AndrewsN

42 minutes ago, Cholte cholte said:

Hi AndrewsN...so happy for you. So what happens at the land border? Do you drive up to the booth and tell the CBS office that you want to immigrate? What documents were you provided by the Montreal consulate. We are planning to cross at the Sarnia border. Which border did you cross? All the best for your future life in the US.

I drove to the land border. At the border (Nexus lane for me) , they asked if I have anything to declare. I said I need to activate my permanent residency at the secondary check point. 
 

He radio’d it in, asked me to drive through with my hazards on so that another officer could wave me through. 
 

Parked, went into the building.

Typical questions about work, plans on moving. And that’s it. 
 

Consulate sent me everything in the package by mail. My application is honestly a few hundred pages of paper. But you won’t even see it until they open the package at the border. 

Hey everyone! 

This will be my final post and final timeline.

I crossed the border last night (land) to activate my green card. It's been a 2.5 year journey, and just like you, have experienced many twists, turns, and challenges. 

A quick summary of things that seem to be relevant in some regard:

Visa type: EB1 A 

Country of nationality: Canada

Country of origin: Russia 

Field of work: Arts (film and tv)

2022

Applied for visa in August of 2022.

Approved September of 2022.

2023

Documentarily Qualified Jan 2023

Waiting in radio silence all of 2023.

2024....

Beginning of Aug. -  Interview letter 

Mid Aug - medical done in Surrey, BC

Sept 4 - interview at Montreal consulate

Verbal approval on the spot. My passport was taken.
Sep 10- received an email with a Refusal

A 221g form stating it was due to them reaching the allotment of visas for the fiscal year was attached. I did not receive a formal issuance of a DS5535. My 221g stated that my case would move forward after October 1st (new Fiscal Year). 

I had reached out several times around the beginning of October to check in (as I was requested to do so on 221g), and was met with the standard cookie cutter replies. But given what everyone here seems to know, I was put into AP. My one and only hunch is that my country of origin sparked that, and I'm a 30 year old, in-shape male.

CEAC Observations:
Oct 2- case update - no status change - likely from my email?
Oct 7- case update - no status change- email response
Oct 22 - case update - no status change
Nov 8 - case update - no status change - from email?
Nov 21- case update - no status change - from email?
Nov 22 - case update - no status change
Nov 25 - case update - status change to ISSUED
Nov 26 - contacted courier service support to change address away from Canada Post office due to Canada Post strike
NOTE: Nov. 28- Dec 1 was Thanksgiving weekend and consulate was closed
Dec. 3 - update - no status change or update

Dec. 5 - Passport was delivered to my residential address.

I went to the border the same day and got my permanent residency activated. The border gentlemen were very professional, and quite friendly. Shook my hand and told me "welcome home". I damn near teared up.

I permanently depart Canada on Monday. 

Years of managing work and personal relationships in two countries. Not being able to advance in certain professional aspects, not being able to commit in personal ones. I feel like my life can finally move forward once again.

Thank you to everyone on this thread has helped and offered advise throughout the last few months. 

I wish for you all to get through this soon and move on with your lives. 

Signing off,

N. Andrews. 

27 minutes ago, Cholte cholte said:

I have a silly question. For those who have received your passport back...do they also send a sealed packet with it that needs to be handed over to the immigration officer. I see mention of passports being returned...but no mention of any other documents. Was just wondering.

Yes, passport and package. 
I’m expecting mine tomorrow 

1 minute ago, Angiw said:

 

That's great!

 

They probably just ship once or twice a week. Hopefully we can all get our passports with IV asap.

Yesss!! Can’t believe this long journey is almost over 

2 minutes ago, Angiw said:

Update.

 

After the status changed to "ISSUED" on Dec 2nd, I applied for upgrade to Premium Courier Service on ais.usvisa-info.com for both me and my spouse. Delivery to door costs CA$26 each, so CA$52 for us.

 

I also contacted the email address provided by Andrew and received their response on Dec 3rd saying my issue has been resolved. I replied to confirm if my upgrade request actually went through since it was submitted after issue. My CEAC also had an update on Dec 3rd.

 

This morning (Dec 4th, 9 am), I received 2 emails from donotreply@usvisa-info.com and Purolator, providing me with the tracking number of my passport shipment. It has not been shipped as of now, but likely to be shipped later today or tomorrow.

 

So, yes, it is totally fine to request upgrade to premium courier service after issuance of visa, but it is definitely better to do it quick.

Nice!!

I got my tracking number this morning as well.

Just now, Angiw said:

Thanks for your suggestion Andrew!

 

I have just sent an email to the address mentioned. Hopefully, they will respond to me fast.

 

Also, on the ais.us-visa.com, I still have the "Request Premium Delivery" button available. Can I just upgrade to premium courier service using that?

Oh! I’d definitely try that! 
 

I paid for premium delivery beforehand so I never had to deal with that. This might be the most straight forward solution…

9 minutes ago, Angiw said:

My Status just changed to ISSUED!

 

Background: Chinese citizen with Canadian PR, PhD from USA, scientist in Canada, EB1A, application with spouse (also Chinese citizen with Canadian PR)

 

Timeline:

Priority date: 08/2020 (from NIW)

EB1A approved: 10/2022

NVC DQ: 03/2023

Interview: 09/16/2024, DS5535 requested (only me), CV taken during interview, passport returned
Passport request: 11/04/2024

Issued: 12/02/2024

 

I had Canada Post for passport return. Should I call them to ask for premium service? Any suggestion is much appreciated!

 

Hey Angie! 
Congrats. I just recently went through the same thing. Send an inquiry to this email address:

canada.visas@gdit-gss.com
 

They helped me change my address of destination from Canada post to my residential address. I did however, pay for the courier service 4 months ago or whenever I scheduled my interview.

They may just need to bounce you around a few departments. 
 

But they were quite helpful with getting shipping sorted.

On 11/26/2024 at 2:13 PM, AndrewsN said:

Update on this. They confirmed receipt of the information they requested. They sent me a notice stating that they've escalated this case to their help desk team.

 

They said I'll be notified when they find a workaround solution for my circumstance.

And an update on this situation. I received confirmation from the support staff that my document's courier destination address has been changed from the Canada Post location to my residential address. 

I received an email with the receipt of the services I paid for 4 months ago with the updated info and in that email was notified that my tracking number will be sent directly to my cell phone.

1 hour ago, David San said:

Thanks for info

What email did you use to contact the embassy? Is there any specific email format?

 

Depends what you're wanting it for.

The regular emails went to Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov 

But honestly, I think they marked one of my email addresses as spam. So I'd advise to really space out your check ins. Maybe do a monthly schedule.

No specific "format" that I used. I just included my case number in the subject line. 

Arranging shipping related inquiries was through a different email but I'm assuming that's not what you're asking

1 minute ago, mgsctravels said:

 

I wonder why you got it and I didn't. I wonder if I should ask if I need to fill it out. Does it explicitly say it's the DS-5535?

I wouldn’t ask for it haha. 
 

Just jumping in on this. The whole admin processing thing, it can come down to some things you say in the interview. But most of the time it has more to do with your field of work or country of origin. Things you can’t really control. 
 

I think it’s wise to go into the interview not with fear, trying to avoid DS 5535. Just be honest. 
 

A side note, I was issued a 221g 4 days after my interview. A 221g is a “refusal” and a request for more info or them wanting to double check something. Everyone was saying it’s the same as DS 5535, which ranges from a 5 month to 16 month delay. They held back my case for 2 months but I’m cleared now. 
 

They have their requirements for what triggers additional background operations. 

3 hours ago, AndrewsN said:

Yes, I have. 

 

I sent an email here (last night): Contactus_en_ca@usvisa-info.com  

This email is specified in the message under your ISSUED status in the CEAC login. You can cross reference for peace of mind.

 

I got a reply from canada.visas@gdit-gss.com (about half an hour ago) with my ticket information and my DS 260 # in the subject line requesting some information.

 

I'll update on here as they find a solution for me.

 

 

 

 

Update on this. They confirmed receipt of the information they requested. They sent me a notice stating that they've escalated this case to their help desk team.

They said I'll be notified when they find a workaround solution for my circumstance.

2 hours ago, candy895 said:

For those of you who chose a Canada post location for the return of your documents and were able to get a hold of a representative so that you could change it or upgrade to home delivery due to the strike. What steps did you guys do, I’ve been going in circles for an hour and I can’t seem to figure out how to get a hold of someone who can fix it. Any help would be appreciated.

Yes, I have. 

I sent an email here (last night): Contactus_en_ca@usvisa-info.com  

This email is specified in the message under your ISSUED status in the CEAC login. You can cross reference for peace of mind.

I got a reply from canada.visas@gdit-gss.com (about half an hour ago) with my ticket information and my DS 260 # in the subject line requesting some information.

I'll update on here as they find a solution for me.

1 minute ago, mariagomez said:

No im so sorry, I believe once the shipment is created you cannot change the delivery address 😕 

Well alright, I’ll send them an email and see what happens. 
 

More learnings for the thread haha

Hey everyone, 

I know people have discussed this already. 

So, I paid the additional cost of the courier service back in September. But I selected a pick up at a Canada Post location. 

@mariagomez I saw your post indicating that Purolator was used from their side.

When you received your tracking email, was there any option to reroute with them? 

I assume there would be? Anybody done a switch up; not with delivery method per say but location. AIS doesn't even allow me to pick my address.

5 minutes ago, David San said:

Congratulations!

Do you mind sharing if you filed the mandamus or took other escalation steps?

 

I didn’t file a mandamus. I was advised by my lawyers to not do so unless wait times surpassed 6 months. I was only the 221g camp since September of this year. 
 

I did email a congressman. I did not receive any reply or correspondence from them.

i had been emailing the consulate regularly and most recently had an international job offer come up. I sent them an email stating that I need to set my travel documents in order (they kept my passport after my interview). 

5 minutes ago, candy895 said:

Congratulations what was your timeline??

I’ll finalize my timeline when my passport gets delivered. In the meantime, you can look at it in my accounts “about me” or description. Almost all update dates are there 

WOOOHHHHHHH!

My status changed to ISSUED today. 

Still waiting on tracking. I paid for the courier service back before my interview.

It's not over until my passport is back in my hands. So I'll update the timeline and all of that when I get tracking for my passport and receive it.

21 minutes ago, sundim said:

 

My passport was returned to me at the interview.  I renewed my passport and informed the US consulate in Montreal via email on July 12.  My case was cleared on August 9.

 

If you go to https://ca.usembassy.gov/u-s-montreal-consulate/ and scroll down to "Immigrant visa applications: Visit our information center" there is a link to instructions on how to request your passport be returned.  However.... the Canada post strike is on.  Even in the scenario of renewing your passport, you still have to contend with the strike.

 

Definitely a tough question.  I hoped this small bit of info helps, good luck!

So, in your particular case, you updated your passport and saw clearance in 3 weeks. 
 

Id say that’s not a substantial delay to hold me back. 
 

Thanks a mil! Very helpful 

Hey Ds 5535 crew!

I've officially hit a dilemma.

I have a short term international contract offer on the table. My passport is at the MTL embassy. 

I'm about 2.5 months into this 221g process.

I need a passport to travel for this contract. I went to the Canadian embassy. They said I can't get a temp passport, I have to do a renewal. 

If I do the renewal, I will have to send the new passport in to the US embassy.

What delay in admin processing have people experienced from sending in a new passport? I recognize this is an almost impossible question. But any experience would be appreciated. I'm so torn whether to take the additional resume point and experience or scrap yet another opportunity as I sit in this black hole of a waiting process...

3 minutes ago, Cholte cholte said:

For EveK.

I had updates on Nov 15, 18, and 19th today. Nov 15th, they acknowledged receipt of my passport, medical and photos. Nov 18th, they requested Ds 260 updated form and to email them the confirmation page.(Done same day) Todays update I believe is related to the email I sent them yesterday. Status still showing Refused! 

 

Is your DS260 more than one year old? It would have been most convenient if they had asked for it earlier?

I see that you’re E2, but from what I understand your spouse got DS 5535…so it’s a E2 but they won’t do the same checks as employment based applicants (right?).

It seems like IR/CR applicants that did interviews in January-March are next up. 

Is anyone on here waiting for their visa status to change to issued, and with documents at Montreal in the E category stream? 
 

13 minutes ago, JanMontrealDS5535 said:

Here is the massive list of updates( hold your breathe):

Dec 15, 2023 Medical (first)

Jan 24, 2024 Interview in Montreal 

Feb 8, 2024 Requested documents mailed

Feb 12 update

Feb 16 update

Feb 22 update

Feb 23 update 

Mar 4 update

Mar 26 update

April 9 update

Jun 13 passport return (expired)

Sept 13 1st unsolicited update (AP complete)

Sept 18 2nd unsolicited update

Oct 1.  3rd unsolicited update

Oct 7 4th unsolicited update

Oct 10 Medical (second)

Oct 11 update ( Medical received)

Oct 16 update

Oct 23 update

Oct 30 update

Nov 15 Visa issued 

Nov 18: Another update after visa issued.

 

 

Hey, question- how do you know that you cleared AP on September 13th specifically? 

7 minutes ago, Cholte cholte said:

Wonder if they will ask us to update the DS260 after sending the passport and medical reports. Typically after how long do they ask to update a DS260? 6 months or 1 year? 

I think others said it opens up after 1 year

18 minutes ago, FaithinChrist said:

Did they ask for any other documents or just your passport?

They didn’t ask for my passport. They just kept it at the interview. I didn’t get requests for additional documents. 

1 minute ago, FaithinChrist said:

So you most likely should get visa issued soon. Excited for you. Are you in EB category?

Ya, EB1A. 
 

Who knows. I just take it week by week