@Gary After the initial waiting period email, I request one every couple months now.

@Africanjedi

Thank you for the reply. How often do you request an update?

@Gary The message you received is usually the standard message they send when the paper work is still being processed. I have gotten the same email twice and another one that stated my application was going thru additional security checks. The one you will receive when a decision has been made will state something like a decision has been mailed and has been mailed out to you. Takes about a week or so go reach you. I have been waiting since November. There is no procedure of how each application is processed that's why they don't issue a set time frame. Good Luck and stay positive

Hello All,

I submitted my application just over 130 days ago and I've yet to receive my waiver. I emailed for a status update and received the following reply.

“Your application was received and is being processed. Due to the individual circumstances of each waiver application, there is not a set timeframe to give as to when an application decision will be completed.”

Has anyone received this email and has received a waiver since the reply? If so, how long did it take after receiving this email to receive the waiver?

Does anyone know if there is a series of email replies they use and if there is a particular sequence they use? If so, any idea where I would fall in the approval process?

Appreciate any insight you can provide.

Thanks,
Gary

@Africanjedi

Thank you for the reply. But the difference between your situation and mine is that there was actually an immigration offence committed. I was on my way to the states and before I boarded a plane I was turned away NOT because I committed an immigration offence but because they "assumed" I was going too . So they judged me based on something I do in Canada which is legal here but not in America. So I'm basically getting a waiver because of "asssumed intent" not because I actually did something.

If anyone else has similar situations or they have some knowledge about my matter please feel free to reply Im having complete abxiety over this

@Milan I applied back on November 2015 and im still waiting... I have no criminal background history. My RCMP check came in like 5 days. Mine was an overstay and my first application so I expect it to take some time. I email every couple months after the initial wait time. I'm just staying hopeful that's all you can do.

Does any one know if this process is faster if you do NOT have a criminal record AT ALL (meaning in Canada and US) I know this sounds crazy but they found me inadmissible for "intent" of my trip, not because I have done anything in my past. I submitted my waiver on July 19th,2016 and I just wanted to know what anyones ideas or thoughts were in regards to processing times for individuals that have no crimina record. I'm assuming it should not take longer than 3 months because they essentially have nothing to find additional info on because I have no record.

@Timber

Thank you for the reply.

I applied for my second waiver at the end of March. I've been waiting the suggested 130 days to send an email inquiry, which is in 4 days, but it seems you had no issues emailing early, that's great!

Hopefully I receive something in the mail soon!

Thanks again.

@RS
I will keep you posted if I get a 5 year waiver...fingers , toes and everything crossed :) We have recreation property in the states that we have been going to for the last 10 years. (we go every weekend, or should I say we were until last November). The whole process from start to finish has been 9 months. Had to wait a full 120 days for the finger prints to come from the RCMP.

@Gary

I just e mailed. I applied on April 8th 2016 for my waiver. So at about the 90 day mark I emailed and got the standard reply . I was concerned about the pending Canada Post strike at that time so e mailed early.

“Your application is on file with the Admissibility Review Office. It is pending results of required security checks. Due to the individual circumstances of each waiver application, there is not a set timeframe to give as to when an application decision will be completed.”

I e mailed on Tuesday and received this reply on Wednesday
Good Morning,

“Final action has been taken on your application. You should be receiving correspondence from this office in the near future regarding the decision.”

So the process for me has taken just under 4 months.

@Timber

How did you receive the message that a decision has been made? Did they email you?

I read on the "waiver application processing time" thread that you applied on April 8th, did you email them for a status update? If so, how long did you wait to email them?

Any information you can provide is greatly appreciated.

@Timber I hope you will get for 5 years. Friend of mine got for 5 years and it was his first waiver. Keep us update :)

Gary:

Indeed it does, and that was a good find! So what it appears here is that your link is to newer, updated information including a new physical address as well for the US-CBP ARO, which indicates an address in Falls Church, Va. as opposed to Herdon, Va.

I'm sure I've either read here that they did relocate, but I can't remember off hand where I read that. And I just finished my intro post and it's getting late :)

It's your choice obviously as to what to do with that. I'm with you, I know that "time is of the essence" and I would be eager to know too what the status is with my application. I have the luxury of waiting a couple of more months this time than my last one due to imminent surgery planned, but I well know that for others every day makes a difference.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/admission-forms/form-i-92-application-advance-permission-enter-nonimmigrant

:: @Gary added on 05 Aug ’16 · 00:48

This link states 150 days??

Hi, Gary.

I wasn't aware of this based on my reading of the website as it exists tonight, however, it is possible that they have changed this guideline as you say, and haven't as yet updated the webpage. I would be happy to stand corrected :)

I do get the sense that the ARO is overworked, however, and that the measures that RS and Navigator have alerted us to in this thread will serve to relieve this issue.

Frank Jr.

Thanks for the post.

I'm hopeful my second waiver arrives in the near future. I'll wait the 130 days before following up. I did read ARO has pushed this timeline to 150 days, are you aware of this?

Hi, Gary.

I believe that the ARO is now asking that you only inquire as to waiver status (via email) after 130 days have passed. Now maybe they are blowing smoke here by saying that bothering them before that time has passed they might delay your application, but, personally I would respect that guideline.

:: @Frank Jr. added on 05 Aug ’16 · 00:10

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/760/~/entry-into-the-u.s.---canadian-with-criminal-record-or-overstay,-waiver

:: @Frank Jr. added on 05 Aug ’16 · 00:11

If you scroll to the end of that page you can see where it indicates 130 days.

Hmm, interesting. I am (hopefully!) on track to receive my 5-year shortly. I applied at the Peace Bridge Buffalo, NY (as I did with my first two waiver applications) on May 9th.

My first waiver was for one year, applied late April '12, received the last day of July '13.

My second waiver was (just about expired now) for three years, applied late April '13, received early August '13.

Give or take a week, it's been bang-on 3 1/2 months each time, which seems to be as expected for a case which involved a conviction that is now 23 years old.

There has been reported that delays don't always necessarily reside with the ARO, but rather the FBI, etc. in doing name checks, etc. in their system. This perhaps can explain the occasional anomalies in cases that are taking greater than 6-9 months to process.

@RS

Thank you for the reply.

My first waiver was approved just shy of 4 months in 2015. My second waiver has been submitted for just over 4 months and still nothing. Ive had no changes to my record check and all other information on the application is the same. Thoughts? I read conflicting information in regards to following up via email. Some say wait 130 days while others say wait 150 days. What would you suggest?

@Gary

Basics of renewal times are dependant on the nature of your crime, with background checks etc.... usually the 3-9 month period... but its getting faster...some months my friends are getting is 4 - 5 months is the norm... odd cases are pushed till 9 months... only one @11 months since last September as of right now.... but I am confident they will get theirs next month or two before a new president gets chosen, then who knows how much more strict it will become.