US Waiver for Canadians

Note: this is an update on the process of determining and obtaining an I-194 waiver of inadmissibility. How can a Canadian citizen apply for a waiver to enter the United States if they have been or are likely to be denied admission either because of their criminal history or because they overstayed a previous visit? There are many reasons a person may be ineligible to enter the U.S. The legal descriptions are lengthy and complex, so to help you understand them, I am providing a general description of the most common ones. This list should not be taken as a complete list of reasons to be excluded from entry. In general, you might be denied entry if you have a communicable disease, if you have a criminal record for crimes of moral turpitude (age 18 or older) , for possession of or trafficking in a controlled substance, if you have any involvement with terrorism or terrorist organizations (no waivers can be approved for this category) , if you have trafficked in persons, been invol...

I thought it might be useful to briefly recap the steps needed to apply for the I-194 (advance permission to enter the United States) after being denied entry at the US border (you can read about when I was refused entry and my background here ). Find your local fingerprint office (call to see if you need an appointment). Bring your passport and $25 CDN. See this previous post for details. Mail the C-216C form to the RCMP. Include a check for processing ($25 CDN). Refer to this post . Wait up to 2 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. See this post about when I received mine. Complete a personal statement regarding your intended activities in the US. If you are inadmissible because of a criminal conviction you must also complete a statement explaining the circumstances of each arrest, conviction and the sentence or fi...

I called the Border Protection office today and an Officer advised me that they don't make appointments - just show up in person to submit the application. He reminded me to bring $265.00 (US), my passport, and the rest of the items from the checklist. Here it is again: Completed and signed I-192 form Form G-325A (get it here ) The completed fingerprint chart C-216C which was endorsed and time dated by the RCMP (see previous post on where to get this) Canadian passport The copy of my court record, conviction and disposition (which I received from the RCMP - see this post ) My personal statement regarding my intended activities in the US A personal statement explaining the circumstances of my conviction There was another requirement (FD-258, another fingerprint chart) but this is completed by the Border Protection Officer when I submit my application.

Check list for I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter the United States. All listed items below must be provided at the time you present yourself for fingerprinting by the US Customs and Border Protection Service: Completed form I-192 signed and submitted by you (no copies - download it here ) Fingerprint chart FD-258 (this will be done at the time you submit your application by a US Customs Officer) Form G-325A completed and signed by you (download it here ) Completed fingerprint chart C-216C contact the RCMP or your local police department for fingerprint locations you'll need to send this to the RCMP to be endorsed and time dated once returned, you will need to submit it as an original Your passport proving that you are a Canadian citizen A statement regarding the purpose of your intended activities in the US (e.g. business, vacation, etc) A copy of the original court record from the actual court of conviction indicating plea indictment, conviction and disposition for...