I am a Canadian Citizen. Three years ago I was granted a 5 year waiver to overcome my inadmissibility to the US in relation to a felony fraud conviction that took place in the US. After travelling freely to the US using my waiver on almost a bi-weekly basis, on my last attempt to enter I was told that my waiver had only been granted under one ground of inadmissibility, and as a result, my waiver was revoked. Turns out the waiver was granted covering the criminal ground of inadmissibility and not the immigration portion, as a result of the criminal conviction. I paid a lawyer $5,000 to obtain such waiver and it took 10 months for my approval, which was for 5 years, B1/B2.

On December 10th, 2019, I submitted my new waiver application using the new E-Safe system and completed my biometrics same day at the Rainbow Bridge. So, my application was submitted to the ARO on December 10th, 2019. I was concerned that because my previously approved waiver revoked I and had to explain in writing the circumstances surrounding such revocation that my application would be a tad more complicated.

This morning, Thursday, January 16, 2020, I received an email from the E-Safe system notifying me that my application had been updated and to log in. I ran to my computer, logged into the E-Safe system, and my waiver application was approved, 5 years, B1/B2, and covers both grounds of inadmissibility. What a day! It basically took one month, keeping in mind that the process went on throughout the holidays, which most likely resulted in a 10 day delay.

Please note that I wrote and assembled all documentation myself for this application with no outside assistance whatsoever, and it was approved. Last time I hired a professional do do this it turns out that it wasn't done properly which resulted in the revocation. Nobody can explain your situation and make a plea for admissibility better than yourself!

@USWaiver

Just curious as to what Port of Entry you applied at. In addition when you did apply how long did it actually take for them to process your paperwork through the system... less than 20 minutes or longer?

Applied e-SAFE more than a month no response yet.

@TravisT YOu still put the waiver package together and upload it. You pay online. You then have 45 days to get fingerprinted at a Port of Entry. Once you are fingerprinted, 9 days seems to be the norm. The waiver is not mailed, you download it and print it.

So the whole process is much faster. The "regular way" takes 60 days once you hand the waiver in, although I recently has someone in 42 days.

@TravisT Anecdotally hearing two weeks even one week for the e-SAFE process. Keep in mind you still have to get your biometrics done (someone jump in and correct me but I've heard you can only get this done at a land point of entry for e-SAFE). You also need to do C-216C with the RCMP which can take a week or so. It's much faster overall from what I've been hearing (when the system is working). Best of luck