I moved to Canada while waiting for my EB-2 NIW. Is that a problem?

Not necessarily. The EB-2 NIW evaluates the national merit of your work and does not require you to be physically present in the United States while your case is being reviewed. Therefore, having moved to Canada during the wait does not, by itself, invalidate your petition.

What truly matters is consistency: the information you have provided to the United States government must remain coherent throughout the process. Two points deserve particular attention:

• Properly communicating any change of address or country and keeping your documentation up to date.
• Preserving consistency regarding your intent to reside in the United States, which tends to be relevant in immigration proceedings.

Changes without clarity about your future plans may raise questions. Keeping organized records and a concrete plan to adjust your status at the right time helps avoid unfavorable interpretations.

In short, living in Canada during the wait is not automatically a problem, but the situation calls for care. Since each case is evaluated individually by USCIS, it is worth checking the updated guidelines and managing your documentation with the support of a specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.