The dreaded DS-5535 thread for Montreal Only. Post here and support each other (PART 4)

[AnnaSalu 40]

So, I completed my interview yesterday (Jan 10, 2025) and as expected, I am not put in the Administrative Processing (perhaps due to both country of birth and field of work).

 

The whole process took 2.5 hours from start to finish. Everyone was nice.

 

The status shows "refused" now and I was asked to email my resume, list of publications, etc. (I have already completed the form DS-5535, which was sent to me along with my interview letter). Once they receive my email with resume, they will go ahead and submit the entire package for Administrative Processing. Then the endless wait begins

 

Where is the AP timeline sheet so I can update my timeline? I hope to be able to see how long everyone's AP has taken. 

 

Good luck to you all!

[LuckyCanard 3]

Hi. Former lurker, first time poster.

 

Had my interview last year, May 10, got the dreaded form along with a request for a new criminal record check, filled it out and after waiting for two months started inquiring every two weeks. Back in October 2024, the consulate actually called me and said they're ready to finalize my visa, but that my former medical exam expired in four days and said they could do it, but that it may be best to redo the medical. So I did, getting it done at the end of November.

 

Now it's radio silence. Supposing they were on holidays, but my patience is wearing. My fiancee started this whole process back in 2023. I miss her. Painfully. So I guess I'm adding my name and post here to mostly vent. @_@

[wait_2k 1]

Hello Everyone, My status Changed from Issued to Refused. My case was approved (status = issued) on Jan 2 and then back to Refused on Jan 9. Does anyone experienced this before:

Here are my high level timelines

Interviewed at Montreal for Eb2 category- March 2024 - Put to AP

Received request for 2nd Medical & Passport in Oct 2024

Sent my medical and Passport end on November 2024

Few updates on the files after that

Status changed to Issued on Jan 2

Waiting for tracking number and checked the status on CEAC again today.

It is back to Refused on Jan 9

 

Does anyone knows any similar case or anything like this happened to anyone before ?

[AnnaSalu 40]

On 1/11/2025 at 3:42 PM, LuckyCanard said:

Hi. Former lurker, first time poster.

 

Had my interview last year, May 10, got the dreaded form along with a request for a new criminal record check, filled it out and after waiting for two months started inquiring every two weeks. Back in October 2024, the consulate actually called me and said they're ready to finalize my visa, but that my former medical exam expired in four days and said they could do it, but that it may be best to redo the medical. So I did, getting it done at the end of November.

 

Now it's radio silence. Supposing they were on holidays, but my patience is wearing. My fiancee started this whole process back in 2023. I miss her. Painfully. So I guess I'm adding my name and post here to mostly vent. @_@

 

I'm sorry to hear this. You are a veteran compared to me (did my interview on Jan 10, 2025). Do you think you sending them emails every two weeks did anything? or when you received your request in Oct, it was only the normal course of AP? Maybe you should start sending them those emails again!

[AnnaSalu 40]

5 hours ago, wait_2k said:

Hello Everyone, My status Changed from Issued to Refused. My case was approved (status = issued) on Jan 2 and then back to Refused on Jan 9. Does anyone experienced this before:

Here are my high level timelines

Interviewed at Montreal for Eb2 category- March 2024 - Put to AP

Received request for 2nd Medical & Passport in Oct 2024

Sent my medical and Passport end on November 2024

Few updates on the files after that

Status changed to Issued on Jan 2

Waiting for tracking number and checked the status on CEAC again today.

It is back to Refused on Jan 9

 

Does anyone knows any similar case or anything like this happened to anyone before ?

 

How confusing and frustrating! I'm sorry to hear this, but unfortunately, I have no idea I could share. Their practice is extremely chaotic!

[Montreal-EB-2025 0]

On 1/11/2025 at 8:47 AM, AnnaSalu said:

So, I completed my interview yesterday (Jan 10, 2025) and as expected, I am not put in the Administrative Processing (perhaps due to both country of birth and field of work).

 

The whole process took 2.5 hours from start to finish. Everyone was nice.

 

The status shows "refused" now and I was asked to email my resume, list of publications, etc. (I have already completed the form DS-5535, which was sent to me along with my interview letter). Once they receive my email with resume, they will go ahead and submit the entire package for Administrative Processing. Then the endless wait begins

 

Where is the AP timeline sheet so I can update my timeline? I hope to be able to see how long everyone's AP has taken. 

 

Good luck to you all!

Did they keep your passport or they give it back to you？

[AnnaSalu 40]

24 minutes ago, Montreal-EB-2025 said:

Did they keep your passport or they give it back to you？

Gave it back 

[Cholte cholte 40]

@ AnnaSalu...what else is in the packet that comes from the consulate besides the passport. Is there any document to make payments?

[Adam RS 14]

Hello Everyone, My case is under EB2. On December 13th, 2024, I received an email from the Montreal Consulate requesting that I send my passport, two passport photos, and an updated medical. I mailed the documents promptly, and my updated medical was submitted on December 20th. However, my case status has not been updated yet. I sent a follow-up email, but I have not received a response.

Is there anything else I can do at this stage? Does this mean that AP is complete?

[Cholte cholte 40]

Yes...the AP is complete and they are ready to issue the visa. It might take upto 5 weeks (that is what happened to us in December). So, you just have to keep waiting. All the best.

[EveK 26]

15 minutes ago, Cholte cholte said:

Yes...the AP is complete and they are ready to issue the visa. It might take upto 5 weeks (that is what happened to us in December). So, you just have to keep waiting. All the best.

Did u get any email with the tracking number? Im still waiting and my visa was issued on Jan 8th. Wondering whats the timelime on this! 😐

[mattu 3]

15 minutes ago, EveK said:

Did u get any email with the tracking number? Im still waiting and my visa was issued on Jan 8th. Wondering whats the timelime on this! 😐

HEY

Me too waiting for the tracking number my issued date is  Jan 10th .

 

[Audra Rose 7]

Maybe silly question, but what does AP mean? When we say AP is complete and visa is ready to be issued? Administrative Processing?

 

We redid the medical in December on the 6th. Got an email from the medical office that they sent it in on the 13th and the case updated on December 20th. We got another update on December 27th where the status changed to Administrative Processing. That's our last update so just waiting. Would this mean our AP is not complete? Somewhere I read that for many people it updates from Refused to Administrative Processing to Issued so I wasn't worried about it. 

 

I do wish there was more predictability in this whole thing. Fingers crossed he gets issue before the new administration takes over. I'm nervous.

[Pending DS5535 43]

I just received consulate email with the tracking # today, my visa was Issued on Jan 6. I hope I will get my passport tomorrow hopefully. 

[mam521 2,153]

On 1/10/2025 at 10:19 AM, Pending DS5535 said:

One more question, if I give landing by road to nearest boarder, then can I come back to Canada on the same day. Actually, my home is on sale, and my plan is to move permanently as soon as home is sold. But I want to give landing and activate my green card visa as soon as I get my passport back.

Does anyone have the same experience. Is landing by road (boarder officer) any difficult compared to by air?

You may want to consult with a cross border accountant before activating your visa.  The proceeds from the sale may be subject to taxes if you're a PR of the US.  

 

I've done work visas through the air port and our greencards through land.  Neither were more difficult than the other.