Montreal Consulate EB-2 Interview Wait Time - Part 3

[SAHK 12]

they are suspending IVs for 75 countries:

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-suspend-visa-processing-75-nations-next-week-fox-news-reports-2026-01-14/

 

I am dual citizen of Pakistan and Canada, will that apply on me?

[kk_canada 3]

Just now, SAHK said:

they are suspending IVs for 75 countries:

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-suspend-visa-processing-75-nations-next-week-fox-news-reports-2026-01-14/

 

I am dual citizen of Pakistan and Canada, will that apply on me?

They didn't release the full text yet. We need to wait and see

[SAHK 12]

5 hours ago, kk_canada said:

They didn't release the full text yet. We need to wait and see

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html

Immigrant Visa Processing Updates for Nationalities at High Risk of Public Benefits Usage

Last Updated: January 14, 2026

 

President Trump has made clear that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not be a financial burden to Americans.  The Department of State is undergoing a full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge.

Effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State is pausing all visa issuances to immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of the following countries:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen 

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my immigrant visa interview appointment?
Immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of affected countries may submit visa applications and attend interviews, and the Department will continue to schedule applicants for appointments, but no immigrant visas will be issued to these nationals during this pause.  

Are there any exceptions?
Dual nationals applying with a valid passport of a country that is not listed above are exempt from this pause.  

Does this affect my current valid visa?
No immigrant visas have been revoked as part of this guidance.  For questions regarding admission to the United States, we refer you to DHS.

Does this apply to tourist visas?
No, this pause is specifically for immigrant visa applicants. Tourist visas are nonimmigrant visas.

 

 

IT'S GOOD, DUAL CITIZENS ARE SAFE!!!

[appleblossom 5,689]

1 hour ago, SAHK said:

IT'S GOOD, DUAL CITIZENS ARE SAFE!!!

 

That is good news. Probably it will mean dual citizens that are citizens of one of the countries on that list will be face AP, but as a citizen of Pakistan that was pretty much guaranteed for you anyway so hopefully this will have no impact on your case.

 

 

[SAHK 12]

On 1/14/2026 at 5:14 PM, appleblossom said:

 

That is good news. Probably it will mean dual citizens that are citizens of one of the countries on that list will be face AP, but as a citizen of Pakistan that was pretty much guaranteed for you anyway so hopefully this will have no impact on your case.

 

 

So you mean that even if being Canadian and exempt from pause; I will be placed in the AP because of Pakistani origin? So what is the point of exemption?

[appleblossom 5,689]

On 1/17/2026 at 8:57 PM, SAHK said:

So you mean that even if being Canadian and exempt from pause; I will be placed in the AP because of Pakistani origin? So what is the point of exemption?

Highly likely yes, particularly if you’re male. That’s always been the case. 
 

AP just means your visa issuable is delayed whilst additional checks are done. It doesn’t mean you won’t get a visa at all. 

Edited yesterday at 11:57 AM by appleblossom

[SAHK 12]

6 hours ago, appleblossom said:

Highly likely yes, particularly if you’re male. That’s always been the case. 
 

AP just means your visa issuable is delayed whilst additional checks are done. It doesn’t mean you won’t get a visa at all. 

Thanks for the response!

 

Please let me know, should we keep our Canadian citizenship certificate as well along with the valid Canadian Passport for the interview to claim exemption?

[Sun87 3]

Dear members, I have a Consular Interview for my EB2 case next week at Montreal Consulate. I just realized that I don't my have my Original Approved I 140. I only have a scanned copy of Approved I 140 that was shared by attorney in 2014. 

My question is, will the copy of approved I 140 be acceptable at the Interview?  I can ask my lawyer, but I doubt he will have the Original Copy since he changed 3 law firms in the meantime. 

Edited 9 hours ago by Sun87

[appleblossom 5,689]

6 hours ago, Sun87 said:

Dear members, I have a Consular Interview for my EB2 case next week at Montreal Consulate. I just realized that I don't my have my Original Approved I 140. I only have a scanned copy of Approved I 140 that was shared by attorney in 2014. 

My question is, will the copy of approved I 140 be acceptable at the Interview?  I can ask my lawyer, but I doubt he will have the Original Copy since he changed 3 law firms in the meantime. 

Why do you think you need it? It’s not on the list of required documents. Mine was an EB1 interview but I wasn’t asked for it. 
 

Take a copy just in case but it shouldn’t be needed. 
 

18 hours ago, SAHK said:

Thanks for the response!

 

Please let me know, should we keep our Canadian citizenship certificate as well along with the valid Canadian Passport for the interview to claim exemption?

I would take both just in case. Good luck. 

Edited 3 hours ago by appleblossom

[Sun87 3]

Thanks for the reply. I just some posts here that mention about keeping the Original I 140 for the Consular Interview. 

 

[Sun87 3]

2 hours ago, appleblossom said:

Why do you think you need it? It’s not on the list of required documents. Mine was an EB1 interview but I wasn’t asked for it. 
 

Take a copy just in case but it shouldn’t be needed. 
 

I would take both just in case. Good luck. 

Thanks for the reply. I saw some posts here that mentioned keeping the Original I 140 for Consular Interview.