CarmenD

Dear Lord, No. Considering the time and effort plus the related expense for the medical exam, requesting “a redo of the medical exam every six months to keep it updated” while the consulate takes it’s sweet time to adjudicate the visa would constitute adding insult to injury

I’m well aware the DS-5535 requires travel information/details for all foreign COUNTRIES (i.e., other than one’s country of residence) visited over a 15 year span. It was arduously time consuming compiling my husband’s extensive work related (plus personal/vacation) travel all over the world going back to 2008, so I know. tophy123 wrote, and I quote: “Since we submitted extensive travel information for the last 10 years in ds 260” My comment speaks to the fact that the one and ONLY question related to ANY travel found in the online DS-260 form (“Previous U.S. Travel Information” section) asks to “provide information on your last five (5) U.S. visits”, provided, obviously, that the question “Have you ever been in the U.S.?” is answered in the affirmative. The DS-260 does NOT question for travel going back 10 or 15 years, nor to countries other than the U.S. At least not in the version of the form we completed, and thus I thought the tophy123 quote above, interesting There’s no “whole 15 years [travel] history that is also included in DS-260”; again, at least not in the version of the form we completed. If that were the case requesting same again in the DS-5535 would be redundant

Interesting .. the DS-260 we completed back in late 2022 requested information for the last 5 US visits, nothing else

Carson Wu, please ..lol

I feel these are the less complex SAO cases, but at least there’s some movement which inspires hope for all of us stuck in the deep Dreaded DS-5535 black hole at the Montréal consulate

I would be also .. surprised, but happy to learn otherwise for the benefit of those who interviewed in Montréal as things could be picking up with visa adjudication

Congratulations indeed! Note yagbawolo’s is a TAL, not SAO case.

I asked, interviewer said "Oh we just need some more info from you, that's all". Very informative isn't it? Yup. CO do not speak the truth. I’m sure it could easily escalate otherwise. My husband was told it was just a “hiccup” and that “it would take only a few weeks”.

Absolutely not. Not asked for, and absurd to anticipate such detailed level of travel over so many years be kept by anyone. Your address (residential) history during the last 15 years is requested though

The question is worded this was: “Have you travelled to any country (other than your country of residence) in the last 15 years?” “If yes, provide details for each trip that is not already included in your visa application (DS-156, DS-160, or DS-260) including locations visited, date visited, source of funds, and length of stay”

I moved to Canada in late 2015 after marriage (held in Las Vegas) to a Canadian born citizen, in 2014. We hired a Canadian immigration lawyer to represent us and started the immigration process before I actually relocated to Canada. It took roughly 3 years from start of application to issuance of PR card. I could not legally work in Canada until issuance of the PR card, but was allowed to be physically present in Canada while the process was taking place. There needs to be sufficient proof (pictures, travel, signed friends/family statements) of a legitimate relationship leading to the marriage. I recall government filing fees being on the pricey side. An FBI search certificate was required, and I had to undergo a physical examination as well. Like @dmitrych I believe the Canadian process is simpler, faster, and has much more predictable timing, unlike in the US, where regardless of whether applying for a green card through consular processing or adjustment status, it’s difficult to predict wait times with any level of certainty. Also … (While it's useful for the participants of this thread to know of alternatives, feel free to ask any remaining questions in a DM to me, so that we don't derail the thread). I moved to Canada in late 2015 after marriage (held in Las Vegas) to a Canadian born citizen, in 2014. We hired a Canadian immigration lawyer to represent us and started the immigration process before I actually relocated to Canada. It took roughly 3 years from start of application to issuance of PR card. I could not legally work in Canada until issuance of the PR card, but was allowed to be physically present in Canada while the process was taking place. There needs to be sufficient proof (pictures, travel, signed friends/family statements) of a legitimate relationship leading to the marriage. I recall government filing fees being on the pricey side. An FBI search certificate was required, and I had to undergo a physical examination as well. Like @dmitrych I believe the Canadian process is simpler, faster, and has much more predictable timing, unlike in the US, where regardless of whether applying for a green card through consular processing or adjustment status, it’s difficult to predict wait times with any level of certainty. Also … (While it's useful for the participants of this thread to know of alternatives, feel free to ask any remaining questions in a DM to me, so that we don't derail the thread). I moved to Canada in late 2015 after marriage (held in Las Vegas) to a Canadian born citizen, in 2014. We hired a Canadian immigration lawyer to represent us and started the immigration process before I actually relocated to Canada. It took roughly 3 years from start of application to issuance of PR card. I could not legally work in Canada until issuance of the PR card, but was allowed to be physically present in Canada while the process was taking place. There needs to be sufficient proof (pictures, travel, signed friends/family statements) of a legitimate relationship leading to the marriage. I recall government filing fees being on the pricey side. An FBI search certificate was required, and I had to undergo a physical examination as well. Like @dmitrych I believe the Canadian process is simpler, faster, and has much more predictable timing, unlike in the US, where regardless of whether applying for a green card through consular processing or adjustment status, it’s difficult to predict wait times with any level of certainty. Also … (While it's useful for the participants of this thread to know of alternatives, feel free to ask any remaining questions in a DM to me, so that we don't derail the thread).

The Congressperson for my district in SoFL has submitted two congressional inquiries. The replies from the Consulate has been the standard cookie cutter (in AP, when completed will advise, blah, blah) replies I receive when inquiring myself. Knowing who my senator is, I can guarantee he’s not going to get involved. I suppose some of these politician representatives take a deeper interest in bringing about change for their constituents, but I would say most probably couldn’t care less. While the inquiries can’t hurt, quite frankly they’re not that effective in placing much pressure to adjudicate a case.

Exactly. Infuriating

Confusing 🫤 both numbers appear with bar codes in ours

It’s the AA Confirmation number, not the MTL (Consulate) number. I was totally off. Apologies for the confusion

You’re absolutely right. I stand corrected, and chagrined .. ☮️

The CEAC AA Confirmation # is not the number to be provided and requested in the DS-5535 form document. The MTL (Montreal) Consulate Case# is

Sure it does. Under the Visa Symbol .. MTL+10 digits Blue scratch off

You can also find it on the top right hand side of Refusal Sheet given at the interview

You need to include ANY and ALL travel/trips outside your country of residence going back 15 years, regardless of length and yes, that includes the US. As to tabular or list, I would say any way you can make it fit in the allotted space. My husband traveled extensively and had many, many travel entries. He saved the information in a separate document then did a cut and pasted job. Good luck

It’s fairly straightforward. Your Personal Information, Visa Type/Classification, Current Passport #, email address, your MTL Barcode#, Passport and Travel (they’re asking for information to any country you travelled to … other than your country of residence … in the last 15 years) history. They’re looking for locations visited, date visited, source of funds for the trip, and length of trip. For Passports other than the one listed in your visa application that you’ve previously held, they’re asking for country of issuance and passport numbers. Relatives, siblings, children and spouses - names, DOB, living or deceased. Addresses lived, and employment history over the last 15 years, if not already provided in your application. Type your name, and date. Lots of fun!

Except that visa is NOT Denied (FINAL determination) at the interview, but REFUSED, pending additional security screening Immigration lawyer: “It appears that they have done this in response to the lawsuit - the US Attorney's office has been making the argument that a 'Refusal' under INA 221(g) is a 'Denial' and that 'Administrative Processing' is a process by which the applicant seeks 'Reconsideration' of the visa application. The US Attorney's office argues that since it is a denial and you are seeking reconsideration, the court's have no jurisdiction to order a final decision (because a decision has already been made). Attorneys have been responding to this argument with emails and correspondence to the consulate which clearly states that the visa application has been 'Refused' under INA 221(g) for 'Further Administrative Processing', and winning on that argument (in some cases). The law is clear that INA 221(g) is NOT a FINAL denial or decision, but rather a refusal with further “Administrative Processing.” Hope this clears the air for everyone

Agreed. Yes, “denied” and “reconsider” at this point in the AP process for this case is an eye opener

Thanks for this information. Please, keep us posted. Good luck 🤞🏻

I can’t answer for the MTL Consulate, but as I am casually interpreting this, the case has already been both in Refused status and under AP and now, based on whatever SAO investigative determination has been completed, it’s in Denied status BUT pending further security screening which might, once fully finished, result in visa approval/adjudication