Montreal Consulate EB-2 Interview Wait Time - Part 3

[appleblossom 5,651]

4 minutes ago, mmountain said:

Can someone please confirm whether the CEAC Visa Status Check (link below) displays your information after you first register the visa appointment and then enter the details and click Submit, or only after the Visa appointment has taken place?

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

 

It should display it much earlier than that, from when it's at NVC. 

[mmountain 7]

1 hour ago, appleblossom said:

 

It should display it much earlier than that, from when it's at NVC. 

This has been working - 
https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx

This one gives the message I sent earlier -
https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

[appleblossom 5,651]

21 minutes ago, mmountain said:
This one gives the message I sent earlier -
https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

Right, and it gives the status much earlier than the interview stage. 
 

Maybe I’m misunderstanding your question. 

[mmountain 7]

10 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

Maybe I’m misunderstanding your question. 

I think you got it right. I just wanted to make sure that both are ceac website only one displays our records.

[SAHK 10]

2 hours ago, appleblossom said:

 

Might just be a glitch. What stage are you at?

Medical done, waiting for Interview

[kk_canada 2]

I just had a call with my lawyer and asked her whether, after receiving the visa, I can enter the US to activate the green card, then return to Canada to finish my affairs, and later enter the US again using the stamp in my passport. She questioned this approach. She said that the officer might not let me back into the US. I am her only client from Canada. All her other clients are from Europe, and she simply has no experience with re entering the US in such a situation.

AI suggests that the I-551 stamp that will be placed in the passport upon entry is a temporary green card that can be used to enter the US until the physical card is received.

Is that correct? Can I safely enter the US to activate the visa, open a bank account, obtain an SSN, and then return to Canada for two months to finish my affairs?

[Crazy Cat 46,019]

7 minutes ago, kk_canada said:

Can I safely enter the US to activate the visa, open a bank account, obtain an SSN, and then return to Canada for two months to finish my affairs?

Yes.  Your endorsed visa inside your passport will act as a Green card for up to a year.   Your actions of opening a bank account, etc. show intent to reside in the US, imo.

[Lunguboy 3]

Massive jump in the IV scheduling status from October 2024 to September 2025

[appleblossom 5,651]

22 minutes ago, kk_canada said:

I just had a call with my lawyer and asked her whether, after receiving the visa, I can enter the US to activate the green card, then return to Canada to finish my affairs, and later enter the US again using the stamp in my passport. She questioned this approach. She said that the officer might not let me back into the US. I am her only client from Canada. All her other clients are from Europe, and she simply has no experience with re entering the US in such a situation.

AI suggests that the I-551 stamp that will be placed in the passport upon entry is a temporary green card that can be used to enter the US until the physical card is received.

Is that correct? Can I safely enter the US to activate the visa, open a bank account, obtain an SSN, and then return to Canada for two months to finish my affairs?

 

She's wrong, it's no different just because you're from Canada. The only thing to be aware of is from a tax point of view i.e. if you had a house to sell in Canada after becoming a US LPR (and therefore liable to US tax).

[appleblossom 5,651]

1 hour ago, SAHK said:

Medical done, waiting for Interview

 

Sounds like a glitch then, particularly if it's happening for others too. Try again tomorrow and hopefully it will work.

[Saphrin 8]

Does anyone know how to upload new documents into CEAC? We got an update and reprint on one of our civil documents and I wanted to upload it before the interview. When I log into CEAC, I don't see an 'upload' option anywhere. Just confirmation that the NVC fee was 'Paid'. 

[mmountain 7]

On 12/2/2025 at 2:40 PM, SAHK said:

I am consistently having problem with registration of appointment; as it's always busy, did anyone has resolved the issue like that?

 

 

 

 

For future reference: Some of us encountered this error. After contacting support via the website email, it worked for several people and led to good progress. Support was able to complete the scheduling step on their end. This is the step where the “System is busy” error appears.

 

 

 

[mam521 2,828]

21 hours ago, kk_canada said:

I can enter the US to activate the green card, then return to Canada to finish my affairs

You can, but remember that you officially become a permanent resident of the US at time of endorsement.  This will impact income taxes and potentially have impacts on Canadian social benefits.  It's best to consult with a well versed cross border accountant.  

 

If you think you'll clear up your affairs before the expiration of your visa, then plan to tie up loose ends and make the move before that expiration.  No need to endorse just because.