It's been a while since my last update.
I've got less than a year on my current I-194 waiver (expires next November) and I'll be documenting my experience in obtaining a renewal. I plan to start the process again in late January (11 months should be more than enough time, right?).
Got Pardon? I don't. I'm still waiting on the pardon that I applied for through Pardons Canada back last March. I've not be on top of them to do so, but their lack of updates has not impressed me much. I can just hope that they are making good progress (note to self: follow up with Pardons Canada). The main reason why I chose to go with them in the first place was so that I could free myself from the paperwork, bureaucracy, etc. To have to chase after them for updates washes that reason away just a little.
Thanks to those who have been keeping the comments alive. I've seen some good discussions about wait times and other irregulaties. Don't forget you can always subscribe to the comments feed.
I've got less than a year on my current I-194 waiver (expires next November) and I'll be documenting my experience in obtaining a renewal. I plan to start the process again in late January (11 months should be more than enough time, right?).
Got Pardon? I don't. I'm still waiting on the pardon that I applied for through Pardons Canada back last March. I've not be on top of them to do so, but their lack of updates has not impressed me much. I can just hope that they are making good progress (note to self: follow up with Pardons Canada). The main reason why I chose to go with them in the first place was so that I could free myself from the paperwork, bureaucracy, etc. To have to chase after them for updates washes that reason away just a little.
Thanks to those who have been keeping the comments alive. I've seen some good discussions about wait times and other irregulaties. Don't forget you can always subscribe to the comments feed.
I just submitted my waiver application a couple of days ago. My current waiver expires at the beginning of June next year. I've left it a little longer than with previous applications but I found the last one did not take as long to process as previous ones.
ReplyDeleteA couple things I've noticed.
1) The fee went up on November 24th of this year to $585 USD. (Missed cheaper rate by about a week).
2) The US government website that outlines the requirements seems to make it sound like you do not need 4 copies of the G-325A and 2 copies of the I-192 anymore and only require one of each. I tried to confirm this with US preclearance here in Halifax but they could not confirm that was correct so to be safe I submitted 4 G-325As and 2 I-192s like before.
I've received 3 updates from Pardons Canada and it has almost been 2 years since I filed with them.
ReplyDeleteI still don't know if the pardon process has been completed or not and getting a reply from them is like winning the lottery.
I just renewed my I-194 this past summer as it expires Feb 2011. The processing time was about 4 months, less than the 6 months I had expected. I just received another 5 year I-194. The only negative I can see with submitting your application 11 months early, is that when they issue the next I-194 to you it expires 5 years from date of issue, not 5 years from when your previous I-194 expires. So it's conceivable that you may have 6 months of overlap on your I-194's. I know I felt a bit jipped with 2.5 months of overlap.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Hi Eric.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on getting your I-I94. I was at the Peace Arch crossing to submit my forms. I thought I had everything, but they would not accept my application. They said I did not have enough Affidavits, but they would not explain what they meant. The only affidavit I included was my explanation of the crime and the sentence. Do you know what they are referring to?
I included the court documents relating to my case. My situation is a bit different as I took someone across the border claiming they were Canadian in the pre-passport days. I gave them any documents relating to the case and that seemed to be enough for them. I went to the truck crossing to file my renewal.
ReplyDeleteHow do i obtain a certified criminal record check with a pardon? It clearly states in the how to obtain pardoned crim record check for a waiver that you need to use the Privacy act form and c216c. It clearly states on the privacy act website that using the privacy act will not result in getting a certified copy. Homeland Security requires a certified copy...what do i do ?Going to reapply as mine(5)year expires in Dec 2011. Previously did not have a pardon.
ReplyDelete'Highwayman' can apply at any Corps of Commissionaires office and receive, quite quickly, a copy of his certied criminal record check. They do it electronically which really speeds it up.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise you have to do the 'slow' process via a local police force.
Just received my 3rd Waiver
ReplyDeleteGot another 5 year. Time waiting was 3months and 1week.
Highly recommend the Commisionaires fingerprint service. great service and advice.
Also highly recommend you get the waiver package from a port of entry. The one at the Calgary airport is excellent. Follow it to a tee. If you are missing anything, they will not accept your application. The online package at US Border and Customs is not complete and will not be accepted.
The quick turn around is encouraging, I am am applying for my first renewal and have heard that 3 years is the standard. This does not appear to be the case from what I have read here.
ReplyDeleteHave submitted at Pearson Airport in Toronto on September 1, 2010. Now almost six months...does anyone have an update on what the current initial processing time is? Oddly enough no information on that anywhere!
ReplyDeletewaivers received from consular posts: 30 days processing time, from the time forwarded from the post (consulate processing times unknown).
ReplyDelete■Waivers for Canadian citizens: 90-120 days from the time of the initial filing; 75-90 days for subsequent filings.
A foreign citizen seeking admission to the U.S. as a non-immigrant (e.g. TN, H-1B, L-1 visa status), may file an I-192 waiver application in order to enter the U.S. despite being subject to one of the inadmissibility grounds listed in INA § 212 (a).
See AILA National CBP Liaison Meeting (March 25, 2010), AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10072870. (Posted 07/28/10).
Update on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 11:12AM by Brian D. Zuccaro, Esq.
Please note that these are approximate processing times. Our office has received reports of I-192 waiver application processing taking up to 6 months or more (even for renewals). In fact, U.S. Customs and Border Protection's web page on I-192 Waivers now states that a full review can take up to 6 months or longer.
I've applied for my I-192renewal on Dec 08, 2010 at Champlan,NY.I received the following response, to my status inquiry.
ReplyDelete"Your application was received and is being processed. Due to the individual circumstances of each waiver application, there is not a set timeframe to give as to when an application decision will be completed".
I'm not sure how long the renewal process take.
With regards to timeframe for waivers...applied for my waiver at Pearson airport in Toronto on September 1, 2010.
ReplyDeleteJust received it in the mail.
Approximately 9 months of waiting.
I've recieved my second waiver today by mail.It was approved on Apr 18, 2011 and is valid for three years from the date of approval.Total processing time is over four and half months.
ReplyDeleteI am so greatful for maintaining this blog, without this blog it wouldnot have been possible to apply on my own.
Thank you all for sharing your experiences.
Best wishes to All the members.
I have applied for my first US Entry Waiver and submitted the paperwork and payment at the CBP office at the Edmonton Airport, on May 30th 2011. Does anyone know how long it takes to actually receive the waiver?
ReplyDeleteHi, I am just starting the process of application for a US Waiver I-192. Do I have to submit 2 letters from reputable members of the community and a letter from my employer? I did not see anyone mentioning this in your checklist.
ReplyDeleteIn 2009 I entered the usa on a student visa when I went to go visit family may 2011 in canada and crossed the border to return back the the usa I got stoped they checked my criminal record and found out that I had been charged with fraud of writing a back check and told me I could not return back to school or the usa until I get a usa waiver. I finally was able to apply for my waiver in january of 2012. It has been a long time and I am wondering if anyone knows how long this process takes. I have heard 3-12 months or more. All I want to do is return back to school and finish my education.
ReplyDeleteI say do not expect anything earlier than 9 months... just my 2 cents from what I have been reading. Especially for a new application. It seems renewals are faster.
ReplyDeleteI am now in month 4 and waiting...
hth
Actually I would like to follow up on this since I just received my 1 year waiver today. It is my first one... so confirms the fact that the initial one is usually granted for a 1 year period.
ReplyDeleteApplied for it in november 2011 and received approval now in April 2012.
It was not for criminal record offense in my case but for a previous overstay.
HTH
One of the companies offering waiver and pardon services states this on their website;
ReplyDeleteWhen you apply for a waiver, this guarantees you the right to the same treatment s any other border crosser who is not inadmissible. You can even apply for a FAST or NEXUS card with a US Entry Waiver.
I'm not convinced this is true, anyone else?
Not True.
ReplyDeleteJust another scam from one of the Waiver/Pardon companies.
Do the job yourself. It's not difficult & it will save you money & grief.
US waivers and visas in a timely and efficient manner, so they can move on to live fulfilling, productive lives.
ReplyDeleteUS Waiver Form Canada
When I was 16 was charged with possession of marijuana and took the advise of court appointed lawyer pleaded guilt. I got a slap on the hand and tried to put i past me. Fast Forward 26 years later after annual trips to various US destination, I was denied entry into the US, permeability flagged and now I have to go through this stupid money grabbing waiver process. Anyway i am a busy guy and do not have patience for government forms and such so I was thinking of getting a company to do the work for me, plus I figure they do it all the time so there is less chance of it being wrong and they would counsel me along the way. My questions is which company is the most reputable and what can I expect to pay. I am also going to get apply for Pardon at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThanks in advance
In response to Anonymous, August 20, 2013 at 3:51 p.m.: I too committed my crime 32 years ago, when I was 16. I sold paper and ink to a cop and said it was narcotics, and so I was charged under the criminal code as if it "were" narcotics (again, paper and ink). Fast forward; the very same thing happened to me...routine trip to the U.S., and bam...I've been embroiled in this effing money grab and red tape procedure ever since. Every time my 6-month I-94 expires, I have to trek to the airport and hand it in, and then go through the whole humiliating experience of getting another one, all over again. I even have a pardon now, but it doesn't matter; the U.S. government does not recognize a Canadian pardon. Or at least that's my understanding. Do I have any hope of EVER getting out from under the thumb of this horrendous process?
ReplyDeleteI have been applying for these since 1995 and you will keep applying for them. The last time i crossed the CPB officer told me they will never make a permanent waiver as they will keep taking your money. I get 5 year waivers. not sure why you only get 6 month ones.
Delete