@J Rogers In your experience, does sending a follow up email help nudge things along? Unfortunately I'm another one of those waiting since November 3rd, 2023. Its a first time application and been over ten years since last conviction

@Kristin That particular offence is not very common and also new. I think you are referring to a conviction under:

162.1 (1) Everyone who knowingly publishes, distributes, transmits, sells, makes available or advertises an intimate image of a person knowing that the person depicted in the image did not give their consent to that conduct, or being reckless as to whether or not that person gave their consent to that conduct, is guilty

(a) of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years; or
(b) of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

Homeland Security is probably having trouble assessing the seriousness of the offence. Remember, despite your obvious attempt to shame people you feel that "had it coming", this legislation exists because of this:

Rehtaeh Anne Parsons (/rəˈteɪə/, rə-TAY-ə;[1] December 9, 1995 – April 7, 2013), was a 17-year-old Cole Harbour District High School student who attempted suicide by hanging[2] at her home in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, on April 4, 2013, leading to a coma and the decision to switch her life support machine off on April 7, 2013.[3] Her death has been attributed to online distribution of photos of an alleged gang rape that occurred 17 months prior to her suicide, in November 2011.[3][4] On a Facebook page set up in tribute to her daughter, Parsons' mother blamed the four boys who allegedly raped and released images of her, the subsequent constant "bullying and messaging and harassment", and the failure of the Canadian justice system, for her daughter's decision to die by suicide.[5]

Unfortunately, you are going to get lumped into the same category as men who use these images to blackmail sometimes very vulnerable victims. I hope you got some skilled help with the personal letter. This is NOT a simple waiver at all.

I would love some insight! I applied for my first waiver but the timelines been horrible. It’s from a charge I was convicted of for sending the 4 headless nudes of my ex husbands mistress to him and 2 others ‘without the known consent’ so thinking it’s one that’s not very common but reads scary.

3/1/2024, 05:07 PM EST : Status changed to Request for More Information Response
2/21/2024, 08:30 AM EST : Status changed to Request for More Information
6/27/2023, 11:31 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
5/20/2023, 04:34 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
5/20/2023, 04:32 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
5/20/2023, 03:27 PM EDT : Application Created

@Michelle

Yes very weird timelines. I am similar to you, February is almost completed yet various waivers from December still pending and few Januarys in at all. Strange.

Timelines are all over...

Most of my applications submitted in Nov and Dec 2023 are still waiting to be completed. Varies from renewals to new clients. All applications submitted in Feb 2024 are completed. Today received a 5 year waiver for renewal client - submitted to ARO on March 14, 2024. Go figure...

@Samuelm99 looks like they are moving steadily quick

@Samuelm99 Congratulations! I submitted mines March 1 2024 so I am not sure if they are going in chronological order. i am trusting in God that I hear back soon. It is helpful to see the quick turnarounds.

Found it helpful and encouraging to see time of process and submitted date. So here is mine... just received by email the change of status of my application submitted to ARO on 2/28/2024 and completed today 4/8/2024. The waiver is for 5 years, it's my 3rd. First time I get it by email and just have to print. Formerly, it was by mail.

[ Samuelm99 appended this reply on August 4, 2024 @ 10:43 am ]

I meant, today August 4...

@J Rogers I've seen about 6-7 people now over the last week say they have gotten their waiver in approx 6 months or less. Have you noticed that on your end as well?

Submitted Feb 2 at Portal. Approved July 24 5 year waiver. 5th waiver

@appliedjuly22 Its really hard to say. Most of my clients are STILL doing it, but maybe some people on the fence are not, and anyone who thinks they may not get longer than a year are being a bit more hesitant.

@J Rogers - have you noticed a slowdown in waiver applications since the fee increase by any chance?

Congratulations. Submitted march 1 .. trusting in God to come through.

Submitted in person Feb 9 at Sault Ste Marie. Received my third 5yr approval today.
Good luck to all.

well - that was epic. 5 years approval, 6 months to the day from payment…
making it to the opera on August 3 after all!
whew :)

7/19/2024, 03:30 AM PDT : Status changed to Completed
1/19/2024, 08:38 AM PST : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
1/18/2024, 03:50 PM PST : Status changed to Paid
1/18/2024, 03:48 PM PST : Status changed to Signed
1/10/2024, 10:17 PM PST : Application Created

Submitted application January 9, 2024. Received 5 year approval today July 17, 2024. 6 months and 8 days.. they must be catching up a bit on the backlog. This is my 3rd waiver. Good luck to all.

@Wanderlust You are overthinking it. I have posted 1 year waivers but the ratio is about 75-25 mainly because most people who do a waiver have either old records or old immigration problems. Whether it takes ARO 5 minutes or 5 hours, it should not matter, its how soon they can look at your file. Again assuming everything was done correctly.

@fastswimmer we’re in the same boat. It’s my first time submitting waiver, sent to Aro on December
3, offence was over a decade ago.

I thought when a waiver was initially approved it was for 1-Yr but I haven’t seen any of those granted in this forum in some time. Or maybe they’re just approving 5-Yrs for all regardless of first time or renewal, at this point…?

Also thinking for first time waiver they do a more thorough of a scan and that’s why it’s taking longer.

@fastswimmer
I submitted my first waiver as well on Nov 30th and I am still waiting.

Hello, are the processing times longer for the first waiver?

Submitted a waiver initially a few years ago, and was denied after further review. Was advised by a colleague who works in the field that I applied to early and didn't provide enough enough in my personal statement.

I submitted a brand new waiver request. Package was redone by colleague, with much more support and rewritten personal statements. It has been about 7 months and 10 days now.

I am just wondering if the processing time is much longer for the first waiver?