sundim

To anyone who has sent in their passport, updated medical, etc. I have a small piece of information. On the morning of Nov 5, an immigration officer called me to make arrangements to pick up my passport at the consulate in person before my medical exam expired on Nov 8. He said that if that wasn't possible, I could do another medical exam but that could possibly delay my visa issuance by 2 months. I chose to pick up in person and entered the US on the 7th. Just wanted to put it out there that it seems they are aware that they are backlogged by up to 2 months.

Overall about 2 years from I-130 submission to entering the US with visa. Here's my timeline to this point: Oct 26 2022 - I-130 Submitted Sep 14 2023 - I-130 Approved Nov 30 2023 - DS-260 Submitted Feb 14 2024 - Documentarily Qualified Apr 17 2024 - Received interview letter May 8 2024 - Medical Exam May 17 2024 - Interview (refused for DS-5535) May 21 2024 - Submitted DS-5535 8 CEAC updates Aug 9 2024 - Clearance obtained (info from printed visa) 3 CEAC updates Oct 22 2024 - Received email to submit passport Oct 24 2024 - Passport delivered to consulate Nov 5 2024 - Visa issued + US consulate called me to arrange passport pickup in person Nov 7 2024 - Passport pickup in person + entered US at YUL airport Nov 8 2024 - Medical expiry date/Visa expiry date Just wanted to do a timeline update since I picked up my passport and entered the US yesterday. The line at the consulate was pretty much the same as when I interviewed. I told the security guard that my appointment was for 8 AM (which I arranged on the phone with the immigration officer earlier in the week) I was on the list so they let me in. He was a little confused because I gave photo ID and not my passport so I clarified that I was there to pickup my passport. Inside, they called upstairs to confirm where I needed to go. I went through the metal detector, went upstairs to the desk, picked up my passport. It was not with the same immigration officer that I interviewed with, nor the same person I spoke to on the phone. At YUL airport, I checked in, tagged my bags, went through TSA and then to the CBP line. I was with the first officer for maybe 60 seconds. He asked if this was the first time using my visa, which it was. He took my photo and walked me over to the secondary inspection area. They called me to the desk once to confirm my name and my country of birth. They called me to the desk a second time to hand over my stamped visa and outlined that it was valid for re-entry for 1 year. The stamp says the day I entered, and they wrote in the day it expires underneath. They also outlined that I would receive the physical green card within 6 months. Very quick & simple. I'll update again when I receive the SSN & the physical green card. IT'S OVER!🫠😵😵‍💫

Glad to hear you got the tracking #. Even if they don't have it at the visa center, at least you know it arrived. I hope that helps your peace of mind.

You're welcome. My AIS website never updated with tracking info. The only tracking # i got was from when I dropped off my package at the post office and the receipt had the number on it. I typed it into the canada post website to track. Even now AIS never changed for me.

Thank you! They called me directly on my cell phone to ask if I could pick up in person and called me 2 hours later to confirm that I successfully made plans to do so. I suspect that it might be the same immigration officer that I interviewed with, but they never said their name or ID number so I can't know for sure. When I go to pick up on Thursday I'll probably see them in person and might be able to confirm it's the same officer. I'm sorry your case is still pending. As you know, you're not alone and we have each other for support. Hang in there & good luck!

Sending to the US consulate in montreal: The email I received said to log in to https://ais.usvisa-info.com/ and look at the instructions. The instructions contained a prepaid courier waybill linked to my passport info to bring to the Canada post office. When I submitted the waybill and the envelope containing my passport at the post office, they provided a printed receipt with a tracking # on it. Using the tracking number, I confirmed my envelope arrived the next day and I saw delivery proof (signature). Receiving the passport from Montreal after visa issuance: Funny story, after I spoke to the immigration officer on the phone twice this morning to confirm i was coming in person to pick up my passport, I received an email from donotreply@usvisa-info.com that contained a purolator tracking # supposedly to ship my passport. I called the phone number on https://ais.usvisa-info.com/ and inquired why I received this, since I had just received instructions to pick up in person. They had no idea what I was talking about. About an hour later, i received a notification email from purolator that the shipment was cancelled. My status changed from "refused" to "issued" and i got the tracking number within a few hours. When I spoke to the officer on the phone he told me that if I couldn't enter the US before my medical expires on Friday, that I could do another medical and wait for visa issuance but it could take two months after they receive everything. I realize my situation is unique but I hope it helps clarify what you might expect. Good luck!

Good news for me today! I got a call from the US consulate in Montreal and they instructed me to make a plan to pick up my passport in person because my medical expires on Friday. The alternative would be to do another medical and wait 2 months for issuance. No thanks! I'm flying to Montreal tomorrow, picking up my passport Thursday morning and then flying to the US from Montreal. YAY!

Updating my timeline of CEAC updates: Interview Friday May 17 2024 Tuesday May 21 (after sending completed DS-5535) Friday May 24 Friday May 31 Friday June 7 Tuesday June 18 (after phone number update) Tuesday June 25 Thursday August 1 (after passport update) Wednesday August 7 Friday August 9 Tuesday August 13 Monday August 19 Monday October 21 Tuesday October 22 (received email to submit passport, sent Oct 23) Tuesday October 29 Monday November 4 My medical expires on Friday Nov 8 so this is very tight timing if they're going to send my passport back to me this week. Crossing my fingers!

Updating my timeline of CEAC updates: Interview Friday May 17 2024 Tuesday May 21 (after sending completed DS-5535) Friday May 24 Friday May 31 Friday June 7 Tuesday June 18 (after phone number update) Tuesday June 25 Thursday August 1 (after passport update) Wednesday August 7 Friday August 9 Tuesday August 13 Monday August 19 Monday October 21 Tuesday October 22 (received email to submit passport, sent Oct 23) Tuesday October 29

General question for those of you still here who have cleared, gotten the visa and crossed the border: Anything notable about the port of entry? Does CBP ask for anything other than visa + passport? I'm aware that I should be ready with the immigrant fee paid. Other than that, all my worldly belongings, important documents etc. But asking specifically for anything CBP might want. Feel free to share your experience too, if you want. I'm currently waiting for my visa stamp. My passport arrived at the Montreal consulate today. My medical exam expires on November 8th so I want to make sure I'm ready to leave last minute just in case it arrives before I have to re-do medical (I realize they're slow but I still have hope). I have time now to prepare, which I might not have when I have the visa in hand. Thanks in advance!

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

Updating my timeline of CEAC updates: Interview Friday May 17 2024 Tuesday May 21 (after sending completed DS-5535) Friday May 24 Friday May 31 Friday June 7 Tuesday June 18 (after phone number update) Tuesday June 25 Thursday August 1 (after passport update) Wednesday August 7 Friday August 9 Tuesday August 13 Monday August 19 Monday October 21 Tuesday October 22 I JUST RECEIVED THE EMAIL TO SUBMIT PASSPORT!!!

Updating my timeline of CEAC updates: Interview Friday May 17 2024 Tuesday May 21 (after sending completed DS-5535) Friday May 24 Friday May 31 Friday June 7 Tuesday June 18 (after phone number update) Tuesday June 25 Thursday August 1 (after passport update) Wednesday August 7 Friday August 9 Tuesday August 13 Monday August 19 Monday October 21

I got 4 updates around the same time too, haven't heard anything since august 19. I also got my hopes up. But you're not alone! 🤝

via email to Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov