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

[LuckyCanard 5]

Got tons of heartfelt responses. Thank you to those who responded my way, the encouragement to keep holding out is tremendously uplifting. Q_Q

 

Still waiting on my end, but wondering now if I'm using the right sites to track progress. I've been watching both the CEAC site and the AIS site for the K1. Is there perhaps somewhere else to keep track of this more directly?

 

Best of luck to everyone else on their journeys!

[Pending DS5535 45]

I gave landing by road at Roseville Montana boarder which is closest to Alberta, Canada. It took me 45 minutes, and the border agents were very nice. They just asked few question regarding when I will be moving permanently, etc. I came back to Canada on the same day. Just thought to share my experience in case if someone (living in Alberta) want to give landing and activate his Visa from Alberta to Montana. 

[tas005 5]

On 1/25/2025 at 9:46 AM, Adam RS said:

Yes, I received the passport with the stamped visa on Thursday.

Many congratulations Adam, so in your whole case they only knew you had old passport (home country) and you just sent them new Canadian one you received recently and they gave you visa on the new one. Thanks for the update.

[spousalsponsor 13]

On 1/25/2025 at 5:05 PM, Cholte cholte said:

How long has it taken people to receive their social security card...

We received my husband's SSN in the mail 9 calendar days/7 business days after activating his visa. We activated it January 14 and the card arrived January 23.

[Cholte cholte 43]

Thank you spousalsponsor...this infnormation really helps...our was activated Jan 21...so should be arriving soon.

[mam521 2,208]

On 1/25/2025 at 4:05 PM, Cholte cholte said:

How long has it taken people to receive their social security card...

I know this has come up many times in the past, but an employer cannot prevent you from starting work because you haven't yet received your SSN.  People need to know their rights because there are a lot of HR people that are not familiar or don't care to look at the instructions for the I-9.  List A documents, which establish both identity and right to work, include your endorsed I-551 in your passport.  By presenting this, you are legally entitled to work.  

 

The SSN is really so the employer can pay the IRS the required withholdings on your behalf.  The employer gets in trouble with the IRS, not USCIS or anyone else, if they don't pay these withholdings.  There is a grace period because it is understood that the SSA may not have issued the number or there can be a delay in getting an appointment with the SSA now that there are no longer walk-ins being accepted.  

[BasitJeffries 1]

Hi everyone,

 

I did not do a mandamus lawsuit. 

 

After 21 months of Admin Processing due to Form DS-5535, my wife finally received the following email from the Embassy:

---

Dear Sir,
Please be advised that the case has finally reached a conclusion.
Your beneficiary spouse needs to complete the following steps and come back to the embassy for a re-interview on March 18, 2025, at 10:00
-Resubmit DS-260, it is currently open.
-Redo the medical exam (expired)
-Resubmit a new Police Certificate with translation
-New picture 5X5
-New affidavit of support I-864/Tax return transcript, as well as for a Joint sponsor I-864 /Tax return transcript
A transcript can be obtained on the IRS's website: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript
It is important that you upload the missing documents and have your spouse bring them to the interview, to avoid any delay in the processing of the beneficiary’s application.
Best,

---

I have a couple of questions:

1. Is it normal to be asked for a re-interview? Should we be concerned? At the first interview 21 months ago, they only requested Form DS-5535. 

2. Since her first interview 21 months ago, I’ve been filing taxes as “Single” because my wife didn’t have an SSN, but now I understand I should’ve filed as “Married Filing Separately” and listed her as a “Non-Resident Alien.” Given the embassy is asking for updated tax transcripts, will it cause major issues that I’ve been filing as “Single”? If I amend my taxes now, the IRS correction won’t be done before her interview. Would it be sufficient to give my wife a copy of the IRS request-to-amend form (1040-X) along with a cover letter explaining the situation?

Thanks!

[AnnaSalu 40]

Hi all, 

 

I was refused and put in Administrative Processing. Here is the timeline after the interview. My question is if all these updates to my case during a short period of time seem normal, or could indicate anything (positive or negative):

 

Jan 10, 2025: Interview - refused and put in AP

Jan 11, 2025: I sent the documents requested in the AP letter (resume, etc.)

Jan 13, 2025: case updated

Jan 20, 2025: I sent an email asking them if they could confirm that they had sent my AP documents to relevant departments - I received no response

Jan 24, 2025: case updated (maybe as a result of my email ,  someone looked at my case?

Jan 27, 2025: case updated (unsolicited - why?)

Jan 29, 2025: case updated (unsolicited - why?)

 

If it was a few months after my interview, I would say maybe my AP is done. But in just 2 weeks after the interview, I am not sure why there are few updates to my case. 

 

Thoughts?

[Cholte cholte 43]

These updates are normal. Everytime some one looks at your case you get an update that is unsoliciated. It happended with us too. My spouse interviewed on March 15, 2024 and had 5 udates in 2 weeks. She was granted the visa finally  in January 6, 2025. 

[AnnaSalu 40]

1 hour ago, Cholte cholte said:

These updates are normal. Everytime some one looks at your case you get an update that is unsoliciated. It happended with us too. My spouse interviewed on March 15, 2024 and had 5 udates in 2 weeks. She was granted the visa finally  in January 6, 2025. 

Thanks for sharing!

[Ds553513 16]

@BasitJeffries I am asking before this mail how many updates and when you see constantly updated start on your case and second when you open your ds260 form what is show on first page 

it’s shows you upload the documents or other status . before the mail when your case last update

Thank you so much and really appreciated for your answer 

 

 

[LuckyCanard 5]

Finally got the K1 visa today! I am in GO MODE!

Edited 8 hours ago by LuckyCanard

[Adam RS 16]

Hi every one, As the first entry to the U.S. after receiving my NIW visa, can I cross into the U.S. with my car? I mean, can I enter by land?

[Ontarkie 14,492]

34 minutes ago, Adam RS said:

Hi every one, As the first entry to the U.S. after receiving my NIW visa, can I cross into the U.S. with my car? I mean, can I enter by land?

Yes you can enter by land. Are you importing the car? If so make sure you have everything for that set up already. Check out the other car import threads for more information. 

[AnnaSalu 40]

8 hours ago, AnnaSalu said:

Hi all, 

 

I was refused and put in Administrative Processing. Here is the timeline after the interview. My question is if all these updates to my case during a short period of time seem normal, or could indicate anything (positive or negative):

 

Jan 10, 2025: Interview - refused and put in AP

Jan 11, 2025: I sent the documents requested in the AP letter (resume, etc.)

Jan 13, 2025: case updated

Jan 20, 2025: I sent an email asking them if they could confirm that they had sent my AP documents to relevant departments - I received no response

Jan 24, 2025: case updated (maybe as a result of my email ,  someone looked at my case?

Jan 27, 2025: case updated (unsolicited - why?)

Jan 29, 2025: case updated (unsolicited - why?)

 

If it was a few months after my interview, I would say maybe my AP is done. But in just 2 weeks after the interview, I am not sure why there are few updates to my case. 

 

Thoughts?

 

Adding to this, I just got an email, in response to my email from Jan 20th, where the office confirms that they have received my documentation and DS5535 form and that they have initiated the AP process. There is now another update on the case, Jan 30 2025.