APRIL2023

I mean, i get it you are in a tough situation. Especially when you’ve waited for almost a decade for this. Even holding off marriage … I would be anxious too if I’m in your shoes as I would do everything I could to minimize the risk for AP and DS5535. But honestly, I feel that ppl here are selected either 1) at random or 2) cause they fit the official profile (country of chargeability and TAL profession). All of which you really have no control over or have the ability to change at this point. If there’s anything that the officer would considered as red flag, I would think he/she would ask further question to investigate further and that you would answer truthfully and at your best abilities. I know this may sound rude. I feel like your situation is a bit different from the experience of most ppl here who have gone through interview and have been placed on AP. I can’t quite relate to what you are going through. Are there other chat groups in this website for ppl awaiting for interviews?

@JamesTan when exactly is your interview? Have you gotten an interview date yet?

Also expect at least a 2 weeks wait for a response. That’s the case for me as well! Good luck!

It’s a hit and miss with responses for me for emails regarding receipt of documents. They tend to response first with a templates email (if they choose to response) that does not address your questions at all. It’s only after a few back and forth email until someone actually READ your inquiries and answer your questions. My status will then get updated after each email response. Now I’m just hesitant to email them at all, because then it’ll look they did some work on my case, when in reality, all the status updates are “triggered” from my end. I feel like I’m not “building a good case” for this stupid wait that I, like many of you here, are stuck in.

Thank you!!! Very helpful!

This is an automatic response. You might or might not get a follow-up email response. Unless you have a specific question that requires special instructions(ie other than general inquiry on status update), you will most likely like another templates response

I was once pulled into secondary at the airport. I was able to clarify my intent for temporary travel and my plan to return to Canada and have no issues entering into the states. Ultimately the boarder patrol wants to deter all intensions of travelers who plan to enter the states and NOT LEAVE. Make sure u have a return flight booked or date for re-entry back to Canada.

It’s very hard to speculate anything. I know that peeps here have identified some patterns to status updates, but ultimately no one is for certain why updates happen.

Yes u are absolutely right. Sorry I wasn’t suggesting to enter the US with the intention to AOS as it is fraud. I see how my post is misleading. When I say “a whole lot of things to look into” I mean more research needs to be done about AOS in general with an ongoing immigration petition.

Once you started your petition via consular processing you are required to exit Canada and re-enter US in order to received your CR1 visa. The only way to apply visa from within US is through adjustment of status and that’s a lot of things to look into. Also will result in you abandoning your petition and start over again.

Sucks that u are in this situation! what visa class are u? It’s hard to tell when you will be cleared as it truly varies. Was the instruction for you to mail in passport after questionnaire is completed? Or mail in passport once you are instructed to do so? Many of us here were I structure to only mail in passport after we received notification that AP is cleared. Some member have to request for their passport to be returned so they can still travel in and out of US. From what I read in the chat rooms (part 1,2&3), if it’s just missing simple documents aside from DS5535, they would have kept your passport and everything will be processed fairly quickly. If they actually returned your passport and ask u to complete the DS5535, you’ll have to wait for the security vetting process… which unfortunately will take a long time. Some members had their interview from Jan 2023 and are still waiting to be cleared. I don’t know the detail of your situation, but I will recommend emailing them to ask about the turn around time, since u will need your passport to travel in two months time. See what they’ll recommend. Expected two weeks for email response. They are a bit slow.

It’s all dependent on the VO as well. Based on what I read so far some are “nicer” than others. The guy that I got clearly hated his job. He told me that no timeline can be given as this a “black hole of wait time”. He can’t give me a reason for AP or why I am flagged as my case “appeared pretty straight forward”. So I’m pretty convinced that the VO has no control over who to place on AP, once they are flagged on the system for whatever reason. He also rolled his eyes when I asked him to clarify some points he made. Clearly they have to deal with frustrated applicants on a daily basis once visa is denied.

My understanding is that yes you may qualify for a TN visa (if the job qualifies) since it is not an immigrant visa. Ultimately it is the decision of the boarder officer for the final approval. Just be ready to make the case that you’ll return to Canada once your DS5535 is cleared and will proceed immigration via consular processing. also just to show that this is a broken system. You can’t officially immigrate to the country due to security concerns, but u can travel freely (with Canadian passport) and work there.

Oh no that’s not me. Still waiting blindly for response. My interview was in April 2023 and no movements at all what so ever!

Hello there! Sucks that you are stuck in this situation as well. Some of us who interviewed in Jan/Feb 2023 are still waiting to hear back. I too have tired congressional inquiries but they were unable to influence the timeline. I’ve tried Biden and the White House with no prevail. Have u explored other options or visa type for your husband?

I don’t remember. I want to say yes?

Just a random question, have any of you been avoiding any political-related comments online while waiting for AP to end? I feel like my every online movements can be used against me and my immigration case.

Their ds5535 got cleared in 58 days??

Thinking the same too. I would think @tdot2nj have lawyers that would have thought about all the factors and would act in his/her best interest. There has to be a reason for the early filing. This makes me wonder how many ppl out there beyond this forum who are in the same situation as us but have other resolutions that have seen results. The whole first in first out is BS. Before July 2023, ppl who filed WOM will get processed first while the rest wait (no offense to those who have filed before). So pretty much who ever has $5000k to push for action will see action. It was never an equitable process. … but isn’t this what ‘merica is all about? Isn’t really an equitable country is it.

I emailed California. Yes they were quick to reach out to DOS but they have no influence over timeline and process. In fact, the rep from congresswoman office made it sound like something can be done, but after a few months they have completed ghosted me. Communication between congress / senate reps and DOS will trigger a status update. I’ll suggest to just sit tight and wait for Montreal consulate to reach out. It’s a bit out of your hand now. Sucks but it’s hard to speculate anything at the moment.

Yes that happens too.

Must be awful being separated from your family. The whole DS5535 is beyond ridiculous. A few of us here have similar timeline as you, many who have received 221g pending security clearance since interviews in early 2023. Not sure what is your full situation, but filing WOM is one way to approach it. Who did u file with if you don’t mind me asking? It’s interesting to know that your attorney has proceeded to WOM just two months after the interview! Wishing you best of luck!!

Tried the media. No bite for the story. I guess it’s nothing compared to the current illegal migrant crisis at the southern boarder. Also didn’t push too hard for it either. Don’t want to piss ppl off and get application denied 🤣. class action is an interesting thought.

I'd always thought you need to have your passport with you even if you are traveling with nexus!

Hopefully this is good sign. But I also know that frequent update initially is common, followed by months of radio silence. Hoping its good news for you though!