Danii

@ice-qube Tomorrow, Monday, marks 6 months in the DS5535 bad books. Hurry up dude, I feel like my soul is in purgatory waiting for you.

Hi all - i have been a long time lurker of this thread but never bothered to start an account. @WishIWasntHere my fiance and I have been talking about looking into filing for him to come here as well and see which gets approved first. @Krisara I am in the same boat as you with needing to sell my home before moving and at this rate not going to be able to do that in the short amount of time (if I even get approved before my medical expires June 13). At least the positive is that your case is getting updates on the ceac site. Mine has been dead since I handed in my ds5535. I am down for all of us to reach out to the same senator.

I am also super down to file a class action

 @Danii could you please add my info to the spreadsheet? 
K1 Visa
Interview January 11, 2022
DS5535 sent back to the consulate Jan 19
they also asked for an up to date resume
 

Hi all. Silent reader here. I've been following along with this thread. So sorry for all who have been in this mess for many months.
 
Hi @Danii please add me to the spreadsheet.
 
Interview date: March 1, 2022
DS-5535 sent: March 3, 2022
Category: K1
No other documents provided 

Please provide:
 
Date of interview, date you sent DS5535, your visa category and if you were asked to provide any other documents. 

Please provide:
 
Date of interview, date you sent DS5535, your visa category and if you were asked to provide any other documents. 

I'm interested! 
@Danii interview date: Dec. 16th, 2021
ds5535 sent: Dec. 16th, 2021
category: IR1
no other documents provided 

My case was updated today.  Anyone else?  My medical expires in one month (May 23).  At this point, we couldn't even pull off a move of this magnitude if a miracle occurs in the next 4 weeks (2 properties to sell, a child in school, no place to live in the US as the US citizen lives here).  We are now in a position where we would need to ask for an extension/medical redo just to give us time to prepare a move if that were to happen.  This process is beyond inhumane.  I get how they don't care about foreign citizens but how can they not care about the suffering of their own?  
 
I just spoke with my lawyer and she suggested that we all reach out to the same senator (regardless of where the petitioners live) to show that this isn't an isolated incident and that all DS-5535 case processing has all but ceased in Montreal.  It could prompt a Senator to take a higher level action than just an inquiry.  Senator Warren's aid responsible for immigration matters was very responsive to us.  Anyone interested?
 
On May 23, I plan on reaching out again to her and also sharing the MTL spreadsheet of active cases.  
She also mentioned the possibility of a class action against the consulate and knows of a lawyer who has experience in this matter...
 

Yes I think it's possible to apply for it while waiting for your US visa, I don't think it affects it at all (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). There is an option for your partner to cross directly into Canada and start the process asap while living together, or they could wait it out in the US. Not sure how long it takes to get work authorization for the first option, but gov of Canada has a good explanation of the paths/wait times on their websites.

You've had it rough, man.  Like really rough.  You've taken it pretty well IMO.  Everyone is going to have down days.  You're entitled to that.  Not a therapy session, but rather reassurance that you're not crazy and that your case is completely beyond any of our understanding for why it's gone the way it has.  

Big hugs, brotha.  We've all got your back and are rooting you on.  I know we're "just" an online community, but we really do want to see the best outcome sooner than later.  

Np! Unfortunately there's no way to check the status. Same for the green card (that can take up to 90-120 days to arrive). We just have to check our mailbox regularly 😂

@john1231
 
An additional note - I don’t believe that the consulate would compromise on the security check despite any expedite that may be approved. 
 
The only way the approval would be faster is if the consulate has already received security clearance but waiting on the consulate for final processing. We have seen this happens often, where the security clearance is obtained and then visa issued about a month later. It is possible there are cases just sitting there at the consulate waiting even longer after security clearance is obtained. In these situations it appears a nudge from a senator/ congressperson helps in making the consulate act faster. I think an emergency situation if brought to their notice would be similar.
 
In short, if your security clearance (which depends on various external agencies/ countries) is not complete, I personally don’t think an expedite is possible. But if your security clearance is complete it could help.
 
Good luck. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for you to not be able to be there to support your spouse…
 

I suspect it is because AP and DS 5535 lasting over 180 days was not common at Montreal until recently, unlike in some “high-risk” countries.

Source? I think it has been the case for the past few years. All these questions were there. Unless there is a new change now

Seen this a few times when a case has been at NVC for a while. Just call NVC to have them take care of this, they'll normally revert it back to the previous status

Everything @From_CAN_2_US said about the possibility of being selected for DS5535 is right. It's unpredictable for the most part Getting selected probably depends on so many things, your name, background, travel, work history or maybe even the officer who interviews you. 
 
Just want to correct this part, I've spoken to two Canadian PRs who got DS5535. Seems like no one is safe

There are color coded sheets, but I haven't heard about it at Montreal so I don't think it applies here!

Sorry for the late reply, it took 3 weeks for me!

@Danii, thanks for tracking this stuff and keeping us sane.

Will do! If you do some research, you will find that there are a bunch of mandamus lawsuits launched against Montreal consulate.  I am aware of 26 such cases since summer of 2020. Out of which 16 have been closed as the outcome was achieved. 10 are still outstanding. So I assume, there are at least 10 WoM lawsuits that Montreal consulate is suppose to be handling.  Montreal consulate recently posted two job openings with deadline to apply March 25, 2022, titled: Security Investigators. From the job description it seemed like these resources would be dedicated to conducting background checks and address cases stuck in AP.  From my research at most 10% of the people go for WoM who are stuck in AP. Extending the logic means there are likely 100s of files stuck in AP to justify two positions of $126k worth salary/year each.  Let's see what happens.  Its completely disappointing to see what law abiding individuals with clean record with top secret security clearance from Canadian governments has to go through all this nonsense bureaucracy  and red tape. Now, I do admit; I have wide and deep travel history but that's what talent and hard work does to you! You go see the world!  Wishing the best to you all.

my mom and sister just dropped off my step dad at pearson, mom was sad.
such an awful experience this has been

I had an update March 16th, my medical expires April 15th. Wish me luck! 

Bless your heart, ice-qube! I'm so sorry for the stress you are going though coz you don't deserve this waiting in agony. Hope your case gets processed soon. I know you'll keep us posted on what they say about this second medical business... Meanwhile, another week, another robo reply for me! 🤣

@BatmanFlow would be the best one to advise about chest institute results.
 
Regarding follow up on delayed results. This varies greatly from the point it is received by the consulate (ranging from 10 days to 3 months). Refer to the tracking chart prepared by @Danii for more information.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L8T4Yp7oWm0imRrEOEES_28QicBY1DsKKvMmEGMVPd4/edit?usp=sharing
 
You may want to join this thread. It is titled for those  issued with DS-5535, but those awaiting approval from delayed medicals were also receiving support and answers here:
 
 
 

I sent an updated DS5535 but mentioned the correction in the email body. They confirmed the update, I was eventually approved so it didn't mess with the processing.