Inveigh

I know this is geared towards Iranian applicants however, it might be useful if we all signed this petition to raise the awareness of this horrible process? https://www.change.org/p/expedite-the-processing-of-iranian-family-visa-applicants-backlogged-by-37-analysts

Finally some positive news
the AP backlog is decreasing, from Jan to April the backlog decreased from 66k to 61k that includes the new added cases that means they increased this department resources 
 

Hello everyone we have a new blog update from Red Eagle Law that speaks to a reduction in the amount of cases in AP DS-5535 since January 2024. I am attaching a link for the blog, and there is also a new declaration that has been made by the department of state that provides more information on the administrative process and what goes on behind-the-scenes. Praying that this is the light at the end of the tunnel that will reduce the backlog and have our visas issued sooner rather than later.
 
https://redeaglelaw.com/blog-1/f/new-state-department-declarations-on-administrative-processing

yes I updated my timeline on the spreadsheet.  The dates are exact.

Hi Everyone,
 
My long wait is finally over.  My CEAC case finally changed to Issued today!  Now I await my passport.
 
It has been a very long road since the interview (Nov 22, 2022!  Yes, 2022!).  And I also had to wait a year for the interview itself!  
 
Given that we sent all requested documents and passport in for which were received on March 22, this stretch felt the longest.
 
We asked our Senator for assistance.  She did follow up with Montreal yesterday I believe.  Whether this is just coincidence my case would have been approved today regardless, I do not know.  I will give her the credit though.  
 
I checked first this morning and the date change so I know something was possibly going on, but still refused.  Then checked early this afternoon and it read Issued.
 
Thank you to this group for your continued support.  You were a life line during this.  None of you should be here!  It will be my mission going forward to advocate for change!  I wish you all nothing but the very best and hope your Issued day will finally come, sooner than later!  Stay strong and fight!  If I can do this so can you.  
 
 

Sorry to hear. Do you know what might be the reason for AP?

Hi...LukeCanada...my wife had the exact same converation...she interviewed on March 15...we filled the form immediately and am waiting...I think that we are in for a long wait...

I think these updates are lights in tunnel. You will be cleared soon. Good luck!

Just another quick update...
 
Our case had unsolicited updates on March 20 and 21, and then silence. Today (still early in the morning) we got another unsolicited updated case date. Status is still "refused". 
 
We were not asked a DS-5535, just a CV, but officially at 5 months since interview today. 

Based on the current timelines for Montreal I would lean somewhere between 6-8 more months for you (sadly)

Heartbreaking to say the least 

Can we not start a petition like others in other countries have done? 
 
After reading what others posted, my spouse and I are looking into the H1-B visa option, as the field would work for it...
 
Bonkers. We're almost at 6 months since interview (would be early May), and it's insane. Not even asked a 5535, just CV... 

Me too - it's already been over 14 months since my interview. 14 months that I could have been living with my spouse, moving forward with my career, building a life together. Instead I've spent 14 months not doing any of those things and that is time that I will NEVER get back. Honestly this entire process has been nothing short of needless emotional and mental torture. 

@Daft_Cat had an interview in February of 2023 and got a request for a second medical last month. I see you also had your interview in February of 2023. The only difference I see is that Daft filed a WOM and you didn't. I hope you get an update soon.  

Long time reader, in Ds5535 hole for just over 12 months now, Canadian , interviewed in Montreal last year.
 
Incase this helps anyone, I was able to obtain a dual intent L1 visa at the airport in Canada a few weeks ago, now working in the US.
 
I was only asked about the IR1, told them it's in post interview administrative processing.
 
Nothing more regarding that was asked, grilled more in job duties,  who will report to me etc..all legit questions.  It's a large multinational with blanket petition approval.
 
I spoke to some good WOM lawyers, many who are mentioned here, they all said count your blessings and adjust in the US, moving quickly these days for folks who already have an approved I130.
 
Even they have no idea what is going on with this whole ds5535 mess, a few mentioned it's nonsense, if there were any security concerns or flags on your file, you would never be allowed in by CBP. They have instant access to all of that.
 
 

Hello folks! A quick update. I’d been on AP for almost a year now (since April 2023). I am in the medical field. My employer was able to file a H1B petition for me and was successful. I was relieved to see that my IR1 petition did not impact my H1B (I know that on paper the two petitions have no bearing on each other, but didn’t believe it until actually seeing it happen). 
 
im gonna keep my IR1 petition open… in hopes that the light to the end of the tunnel is near. It has to be right? Sigh. My status hasn’t been updated for the past month. I had give up emailing for updates, as I either get a template response or no response at all. 

Ah, so that's probably why. I never heard of border officers issuing DS-5535. I myself got an L1 status similarly as a Canadian at the border. And then in a few months I got DS-5535 at the consulate for the IR1 visa, so I suspect I would've also gotten DS-5535 if I chose to go to a consulate for my L1 visa.
Their processes are a big mess that doesn't make sense - the consulate issues DS-5535 while the border officers don't.

Today is the six-month anniversary of my wife's interview. Based on the timelines shared here. It seems it could take another six months. This process is so messed up. 

Did you notice a status update around the time when they returned your passport? I saw one on mine yesterday and I am not sure if it is related to my passport-return request.
Thanks!

Saw a date update today on CEAC status. Not sure if this update has anything to do with my recent (3/25) passport return request.

This is so frustrated ...... I live in a village , so I have society pressure equals Mount Everest on me....Let me tell you all a story ,  2 brothers from my area(3 villages apart) entered US illegally in 2019 and they both visited Pakistan in last few months (with Green card ) Yes illegal got the documents in 4 years and I am waiting for my Ds-5535 , waited 3 years for interview , There father was one of the guest in my wedding in 2016 ..... 
Come on man........ This is just too much . .. People reading this post with village background (especially India Pakistan) can understand what this means for me and my family. 
I fully agree with you , people applying throw legal channels are being affected the most. I waited almost 8 years just to get a visa under Ir-1 category . ........ 

Tomorrow 5th April will be 2 months since my case is in AP(Ds-5535) , I don't have any last case update date yet on CEAC and I am getting panic about this no case status update . I am going to email Islamabad  embassy (Pakistan) and I will ask them politely what <DELETED> is going on . I have also not receive any conformation email from  them about my Ds-5535(If they received it  and was it up to the standards and correct) .
I waited 3 years for my interview (yes for interview) and my category is IR-1......In short this whole Ds-5535 thing is <DELETED> , especially when millions of people illegally cross into US every year.

I'm absolutely floooooored how it seems visa processing has stopped for K1's and IR1's it seems under 221(G) / DS-5535 cases that have been submitted. What possible reason could there be for such a delay?! its time to start cases again. Its been ELEVEN MONTHS for my fiance and we havent heard a thing. What possible reason could there be at this point

Congrats! I went back and read your previous messages and it looks like you've had a long and hard road (F2A, interview Nov 2022). Glad there is light at the end of the tunnel here for you. 
 
Between you and Daft_Cat, that's 2 people with passport requests inside a couple of weeks.

Thanks for sharing your story so far with us. Really hope you get to enjoy this part of the journey now, the excitement and all that goes with it!! Keep us updated which I’m sure you’ll do. Wishing you all the best.