Rosinasaur

This is not a strict rule. Mine went from Refused to Application received and then back to Refused, where it's sat for another month and a half.

Mine was oddly fast. Medical and passport were delivered Nov 10th and I got my visa in hand on the 22nd.

I got an email with the subject line "U.S. DoS Visa system return travel document shipment notice" from donotreply@usvisa-info.com . In the body of the email, it had the Purolator tracking number. I did select to have it delivered to my home address.
 
As far as I'm aware, CEAC switched to Issued on the same day I got that email.

I got an email with the subject line "U.S. DoS Visa system return travel document shipment notice" from donotreply@usvisa-info.com . In the body of the email, it had the Purolator tracking number. I did select to have it delivered to my home address.
 
As far as I'm aware, CEAC switched to Issued on the same day I got that email.

I got an email with the subject line "U.S. DoS Visa system return travel document shipment notice" from donotreply@usvisa-info.com . In the body of the email, it had the Purolator tracking number. I did select to have it delivered to my home address.
 
As far as I'm aware, CEAC switched to Issued on the same day I got that email.

I got tracking information yesterday saying my visa is on its way!

October 4, 2021: Interview. Informed we would get questions by email.
October 10th, 2021: DS5535 Submitted
December 2021 - May 2022: Multiple emails exchanged with consulate saying we were still in administrative processing
March 2022: Congresswoman's office give us a lot of false information and then ghosts us a lot. We also mailed our senator and they never got back to us.
June 2022: Started Lawsuit Process with Goldstein
July 14, 2022: Lawsuit filed
Aug 4, 2022: Lawsuit served
Sept 19, 2022: Motion filed to dismiss lawsuit
Early October: Goldstein submitted counterargument
November 16, 2022: CEAC updated to Approved
Nov 18, 2022: CEAC now Issued, tracking received
 
I would not really recommend filing with Goldstein. We never spoke directly with a lawyer. Our questions were mostly ignored by email or answered incorrectly ("we don't know" would have been a better and acceptable answer tbh). We had to fill in many forms stating what hardship we've been through which took ages. 
 
I'm glad we're almost at the other side. I wish the best of luck to all of you!

I got tracking information yesterday saying my visa is on its way!

October 4, 2021: Interview. Informed we would get questions by email.
October 10th, 2021: DS5535 Submitted
December 2021 - May 2022: Multiple emails exchanged with consulate saying we were still in administrative processing
March 2022: Congresswoman's office give us a lot of false information and then ghosts us a lot. We also mailed our senator and they never got back to us.
June 2022: Started Lawsuit Process with Goldstein
July 14, 2022: Lawsuit filed
Aug 4, 2022: Lawsuit served
Sept 19, 2022: Motion filed to dismiss lawsuit
Early October: Goldstein submitted counterargument
November 16, 2022: CEAC updated to Approved
Nov 18, 2022: CEAC now Issued, tracking received
 
I would not really recommend filing with Goldstein. We never spoke directly with a lawyer. Our questions were mostly ignored by email or answered incorrectly ("we don't know" would have been a better and acceptable answer tbh). We had to fill in many forms stating what hardship we've been through which took ages. 
 
I'm glad we're almost at the other side. I wish the best of luck to all of you!

I got tracking information yesterday saying my visa is on its way!

October 4, 2021: Interview. Informed we would get questions by email.
October 10th, 2021: DS5535 Submitted
December 2021 - May 2022: Multiple emails exchanged with consulate saying we were still in administrative processing
March 2022: Congresswoman's office give us a lot of false information and then ghosts us a lot. We also mailed our senator and they never got back to us.
June 2022: Started Lawsuit Process with Goldstein
July 14, 2022: Lawsuit filed
Aug 4, 2022: Lawsuit served
Sept 19, 2022: Motion filed to dismiss lawsuit
Early October: Goldstein submitted counterargument
November 16, 2022: CEAC updated to Approved
Nov 18, 2022: CEAC now Issued, tracking received
 
I would not really recommend filing with Goldstein. We never spoke directly with a lawyer. Our questions were mostly ignored by email or answered incorrectly ("we don't know" would have been a better and acceptable answer tbh). We had to fill in many forms stating what hardship we've been through which took ages. 
 
I'm glad we're almost at the other side. I wish the best of luck to all of you!

I got tracking information yesterday saying my visa is on its way!

October 4, 2021: Interview. Informed we would get questions by email.
October 10th, 2021: DS5535 Submitted
December 2021 - May 2022: Multiple emails exchanged with consulate saying we were still in administrative processing
March 2022: Congresswoman's office give us a lot of false information and then ghosts us a lot. We also mailed our senator and they never got back to us.
June 2022: Started Lawsuit Process with Goldstein
July 14, 2022: Lawsuit filed
Aug 4, 2022: Lawsuit served
Sept 19, 2022: Motion filed to dismiss lawsuit
Early October: Goldstein submitted counterargument
November 16, 2022: CEAC updated to Approved
Nov 18, 2022: CEAC now Issued, tracking received
 
I would not really recommend filing with Goldstein. We never spoke directly with a lawyer. Our questions were mostly ignored by email or answered incorrectly ("we don't know" would have been a better and acceptable answer tbh). We had to fill in many forms stating what hardship we've been through which took ages. 
 
I'm glad we're almost at the other side. I wish the best of luck to all of you!

I got tracking information yesterday saying my visa is on its way!

October 4, 2021: Interview. Informed we would get questions by email.
October 10th, 2021: DS5535 Submitted
December 2021 - May 2022: Multiple emails exchanged with consulate saying we were still in administrative processing
March 2022: Congresswoman's office give us a lot of false information and then ghosts us a lot. We also mailed our senator and they never got back to us.
June 2022: Started Lawsuit Process with Goldstein
July 14, 2022: Lawsuit filed
Aug 4, 2022: Lawsuit served
Sept 19, 2022: Motion filed to dismiss lawsuit
Early October: Goldstein submitted counterargument
November 16, 2022: CEAC updated to Approved
Nov 18, 2022: CEAC now Issued, tracking received
 
I would not really recommend filing with Goldstein. We never spoke directly with a lawyer. Our questions were mostly ignored by email or answered incorrectly ("we don't know" would have been a better and acceptable answer tbh). We had to fill in many forms stating what hardship we've been through which took ages. 
 
I'm glad we're almost at the other side. I wish the best of luck to all of you!

I got tracking information yesterday saying my visa is on its way!

October 4, 2021: Interview. Informed we would get questions by email.
October 10th, 2021: DS5535 Submitted
December 2021 - May 2022: Multiple emails exchanged with consulate saying we were still in administrative processing
March 2022: Congresswoman's office give us a lot of false information and then ghosts us a lot. We also mailed our senator and they never got back to us.
June 2022: Started Lawsuit Process with Goldstein
July 14, 2022: Lawsuit filed
Aug 4, 2022: Lawsuit served
Sept 19, 2022: Motion filed to dismiss lawsuit
Early October: Goldstein submitted counterargument
November 16, 2022: CEAC updated to Approved
Nov 18, 2022: CEAC now Issued, tracking received
 
I would not really recommend filing with Goldstein. We never spoke directly with a lawyer. Our questions were mostly ignored by email or answered incorrectly ("we don't know" would have been a better and acceptable answer tbh). We had to fill in many forms stating what hardship we've been through which took ages. 
 
I'm glad we're almost at the other side. I wish the best of luck to all of you!

I got tracking information yesterday saying my visa is on its way!

October 4, 2021: Interview. Informed we would get questions by email.
October 10th, 2021: DS5535 Submitted
December 2021 - May 2022: Multiple emails exchanged with consulate saying we were still in administrative processing
March 2022: Congresswoman's office give us a lot of false information and then ghosts us a lot. We also mailed our senator and they never got back to us.
June 2022: Started Lawsuit Process with Goldstein
July 14, 2022: Lawsuit filed
Aug 4, 2022: Lawsuit served
Sept 19, 2022: Motion filed to dismiss lawsuit
Early October: Goldstein submitted counterargument
November 16, 2022: CEAC updated to Approved
Nov 18, 2022: CEAC now Issued, tracking received
 
I would not really recommend filing with Goldstein. We never spoke directly with a lawyer. Our questions were mostly ignored by email or answered incorrectly ("we don't know" would have been a better and acceptable answer tbh). We had to fill in many forms stating what hardship we've been through which took ages. 
 
I'm glad we're almost at the other side. I wish the best of luck to all of you!

I got tracking information yesterday saying my visa is on its way!

October 4, 2021: Interview. Informed we would get questions by email.
October 10th, 2021: DS5535 Submitted
December 2021 - May 2022: Multiple emails exchanged with consulate saying we were still in administrative processing
March 2022: Congresswoman's office give us a lot of false information and then ghosts us a lot. We also mailed our senator and they never got back to us.
June 2022: Started Lawsuit Process with Goldstein
July 14, 2022: Lawsuit filed
Aug 4, 2022: Lawsuit served
Sept 19, 2022: Motion filed to dismiss lawsuit
Early October: Goldstein submitted counterargument
November 16, 2022: CEAC updated to Approved
Nov 18, 2022: CEAC now Issued, tracking received
 
I would not really recommend filing with Goldstein. We never spoke directly with a lawyer. Our questions were mostly ignored by email or answered incorrectly ("we don't know" would have been a better and acceptable answer tbh). We had to fill in many forms stating what hardship we've been through which took ages. 
 
I'm glad we're almost at the other side. I wish the best of luck to all of you!

I got tracking information yesterday saying my visa is on its way!

October 4, 2021: Interview. Informed we would get questions by email.
October 10th, 2021: DS5535 Submitted
December 2021 - May 2022: Multiple emails exchanged with consulate saying we were still in administrative processing
March 2022: Congresswoman's office give us a lot of false information and then ghosts us a lot. We also mailed our senator and they never got back to us.
June 2022: Started Lawsuit Process with Goldstein
July 14, 2022: Lawsuit filed
Aug 4, 2022: Lawsuit served
Sept 19, 2022: Motion filed to dismiss lawsuit
Early October: Goldstein submitted counterargument
November 16, 2022: CEAC updated to Approved
Nov 18, 2022: CEAC now Issued, tracking received
 
I would not really recommend filing with Goldstein. We never spoke directly with a lawyer. Our questions were mostly ignored by email or answered incorrectly ("we don't know" would have been a better and acceptable answer tbh). We had to fill in many forms stating what hardship we've been through which took ages. 
 
I'm glad we're almost at the other side. I wish the best of luck to all of you!

umm they dont care. my step dad got his visa. my mom was given DS 5535. my step dad had to immigrate to USA since his visa was expiring March 2022. My mom stayed back alone and is still there without a visa.
so yes, as others have mentioned, you could be separated and DS 5535 processing times are all over the place right now.

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. 

Thank you! I totally forgot about the tracking number they gave me. They said I'd get an email when it arrived so I was focused on that. (I have gotten no such email).
I checked the tracking number and it says it was delivered Nov 10th!
Our case timelines are eerily similar. I did do a WOM though. I'm still sooo happy for your mum. Even if it takes them a while to process the final steps, at least we both know it's moving!

Thank you! I totally forgot about the tracking number they gave me. They said I'd get an email when it arrived so I was focused on that. (I have gotten no such email).
I checked the tracking number and it says it was delivered Nov 10th!
Our case timelines are eerily similar. I did do a WOM though. I'm still sooo happy for your mum. Even if it takes them a while to process the final steps, at least we both know it's moving!

WOW, i cant believe the email i got....TO SEND THEM Medical, police check, etc so they can continue processing my moms visa!
 
On August 18, 2022 i had a one on one chat with my congressman. At that time he just listened to me and said what he can do is write a letter to embassy asking what is holding my moms case up. Since then i didnt get update on the letter. whenever i would email the case manager for the congressman, i would get the run around about DC staff working on it etc. i gave up hope on the letter.
 
Then last week of September my moms last date updated changed. I thought this was maybe then getting the congressman's letter. Then it updated twice again in first week of october. I didnt really want to get my hopes high. Then radio silent for 29 days.
last week i asked the case worker about the letter and they had NOT sent it yet. But she said she would do it last week.
 
Today i emailed her in the morning for a follow up on the letter. she didnt respond.
 
at 1:45 PM i checked CEAC status and it changed the date to today. I thought maybe the case worker followed up? I check my email and I got this email!!!!!
 
Good afternoon,
To continue processing your immigrant visa please submit the following:
- A new medical from our Panel physician (please bring a copy of this email to your medical appointment)
- Update your DS-260 application form (CEAC.STATE.GOV) submit a copy of your bar-coded confirmation page
- Your valid passport
- A new Canadian Certified Criminal Record check with fingerprints (Type: For personal use: “Other” search within the RCMP - National Repository Entire Holdings
- 2 recent passport size photos
- I-1864 with 2021 Income taxes from Petitioner
Once received we will be able to finalize processing.
Best regards,
OP29
 
i literally could not believe my eyes! I am so happy.
 
long list of things they want. Not sure what they want updated in DS 260.
I had my sister get the criminal check two weeks ago just because, so we save some time there.
 
ah man this feels unreal.

Hey guys they kept my longform birth certificate when I did the interview.
 
I didn't think too much of it then because I specifically ordered it for the interview.
 
However, it seems like I will need it again for future steps in the immigration process? Should I ask for it back? Do you think they would even send it back? Would Ontario get mad if I ordered a new one?
 
My one year DS5535 anniversary is in 2 days. 🥳

Hey guys they kept my longform birth certificate when I did the interview.
 
I didn't think too much of it then because I specifically ordered it for the interview.
 
However, it seems like I will need it again for future steps in the immigration process? Should I ask for it back? Do you think they would even send it back? Would Ontario get mad if I ordered a new one?
 
My one year DS5535 anniversary is in 2 days. 🥳

I had a call with Goldstein set up, but they made me angry. They never told me my wife had to be in on the free consultation call, and simply refused to talk to me. After that, I decided I will go with Hacking because they did talk to me and they have a payment plan.

a month away from a year in this hell! damn did not think it would be a year and nothing.
sure beats the 2-3 week timeline the officer told my mom.....

Is your husband a Canadian PR? 
 
Our FAQ on the main Canada spousal visa thread here on VJ advises PRs to carry their resume to the interview, in case it is asked.
 
Regarding your question, yes, you can travel on B1/B2 visa to US while on AP, but CBP as always has discretion whether to allow entry. It is advised to carry proof of ties to Canada when travelling to improve chances of entry. In most cases, it is not an issue.

We got a request for a new medical this morning!!!! Spouse interviewed on February 2nd, we filed a lawsuit on June 10th. I’m hoping my stay in this hell is coming to a close