This board has been a tremendous help for me. Sharing my timelines for anyone that may benefit from it.
Application Type - IR1. Married for 6 years at time of I-130.
Mar-2021 I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Submitted to UCIS
Feb -2022 I-130 Approved
Feb-2023 Documentarily Qualified
May-2023 Visa Interview at Montreal. Status: Declined for administrative processing
June- 2023 Submitted DS 5535
Dec 2023 - Aug 2024 Sent follow ups to Montreal Consulate, only received generic responses
Aug 2024 Received notification to send Passport to Montreal Consulate
Sept 2024 Sent several E-mails for next steps and follow up. Submitted request from Congressman and was advised to update medical and provide updated passport photos. Submitted all documents by end of Oct.
Oct 2024 No updates. End of Nov sent escalation through Congressman and received response to send updated RCMP report
Nov 2024 Ordered RCMP report in first week, due to Canada Post strike, did not receive it till first week of January
Last week of January - Status change to Issued - no notifications or emails received. No status update on AIS. 4 days later Received confirmation E-mail that passport has been shipped and received. Passport received 2 days later.
E2E Process - 3 years, 9 months
DS5535 Approval Timeline - 14 months
Lessons Learned:
1. Leverage your local congressman and engage through the process.
2. Escalation through congressman help and Montreal Consulate will respond in 5 business days
Best of Luck everyone.
