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

[ak47 32]

53 minutes ago, yvesemma said:

thanks! where did she cross? did she pay the green card fee before? 

yes,  you have to pay the fee before your journey. crossed in Montana.

Edited May 16 by ak47

[Leo The Great 137]

9 hours ago, yvesemma said:

thanks! where did she cross? did she pay the green card fee before? 

You can pay fee any time using this link.

https://my.uscis.gov/uscis-immigrant-fee/

Green card is usually receive in 3-4 weeks after you activate your green card. 

If you are crossing border by land, you need to tell agent at the booth that you need to activate your green card, then they will take your passport and ask you to go to secondary area for green card activation

Edited May 16 by Leo The Great

[JanMontrealDS5535 19]

17 hours ago, Phil_K_IR1 said:

Alright friends, we're done!

 

The wife received her passport today with the IR1 stamped. 
 

Crossing this weekend! Not sure how long things take, but by my analysis, it seems cases have been moving more than in the past. Best of luck for everyone in this process!

 

AP since Nov 9, 2023, passport/medical request April 24, 2024, Visa/Passport in hand May 15, 2024. We got the "issued" Monday May 13, 2024, so it took about 2 days to receive. 
 

No DS-5535, just asked for CV. Likely a TAL hit. IR1 shows "clearance received April 23, 2024". 

Can you please update the spreadsheet with " Visa Issued". 

[Phil_K_IR1 83]

3 hours ago, JanMontrealDS5535 said:

Can you please update the spreadsheet with " Visa Issued". 

New sheet is managed by @Superluminal

[anotherstuckinap 5]

There is currently a request for comments from the Department of State on the DS-5535 open to the public:

https://www.aila.org/library/dos-89-fr-33437-4-29-24

Section titled: DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 12368] 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Supplemental Questions for Visa Applicants includes information on how to leave a comment.

[DoctorE 0]

Hey Everyone, 

 

after 3.5 years of waiting for our EB1 interview, I was given the lovely DS-5535 at the Montreal consulate… now that I comprehend what this means, definitely upset about it. Anyway, looks like on the google doc I’m the first EB1, I’ll keep it updated, considering the writ of mandamus… 

[yvesemma 21]

11 hours ago, Leo The Great said:

You can pay fee any time using this link.

https://my.uscis.gov/uscis-immigrant-fee/

Green card is usually receive in 3-4 weeks after you activate your green card. 

If you are crossing border by land, you need to tell agent at the booth that you need to activate your green card, then they will take your passport and ask you to go to secondary area for green card activation

got it, my question was regarding me coming right back to Canada after activating the visa.  That wont be an issue correct? 

[Leo The Great 137]

16 minutes ago, yvesemma said:

got it, my question was regarding me coming right back to Canada after activating the visa.  That wont be an issue correct? 

As long as you return to USA after wrapping up the things (within six months), there should be no problem. You do not need to tell CBP unless they ask you. Once activated, you green card (stamp) is valid for one year and you can return to USA on that. 

Edited May 17 by Leo The Great

[CL23 6]

Hi all.. my husband received form DS-5535 and 221g after my two very young children got issued theirs in February 2024. We are still waiting without a single update to our case since March 8th(seems like these were the initial updates when they receive it). This whole process has been a rollercoaster and a half!! I have until July to cross with my children
our timeline:

IR1 category 

started this process June 2022 

DQ’d September 2023

interview Feb 2024 

Edited May 17 by CL23

[DS5535_Child 9]

DOS seems to have opened an inquiry on DS 5535 in the last few weeks. I think this is a good sign.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/29/2024-09082/30-day-notice-of-proposed-information-collection-supplemental-questions-for-visa-applicants#:~:text=The DS-5535 solicits additional biographic information that,providing a copy of the questions electronically

 

I am positive if enough of us complain about the process they may staff up more people or change the process altogether. Please state your case and how unreasonable the process is.

 

From what I understand, to submit comments you need to follow these steps:

1. Go here: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain _> 

2. Use the Find functionality of your browser and look for entry "Supplemental Questions for Visa Applicants" or OMB Control Number: "1405-0226".

3. Click "Comment" next to the entry you found.
4. Submit the comment. Make sure to cite specifically Montreal and DS 5535 and long timelines.

 

Edited May 17 by DS5535_Child

[CarmenD 150]

1 hour ago, DS5535_Child said:

OMB Control Number: "1405-0226

“Request Type” would be last one at the bottom?

[TBoneTX 45,024]

A post has been split from this thread and moved to the Work Visas forum.

[Cholte cholte 12]

Hi...CL23...

 

My spouse had her interview in Montreal consulate on Mar 15, 2024...and we are still waiting for updates..

[frhm 12]

I’m under AP (DS-5535) since April 2024. Today morning I was not allowed to travel to the US to visit my wife for the weekend and I was coming back on Monday May 20th. The US CBP officer at Toronto Pearson airport gave me a white paper titled “withdrawal of application for admission/consular notification” pursuant to section 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) in the end of the investigation.

I spent around 2 hours in secondary investigation in total.

The CBP officer asked me a lot of questions about my background, and he was convinced that I’m going for a visit after I proved it to him (He gave me thumbs up and he was about to return my passport to me). But after couple of minutes he got a call and didn’t give me the passport.

Then after around 15 mins, he came back to me and informed me that they have reached out to the Department of State and they were informed that my case is currently under background checking.

The questions he asked were so detailed and I believe this is the kind of questions that should be asked during the IV interview. Unfortunately, during the interview they only asked me 2-3 basic questions and gave me DS-5535.

I told him that I wasn’t asked about that much details during the interview and he told me “It seems that I am doing their work”. He seemed not happy about the situation as well.

He told me that this is way above him and he advised me to take the white paper he gave me to the US consulate in Toronto and speak to them.

 

This is heartbreaking. What are your thoughts everyone?

 

Edited May 17 by frhm

[Sisa24 20]

58 minutes ago, frhm said:

I’m under AP (DS-5535) since April 2024. Today morning I was not allowed to travel to the US to visit my wife for the weekend and I was coming back on Monday May 20th. The US CBP officer at Toronto Pearson airport gave me a white paper titled “withdrawal of application for admission/consular notification” pursuant to section 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) in the end of the investigation.

I spent around 2 hours in secondary investigation in total.

The CBP officer asked me a lot of questions about my background, and he was convinced that I’m going for a visit after I proved it to him (He gave me thumbs up and he was about to return my passport to me). But after couple of minutes he got a call and didn’t give me the passport.

Then after around 15 mins, he came back to me and informed me that they have reached out to the Department of State and they were informed that my case is currently under background checking.

The questions he asked were so detailed and I believe this is the kind of questions that should be asked during the IV interview. Unfortunately, during the interview they only asked me 2-3 basic questions and gave me DS-5535.

I told him that I wasn’t asked about that much details during the interview and he told me “It seems that I am doing their work”. He seemed not happy about the situation as well.

He told me that this is way above him and he advised me to take the white paper he gave me to the US consulate in Toronto and speak to them.

 

This is heartbreaking. What are your thoughts everyone?

 

Heartbreaking indeed. Others who have been under AP with ds5535 were able to visit their spouses back & forth with no issues; provided they show proof that they’re coming back (letter from work, return ticket, lease agreement etc). I wonder why your case was treated differently. What kind of details were you asked if you don’t mind sharing?