Montreal embassy EB-2 interview wait time-Part 2

[appleblossom 3,792]

On 3/11/2025 at 2:57 PM, Drifto said:

😂 this is weird. I had my medical exam with him too. Could be some age restrictions? Or country of birth? ( I can think of only these reasons)

 

It is age based. My then 18 year old daughter had to have a urine test done, the rest of us didn’t. She was most miffed that they thought she was a potential druggie just based on her age! Can’t remember exactly but it’s something like 18-26’s have to have it done.

[Drifto 9]

3 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

It is age based. My then 18 year old daughter had to have a urine test done, the rest of us didn’t. She was most miffed that they thought she was a potential druggie just based on her age! Can’t remember exactly but it’s something like 18-26’s have to have it done.

That makes sense. I bet that must have been frustrating for her  

[WaitingEB-1AJan23 26]

On 3/11/2025 at 11:23 AM, WaitingEB-1AJan23 said:

I have a question about deeming non-resident in Canada for tax purposes. Our interview is at the end of March, and if everything goes well, we plan to 'land' at the end of May, after (hopefully) closing our house sale. I would need to continue working for my Canadian employer during the transition phase, likely until end of summer (online). 

I met with a cross-border accountant yesterday, and he recommended that in 2025 (our first year in the US), we would remain tax residents in Canada. He suggested we 'land' as late as possible, i.e. early September. He said it would be less complicated if we claim to become US tax residents starting Jan 2026 (and remain Canadian tax residents for 2025). He said this would give us more time to clear everything in Canada (bank accounts, investments...) He referred to a particular form (I think  Form 8938 for reporting specified foreign financial assets) that newcomers need to fill out for the IRS (this would include all the worldwide assets). He said this would be complicated if becoming a tax resident in the US in the middle of a calendar year. He explained the tax treaty, but I find it confusing that we may end up paying taxes in both the US and Canada during the first year! 

If you plan to 'land' this year, when will you submit Form 73 to the CRA? Form 73 is a form used to declare your departure from Canada for tax purposes. Or do you wait and only do your departure taxes in April 2026? My accountant suggested this; He said the CRA would take 8-12 months to process Form 73. 

Are you planning to have any Canadian work during the transition phase? If so, are you planning to submit Form NR5 to the CRA as well? Form NR5 is a form used to declare your non-residency status in Canada for tax purposes. 

What do you plan to do with OHIP - and how/when to launch the Health insurance in the US? 

I just spoke with another cross-border accountant, who clarified that I will automatically become a USA tax resident when I land! That’s what I had read and was hoping to. I need to give my employer 2 months’ notice. Not sure if I should do that after the interview or on the day of landing… I could work those final 2 months online!  I'm also wondering if we should ‘land’ with the moving truck? Has anyone done that - or did you move later? 

[WaitingEB-1AJan23 26]

On 3/11/2025 at 11:23 AM, WaitingEB-1AJan23 said:

I have a question about deeming non-resident in Canada for tax purposes. Our interview is at the end of March, and if everything goes well, we plan to 'land' at the end of May, after (hopefully) closing our house sale. I would need to continue working for my Canadian employer during the transition phase, likely until summer 2026 (online). 

I met with a cross-border accountant yesterday, and he recommended that in 2025 (our first year in the US), we would remain tax residents in Canada. He suggested we 'land' as late as possible, i.e. early September. He said it would be less complicated if we claim to become US tax residents starting Jan 2026 (and remain Canadian tax residents for 2025). He said this would give us more time to clear everything in Canada (bank accounts, investments...) He referred to a particular form (I think  Form 8938 for reporting specified foreign financial assets) that newcomers need to fill out for the IRS (this would include all the worldwide assets). He said this would be complicated if becoming a tax resident in the US in the middle of a calendar year. He explained the tax treaty, but I find it confusing that we may end up paying taxes in both the US and Canada during the first year! 

If you plan to 'land' this year, when will you submit Form 73 to the CRA? Form 73 is a form used to declare your departure from Canada for tax purposes. Or do you wait and only do your departure taxes in April 2026? My accountant suggested this; He said the CRA would take 8-12 months to process Form 73. 

Are you planning to have any Canadian work during the transition phase? If so, are you planning to submit Form NR5 to the CRA as well? Form NR5 is a form used to declare your non-residency status in Canada for tax purposes. 

What do you plan to do with OHIP - and how/when to launchHealth insurance in the US? 

 

… I noticed a typo in my post. I meant to write that I may need to continue working for my Canadian employer until the end of summer 2025 (not summer 2026) 😂 So, that accountant’s advice does not make any sense! 

[Magnetron_ 25]

A brief update from my side:

• We crossed the border into Vermont, USA, on February 20, 2025, and returned to Canada on February 23, 2025.
• We received our SSN on March 7, 2025.
• Our Green Card arrived on March 17, 2025.

We hope to make the final move before the end of the year. In the meantime, we are actively applying for opportunities in the USA.

Thank you all for your support and valuable information. Wishing everyone the best!

[visajournie 1]

My PD is current (Jun 9, 2023, ROW), and my case was DQ in Jan 2024. The current status is "At NVC"; how long do they typically take to forward my case to the consulate in Montreal. Should I expect the interview letter soon?

[monk_yatso 70]

8 hours ago, visajournie said:

My PD is current (Jun 9, 2023, ROW), and my case was DQ in Jan 2024. The current status is "At NVC"; how long do they typically take to forward my case to the consulate in Montreal. Should I expect the interview letter soon?

You were supposed to receive IL long before if PD current. If your PD just became current, then you’ll receive IL in nxt round. Probably end of march-2025 or beginning of April

On 3/18/2025 at 5:07 PM, Magnetron_ said:

A brief update from my side:

• We crossed the border into Vermont, USA, on February 20, 2025, and returned to Canada on February 23, 2025.
• We received our SSN on March 7, 2025.
• Our Green Card arrived on March 17, 2025.

We hope to make the final move before the end of the year. In the meantime, we are actively applying for opportunities in the USA.

Thank you all for your support and valuable information. Wishing everyone the best!

Congrats! @Magnetron_

Did you carry anything else apart from passports and the packages? 

[Magnetron_ 25]

10 hours ago, monk_yatso said:

You were supposed to receive IL long before if PD current. If your PD just became current, then you’ll receive IL in nxt round. Probably end of march-2025 or beginning of April

Congrats! @Magnetron_

Did you carry anything else apart from passports and the packages? 

@monk_yatso We only carried a few extra items we needed for the weekend. At the border crossing, they checked our passports and packages. The officers double-checked the medical records in the package to ensure everything was in order and then congratulated us

[Magnetron_ 25]

18 hours ago, visajournie said:

My PD is current (Jun 9, 2023, ROW), and my case was DQ in Jan 2024. The current status is "At NVC"; how long do they typically take to forward my case to the consulate in Montreal. Should I expect the interview letter soon?

@visajournie According to the upcoming April bulletin update, the new priority date is 22JUN23. Which means you’ll be current soon and might likely get your IL next month or latest in May if the consulate continue working at the current pace. The current DQ being interviewed at Montreal is March 2024.

[visajournie 1]

10 hours ago, monk_yatso said:

You were supposed to receive IL long before if PD current. If your PD just became current, then you’ll receive IL in nxt round. Probably end of march-2025 or beginning of April

Congrats! @Magnetron_

Did you carry anything else apart from passports and the packages? 

 

As of now, the status shows that it is still at NVC. Hope they will forward to the consulate in Montreal soon.

 

If I want to reschedule the interview appointment via the appointment portal, can I pick a new date before cancelling the initial one? I've read somewhere that you wouldn't see new available appointment dates until after you cancel the initial one, and the new dates can be years after. Anyone recently rescheduled their IV interview appointment at Mtl consulate?

[Drifto 9]

Hi all,

 

Yesterday we had our visa interview and the overall experience was similar to what most applicants go through. Everything went pretty smooth and both officers, the one who collected our documents and the one who did the interview were very friendly.

During the interview, the officer asked for our updated resumes. At the end, she informed us that our case needs administrative processing and asked us to fill out the DS-5535 form which I assume is because of my country of birth.

She also mentioned that for NIW cases, they usually expedite AP but I doubt about that. I’m not sure what is the average wait time for AP now, but it seems like we will have to wait longer.

 

[God Is Good CA 5]

@DriftoHave they explained why you are in AP? If they are keeping your passport, it should be fast, however if you brought it back, it may take 1˜2 years, or even more... They used to say the reason for AP. Requesting for resume is not a usual ask... What's your field of work? Do you need license to work in US?

[Drifto 9]

20 hours ago, RMCS said:

@DriftoHave they explained why you are in AP? If they are keeping your passport, it should be fast, however if you brought it back, it may take 1˜2 years, or even more... They used to say the reason for AP. Requesting for resume is not a usual ask... What's your field of work? Do you need license to work in US?

No, not really! She just asked for our updated resumes and we gave her them. Then she asked if we had filled out the DS-5535 form before or not. I know some applicants in this forum have received an email before their interview containing this form, but we didn't. When we said no we didn't, she said I am going to put your case in AP and you have to fill this form. She returned our passports and original documents.
I have read a little bit since Friday and you are right, it takes 1-2 years for AP which is frustrating. 
About your last question, my husband was the main applicant and no he doesn't need a license to work in the US. His field is basically computer engineering. 

[God Is Good CA 5]

2 hours ago, Drifto said:

No, not really! She just asked for our updated resumes and we gave her them. Then she asked if we had filled out the DS-5535 form before or not. I know some applicants in this forum have received an email before their interview containing this form, but we didn't. When we said no we didn't, she said I am going to put your case in AP and you have to fill this form. She returned our passports and original documents.
I have read a little bit since Friday and you are right, it takes 1-2 years for AP which is frustrating. 
About your last question, my husband was the main applicant and no he doesn't need a license to work in the US. His field is basically computer engineering. 

really sorry about this… I found this page and mention about possible reasons. I believe the most common os Country and people’s name. Are you from any of these countries?

 

https://en.usvisaservice.de/us-visa-application/form-collection/ds-5535/

 

[Drifto 9]

2 minutes ago, RMCS said:

really sorry about this… I found this page and mention about possible reasons. I believe the most common os Country and people’s name. Are you from any of these countries?

 

https://en.usvisaservice.de/us-visa-application/form-collection/ds-5535/

 

Thank you! Yes, we are both from Iran which I suppose is the main reason.