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PZibran325

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Everything posted by PZibran325

  1. PZibran325
    Yes a lot of us who were placed in this nightmare have posed the very same question earlier. If Canadians are such a threat I fail to understand why the two countries have an open border at all.
  2. PZibran325
    We were told to wait at least 6 months tbh. In a way I am glad we did because about three days after we had our first consultation for the WOM, we started noticing the last updated date changing frequently on the CEAC. We then asked our lawyer to hold off because it seemed like we would clear AP without filing a WOM - which we did. And the lawyer refunded about 70% of the money we had paid them because the WOM was never filed or worked upon. Since then, I've noticed a few others on here clear AP without filing a WOM. I've been suggesting over and over on here to hold off on filing a WOM until at least 6 months. It is hard to wait I know, believe me it was tough for us too because we met each other very late in life and are a slightly older couple- we have been eager to begin our lives. However, if waiting a few months ends up saving thousands of dollars it may be worth it depending on your circumstances (or it may not be, everyone has to weigh their opportunity costs and decide what is best for their circumstances).
  3. PZibran325
    most likely. Because it is the individual that is flagged to be placed in AP for extreme vetting not the type of visa.
  4. PZibran325
    10 months from interview to issued for us. I was emailing the embassy regularly regardless of whether they sent me a generic response or a more personal one. In the 8th month we hired a PIC law firm to star the process for a WOM but ended up not filing one because we started seeing updates to our case last updated date and in their response to one of my emails, the embassy informed me that the case had cleared AP and we would be receiving further instruction after the CO had had a chance to review next steps. PIC refunded most of the money we had paid to retain them. So ours went through without a WOM and several others have gone through without WOMs in the recent past. Based on this, I recommend waiting a little bit before filing a WOM unless you have cash to spare and you've discerned the opportunity cost of not having your spouse with you vs paying fees to file a WOM.
  5. PZibran325
    Though there are examples of VJ members who filed WOMs sooner, most lawyers recommend waiting until 6 months anyway. I waited longer because: (a) I wanted to cross the November through January holiday season, (b) it was a lot to think about shelling out such a significant amount of money for something that should happen organically, and (c) I had hoped that with the amount of cases being put into AP and the amount of WOMs the gov't had been facing they'd fix things (usually Washington works slow but I decided to be optimistic). With that announcement about making AP more streamlined and the way our case went and also knowing there has been at least one other couple here that filed a WOM only to pass through AP organically and then commenting they wished they'd waited just a little bit longer - my very sincere advice to people is to wait at least 6 months. Unless you have ~5k to spare, in which case go for it.
  6. PZibran325
    I do think this is true. Although we waiting from June 2022 to march 2023 (about 9 months) ours was cleared without a WOM. We had retained PIC for a WOM but were cleared through before we had a chance to file. There have been a few others on here that I've seen recently clear through without WOMs and a couple others that have cleared through within a 4 month timeline. So I would recommend waiting a bit rather than jumping to file a WOM.
  7. PZibran325
    The husband moved from Alberta to the states but we ended up selling his car because the process we were informed about was complicated and costly, if you hear something different I'd be grateful to know for future reference
  8. PZibran325
    I guess I am confused because to me that quick read through you provided says as of February of this year USCIS will use the “Dates for Filing” chart (Chart B) to calculate children’s ages so that makes it sound like she doesn’t age out as she was 20 when they filed ? Did I misunderstand ?
  9. PZibran325
    Hi There, I don't have a whole lot to contribute to your post except that I wanted to provide you with an answer for your last question. PIC is Palladino, Isbell & Casazza, LLC which is a law firm that a lot of us have had wonderful experiences with especially those of us that chose to retain Chris Casazza. Good luck, and also I don't think what they're saying about your daughter is correct
  10. PZibran325
    ^^^ Congratulations to you too my friend. I agree with this. As I mentioned in my earlier reply, the embassy did not know I had retained a lawyer for a WOM, and I had asked Chris from PIC law to hold off on filing and serving when I started noticing the case last update date change. So my husband's case is one of those who cleared AP without the WOM but it took nearly 9 months. My suggestion also is to have patience.
  11. PZibran325
    UPDATE Dear all, I hope this helps someone with decisions regarding WOMs and lawyers. we retained the services of PIC law firm on February 13th of this year. However, beginning February 14th I started noticing changes to our Case last updated date on CEAC so I requested Chris to hold off on filing the WOM. Meanwhile, I started emailing the Consulate weekly. I don't necessarily think it had anything to do with my emails or the lawsuit because the consulate had no idea that I had retained PIC but after my second email, I was informed that we had cleared AP. 2 weeks after that they requested a new medical. 6 days after they received the new medical out visa was issued and we received our passport the day after our visa was issued. I highly recommend PIC for several reasons, Chris is extremely personable and you get direct access to your attorney, which to me is a plus point but most importantly if they haven't filed the WOM and you receive notification that you cleared AP, they will refund 78% of your money (at least they did for us). Technically, we cleared AP without a WOM. It took just shy of 9 months from the date of our interview to clear AP and an additional 1 month to complete a new medical and receive our passport with visa. As frustrated as I have been with the Montreal Consulate, I do think that they are starting to at least attempt to clear people through AP without WOMs, but it is taking them6-12 months to do so.
  12. PZibran325
    Definitely remain positive but realistically from the sampling of the people within this thread that are going for the IR-1/CR-1 AP has taken longer to complete, on the order of 6-12 months and many in this thread ended up filing WOMs to get through the process
  13. PZibran325
    Once they have received both your passport and the results of your new medical, I have generally seen them move pretty quickly on the order of about a week give or take. Keep in mind I have a very small sampling size, others may have different experiences so I don't think anyone can give you an exact time frame.
  14. PZibran325
    I waited 8 months before starting the process for WOM. I did that because most lawyers at that point were suggesting waiting at least 6 months, I waited more because my 6 months fell in December and I wanted to cross the holiday season and I had also heard of someone going for a WOM only to have the embassy organically clear them through AP before the embassy even knew there was a WOM being filed.
  15. PZibran325
    Hi there, I think in general they mean to ask if you've held a passport for another country before and if you have the information for that passport you provide it. If not, at the very least you mention that you've held another passport before. As much as I dislike the DS 5535 form I do like that in the instructions they very specifically say: So do your best, be as specific as you can be but if there's something like an expired passport you just don't have access to anymore I'd mention Canada under country of issuance and under passport number, I'd put (expired, number not available anymore). But because of their instructions I wouldn't stress out if there are details you can't locate, just answer as completely as possible to the best of your ability. Provide any details you can, but don't worry if there are some details you are unable to provide.
  16. PZibran325
    Hey buddy you're absolutely right no one is claiming to give expert advice, we are all just sharing our experiences. But that is different from making statements that are completely inaccurate (i.e. plain wrong). Share your experiences, but don't state your guesses and assumptions as fact. If you are thinking out loud at least preface those statements by saying something like I am not entirely sure but I believe that maybe xyz. The way you're stating your guesses makes it sound like you are stating fact and that could be to the detriment of someone who is new to the process and doesn't know better. I encourage you to share your experiences and even your thoughts, but please be careful with your wording and make sure that when you are not fully sure of something and just sharing what you think that you are stating it in a way that makes it clear that you're sharing your thoughts and not fact/experience. Welcome to the thread, though. Not sure if I should say happy to have you here because it makes me unhappy to see people stuck in limbo. cheers
  17. PZibran325
    Not sure if I agree, most of my husband's last 15 years were in the same town in Canada at the same address until 2021, in 2021 he moved twice but has held a constant address again since 2021. And we been in AP since 10 months so I don't think this is necessarily the case that it can be quick for people depending on where they have resided in the last 15 years. ice-qube I think was born and raised in Canada, he was in AP I think for over a year and up until a few months ago it seemed like you almost needed a WOM to get out of the rut. However, I do feel that's starting to change because there have been some more recent APs that have cleared quicker without WOMs. It's all very random and you can't really come up with a trend tbh.
  18. PZibran325
    @Irish89 recommend using PIC as well. I had to call the main number a few times to schedule a consult with Chris. But I'm glad @throwitaway is sharing Chris' email address with you. I highly recommend him myself based on my personal experience, you will always be in touch directly with him not a paralegal. He's very personable and I have found him be highly ethical and caring for his clients.
  19. PZibran325
    8 months. I should have signed with a lawyer two months ago but I wanted to give m more time due to the holidays. I do recall and I struggled with similar dilemmas as you did also I signed with PIC
  20. PZibran325
    Well I’ve done it and signed an agreement to move forward with a WOM. I wish I’d done it sooner just the act of signing has been a huge relief
  21. PZibran325
    Hi hon, I can understand why you feel that way, because we felt the same way when we first found out but after coming in here I’ve realized people all across the board have been thrown into the AP bucket although it is not unusual for people from a certain background to be under additional scrutiny but if you’ve been through this thread you might notice people from all kinds of backgrounds have been thrown into limbo. As for the attorney they don’t have to be from Minnesota and a bunch of them have been mentioned throughout this thread but some to consider are: goldstein hacking PIC (highly recommended) usually you should wait between 4-6 months before filing but it’s up to you
  22. PZibran325
    thank you, appreciate it
  23. PZibran325
    just out of curiosity when did you hire your lawyer file your WOM? I'm trying to get an idea of how long it may take from hire to approve
  24. PZibran325
    Agreed although we have only been in AP since about 7 months but that's truly 7 too many. I think I have waited long enough. Thank you for your advice, it just confirms for me too that it may be time to go for the WOM. Seems to be about the only way we can get the Consulate to do its job
  25. PZibran325
    It's extremely difficult. I just came back from a two week visit to see my husband and it was such an amazing time but leaving him to come back was so difficult. I cried like a baby (he cried too eve though he was trying hard not to). Then I cried through my whole flight from YYC to Dallas and then from Dallas through MS. By the time I reached home my eyes were swollen. But I honestly just could not stop crying. So I have asked to schedule a consultation with an attorney for the WOM. We have been apart long enough, we are an older couple and we really want and are dying to start our lives together and I have needed him all the more since my father's passing in 2021 for emotional support. I'm so sick of this treatment of married couples and keeping them apart for what seems like no reason.
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