 expiry 

[mariagomez 17]

Hello everyone! Today I am pleased to say this will most likely be my last update on this thread, as I’ve been issued my visa today! I wanted to post a final update for everyone in hopes that maybe my timeline can help someone else like you guys helped me. The following updates happened AFTER i attended my interview and I was given the DS5535 Form, which I returned on May 3rd (same day as my interview):

• may 4 (unsolicited)
• may 10 (unsolicited)
• may 28 (unsolicited)
• august 28 (solicited)
• september 5 (unsolicited) 
• september 19 (unsolicited)
• october 4 (solicited-contacted congressman)
• october 10 (received email asking for my passport by my congressman) 
• october 21 (consulate email asking for updated medical)
• october 29 (unsolicited)
  • november 7 re-did medical exam
  • november 12 office sent the exam to consulate 
• november 18 (changed to case received)
• november 20 (case approved)
• november 21 (visa issued, passport mailed back)

 

This has been such a long process for my fiancé and me, but if anyone has any questions about what we did or anything else please feel free to message me!