Flying to Montreal for Green Card Interview - How long until I can fly back?

[USResidentTNHolde 0]

My green card interview is scheduled for Oct. 27 in Montreal. I'm live and work in California and will have to fly to Montreal for the interview so I'm trying to figure out how long I need to be there.

 

- How long until I can get my passport back so I can return home to the US? Is it possible to fly back without the green card?

- Is it feasible to arrive 1 or 2 days prior to attend the medical exam? What happens if the results aren't sent to the consulate?

 

Apologies if this has been answered, I spent time searching and didn't find an answer.

[HRQX 4,145]

10 minutes ago, USResidentTNHolde said:

Is it possible to fly back without the green card?

Do you mean the Immigrant Visa? The GC is only produced after entering the US as a LPR https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/expect-green-card

10 minutes ago, USResidentTNHolde said:

What happens if the results aren't sent to the consulate?

Then the visa cannot be issued so it'll be a 221g "soft" refusal while waiting for the medical results.

Edited September 27, 2021 by HRQX

[randy32 165]

Most medicals needs to be done about 2 weeks before the interview for it to be ready.

Petition will not be approved without the medical. 221g refusal till the get the result of the medicals.

 

Passport is stamped and returned most times within a week if all is well.

 

So  in a perfect world, estimate about 3 weeks from going for your medicals to getting your passport back. Repeat. In a perfect world.

[USResidentTNHolde 0]

Definitely cannot afford to spend 3 weeks in Montreal. 😕

 

Maybe I'll fly to Vancouver (family lives there) to get the medical exam well ahead of time. But how long should I expect to have to wait after the interview before I can re-enter the US? As in, when can I have my passport back (assuming I need a passport to enter the US). Note that currently my passport has a TN Visa attached to it.

 

Saqib

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, USResidentTNHolde said:

(assuming I need a passport to enter the US).

Have you ever tried applying for a NEXUS card with the Canada Border Services Agency? https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/application-demande-eng.html

 

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/faq-eng.html

 

As a NEXUS member, do I need my passport when travelling to the U.S.?

The NEXUS card can be used at a NEXUS/Global Entry (GE) kiosk, located in the U.S. preclearance area, if you are departing from the following airports:

• Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport
• Montréal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
• Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
• Toronto Pearson International Airport
• Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
• Calgary International Airport
• Edmonton International Airport
• Vancouver International Airport

If you are departing from another Canadian airport, you must carry your passport in order to use the GE kiosk and benefit from the expedited processing when arriving in the U.S.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,463]

8 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Have you ever tried applying for a NEXUS card with the Canada Border Services Agency? https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/application-demande-eng.html

 

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/faq-eng.html

 

As a NEXUS member, do I need my passport when travelling to the U.S.?

The NEXUS card can be used at a NEXUS/Global Entry (GE) kiosk, located in the U.S. preclearance area, if you are departing from the following airports:

• Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport
• Montréal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
• Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
• Toronto Pearson International Airport
• Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
• Calgary International Airport
• Edmonton International Airport
• Vancouver International Airport

If you are departing from another Canadian airport, you must carry your passport in order to use the GE kiosk and benefit from the expedited processing when arriving in the U.S.

 

Currently they are not processing NEXUS cards, because the border is not officially open (Canada is allowing vaccinated visitors, but US has extended the travel restrictions again).  No border crossing centers are conducing the required joint interview (CBP and CBSA).

 

I have been trying to get the NEXUS interview scheduled since August - no luck.

[bkoz 13]

1 hour ago, USResidentTNHolde said:

Definitely cannot afford to spend 3 weeks in Montreal. 😕

 

Maybe I'll fly to Vancouver (family lives there) to get the medical exam well ahead of time. But how long should I expect to have to wait after the interview before I can re-enter the US? As in, when can I have my passport back (assuming I need a passport to enter the US). Note that currently my passport has a TN Visa attached to it.

 

Saqib

If it's an issue of finding accommodations, I'd say fly in for the medical in Vancouver, go back to the US, then fly to Montreal for the interview.  However, your passport will need to be shipped to a Canadian address (such as your family's address in Vancouver).  If it's a matter of $$, spending money to fly across the country multiple times in two-three weeks might be about as expensive as finding an Airbnb in Montreal for 3 weeks.

 

The post above me raises the Nexus option to cross the border without a passport, but DISREGARD IT AND DO NOT TRAVEL TO THE US after the interview but before you get the passport back with the visa in it.  Your TN turns into a pumpkin after your interview - having your immigrant visa interview at the consulate is the point of no return in terms of maintaining a non-immigrant intent that is the necessary predicate for an entry into the US with a TN status, since you are making application for an immigrant visa at the interview (i.e., immigrant intent).

[USResidentTNHolde 0]

18 minutes ago, bkoz said:

If it's an issue of finding accommodations, I'd say fly in for the medical in Vancouver, go back to the US, then fly to Montreal for the interview.  However, your passport will need to be shipped to a Canadian address (such as your family's address in Vancouver).  If it's a matter of $$, spending money to fly across the country multiple times in two-three weeks might be about as expensive as finding an Airbnb in Montreal for 3 weeks.

This, or some variation of this, sounds like the best option at this point actually. Fly to visit parents in Vancouver and get the medical done, then do the Vancouver/Montreal roundtrip for the interview and wait for documents to be mailed while I stay with parents. Then fly home after I can my passport back. Boy am I regretting not going the AOS route (I was worried about the no-international-travel-allowed restriction when going that route).

 

18 minutes ago, bkoz said:

The post above me raises the Nexus option to cross the border without a passport, but DISREGARD IT AND DO NOT TRAVEL TO THE US after the interview but before you get the passport back with the visa in it.  Your TN turns into a pumpkin after your interview - having your immigrant visa interview at the consulate is the point of no return in terms of maintaining a non-immigrant intent that is the necessary predicate for an entry into the US with a TN status, since you are making application for an immigrant visa at the interview (i.e., immigrant intent).

Yea I understand that I can't enter the US on a TN status after the interview, I'd have to wait to have my passport. I do have a Nexus card but it doesn't have my TN attached to it so I've never used it since I moved to the US anyway.

 

Thanks for the information everyone. I was hoping I was missing some trick that allows people to fly out immediately but I guess not.

 

[mam521 2,063]

If everything is in order and the CO sees no issues with your paperwork during the interview, it shouldn't be too long.  They typically courier out the passports on a Friday, so if you interview on a Tuesday, are approved, passport sent Friday, probably have it early the next week.  

[Kai G. Llewellyn 838]

I had my medical done by Dr Cheema about a week before my interview, they submitted it to the consulate 3 days after my medical appt. I had no delays being issued the visa. So theoretically I could've only needed to be in Canada for 2 weeks (1 week ahead of the interview, 1 week following to receive the immigrant visa). In practice I was there for 3.5 weeks as I didn't know what the risk was with being subjected to quarantine, so I was sure to enter Canada 2 weeks ahead of the interview. Leaving such little time would make things very tight obviously.

 

I'll echo what others here say, under no circumstances should you attempt to re-enter the US after your interview without your immigrant visa. Last thing you want is a denied entry mangling up your whole plans.

Edited September 28, 2021 by Kai G. Llewellyn

[F2J_March 49]

Is your green card based on employment or through US citizen spouse? When were you dq'd?

[USResidentTNHolde 0]

US citizen spouse. I don't know what dq'd means.

[USResidentTNHolde 0]

For what it's worth, here's the response I got from the consulate (emphasis mine):

 

Quote

 

Please note that you may still attend your interview appointment if your medical report is not yet ready. The Consular Officer processing your case would provide you with the necessary instructions regarding missing documents at the time of the interview appointment. Furthermore, passport return options may be discussed with the Consular Officer at that time.

 

We strongly encourage immigrant visa applicants to carefully review the interview preparation instructions available on the website of the Department of State: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html
This information will help the applicant better understand the immigrant visa process and prepare for the upcoming interview. It also contains details regarding getting the required medical exam in Canada and the checklist of documents required for the upcoming interview.

 

Any questions about the courier pass-back services or any issues with the website of our appointment services contractor should be reported directly to the Official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service using the contact details here https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-CA/iv/information/contact_us

 

Since appearing for an interview does not guarantee a visa will be issued, we would like to use this opportunity and remind that every visa issuing post around the world specifically advises visa applicants at the outset of the application process not to make unchangeable plans – such as scheduling important events, purchasing nonrefundable tickets, or other decisions with considerable financial implications – until they have obtained their visa and are ready to travel.

 

We hope that this information is helpful in replying to your inquiry.

Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.

 

 

[Bethany123 56]

Hey there.

 

So I went through this process 3 years ago, pre-covid so I'm not sure exactly of the wait times. I was advised to make my medical appt at least a week prior to my interview. I got my results after 3 business days. I ended up picking them up on my way to my interview to save myself the trip. Both buildings are close by. 

 

At your interview, they'll take your passport. You'll get it back (I picked mine up because that was when Canada Post was on strike and I didn't want to wait weeks for it to come) when you get approved, which can take a few days because technically you aren't approved at the interview but after administrative processing. Mine was approved and my passport was ready after 3 days, I believe. They stamp your passport (I-551), and that stamp is your temporary green card for 6 months as you wait for the actual green card to come in the mail. Once you enter the US with that stamp then you're officially a resident. 

Edited October 12, 2021 by Bethany123

[HRQX 4,145]

5 minutes ago, Bethany123 said:

They stamp your passport (I-551), and that stamp is your temporary green card for 6 months

*1 year: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs “UPON ENDORSEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY I-551 EVIDENCING PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.”