Skip to main content

Did You Seek An Attorney?

Back in early summer while sitting at the pre-clearance facility, waiting to process my waiver application renewal, there sat next to me a gentleman who told me he had retained an attorney to compile his application. He seemed no more prepared (probably a little less) than I was for he discovered that he was missing certain documents.

There would seem to be as many attorney / immigration lawyer's offices offering I-192 waiver application assistance as there are online university degree programs. Just do a quick Google search and you'll see what I mean. I suspect many people don't understand just how simple it is to compile your own waiver application. So if you did retain an attorney:

  • What was the cost?
  • Why did you select this particular attorney?
  • Was it worth it?
  • Will you retain an attorney for your next waiver application?

As someone who is waiting for a decision on his second self-compiled waiver, I am in no way advocating people 'lawyer up', although there could be individual circumstances why this approach made sense for you.  I am merely interested in your feedback.


Comments

  1. For my first application I used the Canadian Legal Resource Centre in Calgary as I found the whole process (pardon and waiver) a little too daunting. With the knowledge I got from that first waiver (which ended up being a one year waiver) I've successfully re-applied three more times (one '1 year' and two 'three year' waivers). Their professional rate is something like $795. Once I knew the process I didn't want to keep incurring that cost.

    The only advantage I see in using a service like this is that they are on top of all the laws and the process. If the US ever starts making longer-term or permanent waivers available I wouldn't want to miss out on that because I wasn't submitting something slightly differently.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you have an I-194 waiver?

Thanks to those who participated in my recent poll "Do you have an I-194 waiver?". It turns out that of those who participated over half have applied or intend to for the I-194 waiver (Advance Permission to Enter as a Non-Immigrant). It is also interesting to note that the amount that have 1 year or 5 year waivers are very close (3 to 4). I had read somewhere that the waivers were granted as 1 year or 5 based on the degree or seriousness of the past offenses. If this is true, then wouldn't a person expect that if he/she were granted a 5 year waiver, he/she should always expect the 5 year waiver? I'd be happy to hear your comments and personal experiences on this. Update: See  I-192 Waiver Application Process

Changes to I-192 Waiver Application Process

There have been a few changes to the steps needed to apply for the I-194 (advance permission to enter the United States) after being denied entry at the US border. The changes below are in bold . Find your local fingerprint office (call to see if you need an appointment). Bring your passport, photo identification that shows your address (driver's licence for example) and approxiametly  $25 CDN (most places seem to accept debit / credit cards) . Cost is between $25 and approxiametly   $60 depending on whether the facility forwards your information electrically to the RCMP (if this is the case, skip step 2). Mail the C-216C form to the RCMP. Include a check for processing (approxiametly $25 CDN but call to confirm).  Wait up to 1-3 months for a reply... When you receive your completed C-216C from the RCMP ensure it includes the fingerprint chart with a date stamp and the documentation related to your conviction and disposition. Complete a personal statement...

I-194 waiver renewal - another 5 years!

Great news! Today in the mailbox, just 3 months and 2 weeks after submitting my I-192 application with a Saturday interview at the Ottawa pre-clearance facility, I received my renewal (my second 5 year I-194 waiver) . This second 5 year waiver once again allows me to travel to the US for business and pleasure (B1/B2) for a maximum period of stay as determined by the admitting officer (the CBP officer on entry) . Have waiver, will travel! See updated information about renewals:   I-194 waiver renewal recap