throwitaway

Just now, jan22 said:

There is no interaction between KCC and any Embassy on a case until the DS-260 is filed.  The Embassies do not have access to any of the information held at KCC until then, so they have nothing on which to base a verification of an individual's identity.

That’s 100% not accurate.

Blocked CNs sometimes require coordination between KCC and embassies in order to unblock the case,  so that the applicant can ultimately submit a DS260. Here’s an example, where a DS-260 has not been submitted yet. 

You can tag Brit Simon if you’d like, I’m done with this convo.

6 hours ago, PanFriedTofu said:

Maybe someone can answer this. What does the embassy actually do after they receive the DS5535 back? My case status is still refused (obviously) but has had the "last updated" change every single day this week.

It gets sent off for clearance with one or more three letter agencies, who run your information. There are different types of “hits” and each has a protocol. 

16 hours ago, oclus said:

Hi All 

 

We are a K1 visa stuck in DS5535 Montreal since more than a year, got requests for new medical, passport, pics and DS160 on 29th Dec 2022. 18th Jan 2023 sent everything in took Consulate so long to review that the RCMP police cert expired on 16th March 2023, sent in a new one by ourselves by Fedex WITHOUT their request on 20th March.
 

Was in ‘Refused’ status since 1 year then went to ‘Application received’ on 22nd March then Refused again on 6th April and now it went to Administrative processing. 
 

Can anyone please provide some info as to WHAT is going on? Why is it ‘Administrative Processing’ and not Approved like others? 
 

Please any info can clear out our confusion 😞 so stressed out. 

Administrative Processing status in CEAC is often associated with the visa printing process nowadays. Congrats! 

1 hour ago, can_do said:

I don't think this is up to Montreal.

Our interview was going more like a chat at Tim Horton's when suddenly the interviewer's facial expression changed. Something, somewhere got triggered and I was thrown into AP.

Surprisingly, they only asked me to submit the DS-5535 (and no one else on our application).

 

Wow, that brought back memories, as virtually the same thing had happened to us. The tone of the convo was very much “Enjoy where you’re moving to!” and then bam, confused face at monitor, flips through paperwork, undoes all his organization and steps away. Comes back with 221g slip and our thus began our descent into hell.  

27 minutes ago, jan22 said:

???

The Embassy does not have the ability to do anything on this case right now and no way they can verify identity or anything else on a case for which they have no information.  Plus, it is not a given that the issue the OP is having is because the CN is locked. It might be, but it might be something else.  The best thing the OP can do is contact KCC, as advised in the notice, to find out exactly what the issue is and get it addressed appropriately.

Alright let me rephrase:

@Simeon Mezie Cole, contact KCC. Their phones are still closed, so you’ll have to email them. 

In the event your CN IS blocked, they may refer you to an embassy for identity verification. 

@jan22 Happy? 

1 minute ago, jan22 said:

If they haven't completed the DS-260, there is no way the case is at the Embassy. It is still at KCC.

Did you contact KCC via e-mail or phone call, as advised in the notice you received?

Correct, the case is not at the embassy, but applicant has to verify identity at an embassy in order to unblock the CN. The applicant can’t fly to Kentucky for that can they? 

1 hour ago, addpeace said:

August 1st 2022. We filed a WOM suit around the end of Jan 2023

Love that for you! Congrats. Thanks for coming back to update everyone. 

10 hours ago, Kyaw Naing said:

Hi everyone 

may I know filling form DS 260 there in US address where I will stay by host the things is how can I find the host by address and number name . Please show me the ways thank you 

That is the address where you want your green card mailed after you enter the US. 

Are you only just filling your DS-260 now? It’s really late in the year

2 minutes ago, haruharu said:

Has anyone ever been denied to go after they received the DS5535? I have never had any issues prior to the interview and I traveled quite often but always returned well in advance before the 6 months date. 
 

Also, does anyone know if they can specifically see if you’ve received the form and it currently says refused? Just curious as I don’t want to divulge unnecessary information and just want to answer questions when asked. 
 

thanks all! 

I don’t think they can see that. Just speculation of course. When my spouse crossed before me, they asked where I was, and my spouse had to tell them I was still in AP.

Just now, ajxl888 said:

Got it.  Yeah, they kept mine but got DS-5535'd yesterday.  I just got an email though from them saying my passport is being sent back along with the Purolator tracking number.  So just a little confused.

Ah, then yeah looks like you’ll have a 221g slip with your passport.

Sometimes the CO recommends approval at interview but a supervisor overrides it later upon review.

Wish you luck! 

13 minutes ago, ajxl888 said:

Hey Everyone - another question! 

 

For anyone who was received DS-5535, would the embassy send your passport back proactively?  Has this happened to anyone?  Or would you have to request for them to send it back?

 

Thanks!
Amanda

Montreal either keeps or returns your passport at interview, and applicants have had to request for them back when necessary. Some embassies though will keep your passport at interview, perhaps the CO meant to issue, but it’s later mailed back with a 221g slip. 

Your CN is blocked. Happens sometimes when there are too many unsuccesful logins. You’ll need to contact your local US embassy for an appointment to verify your identity before they can unblock it for you. 

I’m going to be honest though, it’s quite late to be at this stage. What’s your CN and embassy?

17 minutes ago, mam521 said:

Ugh...just reading this makes me a bit sick in the pit of my stomach for you.  Extreme vetting and yet, it's sent by e-mail and forgotten about.  Makes you wonder how important it really is but yet, you're stuck in immigration purgatory as a result.  All I can say is I'm sorry and I'm sending timely passage vibes for everyone stuck in this process.  

I do wonder why they’re so hard on Canadians, it’s baffling.

11 hours ago, ShawnK said:

In terms of travel to the US, there is a big sticker on the back of my passport from the interview day? Would that cause a flag? Anyone have any issues with that and what did you say to cbp?

No, you just say you had an interview there. There’s nothing to hide really, you’re not breaking any rules. 

There’s no usual rhythm: date updates happen whenever the file is opened, which could be for any number of reasons. Usually when a medical is received consular staff open the file and it updates, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the application will be adjudicated by a CO right away. 

1 hour ago, APRIL2023 said:

In the DS5535 email you received, what other instructions were given? Did they say to submit passport as well? 
 

 

You don’t submit your passport until you are cleared. If they wanted to keep your passport, they wouldn’t give it back to you at the interview. 

9 hours ago, Illme said:

After waiting 11 and half months I received Immigrant visa. Visa timeline 

Interview was on April 19 2022

DS5535 emailed on April 25

Consulate requested 2nd Medical and RCMP police letter on March 10 

Consulate receeived both medical and Rcmp letter on 28th March

Status changed to issued on April 05 and received passport on 11th April

Congrats! Thanks for adding that data point. Your patience is impressive. 

16 minutes ago, APRIL2023 said:

Hi everyone! Very disheartening to see so many ppl on the same boat as me. 
 

Attended my IR1 interview today in Montreal. Things were going smoothly until I was refused visa and handed 221(g) form stating that my application is refused and is now placed on administrative processing. Form also includes instruction to further submit RCMP police check, DS5535 and passport. I asked the officer what could have triggered the flag for DS5535, and the officer cannot provide an answer. He cannot provide timeline for the duration of AP either. 
 

I was shocked by this, as I am legally married to my husband (American) and we have two children today (who also hold dual Canadian-US citizenship). I was born in Hong Kong but immigrated to Canada when I was 9, currently working in healthcare. Could this have triggered the flag? I also traveled ++ to Qatar and China for work related trip over the past ten years. Could this have triggered the flag? 

 

Question - how should does it take for the consulate to email me DS5535 form for completion? Should I completes it preemptively and send it to the consulate? What’s the email I should use??

MOST IMPORTANTLY - can you still travel to US under B1/b2 visitor visa when your application is under AP???? 

Montreal’s parameters seem pretty liberal, none of us here know what triggers it. Timeline is several months to a year plus. 5535 was sent to me same night of interview. Don’t send it pre-emptively, they have instructions for how they’d like to receive it, but feel free to start drafting it as the template is easily found online. Yes you can still travel, all the same rules apply.

Just now, ShawnK said:

Thank you, I will email them.

 

In the mean time..I have never been religious , always doubted..but I pulled a Bart Simpson prayer(that classic episode where he gets a snow day ), seems like in the darkest times you seek out God. That is all I can do at this point. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ain’t nothing wrong with that. 

7 hours ago, ShawnK said:

How long does it take to get the DS5535 form? Is there a contact email if you don't get it?

Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov

I got it the same night

1 hour ago, Canucklehead said:

Thank you for posting that link! You were correct - it still says Refused. However, it lists the most recent update as being March 17th, 2023. Given that I sent the required document on March 2nd, 2023 - perhaps this is evidence that at the very least it has been received?

Oh for sure, it’s better than no updates at all! The date updates happen when your file is opened for whatever reason, so at the very least you know you are not forgotten. 

2 hours ago, ShawnK said:

I'm in this hell too, interview last week , all going well then handed back passport and refusal asking for the DS5535 form. I have no shady/criminal history or odd travel, just US Canada Mexico. What I do have is the most common male Muslim name and I think that's what did it. 

 

I don't work in any TAL occupations. I've been very very depressed/gutted all week. Feels like getting punched in the gut. Like you did something wrong. The consulate was full of terrified and stressed-out people. 

 

This was a huge fear of mine and it happened.

 

One thing the CO did say was this is not a refusal and these forms are processed faster now than they were in the past. However, on CEAC I see a big fat refused, ouch.

 

 

 

You didn’t do anything wrong. If the CO wanted to deny you, they would have, instead you’re in 221g which can be overcome - and for most people, it does. Eventually. I was once there too. 

3 minutes ago, Canucklehead said:

So as far as I can see (unless I'm not looking in right spot), I do not see the word 'Status' anywhere on my CEAC profile. I do see:

 

YOUR CASE IS CURRENTLY AT: MONTREAL

 

Is this the right area to be looking (in the top right of the main page)?

 

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?App=IV

Use the above^ 

1 hour ago, Canucklehead said:

Hi all, just an update on our application. I had my visa interview on February 1st, 2023 and received a 221(g) refusal letter. I had to email a few weeks later to inquire what info I would need, and I ended up submitting all required info on March 2nd, 2023.

 

Today, I wrote to Montreal at their embassy email (montreal-iv-dv@state.gov) to inquire whether my application was received. Beyond asking Montreal through email, is there any other way for us to keep informed of where our application currently stands? I logged into the CEAC website but the only update really was they stated our application was at the Montreal embassy.

 

Will continue to keep everyone posted and best of luck to everyone on a speedy, successful application!

Do you mean you checked ceac.state.gov? Your status should currently be “Refused,” that’s the only way to track your case

22 hours ago, ak47 said:

Its an observation based on the information from other sources(Fb groups). It is obviously case by case basis.

You’ve made several inaccurate statements so far.