Canadian in America due to COVID19

[INF 96]

9 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

 

Exact same situation here. Like I could have written this post myself. Currently wondering what we should do. Its frustrating because we are at the NVC stage and feel so close, but maybe AOS is the way to go now and just wait for travel and work permits? Curious to know that you end up doing! 

So good to know that I’m not the only one! We will likely make the decision soon.

 

Just now, geowrian said:

More specifically, once approved, the EAD will let you work while you wait for AOS approval (filing alone does nothing).

TBD, Unknown, As-needed, etc. are fine to put as the reason / dates. For AP due to a pending AOS application, specific dates aren't needed.

AP for other reasons (like DACA and TPS holders and such, specific reasons and dates are important).

With an AP filed can I come back and forth from Canada to US every weekday? I.e. can I keep working in Canada as I work in a border town ...

[geowrian 22,337]

3 minutes ago, INF said:

With an AP filed can I come back and forth from Canada to US every weekday? I.e. can I keep working in Canada as I work in a border town ...

That is permitted, although every entry is still at CBP's discretion (it will remain that way unless/until you become a US citizen).

Edit: At the same time, the border is generally closed for non-essential travel right now (who knows what it will be by then...). I' not sure how other border workers are handling the situation. Canada doesn't reject citizens entering, and the US allows the spouse of a USC w/ valid AP, but it also may not be deemed essential travel either. I'd have to know how other border workers are handling it.

Edited May 11, 2020 by geowrian

[HRQX 4,145]

6 minutes ago, geowrian said:

That is permitted,

Note that OP said "an AP filed." If OP leaves before AP is approved then I-485 would be deemed abandoned.

[INF 96]

Just now, HRQX said:

Note that OP said "an AP filed." If OP leaves before AP is approved then I-485 would be deemed abandoned.

Thanks guys! And thank you for the clarification! 

[geowrian 22,337]

2 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Note that OP said "an AP filed." If OP leaves before AP is approved then I-485 would be deemed abandoned.

Correct. Filed and approved is necessary. Good catch.

[SalishSea 17,836]

11 hours ago, INF said:

So I would not be able to leave the country or have a job till this is all sorted out.

Yes.  Those are the drawbacks to being allowed to AOS.

[INF 96]

1 hour ago, Jorgedig said:

Yes.  Those are the drawbacks to being allowed to AOS.

That is a huge drawback! Though the job market in Canada is not super steady either.

[Jayface 118]

I just called USCIS to ask about us adjusting my status (at NVC stage). I'm in US at the moment with my wife but was told the processing time in Buffalo is 8.5 months to 25.5 months. 

 

With that depressing news we've decided to wait it out for an interview instead. I can still leave the US and come back in on my ESTA after doing my quarantine time in London. 

 

What a time to be alive... 

[INF 96]

1 hour ago, jarrod679 said:

I just called USCIS to ask about us adjusting my status (at NVC stage). I'm in US at the moment with my wife but was told the processing time in Buffalo is 8.5 months to 25.5 months. 

 

With that depressing news we've decided to wait it out for an interview instead. I can still leave the US and come back in on my ESTA after doing my quarantine time in London. 

 

What a time to be alive... 

the air travel through Europe I thought was banned? 

[Jayface 118]

13 minutes ago, INF said:

the air travel through Europe I thought was banned? 

There are still fights.

 

I have to go into a mandatory 2 week quarantine when I get to London. Then I'll just come back to New York on my ESTA. My wife is a health care worker so she obviously can't take any time off right now. 

 

Annoyingly if it wasn't for Coronavirus I'd probably be interviewed by now.  

[INF 96]

3 minutes ago, jarrod679 said:

There are still fights.

 

I have to go into a mandatory 2 week quarantine when I get to London. Then I'll just come back to New York on my ESTA. My wife is a health care worker so she obviously can't take any time off right now. 

 

Annoyingly if it wasn't for Coronavirus I'd probably be interviewed by now.  

Lol what kind of ban is this! Fair enough... I am leaning towards just waiting it out in Canada. Will have to think more

[Jayface 118]

1 hour ago, INF said:

Lol what kind of ban is this! Fair enough... I am leaning towards just waiting it out in Canada. Will have to think more

The ban doesn't apply to immediate family members and a few other particular groups of people. I am hoping the flight will be empty. 

[HRQX 4,145]

12 minutes ago, jarrod679 said:

I am hoping the flight will be empty. 

Some seats might have cargo now: https://youtu.be/r2oPk20OHBE?t=506

[jives11 1]

8 hours ago, GrahamC said:

 

Exact same situation here. Like I could have written this post myself. Currently wondering what we should do. Its frustrating because we are at the NVC stage and feel so close, but maybe AOS is the way to go now and just wait for travel and work permits? Curious to know that you end up doing! 

Me too! Basically identical. We just got our notice that we are 'documentarily approved' at the NVC, but who knows what that means for actually getting to live in the US. Before this I was visiting every weekend - and never thought about AOS, but with the whole world at a standstill it just feels so disheartening to go back to Canada for an unknown length of time. I felt like we were so close to the finale and now it's so far!

[INF 96]

1 hour ago, jives11 said:

Me too! Basically identical. We just got our notice that we are 'documentarily approved' at the NVC, but who knows what that means for actually getting to live in the US. Before this I was visiting every weekend - and never thought about AOS, but with the whole world at a standstill it just feels so disheartening to go back to Canada for an unknown length of time. I felt like we were so close to the finale and now it's so far!

Exactly -- I would be able to visit for the weekend and had best of both worlds (till I got to move full time). I can't imagine going back to Canada and waiting for another 1 year...hopefully not 2  but at the same time I can't imagine being unemployed for a long time and not being able to travel outside of the US.

Edited May 12, 2020 by INF