AlAlp

5 hours ago, jay_bird said:

I got an email confirmation for my June 25th interview at the Montreal consulate, but it seems like there's a link to DS 5535 at the bottom of the email calling it a 'supplemental questionnaire', and it was in a string of emails they sent and recalled. I can't find any information anywhere about DS 5535 being requested this way before the interview. Is this normal? Has this happened to anyone else? 

Yes, they did this before my appointment in January as well. They will not start AP before your appointment though.

1 hour ago, Kaola said:

Does anyone know if transferring consulate will reset DQ date? We have been considering transfer the case to different country(that I have citizenship), which might be faster. But we are worrying it will reset DQ date, especially we have been waiting for months, we don't want to lose the progress and wait all over again...

I changed my consulate and it did not reset DQ. In rare cases if DQ gets reset, you can email the consulate/NVC and explain that you only changed the consulate. That should resolve the problem then.

42 minutes ago, Coco_2023 said:

I've actually lost my hope and moved on with my life tbh since my case is the worst of the worst, I've got a phd in AI & Robotics (TAL), I was born in Iran, and Trump is in the office.

My son keeps checking the file status...

 

It's good that you're not putting all your eggs in one basket but I think you're going to be approved sooner or later. Everybody in this thread has reasons, mainly out of their control, to have been put in AP, some of which are the same as yours.

18 hours ago, Coco_2023 said:

Any idea of how many unsolicited updates usually received before a case is finalized (gets out of refusal state)?

 

My interview was on September last year and I got the first unsolicited update on my case 10 days ago.

 

There are some posts in the earlier pages that share the dates when they had updates. I don't think there's a set formula for this. I got a couple updates around the same time as yours. Let's hope it means something is happening.

2 hours ago, Ninja7324 said:

I had many solicited updates (like senator follow up or contacting consulate directly), but I never had an unsolicited update which can be an indication of progress.  

I hope your case gets concluded soon. It is a hard pill to swallow to wait this long in the very last step.

12 hours ago, Ninja7324 said:

I'm waiting 18+ month without any update! 

Did your "Case Last Updated" date change without solicitation at all?

15 hours ago, Homayounfar said:

Hi everyone,

 

I'm an Iranian-Canadian dual citizen, and my EB2 NIW petition has been approved, but my priority date is not yet current. I’m trying to plan ahead and have a few questions, particularly for my Persian/Iranian friends:

 

1. For Iranian nationals, how likely is it to be placed under Administrative Processing? Is it almost guaranteed, or are there cases where it doesn’t happen? Would holding dual Canadian citizenship have any impact on this?
2. Additionally, how do you think the likelihood of AP might change depending on the embassy location (e.g., Ankara, Dubai, or Yerevan)?
3. Finally, for Iranians who have undergone DS-5535, what is the average time to receive clearance?

I’d really appreciate any insights. Thanks for your help!

I think right now it is almost certain that you'd be put on AP regardless of the embassy location but nobody can know for sure and things may change in the future. As far as I know, dual citizenship may help you escape a potential travel ban but not AP. AP length can also vary greatly case by case and there is no way to predict how long each case is going to be in AP.

52 minutes ago, traveller_1369 said:

My interview is on Feb. 7. And, I haven't recieved this form yet. Did you receive it with your IL email? 

No, another email came a few days later with the subject "PREPARING FOR YOUR IMMIGRANT VISA INTERVIEW". There was a link at the end of the email.

11 hours ago, traveller_1369 said:

@AlAlp how was your interview? 

It was ok and similar to what everybody else has shared on the forum. At the end of the interview the officer said he would send the form DS-5535 that I had filled out before the interview to DC. So, we are in AP right now.

3 minutes ago, Cholte cholte said:

Yes...my spouse who got her green card in Jan 2025 had the same experience. She had her interview in Mar 24 at the Montreal consulate, and was handed the DS5535 after the interview. She did not have to submit her CV or any additional document.

Was her case employment-based?

I had my interview at the Montreal consulate yesterday. Everything was smooth and similar to what others have shared on the forum. At the end of the interview, the officer told me he would send the DS-5535 form I had filled before the interview to DC. He did not ask me to submit CV or anything else. Has anybody else had the same experience?

Among the people who have attended the interview with a baby, do they let you take the baby's stroller into the consulate?

5 hours ago, AnnaSalu said:

The newest Executive Order from the US administration, mentions: 

 

identify all resources that may be used to ensure that all aliens seeking admission to the United States, or who are already in the United States, are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible;

 

This to me means possible longer AP times...

I hope longer AP times are the only possibility caused by the executive order(s) and there would not be a visa ban 2.0 imposed on people from certain countries.

2 hours ago, EveK said:

Im happy to share that my visa IR1 was issued today. I still did not receive any email with the tracking number yet. Below is my timeline throughout this whole painful process:

Dec 17 2021: Filed I-130 application

Aug 7 2023: Interview in Montreal and was refused

Aug 11 2023: Submitted DS-5535 form

Oct 8 2024: Admin process was completed and requested passport, 2 photos and second medical.

Oct 29 2024: passport and photos received at the consulate office

Oct 31 2024: second medical received

Nov 18 2024: was advised to update the Ds 260 form. Done on the same day.

Jan 8 2024: Visa issued on ceac.

 

Thank you everyone! There is still light at the end of the tunnel! 

 

Congratulations on your visa! Just wondering why they asked you to update your DS-260 after your AP was completed?

47 minutes ago, mgsctravels said:

 

Were you able to see whether it was addressed Dear Lastname Firstname or vice versa?

 

Curious how it showed for others..

Dear Lastname Firstname ,

3 hours ago, mgsctravels said:

Did anyone else get this email from an email address? Interview is in January.

I was wondering- was your name also listed as Last name then First name in the email with a space before the comma? The name is formatted funnily and wondering if it's spam... or if it's that way for everyone. 

It came from a funny iContact email address: donotreply+visa-info.com@icontactmail3.com

Thanks, everyone!

 

Dear XX XX ,

This message is regarding your visa appointment at the U.S. Consulate scheduled on XX/XX/2025 at XX:XX.

Before attending your scheduled appointment, we strongly recommend that you verify the location you have chosen to retrieve your documents to ensure this is the closest place to you. Certain locations are offered free of charge.

You have the option of selecting a different location closer to you or even a delivery at your home (address in Canada only) by paying for premium services.
To do so, log into your account, go to “Continue” then select “Request Premium Delivery.”

Please note that you can request this optional service up to the same day of your appointment once you know the outcome of your application.

Please check https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv/information/courier  for additional details.

* IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT PREMIUM DELIVERY - DELIVERY TO RESIDENCE *

Please verify that you enter the following information if you select delivery to your residence address (if it applies to you).
Failure to do so  will result in delays in receiving your documents, and you will have to pay the premium delivery again.

- Street address with the correct postal code
- Unit, Suite or Apartment number is entered
- Building Entry Code or Buzzer Code
- Phone number to contact you

Regards,

U.S. Visa Information Services Support team
http://canada.usvisa-info.com

I received the same email at my email address but addressed to my wife. I don't think it's anything important.

27 minutes ago, monk_yatso said:

Don’t take risks with medical. If needed (in worst case), you can do it again

Yeah, I am going to take the medical before the appointment, but it would be good if they let you take it later so you wouldn't have to pay for a family of 3 twice.

4 minutes ago, AnnaSalu said:

I believe you won't be able to attend the interview without the medical results. You will be turned away.

Are you sure about this? I know that in some of the consulates around Iran they are ok with this.

I have a visa appointment at the end of January but since I am from Iran, the consulate already emailed me and asked to submit DS-5535. Since this is going to take at least a few months, to avoid paying twice, I am wondering if I can do the medical test after my visa appointment when the AP has been completed?

10 hours ago, EmmsW said:

What's your visa category? Wish you the best of luck. 

EB2-NIW

14 minutes ago, EmmsW said:

Is your primary nationality and passport from Iran? Are you also a Canadian citizen? Or is Iran the only nationality? 

I am a permanent resident of Canada and citizen of Iran.

I have a visa appointment at the end of January but since I am from Iran, the consulate already emailed me and asked to submit DS-5535. Since this is going to take at least a few months, to avoid paying twice, I am wondering if I can do the medical test after my visa appointment when the AP has been completed?

4 hours ago, AnnaSalu said:

 

Update: I emailed them about the date confusion and within 15 minutes, they sent me the exact same email I got in the morning, but now with the correct date (Jan 10, 2025). The link to the DS-5535 form is still in there, so I guess I will go ahead and fill it out.

Did you submit the DS-5535? Is it required only for the main applicant or the dependents have to fill it out separately as well?

42 minutes ago, AnnaSalu said:

 

Would you happen to have an email address that was used to communicate with MTL successfully?

I've seen these email addresses in the forum before. Not sure how responsive they are.

montreal-ACS@state.gov

Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov

3 minutes ago, AnnaSalu said:

Hi all, 

 

This morning I received an email from "MontrealVisaDoNotReply@state.gov" which with title "PREPARING FOR YOUR IMMIGRANT VISA INTERVIEW". Has anyone received such email? I am waiting for my interview on Jan 10th. The email provides some generic steps such as asking for documents to bring like passport, interview letter, photos, etc. 

 

Few confusing things in this email - can anyone share ideas?

 

1- The date of my interview is January 10, 2025 but in this recent email they indicated October 01, 2025. It looks like whoever was sending the email is reading the date wrong by switching the month and day (10-01-2025 vs 01-10-2025). 

 

2- The instructions also point to an online form which seems to be the notorious DS-5535 form (Administrative Processing). Is this normal? Should I start filling it out? Has anyone ever received a link to DS-5535 before they go for the interview? Should I just ignore that link?

 

Thoughts?

I received the exact same email this morning but the interview date is correct. What is your country of origin? Mine is Iran.