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

[candy895 5]

15 minutes ago, shuza said:

Regarding Canada Post Strike, found "If we have not generated your shipment for you yet, it is time to switch to our alternative vendor BLS or consider upgrading to Premium Delivery Service to receive your documents to an address in Canada." on AIS https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv/information/announcements#898-canada_post_nationwide_strike_in_effect_20241115155432

May help someone looking to change the location

But there’s no option to switch it there 

[shuza 4]

10 minutes ago, candy895 said:

But there’s no option to switch it there 

Best you can do is call them

[as2023 8]

1 hour ago, tophy123 said:

Choose one of the local numbers there is a list on the page: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv/information/contact_us
They ll do it over the phone.

Its just another courier company.

Thanks a lot,I got it this morning and changed it to BLS,I was worried because I thought it falls under Post Canada(can't afford another month of wasted time and had to decide quick before they generate the tracking number or removing this option of switching) and at the same time I don't want to see the generated tracking number because that means I am stuck with Post Canada as it was the one I chose .

[AnnaSalu 23]

Hi all, 

 

This morning I received an email from "MontrealVisaDoNotReply@state.gov" which with title "PREPARING FOR YOUR IMMIGRANT VISA INTERVIEW". Has anyone received such email? I am waiting for my interview on Jan 10th. The email provides some generic steps such as asking for documents to bring like passport, interview letter, photos, etc. 

 

Few confusing things in this email - can anyone share ideas?

 

1- The date of my interview is January 10, 2025 but in this recent email they indicated October 01, 2025. It looks like whoever was sending the email is reading the date wrong by switching the month and day (10-01-2025 vs 01-10-2025). 

 

2- The instructions also point to an online form which seems to be the notorious DS-5535 form (Administrative Processing). Is this normal? Should I start filling it out? Has anyone ever received a link to DS-5535 before they go for the interview? Should I just ignore that link?

 

Thoughts?

[Cholte cholte 20]

Hi,

 

We are trying to print a Courier-In-Authorization Certificate to send my spouse's passport. While trying to print page 2 (instructions for Puroalator) and Page 3 (include this page in the Courier envelope), we are running into problems. Only the top half of the document is printing. Did anyone have similar problems? Is it to do with paper size? Would appreciate all input. Thanks.

 

[MazdaAhura 5]

1 hour ago, AnnaSalu said:

Hi all, 

 

This morning I received an email from "MontrealVisaDoNotReply@state.gov" which with title "PREPARING FOR YOUR IMMIGRANT VISA INTERVIEW". Has anyone received such email? I am waiting for my interview on Jan 10th. The email provides some generic steps such as asking for documents to bring like passport, interview letter, photos, etc. 

 

Few confusing things in this email - can anyone share ideas?

 

1- The date of my interview is January 10, 2025 but in this recent email they indicated October 01, 2025. It looks like whoever was sending the email is reading the date wrong by switching the month and day (10-01-2025 vs 01-10-2025). 

 

2- The instructions also point to an online form which seems to be the notorious DS-5535 form (Administrative Processing). Is this normal? Should I start filling it out? Has anyone ever received a link to DS-5535 before they go for the interview? Should I just ignore that link?

 

Thoughts?

It was recently added to that email. It is for everyone. It is recommended that you fill it out to avoid a lot of delay on your case.

[AnnaSalu 23]

21 minutes ago, MazdaAhura said:

It was recently added to that email. It is for everyone. It is recommended that you fill it out to avoid a lot of delay on your case.

OK, thank you. I hope doing it now will avoid delays after the interview...

[itsmissbebe 1]

On 11/21/2024 at 6:01 PM, apsincejune23 said:

Did you try to call FedEx to see why that happened? That’s odd mine just said delivered and signed. This is the address I used:

 

 

Hi! Fedex delivered ours but it wasn’t signed by anyone (our fault for not including requirement for a signature) so I’m kind of stressing out about it but we did put that exact address. We asked the senator to reach out to the consulate and they sent this. I think I saw someone get the same response about their documents being received at an offsite processing facility. How long does it usually take until the visa unit reaches it? Getting anxious here. Thank you! 

[spousalsponsor 9]

41 minutes ago, itsmissbebe said:

Hi! Fedex delivered ours but it wasn’t signed by anyone (our fault for not including requirement for a signature) so I’m kind of stressing out about it but we did put that exact address. We asked the senator to reach out to the consulate and they sent this. I think I saw someone get the same response about their documents being received at an offsite processing facility. How long does it usually take until the visa unit reaches it? Getting anxious here. Thank you! 

It seems there is a lot of variation, but ours was confirmed as reaching the visa unit November 20 after it was received October 30 (we sent it October 29). This is ~15 business days from the offsite processing facility to the visa unit. (Sample size =1 but hopefully helpful!)

[David San 11]

On 11/25/2024 at 9:02 PM, mariagomez said:

Thank you! Solicited means that either I sent an email asking for an update, or our congressman contacted the embassy asking for an update. Unsolicited means our case received an update but we didn’t request it. Generally you want to look out for Unsolicited updates because this means they are actively working on your case!  

Thanks for info

What's the email address to use to contact the Montreal embassy for an update?

Is there any specific email format?

[David San 11]

On 11/25/2024 at 7:09 PM, AndrewsN said:

I didn’t file a mandamus. I was advised by my lawyers to not do so unless wait times surpassed 6 months. I was only the 221g camp since September of this year. 
 

I did email a congressman. I did not receive any reply or correspondence from them.

 

i had been emailing the consulate regularly and most recently had an international job offer come up. I sent them an email stating that I need to set my travel documents in order (they kept my passport after my interview). 

Thanks for info

What email did you use to contact the embassy? Is there any specific email format?

 

[MazdaAhura 5]

The U.S. Consulate General in Montreal observes both U.S. and Canadian official holidays. Given that Thanksgiving in the United States falls on Thursday, November 28, 2024, the consulate will be closed on that day. It will also be closed on Friday, November 29, 2024, in observance of the U.S. holiday. Regular operations will resume on Monday, December 2, 2024.

[candy895 5]

Just now, David San said:

Thanks for info

What email did you use to contact the embassy? Is there any specific email format?

 

this is the email: montreal-IV-DV@state.gov

However you will get an automated reply before an officer actually replies to you which in my experience takes around 2 weeks. It’s important to note you’ll also see an update on your case!! Hope that helps 
 

1 minute ago, MazdaAhura said:

The U.S. Consulate General in Montreal observes both U.S. and Canadian official holidays. Given that Thanksgiving in the United States falls on Thursday, November 28, 2024, the consulate will be closed on that day. It will also be closed on Friday, November 29, 2024, in observance of the U.S. holiday. Regular operations will resume on Monday, December 2, 2024.

Is this on their website?

[DS5535TXCAN 44]

17 minutes ago, MazdaAhura said:

The U.S. Consulate General in Montreal observes both U.S. and Canadian official holidays. Given that Thanksgiving in the United States falls on Thursday, November 28, 2024, the consulate will be closed on that day. It will also be closed on Friday, November 29, 2024, in observance of the U.S. holiday. Regular operations will resume on Monday, December 2, 2024.

welp... onto week 6 of waiting now after all documents submitted.

 

[ak47 32]

On 11/18/2024 at 2:36 PM, EveK said:

Sent my passport, photos and new medical on October 30th which consulate confirmed receipt on Nov 15th. Received an email from them today asking to update the DS 260 form and email copy of the confirmation page. Wish they requested this at the time when they requested my passport and medical. 😑

Any update on your status ?