The dreaded DS-5535 thread for Montreal Only. Post here and support each other (PART 4)

[jay_bird 16]

On 6/6/2025 at 10:08 PM, jay_bird said:

Tysm for the answer, I appreciate that a lot, what a uniquely horrible situation to be in 💀I am sure we just.. all want to be home with our loved ones, or carrying on with our lives etc. What made it more confusing is I received 3 emails, including a redaction, and then I had no idea if they correctly resent the email 🫠

 

Leaving an update in case anyone else happens to be in my situation: Though I did fill out the DS 5535, it never came up again. I was approved on the spot at the interview, and the visa is issued and in my hands. It feels very surreal. I don't know if the link was sent to me in error, or they determined it was unnecessary, but it is possible to receive a request to fill out the ds5535 in an email in advance of your interview and then not enter AP. I have had a Nexus card my entire adult life, which means I've already had a background check and biometrics done-- I don't know if that affected anything. I wish I knew the why behind any of it so I could share  Wishing everyone luck in this really difficult process. 

[zero1331 18]

Ofically crossed the border yesterday,    ir1,   about 4 years, granted we had a few delays.     Curently on a road trip from alberta to florida.     Driving with all my stuff, vehicle animal and human import lol.   

Open to awnser how i can if questions rise

[tas005 5]

Finally I have received an email to mail passport and updated PCC and photos after 20 months in AP.

I just downloaded Courier-in-receipt PDF file to send these documents to Montreal Consulate, and they have some authorized courier locations, where only Canada Post and BLS locations are mentioned on their website, and no any single Puraltor location is mentioned on their website and they say "This certificate is only valid at a number of Purolator or BLS locations." 
 

Has anyone recently sent documents? if yes then how did you send? I heard Canada Post is still on strike? what is the best and easiest way to send through which there will be no chances of delays and safe as well?

I live in Mississauga and I am not sure how I should send my passport. I just want to avoid Canada Post.

[AZ786 3]

On 7/1/2025 at 9:48 PM, zero1331 said:

Ofically crossed the border yesterday,    ir1,   about 4 years, granted we had a few delays.     Curently on a road trip from alberta to florida.     Driving with all my stuff, vehicle animal and human import lol.   

Open to awnser how i can if questions rise

Hi, did the cross boarder for a short time or left Canada permanently? Asking because I also got visa but not in process to move permanently at this time. What question normally officer asks? Should we tell them we are coming for short trip and returning back? Thanks for your reply in advance

[mam521 2,573]

12 hours ago, AZ786 said:

Hi, did the cross boarder for a short time or left Canada permanently? Asking because I also got visa but not in process to move permanently at this time. What question normally officer asks? Should we tell them we are coming for short trip and returning back? Thanks for your reply in advance

Its up to the discretion of the CBP officer as to whether or not they admit you on a B visa or they activate your PR.  It's less and less common for them to admit as a visitor.  Keep in mind your visa has an expiration for when you have to activate your PR.  

[AnnaSalu 44]

On 7/1/2025 at 9:48 PM, zero1331 said:

Ofically crossed the border yesterday,    ir1,   about 4 years, granted we had a few delays.     Curently on a road trip from alberta to florida.     Driving with all my stuff, vehicle animal and human import lol.   

Open to awnser how i can if questions rise

Nice!!! Congrats! Do you mind sharing a bit more about your timeline? You said 4 years, but how much of that was AP? From interview (being put in AP) to email requesting your passports?

[AnnaSalu 44]

On 7/22/2025 at 6:53 PM, tas005 said:

Finally I have received an email to mail passport and updated PCC and photos after 20 months in AP.

I just downloaded Courier-in-receipt PDF file to send these documents to Montreal Consulate, and they have some authorized courier locations, where only Canada Post and BLS locations are mentioned on their website, and no any single Puraltor location is mentioned on their website and they say "This certificate is only valid at a number of Purolator or BLS locations." 
 

Has anyone recently sent documents? if yes then how did you send? I heard Canada Post is still on strike? what is the best and easiest way to send through which there will be no chances of delays and safe as well?

I live in Mississauga and I am not sure how I should send my passport. I just want to avoid Canada Post.

Congrats!

 

Can you please share a bit more? 

- What visa category were you in?

- why do you think you were put in AP? Country of birth? the type of work you do? 

- how long did the AP process take for you?

 

Thank you!

[tas005 5]

9 hours ago, AnnaSalu said:

Congrats!

 

Can you please share a bit more? 

- What visa category were you in?

- why do you think you were put in AP? Country of birth? the type of work you do? 

- how long did the AP process take for you?

 

Thank you!

IR1 and 20 months in AP.

[tas005 5]

Anyone sent passport, photos to Montreal consulate recently? how much time they are taking these days for issuing visa after we send courier to them? I have read previous posts from January that they were taking 1-2 months from getting passport from their offsite facility to visa unit and then issuing visa. How it is going these days? I havent seen any posts after January. Are they working fast now? Please reply if anyone went through this recently. Thanks in advance.

[Lemonslice 5,255]

2 hours ago, tas005 said:

Anyone sent passport, photos to Montreal consulate recently? how much time they are taking these days for issuing visa after we send courier to them? I have read previous posts from January that they were taking 1-2 months from getting passport from their offsite facility to visa unit and then issuing visa. How it is going these days? I havent seen any posts after January. Are they working fast now? Please reply if anyone went through this recently. Thanks in advance.

Please fill your timeline: https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=461174

[AnnaSalu 44]

13 hours ago, tas005 said:

IR1 and 20 months in AP.

 

Thank you for your response! Good luck!

[EveK 29]

Hello all! I entered Usa with the immigrant visa on Feb 14th and still did not receive my greencard in the mail. The case status is still "Immigrant Visa Fee Payment Received". Its been now way over 90 days. I received my social security card within 2 weeks though. Anyone facing this issue? Is there any group that I can join regarding this? Thank you.

[mam521 2,573]

53 minutes ago, EveK said:

Hello all! I entered Usa with the immigrant visa on Feb 14th and still did not receive my greencard in the mail. The case status is still "Immigrant Visa Fee Payment Received". Its been now way over 90 days. I received my social security card within 2 weeks though. Anyone facing this issue? Is there any group that I can join regarding this? Thank you.

The greencards are now said to be taking approximately 120 days.  You can send an inquiry after that time.  

 

Mine took 180 or so days when I entered the US, so sometimes they do take forever.  Your endorsed I-551 in your passport does serve as a temporary greencard for up to a year.  

 

Also, sign up for USPS Informed Delivery if you haven't already.  I knew about our greencards being sent through the app before the tracking showed up in my online profile.  

[EveK 29]

40 minutes ago, mam521 said:

The greencards are now said to be taking approximately 120 days.  You can send an inquiry after that time.  

 

Mine took 180 or so days when I entered the US, so sometimes they do take forever.  Your endorsed I-551 in your passport does serve as a temporary greencard for up to a year.  

 

Also, sign up for USPS Informed Delivery if you haven't already.  I knew about our greencards being sent through the app before the tracking showed up in my online profile.  

 

Oh wow..its taking that long?? Can you please provide me with the information how I can sign up with Usps informed delivery? Also, my Canadian passport will expire in few months which has the endorsed I-551 and I have to renew my passport soon. Will that be a problem as my new passport wont have the endorsed seal? Thanks.

[mam521 2,573]

1 minute ago, EveK said:

 

Oh wow..its taking that long?? Can you please provide me with the information how I can sign up with Usps informed delivery? Also, my Canadian passport will expire in few months which has the endorsed I-551 and I have to renew my passport soon. Will that be a problem as my new passport wont have the endorsed seal? Thanks.

For USPS, it's here: https://www.usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm

 

Do you have your state driver's license and social security number?  If you don't have those yet, I'd get them first.  Then, you can reapply for your Canadian passport, making sure you request that the old one be returned to you.  You will then have to carry both until you get your greencard or you can request an appointment to have an ADIT stamp affixed to your new passport, which will take the place of the endorsed MRIV in your expired passport.  

 

Fingers crossed you just get that plastic card sooner than later!