Montreal embassy EB-2 interview wait time-Part 2

[RMCS 1]

6 hours ago, Chris504 said:

Hi everyone I have been following for a while. I got IL today feb 28th. Interview date Apr 11.

DQ date March 06 2024

Visa category: EB2

Amazing! Congrats! 👏 great to hear that Montreal is now sending IL for DQ March 2024

[Canadian24 18]

15 hours ago, Chris504 said:

Hi everyone I have been following for a while. I got IL today feb 28th. Interview date Apr 11.

DQ date March 06 2024

Visa category: EB2

@Chris504  Congrats! Thanks for letting us know! Ouf! I thought they skipped this month. So good to hear. I added you to the Google spreadsheet (at the bottom as it's only what I have access to). What's your country of chargeability? Thanks!

[Mano17 3]

15 hours ago, Chris504 said:

Hi everyone I have been following for a while. I got IL today feb 28th. Interview date Apr 11.

DQ date March 06 2024

Visa category: EB2

Awesome Congratulations 👏 Good to see some movement there in Montreal.  Thanks for sharing the info.

[Chris504 8]

4 hours ago, Canadian24 said:

@Chris504  Congrats! Thanks for letting us know! Ouf! I thought they skipped this month. So good to hear. I added you to the Google spreadsheet (at the bottom as it's only what I have access to). What's your country of chargeability? Thanks!

Thank you, watching the timelines here has given me some sanity in the waiting period. So I thought I should share. COuntry of chargeability is Nigeria.

[LAB_BD 7]

I received my IL on 28th February.

Priority Date: Jun 01, 2021

DQ Date: March 15, 2014

Interview Date: April 24, 2025

[Canadian24 18]

38 minutes ago, LAB_BD said:

I received my IL on 28th February.

Priority Date: Jun 01, 2021

DQ Date: March 15, 2014

Interview Date: April 24, 2025

@LAB_BD Congrats!!!

[Mano17 3]

1 hour ago, LAB_BD said:

I received my IL on 28th February.

Priority Date: Jun 01, 2021

DQ Date: March 15, 2014

Interview Date: April 24, 2025

Congratulations 👏

[Nicadog 19]

Wondering if after activating US permanent residency at the border, if anyone has stayed outside the US for more than 6 months, but less than a year - and if there have been issues with that when you return to the US? I know you need a re-entry permit if you're absent for more than a year, but it seems like a grey area when it's between 6 months and a year? We're trying to save up some more money before making the move, but obviously don't want to compromise our status!

[Aaron_ 35]

5 hours ago, Nicadog said:

Wondering if after activating US permanent residency at the border, if anyone has stayed outside the US for more than 6 months, but less than a year - and if there have been issues with that when you return to the US? I know you need a re-entry permit if you're absent for more than a year, but it seems like a grey area when it's between 6 months and a year? We're trying to save up some more money before making the move, but obviously don't want to compromise our status!

In theory, I know that making multiple entries during the first year before actually relocating is not an issue as long as you don't stay outside the U.S. for more than six months. However, I would really like to hear about real experiences.

Thanks for bringing up this topic—I think it’s an important one

[monk_yatso 68]

13 hours ago, Nicadog said:

Wondering if after activating US permanent residency at the border, if anyone has stayed outside the US for more than 6 months, but less than a year - and if there have been issues with that when you return to the US? I know you need a re-entry permit if you're absent for more than a year, but it seems like a grey area when it's between 6 months and a year? We're trying to save up some more money before making the move, but obviously don't want to compromise our status!

Its truly a grey zone. My friends uncle keeps traveling to buffalo every now and then for around 12 months without taking i-131 permit. Sometimes Niagara immigration gives him tough time. He needs to explain his kids going to school, he has a small business in ontario and wrapping up everything will take few more months. 

[Aaron_ 35]

10 hours ago, monk_yatso said:

Its truly a grey zone. My friends uncle keeps traveling to buffalo every now and then for around 12 months without taking i-131 permit. Sometimes Niagara immigration gives him tough time. He needs to explain his kids going to school, he has a small business in ontario and wrapping up everything will take few more months. 

Right, it is definitely a grey zone. But one thing I know in theory is that as soon as you enter the U.S., your green card officially starts, and day one counts towards your U.S. citizenship application. However, if you stay longer than 6 months outside of the U.S., it can reset things, or at least complicate the situation for citizenship purposes.

[monk_yatso 68]

22 hours ago, Aaron_ said:

Right, it is definitely a grey zone. But one thing I know in theory is that as soon as you enter the U.S., your green card officially starts, and day one counts towards your U.S. citizenship application. However, if you stay longer than 6 months outside of the U.S., it can reset things, or at least complicate the situation for citizenship purposes.

Ya true. Also another fact is, if someone keeps traveling back and forth in their first year of landing, they should wait another year  before applying for citizenship to remain safe. GC is valid for 10 years and usually gets extended afterwards if requested and conditions are met. 

[Aaron_ 35]

1 hour ago, monk_yatso said:

Ya true. Also another fact is, if someone keeps traveling back and forth in their first year of landing, they should wait another year  before applying for citizenship to remain safe. GC is valid for 10 years and usually gets extended afterwards if requested and conditions are met. 

I'm not sure about that, but to my knowledge, as long as you keep your entries under 6 months, the citizenship process starts from your first entry date. However, if you stay outside the U.S. for more than 6 months, it could impact your continuous residency requirement.

[mam521 2,299]

On 3/4/2025 at 9:42 AM, Nicadog said:

Wondering if after activating US permanent residency at the border, if anyone has stayed outside the US for more than 6 months, but less than a year - and if there have been issues with that when you return to the US? I know you need a re-entry permit if you're absent for more than a year, but it seems like a grey area when it's between 6 months and a year? We're trying to save up some more money before making the move, but obviously don't want to compromise our status!

Wait until as close to the expiration as possible to activate if you have things to tie up.  Remember, as soon as you activate that greencard, you are subject to US taxes.  If you sell your Canadian home, the capital gains will be taxed from the US side.  Canadian investments like TFSA's are subject to taxation in the US.  It's in your best interest to speak with a cross border accountant to manage these things in advance of activating your greencard.  You may find the plan to save more actually negates itself.