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

[Ontarkie 15,060]

39 minutes ago, MonB said:

After More Than Two Years — My Wife Finally Got Her Visa

After more than two years of stress and waiting under DS-5535 administrative processing, my wife’s visa was finally issued.

It has been a long and stressful journey. Thankfully, since she is a Canadian citizen, she was still able to visit the U.S. during this time — although we often had to travel back and forth between Canada and the U.S.

Based on our experience, here’s my advice to anyone currently waiting for their immigrant visa:

---

1. The U.S. Consulate in Montreal Is Very Slow

Be prepared to wait patiently. The process can take a long time — especially if your case is under DS-5535 review.

2. Don’t Panic If Your Visa Shows as “Refused”

After the interview, you might see your visa status marked as “Refused.”
Don’t panic! This usually means your case is in Administrative Processing, not that your visa has been denied permanently.

3. Communicate Professionally

When emailing the consulate, always be polite and professional.
If English writing is difficult, consider using AI tools to help you write professional emails.
They do respond — and when they do, follow their instructions carefully.

📧 Email: montreal-iv-dv@state.gov

---

4. DS-5535 Takes Time

In our case, the DS-5535 process took about one full year before clearance.

5. Watch for Expiring Documents

While waiting, remember that:

• Your medical exam and police certificate will eventually expire.
  Once your DS-5535 clears, the consulate will email you. Be ready to redo your medical exam and renew your police report quickly to avoid further delays.

---

6. Check Your Email Regularly

Use a computer to check your email daily or at least weekly.
Sometimes, new emails from the consulate might not appear correctly on your phone.

---

7. For Canadian Citizens

If your spouse is a Canadian passport holder, they are still allowed to enter the U.S. even if their immigrant visa is pending or refused.
We had one situation where U.S. border officers initially stopped my wife for questioning because her visa showed as “refused.”
After consulting their supervisor, they allowed her to enter the U.S. — because she is a Canadian citizen.

---

Final Advice

Be patient, professional, and follow instructions carefully — you will get your visa eventually.

If possible, consider having your case handled at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, as it may be faster than the Consulate in Montreal.

Thank you for the update. Congratulations on the approval 

[Cholte cholte 51]

Hi...this is a very accurate account. My wife, a Canadian citize, had the same issues. After partiently waiting for 10 months she has got her green card and is in the US with me. All the best to those waiting.

[AnnaSalu 44]

4 hours ago, MonB said:

After More Than Two Years — My Wife Finally Got Her Visa

After more than two years of stress and waiting under DS-5535 administrative processing, my wife’s visa was finally issued.

It has been a long and stressful journey. Thankfully, since she is a Canadian citizen, she was still able to visit the U.S. during this time — although we often had to travel back and forth between Canada and the U.S.

Based on our experience, here’s my advice to anyone currently waiting for their immigrant visa:

---

1. The U.S. Consulate in Montreal Is Very Slow

Be prepared to wait patiently. The process can take a long time — especially if your case is under DS-5535 review.

2. Don’t Panic If Your Visa Shows as “Refused”

After the interview, you might see your visa status marked as “Refused.”
Don’t panic! This usually means your case is in Administrative Processing, not that your visa has been denied permanently.

3. Communicate Professionally

When emailing the consulate, always be polite and professional.
If English writing is difficult, consider using AI tools to help you write professional emails.
They do respond — and when they do, follow their instructions carefully.

📧 Email: montreal-iv-dv@state.gov

---

4. DS-5535 Takes Time

In our case, the DS-5535 process took about one full year before clearance.

5. Watch for Expiring Documents

While waiting, remember that:

• Your medical exam and police certificate will eventually expire.
  Once your DS-5535 clears, the consulate will email you. Be ready to redo your medical exam and renew your police report quickly to avoid further delays.

---

6. Check Your Email Regularly

Use a computer to check your email daily or at least weekly.
Sometimes, new emails from the consulate might not appear correctly on your phone.

---

7. For Canadian Citizens

If your spouse is a Canadian passport holder, they are still allowed to enter the U.S. even if their immigrant visa is pending or refused.
We had one situation where U.S. border officers initially stopped my wife for questioning because her visa showed as “refused.”
After consulting their supervisor, they allowed her to enter the U.S. — because she is a Canadian citizen.

---

Final Advice

Be patient, professional, and follow instructions carefully — you will get your visa eventually.

If possible, consider having your case handled at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, as it may be faster than the Consulate in Montreal.

 

Thank you for writing about this. Although my case is not Family Based (Employment Based), I hope that administrative processing will take around the same for us. I am entering the 10th month of wait in AP, after interview. BTW, not asking for myself, but I don't think you can have it handled by the embassy in Ottawa, can you? Montreal Consulate is the only center handling Immigrant Visas, right?

Anyhow, congrats, and all the best!

[AnnaSalu 44]

4 hours ago, MonB said:

the DS-5535 process took about one full year

Hi @MonB. You mentioned 2 years wait time, and here you mentioned 1 full year. Can you please let us know if it was 1 or 2 years under administrative processing? From the interview time to receiving communication that AP was completed? 

[Cholte cholte 51]

Hi...mine was EB1...not family based...and it can only be done in Montreal