Coco_2023

12 hours ago, Abahoni said:

Praying for you along with so many people waiting after getting DS5535, be strong. I have been waiting since April 2023, nothing can be done but wait!

Thanks for your kindness. I hope we all get out of this nonsense situation as quickly as possible but I'm glad we have forums like this to exchange our experience and support each other👊

25 minutes ago, canadian85 said:

Thanks for sharing your experience.  Was your AP given to you just because they ran out of visas or is there something else that triggered an AP?

I actually got double AP'd since I received ds-5535 and also asked to send my latest resume later that has all my studies, papers I published, my phd dissertation, etc. And my job history without any gaps.

Resume is asked for those in TAL

So I asked the officer if the country I was born (Iran) was the reason that I received ds-5535 since I never served in military neither in Canada nor anywhere else, so she said "yeah, and that your field of study and work is AI and robotics" 

Looks like they see people who studied AI as a security threat. I got all my degrees—from high school to my PhD—in Canada though!

Has anyone ever been denied after getting into AP?

12 minutes ago, CarmenD said:

100%. Zero consistency or anything resembling a pattern for case handling. Obviously, the Consulate is swamped clearing cases out of AP and all that entails, along with processing cases interviewing on an ongoing basis:  I’m mentally prepared (while hoping to be mistaken) for the process to drag on into mid-October for us, with any luck

Hope you guys get the clearance asap.

My officer told me they would send all AP cases including the TAL to Washington DC so I don't think the consulates spend much of their time on that... I think the broken communications among the federal government agencies, laziness and lack of experienced staff play a bigger role in this mess

24 minutes ago, AnnaSalu said:

 

I'm sorry to hear this! Did they provide any reasons why the chose to put you through this process? Are you applying alone, or with your family (wife, children, etc.)?

I applied with my wifey and 2 young kiddos who are all born and raised in Canada except myself. 

I asked the officer if the country I was born was the reason that I received ds-5535 since I never served in military neither in Canada nor anywhere else, so she said "yeah, and that your field of study and work is AI and robotics" 

My interview was completed but as expected I received the DS-5535 instead and officially went into the "black hole" AP! Here are my notes:

• There are changing tables in the 2 washrooms, they are clean
• Do not block the 2 enterance of the building at the street since they belong to RBC branch inside the building
• The security team who are local resources won't let anybody to enter even if it is raining outside and you are with your young kids, unless they call you...we waited outside for 20 mins after our appointment time since it was busy
• In /out took 2.5 hours
• The officers are all told to be nice and patient though almost all are junior since the first officer insisted that I had to give her my labor certification although I told her I was eb2-niw and that I ran my own startup firm so asked the officer to consult with their admin and so then the admin officer apologized and told the junior officer that I was right

The 2nd officer asked me the following questions before handing me a paper that had "hey we are out of visa by end of Sept...", and "DS-5535" checked off :
- Why America?
- At what age did you move to Canada? (Me: I was 11, the officer: what was your parents' job at the time? Me: university professor)
- Why now?
- Why do you think you are nationally important?
- What motivated you to study and work in the AI field?
- How many employees do you currently have?  Why do you have american employees working for your company in Canada?   What is their education level and background? (Me: I don't know off the top of my head but you can contact my HR manager and get your answers if my employees agree to share their personal info)
- Why do you plan to extent your firm into the US while you alredy have your customers in Canada?
- Why did you apply for EB-5 thru investment and cancelled it?

At the end of I offered the officer to take my resume since I already knew it would be asked for those who studied in TAL list but the officer said it was not required but then an hour later I got an email asking my resume to be emailed back!!

I guess I am being "punished" for things I never had any control over...

38 minutes ago, Angiw said:

Hey guys.

 

Unfortunate to be a new member here in this thread.

 

EB-1A, Chinese Citizen, Canadian PR, Ph.D. from US, Materials Scientist in Canada

DQ: March, 2023

Interview: Sep 16, 2024

 

My CV was asked during interview, and I was given 221(g) with my passport back. The only requested document was my DS-5535.

 

The officer gave me two OF-194 sheets. One is 12-2010, on which they required Passports x2 (mine and my spouse's) under "you must present the documents listed above and/or the following information", and the other one is 06-2017, on which only the 221g, AP and 5535 squares were ticked. No instructions regarding passports are provided.

 

I filled the form (more like a questionnaire) online yesterday, and send message to my lawyer for confirmation. The lawyer said I should mail the passports immediately to them since it is requested.

 

So, I am quite confused. Do I actually need to mail the passports now, or I should wait for the processing of my DS-5535, and wait for notifications from the consulate?

 

Thanks in advance!

Not sure if this helps but my officer asked me not to send them anything from now on unless they specifically asked for it.

I was asked to email them my latest resume after the interview.

I wasn't given the forms you mentioned though, perhaps because I've got my Canadian citizenship?  I dunno... 

Hi everyone,

I had my interview at MTL this morning and was given the notorious DS-5535 link to fill out at the end of ineterview and since I was well expecting it before, submitted it right after the interview but an hour later got an email from MTL asking me to email my CV (jobs, studies, etc. without any gaps) which I sent it too right away...it's soul crushing knowing you are now officially inside this AP "black hole"...

Does anybody have any idea if I got AP'd because my field of study (AI and Robotics) is part of TAL list in which I was asked to email my CV or is it due to the fact that I am born in Iran since I guess those who get asked for their CV might get cleared out sooner?

I have never served at military whatsoever though, and the officer told me that it might get my AP process faster but there was no guarantees.

I was the only person to get AP'd in my family.

Btw, I wasn't able to add my info into the tracker spreadsheet since it's read-only so here they are:

EB2-NIW (PhD in AI & Robotics)
Country of chargeability: Iran 
Interview date: Sept 24, 2024
DQ: March 2023
PD: September 23,2021
 

1 hour ago, SunnyAvengers said:

Hi all - I went into AP at my interview at the Montreal consulate and needed to submit the DS-5535. I did so and finally heard back 9 months later. In August I received an email that I could courier my Passport to the consulate with a few documents. I redid my Medical / Criminal check - but they also asked that I update the DS-260 and submit a copy of the bar-coded confirmation page. The only problem is - the DS-260 application cannot be edited. I've read on forums this is because it is locked after you submit. Was the consular officer who sent me the email that I need to update it, also suppose to "unlock" it so I could actually make those edits? I forwarded a copy of their email request to: Canada.Visas@gdit-gss.com and Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov. One replied back they could not assist with DS-260 questions, the other generic reply said my application is under review and I would have to wait if there are any next steps. 

 

I'm ready with the entire checklist - medical, criminal check (that are counting down expiry dates already!), registered courier, etc. The only thing I need to do is update my DS-260 with my most recent address and travel history but I am unable to. Anyone experience this / have any tips? 

 

Timelines: 

Sept 15, 2023 - received notice of Interview Appointment 

Nov 6, 2023 - Interview Date / Refused and provided DS-5535 to submit

Nov 10, 2023 - DS-5535 submitted electronically 

Aug 1, 2024 - Received email to courier my Passport after a new Medical and Criminal Check, and updating DS-260 and reprinting the barcode page. 

 

Perhaps the officer is asking to fill the ds-5535 again with the latest changes (if there is any, ie in your address, travel history, job, etc.) and send them the new submission's barcode? 

49 minutes ago, AA-H said:

Dear @Coco_2023, during your interview on September 24th, could you kindly remind the officer at the end to not forget to press the enter key in their system to update your status? Missing that step has caused confusion for many of us.

I'm getting AP'd for 99.8% so I don't think even hitting the enter key several times makes much of a difference for applicants like me but I'll make sure they would do so in front of me 😂 

3 hours ago, Froozion said:

We are still on ready. Interview was the 9th. Also not heard from Montreal about the lack of visas yet. 

The officer probably forgot to hit the enter key on their systems to get your status changed or this is another bug in their systems LOL

5 minutes ago, Texasbound1 said:

Typo in the second last paragraph. Instead of other I meant nothing is close to expiry.

Congrats @Texasbound1 since you are approved which is fantastic! ...pretty sure you'll get your visa within the first week of October

What would be an optimum answer to why you are a national interest?  Asking since I am EB2-NIW too LOL
 

For those who had their interview in Montreal and brought kiddos under 5, what did you do if they got hungry while inside? I heard it could take a couple of hours, so just wondering how you managed that.

Also, any tips on keeping them entertained since electronics aren’t allowed? What worked for you guys when the boredom hit? LOL

34 minutes ago, AndrewsN said:

I had my interview Sep 6th (EB1). I received a verbal approval from the officer at the consulate.

 

Yesterday morning I received a notice indicating that they will be holding my passport until after October 1st because they’ve hit their limit of Visas issued for the fiscal year. 

I’m just hoping that this means they actually get to work on it in the first week of October and not closer to November. 

It's a bummer to hear that you'll have to wait a bit longer to get your actual visa, but a good news for those who have their interviews pre-scheduled by the end of September including myself that they are not canceled since eb1 has reached the cap on late Aug yet your interview was conducted on Sep 6.

I'm pretty sure you guys are first in the line after Oct 1 to get your visa printed 

I wonder tho why your CO didn't let you know at the interview since they already knew there was no visa left for your category...

12 hours ago, Froozion said:

I'm worried although we were approved on the 9th.... we may now not get our visa until October 1st. 

 

Has anyone who had interviews the first week of September had their ceac account go from ready to issued? How long did it take if so..? I know they say up to 12 days....

I wouldn't worry @Froozion since you already passed the last 2 important milestones: had a successful interview, and more importantly approved on the spot!

So I guess there just would be a very short delay in issuing the visa for you

26 minutes ago, mgsctravels said:

 

I suppose that in the grand scheme of things, running out of visas this fiscal isn't the end of the world since the annual resets on Oct. 1?

True but there 2 things, when an interview is canceled technically you would be placed at the end of the line. 

2nd, I've already booked my hotel and non-refundable flights for my whole family and blocked my calendar for the interview day and the day before (I run my own business) so who's compensating all these? LOL

EB2 has reached to its cap for this year!

Not sure if this applies to EB2-NIW too and if the pre-scheduled interviews for the reat of September, including mine, are getting canceled 😐

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/annual-limit-reached-in-the-EB-2-category.html

2 hours ago, Froozion said:

If it makes you feel any better, myself and my husband both have phds in Biochemistry/ genetic engineering and did not receive AP. So it's not a definite! 

Thank you @Froozion That's a relief!

Perhaps you guys got your phd from the US?

A friend of mine, who I did my phd in AI with—he's originally from the UK but we studied together in Canada— ended up getting AP. The officer actually told him that having a PhD in AI was considered a red flag!

So I suspect we are considered a "security threat!!" if didn't study in the US🤣

27 minutes ago, Coco_2023 said:

I'll let @Froozion to answer but according to my own research I have been conducting, if you're born and raised in Canada and haven't stayed in 'hot zone' countries more than 6 months, especially if you've studied in the US then the interview probably would be just a formality otherwise or if a red flag pops up on the officer's system then you're AP'd no matter what.

 

For instance as far as I know there has only been 1 case in the past 2 years where a couple were born in Iran and they didn't get AP'd and that's because they both studies in the States...each case is different though... 

Oh I missed one more criterion which is if you've studied or worked in any of the fields that are included in the following Technology Alert List (TAL) then your odds of getting AP'd are probably higher than 90% since the officer is obligated to send your case to the security advisory department called the Mantis:

https://www.greencardlawyers.com/answers_for/VisaProcessing/TALFieldsList.html

4 minutes ago, Aaron_ said:

Congratulations, Froozion! I am really happy for you and your family. You are one of the most contributing members of this forum, and I appreciate you sharing your experience. My question is a bit speculative: Do you think the interview is just a formality and that the decision has already been made? Did you get that feeling?

I'll let @Froozion to answer but according to my own research I have been conducting, if you're born and raised in Canada and haven't stayed in 'hot zone' countries more than 6 months, especially if you've studied in the US then the interview probably would be just a formality otherwise or if a red flag pops up on the officer's system then you're AP'd no matter what.

For instance as far as I know there has only been 1 case in the past 2 years where a couple were born in Iran and they didn't get AP'd and that's because they both studies in the States...each case is different though... 

21 minutes ago, Froozion said:

Visa type -EB2-NIW

Priority date aug 8th 2022

DQ date - march 30th 2023

Interview letter - Aug 7th

Interview date - sept 9th 

Status - Aproved (awaiting passports to be returned)

 

We received our interview letter on aug 7th. We were currently living 5 hours north of winnipeg in manitoba, so there was going to be lots of travel.

 

We booked our medical in toronto with dr lynden mascarenas on Aug 26th.  Before the medical we had to fill out a vaccine questionare which needed to be signed off by our family doctor to ensure all the vaccines were complete before going.

We actually arrived at the mecical about an hour early. And they were able to see us earlier than our appointment. The actual appointment was less than 10 minutes, where he only took our blood pressure. He then sent us to the basement to get x-rays and across the street to get the blood test (there was about a 20 minute wait). Overall very quick and easy. 

 

You then have to book the courier service for where they will return your passport to. This was pretty straight forward. 

 

The final thing to do was to have all your documents in order and ensure you have a photocopy of each document. 

 

We got to montreal a couple days before the interview and stayed at the best western europe. It was 1 block away and very easy access. There is a lot of hotels, shops and restaurants very near the embassy so there will be no issues. 

 

The actual embassy is not very obvious from the outside and there is a lot of road works on the street. There is a bank right next to it and embassy door is to the left. Our appointment was ay 9.45 and i had read not to arrive much earlier as you will just have to wait outside no matter the weather. So we arrived just after 9.40 and got straight in, whereas people who had arrived for 10am appointments had to wait in the street. 

 

The security guard then checked our passports and we went through the scanner (very much like an airport). The only thing you are allowed to take with you is your document folder. You are not allowed food, drinks, back packs, phone, smart watches, wallets. There is a small locker to put a phone and wallet. But it is tiny and would not fit anything more. So leave all your extra items at the hotel. You then go in an elevator to the first floor where you are given a number and have to wait until its called. There are bathrooms and a water fountain. 

 

Our appointment was at 9.45, we were called to the first desk at 10.45 and the second at 12.00pm. Its a long wait. So bring a book or magazine (no electronics). 

 

At the first window you just get asked for your documents and fingerprints. For us we were asked for the originals and photocopies of: 

 

Passport

2x passport photo

Birth certificate 

Marriage certificate (2 copies one for each person)

Police reports

 

We then sat and awaited the call for the second window for the interview, we got called up together. We were asked to say an oath and sign it. We then gave our fingerprints again. Then we were asked the following questions 

 

What does the petitioner do for work?

Have you ever lived anywhere other than canada and US? 

How many times have you traveled to the US together (petitoner and spouse) 

Were there any issues crossing the border?

Asked which previous visa we were on? (student)

Asked if we had over stayed previous student visa?

Have either of you had any criminal arrests?

Asked where we intended to move?

Asked what the spouse does for work? 

He asked if we had been married before?

He asked if we had children?

 

We were then told we were approved and that our passports would be mailed within 2 weeks. He then returned our original documents and we were on our way. They did keep our police reports, however we have no other reason for them, but you may want to have a copy for your own record. 

 

Overall very easy! Happy to answer any questions! 

So happy for you guys, congratulations!!

Did the officer for ask any documents from your current employer?  I know you're EB2-NIW but I hear some people in our category are asked that randomly?

Also, did you get asked to provide any of the documents you previously submitted to USCIS before getting the approval letter (e.g., your PhD dissertation, your publications,  books, awards, etc.)?

4 hours ago, 604vancouver said:

Hi everyone!

 

Wanted to share a positive update that I received a passport request on September 6th after 8 months of waiting!! See below for my timeline

 

 

DQ: August 3, 2023

Interview: January 10, 2024

WOM Filed: July 30, 2024

Passport Requested: Sept 6, 2024

 

Congratulations!

May I know what lawyer you got your WOM filed by?

26 minutes ago, AA-H said:

My E1 visa was approved. I spent about 20 minutes with the first officer, who verified my employment letter and civil documents. Then, I had a brief interview with the second officer, who asked standard questions such as how long I’ve been with my U.S. company, the nature of my work, my highest degree, and if I’ve had any issues crossing the U.S. border. Behind the officer, there were about seven people who appeared to be in training, which suggests they are expanding their capabilities.

Good luck to everyone.

Congratulations!  Do you mind me asking if you are born in Canada or other countries since you are not AP'd which is fantastic?

32 minutes ago, canadian85 said:

Can someone share the list of things that need to be done or taken care of in the weeks leading up to the interview? Do we need to get latest PCCs again as the PCCs submitted earlier are more than 12 months old.  Where can I find the list of things needed.

Here is the checklist of documents for the interview, photos should be 2x2".

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html#pre_interview_checklist

54 minutes ago, Leo The Great said:

Consulate may for Resume because of PhD in AI

Is the CO specifically asking me to email them my latest resume or does the resume need to be sent along the DS-5535 online form?

I'm asking since I anticipate to get "double-double" like getting both AP'd and requested for my resume since I was born on middle east and got a phd in ai LOL