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

[kryptonite 43]

Just now, AnimeLover89 said:

Hello everyone. 

 

Not sure if I am at the right place but just needed some suggestions. I had my interview for ir1 at the montreal embassy on the 7th November 2022. I was approved and everything. The CO told me everything is good and told me that he will recommend me for the visa, kept my passport and told me I should receive my passport with the visa and everything within 2-3 weeks. The next day I checked my CEAC status it showed "REFUSED". I was not given 221g or anything. The CO kept my passport along with the police certificate. Its been 4 weeks and the status still shows "REFUSED". Is it normal? I haven't received any email or anything. I am a Pakistani living in Canada on a worker status. 

Were you ever refused entry at the US border? 

[AnimeLover89 2]

No never been refused entry nor have overstayed. 

[kryptonite 43]

Just now, AnimeLover89 said:

No never been refused entry nor have overstayed. 

There was another user who was refused entry at the border - not for anything serious or anything but refused nonetheless. The officer asked her if she was and she answered truthfully. The officer thought nothing of it and approved her on the spot. Later she checked her status and she was refused. The officer called her and told her it was because of the refusal at the border. They had to call the border and confirm her story. 4 weeks later she was finally approved and her passport was mailed.

 

I’m in a similar situation however, I was put into administrative processing on the spot rather than being approved for the exact same reason - The refusal. Currently waiting for my status to change and my passport to be mailed out. 

[AnimeLover89 2]

1 minute ago, kryptonite said:

There was another user who was refused entry at the border - not for anything serious or anything but refused nonetheless. The officer asked her if she was and she answered truthfully. The officer thought nothing of it and approved her on the spot. Later she checked her status and she was refused. The officer called her and told her it was because of the refusal at the border. They had to call the border and confirm her story. 4 weeks later she was finally approved and her passport was mailed.

 

I’m in a similar situation however, I was put into administrative processing on the spot rather than being approved for the exact same reason - The refusal. Currently waiting for my status to change and my passport to be mailed out. 

I see but again why is it taking this long? I also answered everything truthfully. All my records are clean and everything. The CO was satisfied and recommended me for the visa on the spot. During these 4 weeks my CEAC updated twice but the status remained refused.

[kryptonite 43]

4 minutes ago, AnimeLover89 said:

I see but again why is it taking this long? I also answered everything truthfully. All my records are clean and everything. The CO was satisfied and recommended me for the visa on the spot. During these 4 weeks my CEAC updated twice but the status remained refused.

I’m not entirely sure. But, the last update date changing on CEAC means absolutely nothing.
 

Asfor the reason for the refusal - it could be literally anything. Really frustrating that they didn’t tell you the reason. 

[AnimeLover89 2]

1 minute ago, kryptonite said:

I’m not entirely sure. But, the last update date changing on CEAC means absolutely nothing.
 

Asfor the reason for the refusal - it could be literally anything. Really frustrating that they didn’t tell you the reason. 

Are they doing like thorough background checks? Because Ive read that now a refused status is same as AP. Plus I'm a Pakistani so can that be a causing all of this?

[throwitaway 189]

1 hour ago, AnimeLover89 said:

Are they doing like thorough background checks? Because Ive read that now a refused status is same as AP. Plus I'm a Pakistani so can that be a causing all of this?

If your CEAC is refused with a long text underneath that says “your case will remain refused while undergoing such processing blah blah” then yes, you’re in AP.

 

“Administrative Processing” is no longer used as a status for AP, in other words, the “we’re looking into you before we can issue your visa” step is now just called “Refused,” with some text mentioning AP underneath. 
 

The old “Administrative Processing” status is rarely used at all anymore. Sometimes it shows up immediately before a visa is issued, like when it’s queued up for printing.

 

When a CO “approved” your visa it still gets reviewed at the end of the day by the higher ups, this is where it can then be tossed into the AP pile.

 

It sucks. There’s nothing you can do to find out why this happened, but you’re lucky you didn’t get asked for DS 5535 (I know it’s little solace when you didn’t expect any of this, but trust me, it could be worse). You’ll probably clear in 90 days or less (they’re reviewing your application). Be sure to let us know! 

Edited December 7, 2022 by throwitaway

[throwitaway 189]

1 hour ago, kryptonite said:

There was another user who was refused entry at the border - not for anything serious or anything but refused nonetheless. The officer asked her if she was and she answered truthfully. The officer thought nothing of it and approved her on the spot. Later she checked her status and she was refused. The officer called her and told her it was because of the refusal at the border. They had to call the border and confirm her story. 4 weeks later she was finally approved and her passport was mailed.

 

I’m in a similar situation however, I was put into administrative processing on the spot rather than being approved for the exact same reason - The refusal. Currently waiting for my status to change and my passport to be mailed out. 

This is an extraordinary example of someone who was told why they were refused - unfortunately the majority of us will never know.

[AnimeLover89 2]

2 hours ago, throwitaway said:

If your CEAC is refused with a long text underneath that says “your case will remain refused while undergoing such processing blah blah” then yes, you’re in AP.

 

“Administrative Processing” is no longer used as a status for AP, in other words, the “we’re looking into you before we can issue your visa” step is now just called “Refused,” with some text mentioning AP underneath. 
 

The old “Administrative Processing” status is rarely used at all anymore. Sometimes it shows up immediately before a visa is issued, like when it’s queued up for printing.

 

When a CO “approved” your visa it still gets reviewed at the end of the day by the higher ups, this is where it can then be tossed into the AP pile.

 

It sucks. There’s nothing you can do to find out why this happened, but you’re lucky you didn’t get asked for DS 5535 (I know it’s little solace when you didn’t expect any of this, but trust me, it could be worse). You’ll probably clear in 90 days or less (they’re reviewing your application). Be sure to let us know! 

Thank you. So basically emailing them is pointless I guess coz it won't get me anywhere?

[throwitaway 189]

6 hours ago, AnimeLover89 said:

Thank you. So basically emailing them is pointless I guess coz it won't get me anywhere?

Email them to confirm, in case they suddenly need something from you. If there’s nothing outstanding on your end they’ll reply with a “Your application is currently undergoing administrative processing and we don’t know how long this will take.”

[BatmanFlow 481]

9 hours ago, AnimeLover89 said:

Thank you. So basically emailing them is pointless I guess coz it won't get me anywhere?

 

2 hours ago, throwitaway said:

Email them to confirm, in case they suddenly need something from you. If there’s nothing outstanding on your end they’ll reply with a “Your application is currently undergoing administrative processing and we don’t know how long this will take.”

I believe someone here was in refused for a month or longer and didn’t know why and didn’t get any email. But when they emailed the embassy they were told police cert was missing. So might be worth a shot to email 

[Tiabeanie 39]

9 hours ago, AnimeLover89 said:

Thank you. So basically emailing them is pointless I guess coz it won't get me anywhere?

Not at all. I emailed the embassy 2 weeks after my interview since I was placed in administrative processing and originally was told no additional documents were needed. There was no update to my file since the day of my interview. They responded to me a week later and told me they were waiting to receive my police certificate. If I didn't email them I wouldn't have known this.

[TheMaverick 47]

Hi Folks,

 

Got a question pertaining to AP. I am currently on a TN visa and a frequent traveler(US-Canada). Since I opted for consular processing, I have not had issues with border crossing. In CP the intent to immigrate triggers when we go for the visa interview. Suppose for whatever reason if the CO decides my case should go to AP and if my TN is still valid, can I cross the border for work or can I now be refused because I have shown intent by attending that interview.

[BatmanFlow 481]

so i called the third party drop site where our documents first go. they confirmed that embassy picked up the documents but cant tell which date.

so embassy does have my moms documents, its like as @throwitaway mentioned, no one has actively touched the documents, hence the embassy response is that they dont have the documents, which is ridiculous. they cause so much stress!

 

[Tiabeanie 39]

54 minutes ago, BatmanFlow said:

so i called the third party drop site where our documents first go. they confirmed that embassy picked up the documents but cant tell which date.

so embassy does have my moms documents, its like as @throwitaway mentioned, no one has actively touched the documents, hence the embassy response is that they dont have the documents, which is ridiculous. they cause so much stress!

 

Do you mind sharing the number of the 3rd party drop site please?