About to reapply? If your most recent set of fingerprints from the RCMP is less than 15 months old, you won't need a new copy. Here's some additional information recently updated on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Find an Answer web site: Reapplying for a Waiver of Inadmissibility, using it for business or pleasure, validity period of a 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
It has been 11 months since I have applied for my waiver and for the past 5 weeks I have not recieved a response from the department of Homeland Security whenever I email for an update. May someone help give me an explanation on what is going on at this point with my waiver?
ReplyDeleteHave you been hearing if the RCMP are improving turnaround times lately? I mentioned that frustration before on this blog. I cannot, unfortunately, re-use my original prints that I got when I was approved for my first 1 year waiver. I am due for renewal in late July, and can have everything ready to go quickly in a day but here I am playing the waiting game again since Nov. 14. If it takes 10 months again I'm toast.
ReplyDeletehere is a good website for getting your waiver completed right away:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pardonapplications.ca/waivers/us-entry-waiver/
I have recently found out, on my way to a business trip, that I now need to complete a US entry waiver application form. I have been back and forth to the US on business trips with two different employers. On this trip I was asked if I have ever been arrested and replied honestly. Yes. Was this a stupid move? Or would I have been arrested if they found out that I was lying? I have a feeling it was the right thing to do, but the reason why I think it might have been is because I had a conditional sentence, would it have even showed up on their background search?
ReplyDeleteI am now facing the possibility of getting fired / laid off because I can not do my job duties which include travelling to the states. And now I am reading a lot of this process which seems like it may be impossible to keep my job because of how long this takes. And not only that but the whole idea of waiting that long and paying that much money with the possibility of me not obtaining the entry waiver is not sounding great.
I have heard that if you have had a pardon or a conditional sentence it would make the background check portion C-216 of getting the waiver more difficult, is this true?
I have already learnt a lot from this blog and I will keep on reading post to help guide my way through this first waiver. Please post any tips that you think may aid in shortening the process and help get the best results.
Just received my second US waiver in the mail today. Good News in the fact that it was issued for 3 years instead of 1 year like my first waiver was. It did however take 5 months to process which was longer than my initial application. I appreciate all the help this blog has provided in completing the documents
ReplyDeleteIt's frustrating waiting for the RCMP to send back my fingerprints. I've been through this process 3 times. The last time it took 2 weeks to get my finger print back 5 years ago. I have a conditional discharge and my record for a simple marijuana joint ( 1 gram I'm guessing) back in 1981 has been expunged from the system. My prints always comeback clean with no record. I'm re-applying for my I-192 but the RCMP process is now 8 weeks and counting. Why is it taking so long when I don't have a record in Canada? Don't these people know they are playing with people's lives? The Commissionaires boast 72 hours processing but they should strike that from their website.
ReplyDeleteI dropped off my I192 application package at Edmonton International at the end of August 2012 - still haven't received anything? Anyone know what the current processing times are? Thanks for any insight.
ReplyDeleteTo Happygolucky
ReplyDeleteI dropped my I-192 application off at Pearson Airport in Toronto on October 20, 2012 and got my waiver on March 25, 2013.
This was my second waiver application and I don't know if anyone else can comment however all my waiver's when issued always seem to be issued on Monday and I always receive them on the Monday they are issued.
I applied for my I-192 on October 28, 2012 at Leweston, Niagara Falls. I prepared everything myself (that took about 4 weeks). I just received my waiver, good for 1 year, on april 15, 2013...about 5 1/2 months wait. Gald it came before my planned trip in May!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info - does it come by registered mail??
ReplyDeleteI'm new to this forum!
ReplyDeleteI brought my application to the 1000 Islands Bridge border one (Interstate 81) on January 15th...so patiently waiting!
I'm hoping to receive it soon....
to happygolucky
ReplyDeleteThe item comes regular mail from the US. Also the day you receive your item in the mail is the start date of your waiver (or at least with both of my it worked out like that)
I have 2 questons...
ReplyDeleteReferences: can they be family members or friends?
Also do you think I will still get a waiver even though i am currently unemployed? I have proof of mortage and family in canada so wasn't sure if i should spend the $585 if they frown apon being unemployed.
I just want to thank this website for all the information.
ReplyDeleteI put together my application by myself just by researching online.
I am happy to share that I got my approval for 1 year.
I applied in November 2012 and got my letter yesterday. April 23, 2013
I am renewing again by September this year.
Thank you again to everybody.
Filipino-Canadian Boy
Was this your first application?
ReplyDeleteDo you have to write about all arrests or just convictions? I was arrested for theft under around 12 years ago but the charges were dropped after it was proven that I didn't steal anything.
ReplyDeleteI have a I-192 question. On the form it says "desired port of entry", "means of transportation", "proposed date of entry", "approximate length of stay in the US". My question is that I work for a company that needs me to go to the US many times a year. I would probably need to fly, and drive in many different locations. I know that the waiver is for either 1-5 years, so I am guessing that you can go more than once within the 1-5 years the waiver is accepted. How should I fill out the questions listed above? Please help.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, my RCMP record report took 1 month to come in. Not too bad compared to some of the stories I've heard.
I applied for mine November 14th-got a letter today asking for more information which made me mad cause this is my second one and i sent the exact same info that i sent for my first waiver. had a trip planned for my birthday may 25th-so much for that. i fedex'd the response and ma still hopefull. anyone had this happen to them.
ReplyDeleteI dropped mine off at Edmonton International Airport in mid August 2012 - yesterday I received a letter requesting proof of my Canadian citizenship by sending a copy of my birth certificate and passport. My waiver app was prepared by Alberta Pardons (fabulous company - they were great)and copies of both my birth cert and passport were included!!! So anyway, I mailed (express post) them copies, again. I am really really hoping too that my waiver comes soon - so stressful. Anyone have any idea how long after you submit the info you could expect the waiver??? I know, there's no telling right - just hope for the best. I love this blog - so helpful :)
ReplyDeletehey happygolucky-mine had the documents they were requesting too. and then something about a firearms ban. i dont have a firearms ban. hell, i dont have firearms. printed out my charge and my sentence again that i have on fire which was 30 days ankle monitor and sent it again. well, at least someone else is getting the same as me, not that thats good, but , i think they are over run or something there cause you cant email them on a status anymore. and, after 5.5 months your telling me all of a sudden you want a document you already have in my file and this is my second waiver??????
ReplyDeletehey happygolucky,
ReplyDeletei thought it was only me this happened to cause i made a comment once when i emailed them that i would like to know if with my status they could give me an explaination of why my second one was taking so long.
Where it asks for details of the crime/conviction (#17 on i192) do I have to state in detail the events that led to my being arrested or just what I was charged with and convicted of and the sentence that was imposed? I tired to do the full story but ran out of space. That being said if I just put my charges and conviction with sentence it would fit. I am really lost with filling this out and think that to much information is better then not enough. PLEASE HELP!
ReplyDeleteI have never e-mailed them for an update - I was too scared to as somewhere I read that this can actually slow things down (how it could get any slower I don't know! lol. I know, it's really ridiculous how they pop up asking for more info when they already have it! Super frustrating!!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhy don't any of the people on here who have already received a waiver ever help others who ask questions? Why would you not want to help others who are doing this process the first time.
ReplyDeleteI honestly thought this blog was to help people but doesn't seem to be... What a shame
in response to MC
ReplyDeletePort of Entry I made the point of indicating where I would come into the US the most however in the letter that I had to write I provided the many reasons why I may enter at different ports.
Also if you may enter for work and personal reasons make sure you mention that. I you indicate work only and travel for personal reasons they may decline you.
__________________________
To the anonymous whom states that people don't provide guidance.
You can't provide guidance for situations that have never happened to you. So I can not comment on what happens when your application is missing information because that has never happened to me.
____________________________
What I can advise people is if you don't have to go to the USA and have a criminal record. Get a pardon first and don't go to the USA because one you need a waiver than you always need a waiver ( at least for a criminal past)
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I currently have the problem that none of my friends want to go to the USA with me because they all have NEXUS cards and I am a slow down for entering the USA. I have told them when I have a white card in the passport I don't have to go in plus the NEXUS lane is never opened at rainbow when I go into the USA.
____________________________
I appreciate all comments that people provide about experiences they have had and don't appreciate the advertising from others to use their services. If I would have found this blog first I would have never used a service my first time.
The service never indicates that once they complete your first application that it is easy for you to apply yourself in future and they encourage you to continue to use their services.
a pardon is a waste of time if you have been arrested. this directly from a border guard. a pardon doesnt erase whats in CPIC-and they dont recognize a pardon, hence a waiver will still be required.
ReplyDeletehanna:
you put down exactly what you were convicted of-at least we did and it worked the first time.
its no easier to apply the second time, trust me, our second app has become a nightmare and nothing is different that his first app, which he was granted a yr in 4 months.
Thanks anonymous! I really was not sure what to put since i have been arrested twice to a total of four charges. Only convicted of one thing though, and of course it had to be the worse charge.
ReplyDeleteI am just waiting on RCMP info then going to go for interview. Wish me luck!
The key to getting my fingerprints back QUICK (like, 2 weeks, as opposed to 10 months), is to use Pardon Services Canada's office which has an electronic connection to the RCMP. You don't even have to use their preparation services; simply pay their fingerprinting fee which is slightly more than your local police service may charge but WAY worth it...
ReplyDeleteThis applies if you have a record and you need to give your record to the DHS for the waiver application. If it's clean it's even faster.
I applied for my second waiver May 6th, 2013. First waiver was in spring 2010, valid for one year. Got it in about four months, and it only had 10 months validity left at that time.
ReplyDeleteConsider these factors when questioning your waiver:
I was told both times applying for my I-192 that there are considerations in processing times.
Time of year could mean higher volume. More people travel and are rejected in the summer months? Leading to higher demand for waivers to be processed at that time of year?
There are notices on the border website that there are now stricter
guidelines/considerations. Perhaps this is why 2nd waivers are being delayed?
Are the people with clean records (because of conditional discharges) having to submit random paper work 'months in' the second time around? or only those with something on CPIC, even if its only accusations?
I went to Pearson this past Saturday to file, had everything ready. they would not accept an american money order which is a pre-requisite everywhere else. Only a credit card! You have to go there early Saturday morning, and put your name on a list. Wait until the guard decides to book you an appointment for hours later that day... They made me wait all day, treated me as if I were trash, and then said it was too much to process the required money order, they wouldn't accept it!!!
Upon filing yesterday, at the Buffalo Border they gave some hesitation with the money order, but then pulled out a book of how to process it, and did it step by step.
Looked like a pain in the butt to do, yes, but every time I have received the instructions on how to file I-192 (from the border) it says that an American dollar money order from an American financial institution is the only way to pay! (Unless you go to certain places which will accept credit cards)The airport didn't say that... Was a good day though, met lots of nice people!!
I filed my second waiver May 6th, 2013, I know I will have it mid summer! The laws of attraction!!!
If you need your RCMP prints done, definitely go to a place that does it online for you, I received mine in 6 business days late April 2013. Google (RCMP + prints + US waiver and your location)... watch out for high prices from big companies. $80 is reasonable for 5-10 days.
Today I went to my local court house to pick up a certified copy of mycourt proceedings. They cost $3.50 per sheet for summary charges, and $4.00 per sheet for indictable charges. Once i picked up all info I read it and apparently they can not find the court records for the 1 conviction that has made me inadmissible. They gave me a letter stating that they couldnt find it and it has what i was covicted of but the sentence on it seems incorrect to me. Does this matter since that is all that the court could find?
ReplyDeleteHi all, just to give those out there some sort of idea as to how long it took me to get my waiver renewal(2nd). Applied December 8, 2012 at Pearson International Airport and recieved my US waiver May 14, 2013. That is approx 5 months. It was granted for 3 years. My first waiver was granted for 1 year and took just 3 months from the date is was submitted at Pearson. So it does appear that DHS is taking about 5 months to process the waivers about now.
ReplyDeletehi anonymous, sounds like you were given the run around paying with a US money order. Anyhow just to let you know, i applied for my renewal December 8, 2012 and just got it today. So from my experience and scanning other posts it looks like 5 months is the processing time these days.
ReplyDeletethe email for inquiring about your waiver is back up. was disabled for the last 26 days.
ReplyDeletegot a response to email stating a decision has been made and mailed to me on may 13th-cross your fingers. its my second one though-and nothing has changed so i am hoping no problem.
ReplyDeletegot my waiver today for 3 yrs, my second. I filed in bc at pacific hwy border crossing Nov 28th/2012
ReplyDeleteWhen re-applying for a second time for a waiver can anyone tell me the cost? Is it the same as the first time? And do you fill out all the forms like before or can you send photocopies of all documents except the fingerprints?
ReplyDeleteFor anonymous may 19, 2013
ReplyDeleteyou have to re-apply again and make sure that if the forms from the previous application have been updated that you use updated forms.
if you have references also make sure they are dated current.
make sure to bring original copies of court documents however they will accept a copy of them.
Good Luck
Need Urgent Help here.....
ReplyDeletereceived email today about my application status decision mailed to me on May/13. But i am checking mail every day and not received anything. It is my second waiver and first one was expired long time ago. Please help if someone in the same situation.
Need Urgent Help here.....
ReplyDeletereceived email today about my application status decision mailed to me on May/13. But i am checking mail every day and not received anything. It is my second waiver and first one was expired long time ago. Please help if someone in the same situation.
Has anyone's response from the email inquiry been anything other than a autoreponce?
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me reasons why a waiver application may get denied? I have drug trafficking, weapons and money laundering convictions. But only happen once.
ReplyDeleteMay anyone give advice.
I have already received my Pardon and got married. My passport is in my married name, do I still need of get a US waiver???
ReplyDeleteall does doing waivers on their own BAD MOVE get a lawyer do it properly its more credibile! or your gonne do mistake and your gonne waist time sending and recievng mails and he would tell you what exacly you need to do what to write in your letters what letters to bring and dont forget familly letters dont count it has to be stranger or a boss or a friend if you know a nun or a priest go for it more credible and the fingerprints the lawyer sends you a place you pay 70$and the company sends it directly to your lawyer the rcmp prints ask him he would know
ReplyDeleteto anonmous sept 05, 2013
ReplyDeletehmm advertise much or what
it's not impossible to complete your own waiver and why would anyone pick a lawyer to complete the document when a company can complete them just as well
Applied for my first waiver March 2011. Still waiting...so to others on here who have waited in less time, try feeling MY PAIN.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been able to see my family in over 3 YEARS!!
That's crazy, would a lawyer help speed up the process? Or have the abandoned the file?
DeleteA lawyer??
ReplyDeleteLOL how could a lawyer do anything different than what I've done on MY application?
The U.S Border guys even told me to do the app myself and not waste my money on paying someone to do it for me.
The onus falls on you and you alone to get reference letters from people who know you and write your OWN PERSONAL STATEMENT IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
I hear a lot of comments on here regarding the use of a lawyer or third party agency and it makes me laugh. What can they do that you can't on these applications?!?!
I could really see AOR reviewing an app and saying "oh they used a legal firm so we gotta get their app done faster" lmao gimme a break.
@FedUp
ReplyDeleteDo you recommend the letters of reference? 1, 2, or 3? That's probably my biggest stress out of it all.
I've done 2 years of my 10 year ban for overstaying. No criminal record. One temporary denial of entry back in 2003, as well.
I got my fingerprints done electronically, but no where on it does it say C-216C. Just my ugly mug, 4 finger prints, raised seal. Will this be okay?
At this point I'm just waiting for my renewed passport plus letters/statement of purpose. Makes me nervous just thinking about it.
Is the RCMP fingerprint free?
ReplyDeleteIf you are getting fingerprinted by the RCMP for a US Travel Waiver it costs $25. It's only free for Canadian federal government screening or volunteering etc.
ReplyDeleteI used a legal service as I can vouch it is no quicker, I am no good with forms and didn't want to make a simple mistake but then the lawyer had me check there work I was nervous as the whole point was to have there expertise. I will not use anyone in the future. If I had to do it again I would just do it myself and have friend familiar with documentation go thru the whole pile of paper before submitting. I am on my way to Niagara today to drop it off.
ReplyDeleteIm hoping someone can answer my question......my family is planning a Disney trip in December 2015 BUT my husband has a few charge (DUI and small marijuania charges). He has never tried to cross the border before. Does he need a waiver or a Pardon? This whole sh** confuses me.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI have a question related my waiver of inadmissibility while my Permanent Residence application process going on in Canada, I was arrested in the USA for theft under $300 (shoplift) and my case was expunged and I overstayed in the past more than 5 years, then volunteer left USA without deportation or removal so what is gonna happen if I apply for waiver to USA, My question "do Homeland security and Canada immigration share any fingerprint or immigration cases by electronically? while my application processing for PR going on in Canada ( I have hidden my US record to the Canadian CIC, I was born in India. please share their experiences if anyone have the similar.
Has anyone applied recently at Pearson Airport? Last time I applied there, 6 years ago, it took ALL DAY for me to wait to be called in, literally all day! Then the 2nd time I applied, I drove to Niagara Falls from Toronto and submitted my application at the land crossing it was done right away. My 3rd time applying, and I'm wondering if its still better driving down or have they improved service at Pearson Airport? Thanks.
ReplyDelete