A cleared payment is not an admission or residence decision. Plan around the actual remaining steps, instructions and immigration outcome rather than a bank transaction date.
Use reversible planning while the result is unresolved
Do not promise a fixed completion date from a receipt. Requests, eligibility review and visa availability can affect the sequence; the applicable immigration document and admission or adjustment process still matter.
The official FAQ currently says the process should take weeks after the application and processing fee are received, assuming timely submission of additional documents and fees. The processing fee is paid on application, the gift only after successful vetting, and residence follows immigrant processing in EB-1 or EB-2; no one should relocate or resign on the strength of an application alone. The Gold Card process seeks permanent residence through EB-1 or EB-2, while TN requires temporary intent, so an immigrant filing may affect the TN assessment even if the official Gold Card terms permit parallel processing. Re-verify the official steps before each payment, because a refund remedy cannot confer status or authorize work. Nobody legitimate needs a payment sent to a private account, an agent or a facilitation service in order to secure a place, and pressure to act before a deadline nobody can point to is a reason to stop rather than hurry.