Long time reader, first time poster. My spouse is sponsoring is via IR1. She's born & raised American. I'm born & raised Canadian. Been working in the US since 2013 under a TN work permit. Met my wife in Feb 2015, dated for 3 years, got married April 2018. Now the journey with immigration begins. Like everyone here, I've been impacted by US Montreal Consulate's processing time. A brief overview of my timeline:
Aug 2018 - Filed application for Permanent Residency -
Nov 2018 - Received acknowledgement application receipt
Dec 2019 - Received communication my application with NVC stating a follow up appointment request will come soon
2020 - COVID - Complete Write off
Dec 2021 - Interview Appointment confirmed with Montreal US Consulate for Jan 24th 2022
Jan 24, 2022 (AM) - Interview conducted. Very pleasant interview. Was expecting an approval. Received a message at the end "You're application is refused as it is go through administrative processing. You'll receive a questionnaire in your email. Please complete it and return to us as soon as possible. Once we have it, we may begin the administrative processing". I requested approximate processing time. Was not given an estimate and my passport was returned (that's never good).
Jan 24, 2022 (PM) - Received the DS-5535 as a word document questionnaire.
Jan 26, 2022 - Completed the questionnaire and returned to the consulate
Jan 28, 2022 - Case Updated (Status: Refused)
Feb 2, 2022 - Case Updated (Status: Refused)
Feb 4, 2022 - Case Updated (Status: Refused) and I find this forum and begin reading everyone's frustrating journeys
Feb 5, 2022 - March 2023 - Nothing happens. I consider filing the WOM after reading others doing it but my attorney encourages me not too stating "You are able to stay in the US with your TN that is valid well into 2024. Save yourself the $5K. I'm telling you this as your lawyer, save your money."
March 17, 2023 - Case Updated (Status: Refused) (first movement since Feb 4, 2022)
Apr 5, 2023 - Received communication to submit new medical and RCMP record as they both expired (obviously). Also was requested for passport and two recent pictures "to complete finalizing the process". Lawyer states this is the final line.
May 15, 2023 - Conducted new medical and RCMP criminal background check
May 25, 2023 - Medical submitted to US Consulate by the physician
May 25, 2023 - Case Updated (Status: Refused)
May 29, 2023 - Submitted RCMP criminal background check, Passport, and two Recent Photos
May 31, 2023 - Consulate received the package
Jun 2, 2023 - Case Updated (Status: Refused)
Jun 7, 2023 - Case Updated (Status: Refused)
I know I'm likely near the finish line now but in total it took ~5 years for something that use to take 10-14 months just a few years ago. Yes COVID stopped everything and Administrative Processing no one expected. No explanation was given as to why I was put in. I've been in AP for 1.5 years (Jan 2022-June 2023) now and didn't file a WOM on principal and was I lucky to have my TN so that I could stay with my wife. Now that I'm near the finish line, it's so frustrating watch paint dry and hoping to finally see "Case Updated (Status: Issued)"
That's my story. Hang in there everyone. There eventually will be a light at the end of the tunnel (with or without WOM).
