Leo The Great
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Posts posted by Leo The Great
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11 minutes ago, Cholte cholte said:
Has anybody tried the Immigrant Visa Navigator? Also, is this information correct?
If your case is undergoing Administrative Processing, please do not send any documentation until you receive an email from the Immigrant Visa Section at the U.S. Consulate General Montreal, unless otherwise specified. If your administrative processing has been pending more than six months, please contact us.
We emailed consulate after 5 moths of interview with a specific question. That was answered after 10 days and then sent another status inquiry email after 6 months of interview and got generic reply after 24 days.
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12 minutes ago, TheMaverick said:
That is the issue, I don’t want to activate it. I just want to cross over on TN. The moment you activate the taxation rules are applicable. Has impacts to RESP/TFSA/house sale/dividend withholding etc etc. I first want to close these loose ends before activating
May be post this question on top level Canadian thread. You will get the answer from moderator of VJ forum.
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On 5/25/2024 at 10:39 PM, Matt77 said:
Hi
Yes, that is correct. The officer handed us two forms (221g), and requested our travel history since 15 years ago. On the form, there is a link to an office online form that the applicants should fill out their travel history and other questions. I don't know why!
I am the applicant and petitioner. The officer asked my wife to provide her degrees, CV, etc. We submitted the forms two days after our interview and the documents were delivered on Feb 29 to the consulate. Based on the forms, we should have heard back 6 to 8 weeks after receipt of the documents, means by late April; however, I have not heard back anything yet.
You may check following forum to get estimates of AP processing time with DS-5535 + Resume. There is a backlog of 61000 still awaiting clearance
There is a wait time of around few months to more than a year for AP clearance contrary to what CO told you (best case scenario) during the interview. It is not in their control because AP is done in DC.
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6 hours ago, ak47 said:
I had the same kind of update with an email two days later and another CEAC date update. I believe that just means that they just open your file on the day they send you an email.
Same here. Today we got generic response to our inquiry email after 23 days and that triggered the date update
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My dad in AP trav
1 hour ago, tdot2nj said:I received my DS5535 form in November 2023 and had not travelled to the US since. This past Sunday I crossed the border at Toronto Pearson without any issues. I was worried for the last 6 months and was separated from my husband out of fear. They asked me why I am going and when I am returning to Canada and let me through. This is for those individuals that have any doubts about travelling to the US during admin processing. I would also like to add that I did cross the border after travelling to three new countries since I submitted my DS-5535 form.
We have same experiences travelling to US while in AP(most recently this weekend by road). 2-3 quick questions and related to the purpose of visit and duration of stay. I think agent at booth do not have access to state dept system until the system alert them to send folks to secondary.
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2 hours ago, DS5535_Child said:
Flagging this again. Please make your voice heard. The more we make noise the more likely this is to get attention and move.
Most immigration applications have been shortening timelines, so it seems like the administration wants to shorten timelines, they probably just don't know this is a problem.
Plz help send a comment to the administration per below.@Leo The Great @Sisa24 @CL23 @JanMontrealDS5535 @cala2023 @frhm @julia_29387 @Halioak @Gha @tas005 @yvesemma @ak47 @Phil_K_IR1
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DOS seems to have opened an inquiry on DS 5535 in the last few weeks. I think this is a good sign.I am positive if enough of us complain about the process they may staff up more people or change the process altogether. Please state your case and how unreasonable the process is.
From what I understand, to submit comments you need to follow these steps:
1. Go here: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain _>
2. Use the Find functionality of your browser and look for entry "Supplemental Questions for Visa Applicants" or OMB Control Number: "1405-0226".
3. Click "Comment" next to the entry you found.
4. Submit the comment. Make sure to cite specifically Montreal and DS 5535 and long timelines.I provided comments/suggestions to speed up AP last year and also read the most of the comments when they published them later in the year
https://www.regulations.gov/document/DOS-2023-0028-0001 (last year link)
Do not see much difference in last year and this year proposal. Looks like they did not take any action last year or earlier this year based on public feedback
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1 hour ago, CL23 said:
ah okay, so very similar to us then! I don’t know whether to obsessively check every day or leave it alone and just wait 🤣 LOL
Generally you get few updates after submitting DS-5535 as consulate might be working on your form to send it to DC. Once done, you should not see any updates unless consulate reply to your query or DC pick up your case for processing and at that time you may see more update. May be check weekly until you get some unsolicited updates. At that time you can choose to check it daily.
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2 hours ago, JanMontrealDS5535 said:
Hi there,
I am in the same boat. My kids got visa in Jan 2024. I am waiting for mine. My file has been updated 7 times. Last one on April 9th. Since then no update.
My kids visa expires in June 15th.
My medical and passport will expire soon.
I guess...waiting is the only option we have.
Your kids need to activate visa before it expiry. I guess you already know it.
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1 hour ago, frhm said:
I showed all proofs (lease, work, return ticket, etc.). The officer was convinced of my intentions, but they consulted with the department of state and they told them that I am currently under background checking.
He asked me a lot of questions, almost about every detail of my life since I was born.Were you traveling on Canadian passport or on B1/B2 visa stamped by Toronto consulate?
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16 minutes ago, yvesemma said:
got it, my question was regarding me coming right back to Canada after activating the visa. That wont be an issue correct?
As long as you return to USA after wrapping up the things (within six months), there should be no problem. You do not need to tell CBP unless they ask you. Once activated, you green card (stamp) is valid for one year and you can return to USA on that.
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On 5/15/2024 at 11:34 AM, Halioak said:
During the interview, I asked the CO how long the AP will take. He asked how long it took in my previous F1 and B1 visa, I said a couple of weeks. The CO said it may take similar amount of time.
No matter what CO told you in interview regarding AP processing time (Other folks in AP have been told similar timelines during the interview in Montreal but still stuck in AP since April 2023 or earlier - it is not in control of consulate as AP clearance for such cases is done in DC), But in actual With Resume only, it takes around 5-6 months to complete AP and with DS-5535 + Resume it takes longer few months to more than a year for majority of cases in Montreal.
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9 hours ago, yvesemma said:
thanks! where did she cross? did she pay the green card fee before?
You can pay fee any time using this link.
https://my.uscis.gov/uscis-immigrant-fee/
Green card is usually receive in 3-4 weeks after you activate your green card.
If you are crossing border by land, you need to tell agent at the booth that you need to activate your green card, then they will take your passport and ask you to go to secondary area for green card activation
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1 hour ago, EmmsW said:
Hi everyone. I am a DV2025 winner. First time poster on VJ. Case number is AS3XXX. Post in Montreal. Hoping to get an interview some time this year.
Single. No kids. A couple of B1B2 visas under my chargeability state then naturalized as a Canadian and also recently acquired NEXUS. Good travel history to the US under both citizenships, mostly one day visits by land. No criminal record. Promptly submitted DS-260.
It didn't take much research to find this thread. I truly believe that my profile is very straightforward but it seems like I may get the DS5535 no matter what because it seems like Montreal likes doing that. Looking at the tracker here, mostly IR-1/CR1, EB, and K1 cases. Not a single DV. But looking at the DV chart online, people still get put into AAP/221G/DS5535. Still don't understand how often yet for DV.
What are you thoughts? I am so discouraged to go through this. I wanted to share the news of me being selected with my friends and family but looking at the possibilities here, I am concerned I may miss it. What are the realistic chances of me being put into AP/DS5535?
Read the post from @Adam RS regarding DV lottery visa and AP
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12 hours ago, MTLaffectee said:
I have a question about a recent email inquiry experience. I sent an email to request the status and to confirm the receipt of our DS-5535 form. My previous email about receipt of the DS-5535 form got a template response but did not answer whether they have received the DS-5535 form or not. This time I got a more human response confirming the receipt of the DS-5535 form but then had the same template response about not being able to predict when the processing will be complete. However, this time my Case's Last Updated date did not change even after a response to my email. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Also, 7 months down...
We got our case date updated when we received a human response 10 days after sending email to consulate back in Jan/Feb 2024. Will let you know about case date update this time if we receive a human response again for our recent query about status of processing after 6.5 months after interview.
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If the Resume is listed on 221g then provide them via email in the reply. May be wait for day or two for email. It is better to ask questions in Ds-5535 group as indicated in above post.
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57 minutes ago, VadymD said:
Hello everyone,
My family and I have planned to move from Europe to Canada soon.
And just yesterday I found out that I was selected in the DV lottery.
But after reading this forum, I'm a bit confused...
How often can one get the DS-5355 in Montreal?
Is there any pattern?It is better to apply for US visa from Europe than the Montreal as consulate has high rate of handing out DS-5535 and resolution time is much more than Europe.
Your travel history during the last fifteen years is a factor for DS-5535. But if your place of birth is MENA, China or Pakistan, then there is a high probability of getting DS-5535. If your field of study or work is in TAL, that is another reason to ask for Resume. DS-5535 cases takes from few months to more than a year to resolve. Other than that system can also select you randomly for DS-5535. Since the DV lottery visa is time bound visa, , there is higher probability that you won't get DV lottery visa if you are stuck in DS-5535.
Read the post from @Adam RS regarding DV lottery visa and AP
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49 minutes ago, Gha said:
I just want to inform you guys that I had an update on 26th, 29th April and 2nd May by their selves.
LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE CLOSE TO FINISH LINE. After how long you got your first unsolicited update (April 26)? You are on VJ forum for more than a year and half. I will appreciate if you update the spreadsheet for the benefits of other members
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jV7rzX2eCRVoEDRhOtN9a6hDoHRLNEf1P3ZGZbQ0_Dc/edit#gid=0
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15 hours ago, Halioak said:
Hi, I am going to have my E1 visa interview at MTL consulate this month. Based on my previous F1 and B1 visa history, I suppose I should expect an Administrative Processing as the outcome. Does anyone have an idea of how long it typically takes to clear? I know it varies case by case but wanted to seek any info if possible. Thanks!
If you have F1 or B1 previously and CO need to investigate any violations of those visas, Majority of those cases are handled at consulate level and may take 8-12 weeks.
Your travel history during the last five years also a factor for DS-5535. But if your place of birth is MENA, China or Pakistan, then there is a high probability of getting DS-5535. If your field of study or work is in TAL, that is another reason to ask for Resume. DS-5535 cases takes from few months to more than a year to resolve.
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1 hour ago, yvesemma said:
yes @Leo The Great had mentionned something about my priority date becoming current, and that I may have been out of the DS-5535, but they had to wait for priority date before requesting the passport... not sure if we will find the answer as most people here are IRC1 or K1 applicants...
You may find a post from @WMBB (page 36) with F2A visa category initially out of DS-5535 in March 2023 via WOM but consulate told them they cannot process visa because of priority date was not current.
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On 4/26/2024 at 10:01 AM, rzchen said:
Hello I have a question: In MTL-Montreal website, It mentioned federal U.S. tax return (Form 1040) is required from the petitioner in the interview. Should IRS Tax return transcript be better or just print Form 1040? Thanks
Tax transcripts also work. They may not ask for it if you have already uploaded latest tax transcript to NVC. It appeared that they already have all info about IRS taxes in their system. They usually ask for W-2.
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12 minutes ago, Cholte cholte said:
Choose “Travel History”. “Class of Admission” is the Visa type.
I have that document. It is just that it is not current (it is June 2023, though it should be April 2024). How do I get the most recent one.
I am able to get all travel history including this year travels for my dad Canadian passport just now using this link
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/history-search
But it is not returning my travel history (US passport).
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8 hours ago, JamesLouz said:
Just had a quick question.
My IR1 visa has been under Administrative Processing for 1 year (due to Form DS-5535 processing).
My visa has not yet been approved.
I noticed the other day my DS-260 now says “Re-Opened” in the NVC Portal.
I believe this is because the DS-260 automatically Reopens after 1 year in Administrative Processing.
My questions are:
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What happens if I just leave it as Re-Opened and I don't resubmit the DS-260? (i.e. I don't do anything)
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When my Administrative Processing is completed, if the Consulate sees that my DS-260 is Re-Opened and not yet resubmitted, what will they do?
The reason I don't want to re-submit my DS-260 at this time is because I plan to travel to several countries soon and I want to make sure that my updated travel history is included in my DS-260.
(After all my travel is completed, which may take some time)
I believed you do not need to provide the updated travel history information after submission of DS-5535 unless consulate request you.
My lawyer told me that consulate cannot request you additional information on the top of submitted DS-5535 unless they lost your DS-5535 form.
Wait for the clearance of your case and then either update at that time or query consulate regarding the update of DS-260 if they do not instruct in your passport request email.
Please update your timelines in the spreadsheet for the benefit of other members.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jV7rzX2eCRVoEDRhOtN9a6hDoHRLNEf1P3ZGZbQ0_Dc/edit#gid=0
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5 hours ago, dj222 said:
any idea when this will take into effect?
"with immigrant visa vetting to follow sometime in 2024" is kind of broad. Hopefully this will speed up the ds5355 processings.read latest blog on redeaglelaw. There is a hope
The dreaded DS-5535 thread for Montreal Only. Post here and support each other (PART 3)
in Canada
Posted · Edited by Leo The Great
True. Most of applicants get their visas without AP and few gets 221g each month and may not be actively participating in discussion and choose not to put their information in the spreadsheet.