DS5535TXCAN

We also received this type of response on Aug 23 (Friday). after submitting the passport. Our case status updated on the same day as well. The message reads as follows: "We acknowledge receipt of the documents you have provided. This case is currently pending review by a consular officer. As soon as the review is complete, the Visa Unit will advise of the next steps if anything else is needed to complete processing the case." We then asked for estimated timeline of when this review will be completed to figure out our lives and try to plan around it, and the consulates replied on Sep 13 (Friday) as follows: "While we cannot predict when the review of your visa will be completed, please be assured that the Consulate and the State Department are aware of your concerns and will contact you as soon as the review is complete if anything else is needed to complete processing the case." It seems like we are still pending consular review. And to answer the others, it appears that the consulate reviews emails/updates statuses on Thursday/Fridays, at least based on our case. Ill be on the lookout later this week for any new updates, we've been waiting around 5 weeks now like the others here who were requested documents in early August. We also contacted our senator this weekend in the hopes of pushing things along. Fingers crossed.

I am not sure this is applicable to cases going through consular processing through NVC and the embassy. What you're referring to is the USCIS (https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-announces-new-guidance-on-form-i-693-validity-period) which is for civil surgeons that provide medical exams within the US. Whereas we all completed our medical exams with panel phyicans. I would be curious to know if there are any people in the group that had their passport requested that had their completed medical in Nov 2023 and were only requested for passports. This could shed light onto whether the decision from USCIS is trickling down to the consulate. For reference my medical was completed and sent to the consulate on 15-NOV-2023.

We received a request for just passport over a month ago after a counsular officer reviewed the case. The passport has now been in their possession for 4 weeks. We have sent multiple emails prior to sending the passport to the consulate to confirm if this was a mistake and whether there are any additional items required (i.e., medical exam). The response we got was an short email with their confirmation of receiving our passport (doucments). However, when contacting AIS (courier service) to send the passport, we asked if we should get another medical, they told us to only provide what was requested. Our last contact with the consulate, 13 sep, the email noted that the case is still pending consular officer review🤬. This likely means that our files are sitting on someone's desk waiting to be looked over and stamped. My theory here is that visa was approved and was going to be issued, but at the end of the interview and mind you the VO was very rushed and was talking to other VO, then comes back and out of nowhere tells us there was additional information required for our case and then provided DS5535. My hopeful thinking here is that in their system the visa was issued, and instead of requesting another medical, they'll issue the visa based on the previously approved one?🤔 The other theory I have and I sure hope to all things that are powerful in this universe that this is not the case. - Another delay tactic by requesting passport and medical individually. 😶‍🌫️I will keep you all updated on what happens. Did you only get a request for just your passport?

Looks like they’re taking their sweet sweet time. We also received a status update today, but still says refused. I also got an email response from them saying that it’s still pending officer review (we inquired 2 weeks ago on sept 03) thinking something was wrong. Really hoping we hear some good news next week and finally see “issued” and finally reunite with our loved ones!

It’s reassuring that many are in the same position. They really dropped the ball the past few weeks. Consulate has had passport since Aug 15 and confirmed receipt Aug 23 (case status updated) and still no status updates since then. Praying that the next week brings many of us long awaited news. Please do provide updates as it’s been really helpful to see updates in real-time.

Congratulations!! do you mind sharing how you found out your visa was issued? Was it an email from the consulate or a status update with your status updating from “refused” to “issued”?

@Superluminal We called the consulate phone number and went through the automated system one of the options is courier in additional documents. Once we got an hang of someone they walked us through this process. Feel free to give them a call if you want to feel assured. However, we were instructed to enter the documents requested by the consulate in that text box. Once completed they will send you the courier instructions. I believe you can view the same instructions via the “print instructions” link on the same site. Hope this helps!

Hi all, sending our heartfelt congratulations to the recent members who were issued their visas after such an ordeal. Hoping that many in this position get to reunite with their loved ones soon! I wanted to provide a small update to the above: I was requested to only send my passport (Aug 8). I emailed the consulate right away asking if they needed any additional items (medical, passport photos). After one week of silence we sent the passport. Passport delivered to consulate on 15 Aug via courier. Today, Aug 23 we received a case update and an email from the consulate acknowledging receipt of documents and pending review from a consular officer. The email indicated that they would be letting us know if they need any additional items to continue processing the immigrant visa. Here’s to hoping that we see “issued” status in the next week or so without any additional document requests. Cheers!

Hey y’all apologies for the long post in advance. I just noticed another email (US Visa Personal Courier-In Instructions) come through last night asking me to send my documents and only the requested documents (in my case my passport) via courier. I am wondering if this is because I requested instructions for how to send documents back to the consulate. However, what peaked my mind is that it had the following snippet at the end of the email regarding interview waiver processing. ”Only include requested documents. Interview Waiver processing times take between four to six weeks. Prior to completion of visa processing, your U.S. visa application status will appear as “No Status” when you perform an online check at https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC. The Consular Section will not respond to any email inquiries about your case until after the six-week processing time from the reception of your documents.“ does this mean the visa was previously approved and then put my application in ds5535 vetting and now they’re re-issuing it? I’m so lost 😅. For reference the CO at the interview took my passport and put the purlator sticker On the back and shortly after changed demeanour and said they needed more info and provided me with 221g + ds5535 and asked if I wanted my passport back, which I did take back.

Were you requested for medical or passport photos in addition to your passport return? I am wondering if they’re issuing visa’s without updated (expired) medicals given AP/DS5535 if the case is less than 1 year after interview? I'm waiting for consulate to reply to my email about whether another medical is required.

I looked on the DOS website and did not find any information on extension of medical exams. I’ve replied to the email asking to confirm whether my current medical exam is still valid or whether I will need another one. I am leaning towards the fact that they will want another medical exam. Is it possible to book an appointment with a civil surgeon with the email this morning from the consulate requesting for additional information?

That is interesting. I thought I would for sure have had to re-do my medical, especially because my medical was completed back in Nov 2023. It’s been more than 6 months. I thought medicals expired after 6 months. I worry whether this is an error on their part which will push this further out given that we’re finally out of DS5535 black hole. Any one have any additional thoughts?

Hello all, I am a long time lurker of this sub and in the tracker spreadsheet i am under the alias “Unknown *” with date of interview of 13DEC2023 and received 221G with DS5535 at the end of my interview. For context, we had unsolicited updates the last few days, and prior to that we had a senator inquiry on the case. This morning received an email to submit my passport only (valid for 6 months after intended travel). I wanted to know if what they request is what they only want. As i am seeing a few this morning were also requested medicals and photos. Additionally, I wanted to know if I can hand deliver and pickup my passport same day, and how I can organize that with the consulate. I saw someone post about this around page 100 of this thread.