The dreaded DS-5535 thread for Montreal. Post here and support each other (PART 2)

[BatmanFlow 481]

13 hours ago, addpeace said:

My husbands interview was August 1st. He got a white paper that said fill out the emailed questionnaire. No other explanation as to why. They asked him if he wanted to take his passport since he is also a international student and semester starts aug 22. He decided not to and left it in Montreal. This morning we got the questionnaire and it was the 15 years worth of history. Just emailed it back about 3 hours ago. 
 

He has no criminal history born and raised in Calgary. Only ever traveled to the US. Our medical was delivered on time. 
 

Reading this form is pretty grim not gonna lie. 😓

Ouch. Our condolences for joining this dreaded group. Hope your stay is short. 

[Bill22 8]

18 hours ago, LAMA9 said:

https://hackinglawpractice.com/st-louis-immigration/immigration-delay-lawyer/

 

When I contacted them a few months ago, they weren't taking on any more K1 WOM cases, just CR1, but that may have changed... 

 

I had a great call with them yesterday, I paid upfront and got an extra $500 off as well. They seem to know what they are doing.

[yvesemma 21]

hi all,

 

just requested my passport back, because of a trip next week. and got a couple of questions....

do they completely stop working on our cases when we do so?

my medical expires aug 22nd.. should i just redo it, and send it back?

im coming back at the end of the month should i just resent my passport?

ca you apply for a nexus card while on AP? 

 

many thanks 

[ice-qube 648]

1 hour ago, yvesemma said:

hi all,

 

just requested my passport back, because of a trip next week. and got a couple of questions....

do they completely stop working on our cases when we do so?

my medical expires aug 22nd.. should i just redo it, and send it back?

im coming back at the end of the month should i just resent my passport?

ca you apply for a nexus card while on AP? 

 

many thanks 

That's a lot of questions, lol. 

 

1 hour ago, yvesemma said:

do they completely stop working on our cases when we do so?

I don't think that has anything to do with it,  no

 

1 hour ago, yvesemma said:

my medical expires aug 22nd.. should i just redo it, and send it back?

You can't. The immi doctor won't do the medical until the consulate requests it again.

 

1 hour ago, yvesemma said:

im coming back at the end of the month should i just resent my passport?

That's up to you, but I wouldn't--because that's another chance they can mishandle something important and then you will have to clean up the mess.

1 hour ago, yvesemma said:

ca you apply for a nexus card while on AP?

Go ahead and try--there is no rule that i know of against it, but wait times for NEXUS are lengthy, as far as I know. Just as an aside, I have a NEXUS card, and have used it uneventfully. One would think that would have prevented me from being placed in AP with DS-5535, since NEXUS is a security background vetted privilege, but no. 

[WishIWasntHere 53]

20 hours ago, addpeace said:

My husbands interview was August 1st. He got a white paper that said fill out the emailed questionnaire. No other explanation as to why. They asked him if he wanted to take his passport since he is also a international student and semester starts aug 22. He decided not to and left it in Montreal. This morning we got the questionnaire and it was the 15 years worth of history. Just emailed it back about 3 hours ago. 
 

He has no criminal history born and raised in Calgary. Only ever traveled to the US. Our medical was delivered on time. 
 

Reading this form is pretty grim not gonna lie. 😓

Grim is a good way to describe it… hope your stay is short

[ohmygod 60]

6 hours ago, BatmanFlow said:

Ouch. Our condolences for joining this dreaded group. Hope your stay is short. 

Have requested for return of passport after waiting almost 300 days

[BatmanFlow 481]

1 hour ago, ohmygod said:

Have requested for return of passport after waiting almost 300 days

yes i did ask my moms passport back. i got it back and guess what? they allowed her to cross the border and come to USA as a tourist while they are extremely vetting her for whatever threat she presents. Hopefully the absurdity of this entire situation is not lost on anyone

[Marbles_ 7]

8 hours ago, yvesemma said:

hi all,

 

just requested my passport back, because of a trip next week. and got a couple of questions....

do they completely stop working on our cases when we do so?

my medical expires aug 22nd.. should i just redo it, and send it back?

im coming back at the end of the month should i just resent my passport?

ca you apply for a nexus card while on AP? 

 

many thanks 

I got my NEXUS while in DS-5535. I did apply for NEXUS back in 2019 though and only started the petition for my CR1/IR1 in February 2021. There is such a massive backlog of everything you might as well start. It's incredibly ironic that all of us in here can visit the USA as tourists, be approved for NEXUS, all while we are languishing in the DS-5535 hole (as I type this from California on my third trip the USA since being put in the DS-5535 hole).

Montreal does not have my passport and they technically "should" be working regardless of that. 

[ideep29 12]

I started the WoM with Goldstein today.  I cant wait anymore, especially with my fiances medical expiring.  I just want to move on with life.  Getting him the info asap so they can get it filed. I wish I didnt have to resort to this.  

 

AP ontop of the consulate being closed during covid is just ridiculous that they are this far behind.  

[yvesemma 21]

12 hours ago, ice-qube said:

That's a lot of questions, lol. 

 

I don't think that has anything to do with it,  no

 

You can't. The immi doctor won't do the medical until the consulate requests it again.

 

That's up to you, but I wouldn't--because that's another chance they can mishandle something important and then you will have to clean up the mess.

Go ahead and try--there is no rule that i know of against it, but wait times for NEXUS are lengthy, as far as I know. Just as an aside, I have a NEXUS card, and have used it uneventfully. One would think that would have prevented me from being placed in AP with DS-5535, since NEXUS is a security background vetted privilege, but no. 

haha yes it was actually a few!  thank you for taking the time to answer. your answers are quite helpful, and reassuring.  thanks again. 

[yvesemma 21]

6 hours ago, Marbles_ said:

I got my NEXUS while in DS-5535. I did apply for NEXUS back in 2019 though and only started the petition for my CR1/IR1 in February 2021. There is such a massive backlog of everything you might as well start. It's incredibly ironic that all of us in here can visit the USA as tourists, be approved for NEXUS, all while we are languishing in the DS-5535 hole (as I type this from California on my third trip the USA since being put in the DS-5535 hole).

Montreal does not have my passport and they technically "should" be working regardless of that. 

thanks for your answer! 

 

i was actually downtown montreal and stopped by the consulate to ask how long it would take to get my passport back after requesting it, and it was the security officer that told me that they "would stop working on your file, and it would put you in the back of the line if you request your passport back, so i hope this trip is important". 

 

Definitely going to start my nexus application then since im already being vetted.

 

Enjoy Cali! 

[ThisIsHell 15]

Walked out of the interview today with the officer telling me he would approve my visa and I could expect it within 2 weeks. No documents missing or anything. I was so happy. Then a few hours later, I got the DS 5535 email. I am devastated looking at this thread and seeing the kind of delays people are experiencing. 

 

We were approved for an expedited request as my wife has a life-threatening condition. Obviously this does not matter to them. 

 

I have never travelled outside Canada or the U.S. Both my parents are French Canadians. I don't work in a sensitive field. I have a pretty uncommon French Canadian name. I work in finance and banking, I have a security clearance from Quebec's National Assembly...  It makes no sense. I can't put into words how I feel today. Just the worst. 

[ice-qube 648]

Just now, SamuelR said:

Walked out of the interview today with the officer telling me he would approve my visa and I could expect it within 2 weeks. No documents missing or anything. I was so happy. Then a few hours later, I got the DS 5535 email. I am devastated looking at this thread and seeing the kind of delays people are experiencing. 

 

We were approved for an expedited request as my wife has a life-threatening condition. Obviously this does not matter to them. 

 

I have never travelled outside Canada or the U.S. Both my parents are French Canadians. I don't work in a sensitive field. I have a pretty uncommon French Canadian name. I work in finance and banking, I have a security clearance from Quebec's National Assembly...  It makes no sense. I can't put into words how I feel today. Just the worst. 

My heart goes out to you man. No joke, I hope they settle out for you fast, unlike the way I have been treated. I am very unhappy about this process and sad to see yet another person stuck in it.

[BatmanFlow 481]

2 hours ago, SamuelR said:

Walked out of the interview today with the officer telling me he would approve my visa and I could expect it within 2 weeks. No documents missing or anything. I was so happy. Then a few hours later, I got the DS 5535 email. I am devastated looking at this thread and seeing the kind of delays people are experiencing. 

 

We were approved for an expedited request as my wife has a life-threatening condition. Obviously this does not matter to them. 

 

I have never travelled outside Canada or the U.S. Both my parents are French Canadians. I don't work in a sensitive field. I have a pretty uncommon French Canadian name. I work in finance and banking, I have a security clearance from Quebec's National Assembly...  It makes no sense. I can't put into words how I feel today. Just the worst. 

absolutely ###### up this process. wow. i am so sorry that you have to go through this

[ice-qube 648]

10 minutes ago, BatmanFlow said:

absolutely ###### up this process. wow. i am so sorry that you have to go through this

How is it even possible. Why would the officer even tell them ya I am approving it, but then DS-5535 gets sent? I don't get it. This is absurdity.