Montreal Consulate EB-2 Interview Wait Time - Part 3

[EB5_lurker 12]

They did not asked too many Q's. Initial few questions were related towards family and spouse followed by couple of EB5 specific Q's like - source of funds, your project details and regional center information.

Overall interview lasted 5-10 minutes which included Oath, finger printing for all family members and small ice breaker conversation. Officer was cordial and very supportive.

Best of Luck to all EB5 folks. 

[kk_canada 4]

On 2/3/2026 at 9:46 PM, SAHK said:

Hello Guys,

Why our visas has annotation : 212(g)(2)(B).

What is that?

 

How many days did it take them to deliver your passports? As I understand it, your status changed to Issued on the same day. How many days later did you receive the tracking number from them and the actual delivery?

[kk_canada 4]

On 1/31/2026 at 8:52 PM, SAHK said:

Guys,

I am thinking to do landing by road on uber after getting my immigrant visa through BC  border area., and want to came back to Canada to finish my affairs here in Canada before my final move, please suggest, what is the smooth process?

Also, did you manage to do it this way? Did the CBP officers stamp your passport and confirm that you can enter the US with it for some time without having your green card yet?

[appleblossom 5,822]

2 hours ago, kk_canada said:

Did the CBP officers stamp your passport and confirm that you can enter the US with it for some time without having your green card yet?

 

As soon as you enter Canada on your immigrant visa you have a green card - the endorsed visa in your passport is a temporary green card until the plastic one turns up in the mail weeks/months later.

[kk_canada 4]

28 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

As soon as you enter Canada on your immigrant visa you have a green card - the endorsed visa in your passport is a temporary green card until the plastic one turns up in the mail weeks/months later.

I just can’t find a single official source where it would say that it is valid for re-entry into the United States. It says that it must be accepted by bank employees, employers, etc. but not a word about re-entry.
https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs
I don’t have a Canadian passport, and when the EB2 visa was issued the visitor visa in my passport was cancelled. So when I go to the airport to check in for a flight I won’t even have links to official sources to show the airline that I am allowed to enter the US.
People who have a Canadian passport probably won’t even be asked this question because they don’t need a visa to enter, but that is not my case.

Do you have any ideas which official sources could explicitly state that re-entry is allowed? All I see online are some articles on law firm websites that look like they were generated by ChatGPT

[appleblossom 5,822]

10 minutes ago, kk_canada said:

I just can’t find a single official source where it would say that it is valid for re-entry into the United States. It says that it must be accepted by bank employees, employers, etc. but not a word about re-entry.
https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs
I don’t have a Canadian passport, and when the EB2 visa was issued the visitor visa in my passport was cancelled. So when I go to the airport to check in for a flight I won’t even have links to official sources to show the airline that I am allowed to enter the US.
People who have a Canadian passport probably won’t even be asked this question because they don’t need a visa to enter, but that is not my case.

Do you have any ideas which official sources could explicitly state that re-entry is allowed? All I see online are some articles on law firm websites that look like they were generated by ChatGPT

 

The link you gave above tells you - "When a new immigrant first enters the U.S., U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will stamp the passport with an admission stamp that indicates the immigrant has permanent resident status"

 

My daughter entered multiple times on hers with no issues, airline staff are very used to them. 

 

[mam521 2,941]

16 minutes ago, kk_canada said:

I just can’t find a single official source where it would say that it is valid for re-entry into the United States. It says that it must be accepted by bank employees, employers, etc. but not a word about re-entry.
https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs
I don’t have a Canadian passport, and when the EB2 visa was issued the visitor visa in my passport was cancelled. So when I go to the airport to check in for a flight I won’t even have links to official sources to show the airline that I am allowed to enter the US.
People who have a Canadian passport probably won’t even be asked this question because they don’t need a visa to enter, but that is not my case.

Do you have any ideas which official sources could explicitly state that re-entry is allowed? All I see online are some articles on law firm websites that look like they were generated by ChatGPT

CBP can be challenging to deal with, but they do understand what a temporary greencard looks like and an endorsed I-551 IS 100% a temporary greencard.  

 

https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article1287?language=en_US

 

Temporary I-551

https://www.uscis.gov/save/current-user-agencies/commonly-used-immigration-documents

[kk_canada 4]

@mam521@appleblossomThank you for your answers. I will rely on them if there are any issues

[Salibason 0]

Hello Everyone.

 

This forum has been really helpful. I want to share my experience. PD is 3/14/2023. DQ in Nov 2024. I am from Nigeria, hence from a country on the banned list.

Got an interview letter on Jan 2nd. Interview date - Feb 11th. Got to the Consulate at 7.30 time of the interview. The requested document is everything from the checklist.

Ultimately, the Visa Officer gave me a rejection letter based on President Trump's proclamation. I did tell the Visa officer that I am in the process of getting a Canadian citizenship. He then gave me another letter to send my passport back to him once I am a Canadian citizen, and he will approve the visa. He mentioned a date that was six months after the medical. i.e. get your new passport back to me by this date. The Visa officer did mention that it was good that I came for the interview, as this is out of the way, and I don't need to come back. I know that there are a lot of folks in my situation. I thought it was important to share my experience.  

[SaveByGrace 0]

10 hours ago, Salibason said:

Hello Everyone.

 

This forum has been really helpful. I want to share my experience. PD is 3/14/2023. DQ in Nov 2024. I am from Nigeria, hence from a country on the banned list.

Got an interview letter on Jan 2nd. Interview date - Feb 11th. Got to the Consulate at 7.30 time of the interview. The requested document is everything from the checklist.

Ultimately, the Visa Officer gave me a rejection letter based on President Trump's proclamation. I did tell the Visa officer that I am in the process of getting a Canadian citizenship. He then gave me another letter to send my passport back to him once I am a Canadian citizen, and he will approve the visa. He mentioned a date that was six months after the medical. i.e. get your new passport back to me by this date. The Visa officer did mention that it was good that I came for the interview, as this is out of the way, and I don't need to come back. I know that there are a lot of folks in my situation. I thought it was important to share my experience.  

Hello Bro, thanks for your update and feedback. Just a quick question.

Did you get NIE?

What are the questions VO asked?

[kk_canada 4]

I activated my visa at the border. They no longer put the I-551 stamp in the passport. The visa itself now has the annotation SERVES AS TEMPORARY I-551 EVIDENCING PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR. Next to the visa, they place a regular small blue entry stamp with the date of entry, and that is sufficient for re-entering the border. That’s what the officer told me.

 

Also, a bit about my interview experience:

 

I applied under the EB-2 NIW category. I prepared and brought every possible document with me. I also prepared answers in my head for any possible questions and carefully reread my entire case. However, the officer who interviewed me did not ask anything except who I work as and what I do at my job. There were a few basic mandatory questions, some small talk, and he wished me good luck in the U.S. at my new place. He was very polite. Everyone at the consulate was very polite.

 

The stress that lasted 3 years is finally over.

 

Thank you to everyone who gave advice. This forum is a wonderful place.

 

[appleblossom 5,822]

5 minutes ago, kk_canada said:

They no longer put the I-551 stamp in the passport. The visa itself now has the annotation SERVES AS TEMPORARY I-551 EVIDENCING PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR. Next to the visa, they place a regular small blue entry stamp with the date of entry, and that is sufficient for re-entering the border.

That is the I-551 stamp, it’s not changed. 
 

Congrats on becoming a LPR of the US! 

[kk_canada 4]

3 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

That is the I-551 stamp, it’s not changed. 
 

Congrats on becoming a LPR of the US! 

Thank you! I probably misunderstood the officer, you are right

[appleblossom 5,822]

10 hours ago, kk_canada said:

Thank you! I probably misunderstood the officer, you are right

Please do remember to complete your timeline now you are a LPR. Thanks. 😊