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
Great news! I am just in the process of applying for my second waiver even though my first one was issued only last month. Unfortunately it is for just one year and it took longer than that to finally get. I'd like to have uninterrupted travel so I'm getting any early start on the second one.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to ask you about a comment I read in an earlier post. I understand that sometimes CBP would stamp the I-94 with multiple entry. Do they still do this and does it mean you can avoid all the rigmarole if you leave the US and enter again before the I-94 expires?
How soon I can apply for my first waiver?
DeleteSo am I. On my initial waiver which I am using now, valid for 1 year, I will definitely submit renewal app around 6 months before expiry just to be sure. My waiver took 3 months and 4 days the first time, which I gather is not bad (and I did everything myself). The longest time period for waiting was not the ARO approval, but ironically it was the fingerprints from the RCMP which took TEN MONTHS to receive back with my C-216.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question Exiled, is yes, they still issue the I-94s for multiple entries good for 6 months. When that is up you can hand it in and get another one for 6 months, and so on. It costs $6.00 U.S. per card but it is stapled into your passport, stamped and you're good to go.
Hey guys
ReplyDeleteI would like to add here a "little" important thing that happened to me so you guys are all aware and better prepared for this... as I found this site to be so useful and I want to help others as well if I can.
Since you were discussing i-94s.
First off my particular case was a previous overstay which "gifted" me with a 10 year ban, so no criminal record in my case. But the i-192 application is the same thing.
So from previous experience so far I would recommend you all to get your password stamped EVERY time you re-enter Canada as that is the ultimate proof that you returned back in the country before the i-94 expired. Which as you well know you leave at the canadians on the way back.
Because while on most border crossing points I never had issues, there is one at Champlain QC (towards Plattsburgh NY) which is manned by a gang of ultimate assholes who do their best to create problems for you. Case in point... and I had this happen to me twice already so it is NOT a coincidence anymore, I arrived there with a valid 6 months i-94 stamped into my password (given by some agents from Vermont) only to be invited inside for secondary inspection and there surprise surprise my i-94 was no longer in my password. So the asshole at the first booth removed it. And it was pathetic when I told them hey I have 3 other people with me in my car which saw my i-94 in my passport 5 minutes ago.
And of course they say so why is it no longer here? How can you show us you indeed left US before the i94 expired?
Well you show them by having that Canada enter stamp I mentioned above. This got me out of trouble actually.
So ever since I ask the canadian border agent to stamp my passport every time I come back just for some good measure.
I hope this will help others stay out of trouble as well.
Take care,
R.
p.s. from now on what I plan on doing is tell them when I get there: hello officee here is my password with a valid i-94 in it alongside my waver and I hand them both my password and the waiver letter.
They are real jerks at that crossing so be careful.
Thank you for your replies, I found out first hand today. I crossed into the US using my brand new I-194 and was issued an I-94 for 6 months multiple entry. Happy trails.
ReplyDeleteExiled
Thank you for the info. It sounds pretty user friendly. I guess I’ll pick one up for fun. thank u
ReplyDeleteForm Processing Services
Congrats Exiled,
ReplyDeleteI also am in Ottawa and am starting to prepare my I-192 application.
I have a couple of quick questions;
1. Since you have to attaché your court documents anyways, how much detail do they expect you to get into under question #12-I believe that I may be inadmissible to the US because...
2. Question #7. Desired Port of entry... I would like to put two, one by land and one by Air. Is this acceptable? What do other people do?
3. Question #9. Proposed date of entry... I don't have a planned date yet for either pleasure or business so what should I put down?
and finally..!
4. I live in Ottawa but my court records are in London, Ontario. How would I go about getting a copy of my case?
Many thanks in advance and thank you for this great information!
I've had waivers since around 1999 so have a bit of experience with this. Back then you never had to go in for secondary inspection. You'd just show it to the CBP officer, they'd read it, and you'd carry on like normal. This new system of having to go in every 6 months is just annoying more so because my poor family ends up having to come in and wait for usually 45 minutes to an hour to get through the line up (Vancouver area border crossing).
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the I-94 they staple into your passport; I had actually no idea I was supposed to hand that in at some point (didn't read the back of it nor the first time I received one was told anything about it!) and on one occasion the US border guard gave me a very hard time about it. I didn't defend myself and just told him I honestly didn't know and he calmed down and got me through. I'd like to be able to keep those cards for 6 months in case I go down again, but I also don't want to have to make a special trip to drop it off in the event I don't go back, so the "getting a Canadian stamp on the way back in" is interesting to me!
I think you have to wait 15 years since the time of the incident before they'll consider you for a waiver (you can claim hardship with a good reason). In that case, you're better to wait until you get your Canadian pardon and never divulge your criminal record to the US so you never have to go through this. I wish I had just done that as the hassle every 5 years along with the secondary inspections just isn't worth getting in a little bit earlier (unless you just have to!)
I'm hoping at some point the US will change and allow people with one single incident to somehow clear their name so things like NEXUS would be available. again, the whole family has NEXUS except me which makes short trips to the states, extra annoying and those US border towns love us shopping down there!
The US does not recognize Canadian pardons. Please trust me. I have had a card since 1995
Deletegood day. I see most of. you have easy cases. has any one here or know of anyone with multiple criminal charges get through or have a hard time ? I thouht it was a five year wait after charges are cleared. since when is it 15 years
ReplyDeleteAre the typical/average processing times still 3-5 months? I applied January 15th. 2013
ReplyDeleteI applied on Jan 30th, 2016 and I got my 5 year waive on June 16th. This was the first time I applied - completed the application myself and submitted to Toronto Pearson.
DeleteI just got my 1-194 in the mail 13 months to the day. It was my first waiver application.
ReplyDeleteWow...that's long!
ReplyDeleteI just got approved and got my I-194 in the mail. What do I do next? Do I just buy a plane ticket and show the letter to the CBP Officer?
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming that's all you would do! You have the letter that shows you are legit to enter....How long did it take you to receive?
ReplyDeleteIt took about 9 months
ReplyDeleteChanges in Canadian laws and U.S. Homeland Security practices have made taking care of these tasks even more daunting and confusing than in years past. At Canada Pardon & US Waiver Experts, we take all the stress out of obtaining a Canadian pardon or a U.S
ReplyDeleteUS Waivers For Canadians
Chris, I'm sorry I didn't answer your questions, I haven't been back to this site in a while. I hope you found the answers you were looking for.
ReplyDeleteI have just received my second waiver good for 5 years. It didn't take long, only 4 1/2 months from the day I dropped it off. My first app took 13 months from the day I found out I was inadmissible, 10 months from application date. I hope this is what I can expect 5 years from now.
Chris, if you still need some answers drop me a note at exiledfromus@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteCheers
I have a question....I have a 5 year waiver and the first time I crossed I had to get that extra slip that was good for six months. I dropped it off within th six months. I am travelling to the us again. Do I need to get this i94 before I cross plan to cross or can I get it when I am crossing. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWhen you will cross border or fly they will staple in your passport for another 6 months and you have to pay $6 fee.
ReplyDeleteHi, I applied over a year ago and still have not receive my waiver. Does anyone who what I should do to follow up? Is there a number to call? I tried inquiring with ARO email and get a basic reply from them. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIs there a step by step anywhere on this site that tells you exactly how to apply for a waiver? If there is I haven't stumbled on it. I would appreciate any help as this whole process seems daunting to me. Please email at kmccoy@cogeco.ca if anyone can send me a guideline as to what to do.
ReplyDeletegreetings, I'm a middle age man with a stable career. I have done things in the past (over 10 years ago), than let say not proud of, for mainly fraud under $5000, forgery etc...(aka bad cheques) I have NOT been pardoned. Due to work and for leisure, I do wish to travel to the U.S. With this say, I know I am not eligible to enter the country currently. On my way back from the Bahamas last year, I was briefly detained at Philadelphia airport when our direct flight to Toronto had to do an emergency landing and unscheduled stop in Phillie. At the customs, they did see my previous Canadian records, and told me I was ineligible to enter, but still let me in briefly so I can catch my other flight back to Canada.
ReplyDeletewith this say, I would like to know my chances to get the waiver based on my current criminal records( all sentences, judgement done over 10 years ago)I was told that I do not need a pardon at this time, and even with a pardon, still would not grant be access to the U.S. anyway, so I decided that if my chances are pretty good, to go for the waiver first, and than later on start the process on the pardon. I live in the Mississauga, ON area, so anyone from that area that dealt with a professional company with reasonable fees, I would like to hear from.
I am writing in response to 'anonymous' comments about his / her inability to get a Nexus card. Have you tried to apply for a Nexus card. You can read me comments regarding this on
ReplyDeletehttp://uswaiver.blogspot.ca/search?updated-max=2012-10-20T11:14:00-04:00&max-results=6
You can successfully obtain a Nexus card if you have 1 misdemeanor offence that is greater than 10 years since the conviction.
I have to apply for my second waiver as my first was only good for one year but was curious if you can apply BEFORE your year is up so it does not interfere with being able to travel in the waiting period time?
ReplyDeleteyes and you should do that
DeleteHi,i have a question for anyone who can give me an answer. I wanna apply for the waiver and have no criminal history in Canada but I have a criminal record in US back in 2008 was arrested been to prison for 10 months and was banned from the US afterwards. What are my chances of being waived and continue with my life like everybody else. thanks
ReplyDeleteIf you have waiver for 1 year apply after six months for next one. So you can continue your trip to US.
ReplyDeleteMr . Anonymoust if you have record in US I would strongly suggest you please see an experienced Immigration attorney before you apply for waiver.
ReplyDeleteThanks I appreciated .
DeleteJUST RECD SECOND WAIVER FOR 5 YRS CAN SOME ANS. THIS QUESTION DO U HAVE TO GO THREW SECOND SCREEN TO GET THE STAMP IN YOUR PASSPORT FOR ANOTHER 6 MONTHS OR DOES THE BORDER GUARD CAN STAMP YOUR PASSPORT . I AM TALKING ABOUT PEARSON AIRPORT THX
ReplyDelete"GO THREW SECOND SCREEN"
ReplyDeleteyou going to throw a TV set at someone?
also, is your caps key stuck or something?
I would like to know what the procedure is to renew my waiver which is currently valid for 1 year up until May 2014 - please advise thanks so much for this Blog a God Send!
ReplyDeleteJanuary 27, 2014
ReplyDeletehate to break the bad new to you but you have to apply for another waiver again. with it being about 4 months before you apply should be submitting the application soon for smooth travel. you should have kept copies of any convictions / court records ( I have kept my original and bring them in case anyone needs to see them ) Good Luck
Hey guys,
ReplyDeleteI would also like to remind you that even though you have a waiver, you are still subject to inspection. I would highly suggest that you have all your ties and equities in hand just in case they question you further. Ie: employer info, paycheck receipts, tax records, reference letters, mortgage info, bank statements, etc.
Also, make a photocopy of your boarding card and ask the Canadian border officer to stamp your passport to prove that you have departed the U.S.A.
I have had my waiver renewed for the 3rd time but they still question me every time I cross the border.
To be on the safe side, once you receive your waiver, include information such as: what you are doing in the US (print itinery), who you are visiting (get reference letter), and the address of residence or hotel. Make sure its in writing. Make sure you have all the necessary info to satisfy the border guard so that you will not be a menace to the country. Traveling is a privilege, not a right. Good luck!
When you re-apply for another I-194 do you still pay the $560.00 Mine is up in September Got a one year pass Can someone assnwer this Thank Mr Adam
ReplyDeleteTO ADAM THE FEES DONOT CHANGE U STILL HAVE TO PAY
ReplyDeleteHi All,
ReplyDeleteBack in 2011, I got banned for 10 years. I had an invite letter for an interview and the officer reached back into the past and found that there was a 3 month gap where I didn't have status. I delayed moving from my TN visa to my wife's TN visa.
Now I live and work in Canada, but my company wants me to visit the US office for a week. Is there any hope of being successful with a waiver? Any other way I can visit?
So the consensus is it\s a minimum of 5 years to 15 years to be eligible for a waiver. Is that correct? Also, so are their any restrictions with travelling to Mexico, Jamaica etc. with a criminal record?
ReplyDeleteI travel in China, south America , Mexico, Caribeen, Europe and Asia with no problems at all. Only the U.S. give me a hard time for minor offences committed 25 years ago.
DeleteI got my renewal for 5 years, I filed it on November 2013.
ReplyDeleteThank you to this forum for all the valuable information I was able to do this myself.
I applied at the Pearson Airport. Come really early like 4ish, so you can sign yourself up when they take out the list around 7ish. They can usually accommodate 20 in a day. If you made the cut they will give you a time within the day to come back. Some people just stay and wait, others leave do chores and come back.
Good luck to everyone.
Dear Anonymous. Are you willing to share and help me with my first application? I just finished my first step by sending my local fingerprints to the RCMP. I had questions like can I keep copies for records for the next time I need to apply and questions on time frames. Would appreciate any help. I am doing this myself and want to make sure I have everything ready for filing at the airport :)
DeletePearson from what I hear is still nuts. You are competing against so many other people for a spot in line on the one silly day of the week they do them there. If you live closer to the Niagara ports, use the Rainbow or Peace bridge crossings at Niagara Falls or Buffalo and do them at a land port of entry. You will get better service IMO.
DeleteAs to the questions about fingerprints, note that the RCMP is still slow with these as of recently. In 2016 the turnaround time is 4-5 months or more. And this is WITH all submissions being done digitally and electronically.
You must use the original returned RCMP product (with a dry seal on the second page...look close you can see it). You may keep a photocopy for your records. The date on the returned RCMP product cannot be anymore than 15 months earlier than your waiver application date. Hope this helps.
I applied for my se ond waiver at Port Huron on November 1, 2013. I have emailed for a ststus update, no resposes. My mom lives in the States and is not in great health. My 1 year waiver expired February 25, 2014. Is there any other way to check status?
ReplyDeleteThank you
I actually don't know how to clear up my name, my parents put me in public school when I was 16 and I was "illegally" going to school cause I am not an American citizen. I left the US and when I was 19 the immigration officer found out that I went to public school, to make the story short eh cancelled my visa and sent me back to my country. I wasn't doing anything illegal when I was 19 and I was punished for something I did when I was a minor, and it wasn't even my own choice to break the law my parents made me go to school there, any way that I can clear up my record?
ReplyDeleteI don't usually recommend that people seek lawyers for any but the more complicated cases, but in my opinion this is complicated and you would want the best advice going forward as to how to proceed. Especially since you were a minor at the time for the most part and going to school really wasn't an option. There may be something deep in immigration law or a similar case precedent that may help you.
DeleteI just received my 11th waiver. Been doing this since '94. Was getting 5 year waivers since about 2002. The one I just got took 7 months and they reduced me to one year and for the first time tell me that | "may have to register with local law enforcement" when I travel there. This is a first.
ReplyDeleteSo nothing else happened in the interim? The are driving me nuts anyway. I have a Pardon and no record but they keep giving me 1 yr Waivers, which is ridiculous. I wonder if it's due to greed??
ReplyDeleteWhat do other countries, such as Mexico have to say about the I-192 stapled into the passport.? I'm going there shortly and am a bit concerned about answering any questions regarding the additional piece of paper that is in my passport.
ReplyDeleteThey won't give it second thought. If you want, you can just remove that stapled I-94 white card from that passport when travelling to other countries and just staple it back in when you return to the U.S. (provided that your trip doesn't involve flying over U.S. airspace). But from what I have been reading there is really no harm in just leaving it in there. The only thing I would have to say in regards to these multiple-entry I-94s is to make sure they're returned by the expiry date (usually at Canada Customs upon return of a trip where you don't anticipate using it again before the expiry date). Then a new one can be issued for you when you return to the U.S. and there should be no questions as to whether you have overstayed.
DeleteJust got my 3rd 5-year Waiver in the mail today.
ReplyDeleteIt took exactly 3 months from submission at Niagara Falls (Rainbow Bridge)
Much quicker than I thought!
File my 1-92 form june 10 2014 and received my approval aug 11 2014 for one year
ReplyDeleteNice so that's about 2 months. Good to know. I was just stopped at Pearson from something I did 26 yrs ago. They still let me in but said next time I will need a waiver. I've probably traveled to the states well over a 100 times for business and pleasure. What a pain in the ass this is going to be now. Should have had my record destroyed a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteI applied for my waiver at the Calais Port of Entry on July 12, 2014 and received my I-194 approval for one year on Oct 13, 2014...not bad considering I had received a letter one month previous to my approval indicating that my fingerprints where "unclassified" and I had to have an affidavit signed by US Border Services, I did this in Halifax on Sept 10. I will be applying for my renewal about 6 months prior to my expiry to be sure. I also prepared the entire package myself. You just have to read the instructions carefully and provide everything they need in detail.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you that are not sure if you require a waiver - just call a nearest US Border Services office. I was told that any theft charges that are "under", for example, "theft of under $5000" that you do not need to apply. Not sure if this is still the case.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be so sure about that one. The INA act specifies that the particular CIMT has to have a maximum POTENTIAL incarceration sentence of less than one year. According to the Criminal Code of Canada, you may have been prosecuted hybrid or indictible, even for theft under (like shoplifting), and may be still refused entry. A waiver is the only surefire way of avoiding travel difficulties and delay. Short of that, applying and carrying with you a "September Letter" ruling from the DHS that directly says that your particular crime does not constitute a CIMT or falls under the Petty Offence exception is your sure proof that you can present to a CBP officer in a primary inspection lane each time you cross.
DeleteFurther to the reply above, note that many times one can receive a suspended sentence or simple probation on these types of convictions. It is safe to say, that with perhaps the exception of one petty theft (i.e. shoplifting) conviction, all theft and burglary/break and enter type convictions will be viewed as CIMTs requiring a waiver.
DeleteGo figure, I've seen September Letters issued for people with multiple assaults, dangerous driving, DUI's, etc. but the U.S. INA act does not consider these to be Crimes of Moral Turpitude (love that term--lol), yet if you steal $20 from somebody's wallet you're screwed for life.
Does anyone know the wait times for your second waiver .. My first I192 waiver took me a total of 4 monthes. But I have heard the wait times are much less then the first waiver.. Any info would be great. Thanks
ReplyDeleteDoes any one if the I-194 waiver approval mail is marked as “Do Not Forward” ? I recently moved to new address and didn't updated my address , But I have mail forwarding service with Canada post.
ReplyDeleteNo it is not marked as "Do Not Forward." And, as well, these documents are just sent regular mail. There is no other option for expedited post.
DeleteDo NOT ever just "call" or visit Homeland Security for "information". They will get as much information as they can and THEN tell you that you are inadmissible anyways.
ReplyDeleteBe smart. Get as much information as you can from multiple sources. You are Canadian. Homeland Security sees you as a foreigner, They have a job to do, and that's rarely in YOUR best interest.
Get advice, again from multiple sources, do some research. If you have a record in Canada, seal it. If the US already knows and you were denied entry, you need a waiver. There is no way around that.
I am in the processing of getting the waiver..minor charges from over thirty years ago. worried that we can still be denied if the border guard is having a bad day and just feels like ruining our trip..is this possible? I dont want to lose all the money for my trip again especially whenI have done what they asked and got the waiver. Thanks for the advice
DeleteMan time flies. I look on here and already over 3 1/2 years ago I posted. I have now just applied for my third waiver on May 9th and have my fingers crossed that I get it for a 5-year expiry (my first was for one year and my second was for three years). Other officers have commented that is the usual expected pattern. My paperwork submissions, except for minor updates, have been identical. If it's not broke, why fix it? If you are careful (and don't have extra money to spend on lawyers like me) you can do these things yourself, with a little bit of attention and research.
ReplyDeleteThis is great all the good feedback. I went through the process of hiring a lawyer for my first application. I knew the process was tricky and tedious so i decided to leave it to the professionals. Nonetheless, the process was seamless and from the day they submitted my application to getting approved was roughly three months.
DeleteNow, I will be applying for my second waiver. Since the lawyer was kind of enough to provide a template from the previous waiver application, I will be using that to package all the required and supporting documents with necessary updates. Hoping to get 5 years around this time!
Any first timers, I highly recommend Duncan Miller and Associates. (Based out of Vancouver)
http://www.usborderlaw.com/
Hello fellow travellers. I have a quick question. I received my second I-194 recently and it says "Valid 5 years from the date of approval" Is this from the date when I enter the US, or from the date printed on the top of the approval letter? (May 9th 2016) Thank you in advance, safe travels!
ReplyDeleteThat would be five years from the date printed on the approval letter.
ReplyDeleteI am waiting for approval (I hope) for my renewal. I have been getting waivers since 1994. I applied on March 31,2015. 478 days and still waiting. I sent an inquiry email today and got back the same tired response. "Your application is on file and is pending further review." This is total bullshit. Longest I ever waited before was 7 months. I can't imagine what is holding this up.
ReplyDeleteI'm at 582 days and still waiting, and like you have been getting these since '94 with no issues. Inquiring is useless. I think the email address (AROINQUIRYWAIVER@cbp.dhs.gov) we are given to inquire is just an auto response with no one ever looking at it. I think our files are lost.
DeleteOnce you have entered for what ever reason your records are in the FBI files. I have been told nothing can have that expunged! As the US does not recognize Canadian pardons, they will not allow entry with out the I-194 form if you have an FBI file. As you landed In the USA before you got a pardon you have a file!
ReplyDeleteI have seen some great success stories and a few that were really fast from beginning to end. Can anyone recommend a reliable company to handle my first time filing in Barrie.
ReplyDeleteI can see that you are an expert at your field! I am launching a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business. General Liability Waiver
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