EmmsW

THE TRUTH ABOUT MONTREAL's ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING AND DS-5535 Just my 2 cents. I was watching this thread very closely for the last 15 months thinking that most applicants in Montreal will get DS-5535 because that's what Montreal does, but when I showed up for my Diversity Visa interview in January, I saw the real reason behind this phenomenon. It's one word: "IRAN". Basically, a huge chunk of immigrant visa applicants in MTL are from Iran and I would bet that most people on this thread are from Iran. Even if they naturalized in Canada or were born in Iran as Canadian citizens or even if born in Canada to Iranian parents, they all could still be subject to AP. This is something that was never mentioned in this thread and has mislead many applicants (like me) and I have come to realize that when I attended my DV interview. t all made sense and clicked. Iranian citizens are commonly thrown into AP and handed the DS-5535 sheet for a Security Advisory Opinion (SAO). This is a process that is mostly initiated by the State Department and not usually the Consular Official. Applicants are already flagged to be conducted an SAO. The way I got to confirm this is that as a Diversity Visa winner, we are able to scan CEAC case numbers chronologically and we're able to see the consulates that interview those case numbers in question too. I know that Iranian citizens commonly conduct their IV and DV interviews at the US embassies in Abu Dhabi, Ankara, Yerevan, and the consulate in Montreal, and guess what? They all have the insanely high rate of 221g / AP that are chargeable to the Asia region which is what DV applicants from Iran are chargeable to. The CEAC data for DV applicants is publicly available where you can search by consulate as well. Here. This is not a consulate problem. This is a citizenship problem. If you're reading this because you're anxious about getting DS-5535 in MTL and you're not Iranian or have links to Iran, don't. Odds are, you'll be fine with regards to AP if your case is clean. Now that doesn't mean that others won't be thrown into AP. AP is a tool at the consulate's hands and they utilize it for other purposes especially if they have doubts about the authenticity of the petition or if there have been criminal convictions or security concerns, but I would say that the vast majority of applicants in AP at MTL are from Iran.

I am not 100%, but my understanding is that you have one year to send them the passport and medical from the date of the request, I wouldn't advise anybody on stretching it out so it's up to you to take the risk. Could the COVID shot requirement be botched by then? Maybe. Maybe not. Only time will tell. As of today's date, a COVID shot within the last 12 months is still required.

Somebody had this issue exactly on this very thread not too long ago. They were on "Issued" then went "Refused" then back to "Issued". So whatever is in the middle wasn't real. So it seems like the same glitch happened to you where it's gonna stay on refused. So you're probably still on 221(g) and that's my conclusion. Nobody will know for sure. All you can do is wait to see when it'll change. Again, you're probably still on 221(g). You sent your passport and medicals right?

What do you mean by "From visa"? Are you saying that the actual visa counterfoil on your passport has a remark where it says AP received on Oct 2, 2024?

Did you use the consulate's address on Google maps for the delivery address? I am just asking this because I am expecting to get a DS-5535 myself so that by the the time the passport is requested, I know whereto send it. Edit: It seems like I'll be using the mailing address: U.S. Consulate General 1134 rue Sainte-Catherine O, Suite 100, Montréal, Quebec, H3B 1H4

Thank you for the detailed info. When it comes to sending the passport/photos to the consulate, can I just use the address on Google Maps for the delivery address? Edit: It seems like I'll be using the mailing address: U.S. Consulate General 1134 rue Sainte-Catherine O, Suite 100, Montréal, Quebec, H3B 1H4

What's your visa category? Wish you the best of luck.

Is your primary nationality and passport from Iran? Are you also a Canadian citizen? Or is Iran the only nationality?

It was consistently reported on this thread that visa issuance after the postage of passport, pictures and electronic transmission of the medical takes 2 months to be processed by the consulate in Montreal. Nothing you can do but wait.

You didn’t understand my question. Do you know why you were asked to fill out a DS-5535? If you had to guess based on your own profile, what is it in your background information that they might have wanted to do a DS-5535? You guys are about to push to part 4 in about two days tops.

Hello Adam, I remember your story from the DV interview in 2023 where you DS-5535 was for 3 months and now it seems for your EB-2 case, you got another DS-5535 that was cleared in 3.5 months. Do you have any idea what could it be in your profile or history that has triggered a DS-5535 twice? I am just really curious. Country of birth/nationality? Travel history? Occupation?

Hello guys. I have an upcoming immigrant visa interview at the US consulate in Montreal. I just switched my delivery method from Canada Post location pick up to the BLS Brampton location (I would imagine that the delivery's done through Purolator). Is this reliable given the strike with Canada Post or should I just do premium delivery to my home address?

Thank you so much for the response. Seems like your case number was on the high side or your DS-260 was processed late. So they did conclude the AP/DS-5535 in a matter of 3 months which honestly isn't too bad. Good luck with your EB2!

Hello can you please tell me when was your interview date in Montreal last year? You cleared in September but when was your interview?

I think I am able to transfer my case anywhere in the world really. As long as I ensure that I can enter the country, which other than Canada (being a citizen), can't guarantee but it's very easy to get a visa for Saudi. I'll have to see which works out the best. I think Montreal is probably gonna be the choice though. I just have to let go I guess. Nothing I can do.