US Waiver for Canadians

Note: The zip code for the ARO  (Admissibility Review Office/U.S. Customs and Border Protection)  recently changed and the current I-192 application form still shows the incorrect older zip code. The correct address is: 12825 Worldgate Drive, Herndon, VA  20598-1340 .

Having lost access to the US because a criminal conviction or an overstay can be quite stressful to career and family life. I know first hand, because it happened to me. I was denied entry to the US back in 2005 after years of successful US business and family vacation travel. It was a shock to learn that a couple of age old criminal convictions (2 very bad decisions from my late teens) had come back to haunt me. After I was denied entry, I learned that my criminal record was downloaded from CPIC into the DHS and FBI database systems. The result was that I would now be inadmissible to the USA - FOREVER! Well almost... In order to return, I would need to file for a document called a 'waiver of inadmissibility'. This waiver (an I-194) would essentially negate my inadmissibility, once again allowing me to work, visit or even live in the US. In November of 2006 I received my first waiver which was valid for 5 years. Filing for a US waiver is an administrative and dau...

When completing your waiver application you must state intent: A statement regarding the purpose of your intended activities in the United States, e.g. vacation, business, etc. Be sure to indicate whether or not you need the I-194 for pleasure or for business, or for both. In either case, you must clearly explain the basis for the request. If your waiver does not say it is valid for a particular purpose (i.e. business travel) , it cannot be used for that activity, and you will have to apply (and pay for) a new waiver issued for the other activity.  For instance, if you occasionally travel to the U.S. for pleasure, but also have other travel for work or business - your letter requesting the waiver should say something along the lines of  "My purposes for travel include pleasure (B2) work (specify H1B, P or whatever other status you may want to utilize) and/or for business (B1)".

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...

I've never tried, but apparently there is an email address to check your waiver application status. CHECKING THE STATUS OF YOUR WAIVER REQUEST: Please allow at least 120 days from the date of submission of your I-192 before making an inquiry about the status of your application. As stated earlier, a full review of your circumstances can take up to a year, and requests for status updates may add to that timeline. However, if for some reason you are concerned about the status of your request, and you filed at a CBP Preclearance location or at a land border port of entry after August 26, 2007 you may ask for an update by emailing inquiry.waiver.aro@dhs.gov . In the email, be sure to provide your full name, DOB and your A number. If you filed at a land border port of entry prior to August 26, 2007, please contact them directly. Phone numbers are on our Web site. Attorney inquiries: attorneyinquiry.waiver.aro@dhs.gov If you have submitted an application and you have had a chang...

A necessary part of your application for a waiver of inadmissibility (I-194) is a written statement regarding the purpose of your intended activities in the US. A few people have told me that they suffer from writers block or are simply not sure about what to write when it comes to preparing their personal statements. I've taken my short statement and posted here as a template which I hope should get you started: To whom it may concern: Please accept this statement regarding the purpose of my intended activities in the US. I primarily intend to travel to the United States as a representative of the company that I work for (name the company) where I am employed as a (describe your title). The purpose is most often for internal meetings, training and conferences. I also intend to travel to the US with my family for short vacations. If you were refused entry to the US because of a criminal conviction you will have to submit a statement explaining the circumstances of each arrest, con...

There are several reasons why someone could be required to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility to enter the United States.  My application was the result of prior criminal convictions but other possible waiver applications include: Waivers of Inadmissibility on Health-Related Grounds  (aliens who carry communicable diseases of significant public interest, this could include being HIV positive) Waivers of Inadmissibility due to Fraudulent Misrepresentation (an alien who fraudulently procured a visa and exclusion would result in extreme hardship to a US citizen, spouse or parent of such alien) Waivers of Inadmissibility due to lack of Proper Documentation, including valid passport, visa or border crossing identification  (this waiver can be produced for an alien who does not possess a valid passport, visa or other border crossing identification) Waivers of Removability for Unauthorized Work  (The section supporting this waiver forgives violations such as acceptance of unauthorized empl...

I'm patiently waiting for a response to my application (I-192) for my I-194 US waiver. It has been over 6 months since my interview at the Border Protection office and over 8 months since the entire process began. Tip: Most Immigration Forms with descriptions can be found here on the USCIS web site in PDF format.

Today I went to the Border Protection office (at the airport) and submitted my application (I-192) for my I-194 US waiver (Advance Permission to Enter the United States). The Officer reviewed my documents including my statements. He took a photo of me (another mug shot) using his webcam and then took me to a room where I was fingerprinted on to the FD-258 form. Afterwards he packaged up my application and placed it in another room (I assumed it was a mailing room). He told me the documents would be sent for processing in Minneapolis and that I should receive a response in about 6 months (gulp). Finally, he took my credit card and charged me for my filing ($265.00 US). I received a receipt (form G-211) and then escorted out of the Border Protection office. The process lasted approximately 2 hours (about an hour was spent in the waiting room).

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.

Today, after almost 2 months I received my C-216C! It included a cover letter which read: Dear Sir/Madame, The enclosed fingerprints have been certified as being identical to the Fingerprint Section (FPS) file number: (and my file #). The information relative to this FPS file are being returned to you. It also included the returned fingerprint chart with a date stamp and the document relating to my conviction and the disposition. Now I'll complete my 2 statements and by early next week I will visit the airport and the Border Protection office to submit my I-192 application for the I-194 waiver.

Of note: I've discovered by reading multiple bulletin board threads that the I-192 is actually the application for the waiver. The actual waiver that I hope to receive is called the I-194. It comes in the form of a 2 page letter (8" x 11") and is valid for either 1 year or up to 5 years.

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...

Hello. I'm a Canadian who works in the High Tech industry. I've done so for the last 15 years. I'm in my early 40s and my job requires frequent travel to the US. On average I spend between 30 to 50 days in the US per year. While considering a new management role, I was asked by the company I work for to apply for a US work visa (an L1B). Thinking that this was a good opportunity for advancement, I went ahead and applied for the visa. The process involved my company's legal department drafting up some papers. While traveling to the US on one occasion I arrived at the airport early to submit my application and have my interview. Strangely for me, at one point during the interview the officer left the room briefly. He returned to ask me if I had ever had a criminal record. I did. I had been involved in delinquent activity when i was 18 and unsuccessfully attempted to steal a car stereo and then a second attempt to steal an actual car. On the first occasion I received a w...