Montreal embassy EB-2 interview wait time-Part 2

[mgsctravels 24]

52 minutes ago, AnnaSalu said:

 

I got my automated "just be patient" email this morning so the wait continues. Please let me know if you have received yours yet.

 

What time did you get yours?

[AnnaSalu 20]

2 hours ago, mgsctravels said:

 

What time did you get yours?

 

8:30 am EDT

[mgsctravels 24]

11 minutes ago, AnnaSalu said:

 

8:30 am EDT

 

I just checked - I got the email also. So much for my theory... 

Fingers crossed for the next couple of weeks!

[monk_yatso 16]

4 hours ago, mgsctravels said:

 

I just checked - I got the email also. So much for my theory... 

Fingers crossed for the next couple of weeks!

They covered till the end of august i believe. So it may take them two months to cover October

[mgsctravels 24]

4 minutes ago, monk_yatso said:

They covered till the end of august i believe. So it may take them two months to cover October

 

Others with Sept. dates already got ILs, as is also indicated on the consulate's website bulletin. So we should be denting into Oct. the next round... hopefully.

[Nicadog 18]

On 10/7/2024 at 9:53 PM, Aaron_ said:

Reference ChatGPT: 

Once you enter the U.S. with your one-time entry immigrant visa (issued after your immigrant petition, such as for a green card, has been approved), you technically become a permanent resident upon your first entry. However, there are important considerations for travel after this entry, especially before you receive your actual green card.

Here’s how the process works and what to consider if you need to travel soon after entering the U.S.:

1. Stamp in Your Passport (I-551 Stamp):

• When you first enter the U.S. with the one-time entry immigrant visa, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will place an I-551 stamp in your passport. This stamp serves as temporary evidence of your permanent resident status, and it is usually valid for one year.
• The I-551 stamp allows you to travel internationally and re-enter the U.S. even before you receive your physical green card.

2. Travel After First Entry:

• You can leave the U.S. after your initial entry and re-enter, provided that your I-551 stamp is still valid (until your green card is physically mailed to you).
• The I-551 stamp in your passport will act as your proof of lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, allowing you to travel in and out of the U.S. while awaiting your green card.

3. Recommended Approach:

• If you need to return to Canada or another country to wrap things up, you can do so after entering the U.S. with your immigrant visa.
• Make sure to return to the U.S. before your I-551 stamp expires or before your green card arrives (whichever comes first).
• It is usually advisable not to stay outside the U.S. for an extended period of time (typically not more than 6 months) during this process, as it could raise concerns about your intent to maintain permanent residency.

4. What Happens If You Stay Out for Too Long?:

• Extended absences (longer than 6 months) could lead to issues with re-entry, as the CBP might question whether you intend to live permanently in the U.S.
• If you anticipate a prolonged stay outside the U.S., you may want to look into applying for a Re-entry Permit, which allows you to stay outside the U.S. for up to 2 years without jeopardizing your permanent resident status. However, this process must be started after your initial entry as a permanent resident.

5. Receiving the Green Card:

• Your green card is typically mailed to the U.S. address you provided within a few weeks to months after your initial entry.
• If you need to travel while waiting for the physical green card, the I-551 stamp will serve as proof of your permanent resident status.

Best Approach:

• Enter the U.S. with your immigrant visa, get your I-551 stamp, and handle your necessary matters in the U.S.
• If needed, travel back to Canada using your I-551 stamp for re-entry.
• Ensure that you don’t remain outside the U.S. for too long, as it could lead to complications.

 

@Aaron_ Is it possible you could confirm where this info came from? My immigration lawyer told me today that once you activate your the temporary visa in your passport, you can't cross the border again until you receive your actual green card. Does anyone know that this is for sure incorrect? (Really hoping he's wrong!)

[Nicadog 18]

On 10/16/2024 at 1:08 PM, Froozion said:

Yes we collected the passports from canada post location yesterday. And planning to drive over the border on Friday!

 

@Froozion Did you cross the border yet? Hope all went well!

[AnnaSalu 20]

1 hour ago, Nicadog said:

 

@Aaron_ Is it possible you could confirm where this info came from? My immigration lawyer told me today that once you activate your the temporary visa in your passport, you can't cross the border again until you receive your actual green card. Does anyone know that this is for sure incorrect? (Really hoping he's wrong!)

 

Please see the last few pages. I believe some of the members who recently crossed the border shared their experiences. 

[monk_yatso 16]

11 hours ago, mgsctravels said:

 

Others with Sept. dates already got ILs, as is also indicated on the consulate's website bulletin. So we should be denting into Oct. the next round... hopefully.

I might be wrong but at montreal spreadsheet haven’t seen any September DQ receiving ILs

[Aaron_ 25]

10 hours ago, AnnaSalu said:

 

Please see the last few pages. I believe some of the members who recently crossed the border shared their experiences. 

right, based on the group members' experience. I've just verified with chatgpt. Unfortunately, it doesn't share the resource, but group members have verified it. I'd really like to hear from @Froozion's experience.

[Nicadog 18]

On 10/8/2024 at 10:55 PM, AA-H said:

Our visa is actually less than 6 months: issued 10-07-2024 and expiring 02-22-2025. I think the six months is from the medical exam.

 

Here is my story today:

 

After receiving a notice this morning that our passports had arrived at a Toronto postal office, I picked up a large package with our passports, small envelopes for each family member, and two big ones for myself. I arrived at the Niagara border crossing around 4:30 PM. The border officer took our passports and asked us to park and head to a nearby building.

There were a few people ahead of us, but it took less than 20 minutes before an officer called us inside and collect our package. After about five minutes, we were asked to go to his desk for pictures and fingerprints. About 15 minutes later, he returned our passports with a stamp next to the visas printed in Montreal, explaining that this is our temporary green card that is valid for one year and it can be used to work and travel internationally until the actual card arrives.

There were no major questions, just confirming our U.S. address and the type of visa I have. After that, I drove back to Toronto, looking forward to returning home this weekend to resume my work in the U.S after more than a month . Good luck to everyone!!

 

Hi @AA-H! Can you confirm that you had no issue returning to the US with the temporary green card stamp?

[AA-H 33]

1 hour ago, Nicadog said:

 

Hi @AA-H! Can you confirm that you had no issue returning to the US with the temporary green card stamp?

We had no issues at all. The border officer scanned our passports, asked about our destination, and then returned them to us. My kids already received their SS cards in the mail a week ago.

Good luck!

[mam521 2,062]

16 hours ago, Nicadog said:

My immigration lawyer told me today that once you activate your the temporary visa in your passport, you can't cross the border again until you receive your actual green card.

Fire your lawyer.  This is 100% incorrect.  Some people's greencards have taken months to arrive; others get theirs in days.  The endorsed, machine readable visa in your passport serves as a temporary greencard for up to a year and will allow you to get your SSN if you didn't already request one with your visa application.  

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs

[AnnaSalu 20]

There is someone in the tracker sheet by the ID "longtimelurker". I don't seem to be able to tag them here, but looks like they would have had their interview yesterday (Oct 21st). Would you be able to please share your experience and outcome if you see this?

[appleblossom 2,506]

16 hours ago, Nicadog said:

 

@Aaron_ Is it possible you could confirm where this info came from? My immigration lawyer told me today that once you activate your the temporary visa in your passport, you can't cross the border again until you receive your actual green card. Does anyone know that this is for sure incorrect? (Really hoping he's wrong!)

 

He's absolutely wrong, and it's unbelievable that a lawyer has said that! The I-551 is exactly the same as the plastic green card, it's just evidence of your permanent resident status. I travelled internationally twice before my plastic card arrived, my daughter lost her green card just after she got it (grrrr!) and is still travelling on her I-551 stamp with no issues at all. 

 

Point him in the direction of this webpage - https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/international-travel-as-a-permanent-resident

 

Or this one - https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs