F-1 Visa Placed in AP Administrative Processing After DS-5535 - What to Expect?

[Niki89 0]

 

 

Hi everyone,

I applied for an F-1 visa in Vancouver in January 2025. the officer placed me on hold (221g) and later requested DS-5535.

 I submitted all requested documents (resume, sponsor proof, etc.), but my CEAC status says Refused since February 2025. My program is mostly online just requires me to attend one to two weeks per semester in person and I am worried about missing my start date.

Has anyone in 2024-2025 been through a similar situation? How long did your administrative processing take?

 

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Boiler 46,269]

Not a mega expert on F1 but:

 

I thought Canadians got their F1 at the Border not at the Consulate?

 

Does your programme meet the requirements for a F1 being mostly online? Do you need a F1?

[Crazy Cat 42,560]

***Multiple hijack comments from various threads removed.  Please keep the conversation regarding this topic under this thread.  Spamming is not allowed***

[appleblossom 3,315]

2 hours ago, Niki89 said:

 

 

 

Hi everyone,

I applied for an F-1 visa in Vancouver in January 2025. the officer placed me on hold (221g) and later requested DS-5535.

 I submitted all requested documents (resume, sponsor proof, etc.), but my CEAC status says Refused since February 2025. My program is mostly online just requires me to attend one to two weeks per semester in person and I am worried about missing my start date.

Has anyone in 2024-2025 been through a similar situation? How long did your administrative processing take?

 

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

Far too early if it was DS-5535, that can take months or even years. There’s a long running thread about it in the Canadian sub forum. When does the course start? You may have to defer entry. 

 

Where are you from?

[Niki89 0]

On 2/14/2025 at 4:47 AM, appleblossom said:

 

Far too early if it was DS-5535, that can take months or even years. There’s a long running thread about it in the Canadian sub forum. When does the course start? You may have to defer entry. 

 

Where are you from?

Hi i interviewed on jan 29 my program starts in julay but the date mentioned on my f1 is October. Cause i need to be in person there at the end of semester just for 1-2 week. Every semester. Im iranian (iran passport but pr of canad) the thing is  i was talking and applied to other universities also and im worrying if i calcel my acceptance from other universities and wait for this one, i miss my chance for this uni just because of viza!! And there is not any differral, its only once a year so it means i have to loose one whole year or go for other university which is not my first intrest and it will change my whole future!!!

[Niki89 0]

On 2/14/2025 at 2:33 AM, Boiler said:

Not a mega expert on F1 but:

 

I thought Canadians got their F1 at the Border not at the Consulate?

 

Does your programme meet the requirements for a F1 being mostly online? Do you need a F1?

Yes its hybrid. Its just need 1-2 week per semester. I have pr of canada we need visa still. Citizens of canada dont need anything. Im so afraid if i loose my chance for this university and my whole future ruined 

[OldUser 7,888]

7 minutes ago, Niki89 said:

Hi i interviewed on jan 29 my program starts in julay but the date mentioned on my f1 is October. Cause i need to be in person there at the end of semester just for 1-2 week. Every semester. Im iranian (iran passport but pr of canad) the thing is  i was talking and applied to other universities also and im worrying if i calcel my acceptance from other universities and wait for this one, i miss my chance for this uni just because of viza!! And there is not any differral, its only once a year so it means i have to loose one whole year or go for other university which is not my first intrest and it will change my whole future!!!

As harsh as it may sound, but there are solid universities in Canada. AP is pretty expected based on country of your origin, sadly.

Good luck!

 

[Niki89 0]

57 minutes ago, OldUser said:

As harsh as it may sound, but there are solid universities in Canada. AP is pretty expected based on country of your origin, sadly.

Good luck!

 

Yes here are some but the problem is they give lots of their spots to international students!! Btw dont you have any info that how long does it take?

[OldUser 7,888]

4 minutes ago, Niki89 said:

Yes here are some but the problem is they give lots of their spots to international students!! Btw dont you have any info that how long does it take?

Nobody can give you timeline. It's individual and different for each case.

[Niki89 0]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

Nobody can give you timeline. It's individual and different for each case.

Then whats the point of this forums ! To help each other by some even estimated times or solutions! I knew its diffrent for everyone. If you dont have any info please let the other who may have similar situations post some idea. Tnx! 

[OldUser 7,888]

1 minute ago, Niki89 said:

Then whats the point of this forums ! To help each other by some even estimated times or solutions! I knew its diffrent for everyone. If you dont have any info please let the other who may have similar situations post some idea. Tnx! 

The problem is... Nobody can tell you that with certainty or even approximation. Telling users what to say or not say on VJ violates TOS.

 

Good luck!

 

 

[Crazy Cat 42,560]

20 hours ago, Niki89 said:

Then whats the point of this forums ! To help each other by some even estimated times or solutions! I knew its diffrent for everyone. If you dont have any info please let the other who may have similar situations post some idea. Tnx! 

Everyone is free to post...and everyone is free to ignore any advice given....unless it is from a moderator advising against violations of the TOS. 

 

Edited for clarity. 

Edited Sunday at 04:21 PM by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 42,560]

***Non-contributory comment removed***

@Niki89

It is a violation of the VJ terms of service to inhibit any other member from posting.  THIS IS A WARNING****

[Boiler 46,269]

If it was an Iranian case who interviewed nearby I would be thinking a year.

 

one who is resident in Canada well that sounds more positive? But no way of really knowing, how many similar cases do we see?

 

Still intrigued a bout the remote nature of the course, could you not attend by Zoom? Or do it as a visitor? Need to do some research.

[appleblossom 3,315]

7 hours ago, Niki89 said:

Then whats the point of this forums ! To help each other by some even estimated times or solutions! I knew its diffrent for everyone. If you dont have any info please let the other who may have similar situations post some idea. Tnx! 

I mentioned the thread for people in Canada who’ve been given DS-5535, did you look at that? As you’ll see from it, there’s just no way of predicting as it depends on the checks each case needs. My guess would be similar to Boiler, about a year, but that really is just a guess.