@Denis9981

I agree, its discretion.

@Magnus

I have clients who vary from infrequent travelers who do day trips to snowbirds who spend the whole 6 months. I also have clients that are Canadian Citizens, but its clear they live in the US. I even have clients who live in the Caribbean, and only come to Canada to renew their waiver.

The Waiver gives you the ability to be back to "normal" status, other than the fact you need the waiver.

@Magnus Upon entering the USA an officer will admit you for however long he or she deems appropriate, and at their sole discretion. Whether you have a waiver or not, each person who crosses into the USA receives either B1 or B2 status via an 1-94, which has a validity period. That said, typically you will receive 6-months, but I've received as little as 5 days, which was the intended duration of my trip. Hope this answers your question.

Just a question out of curiosity…

If you have a waiver does it allow you to stay in America for 180 days ( per year) as per the regulations for Canadian tourists, “Snowbirds” etc… ?

BC - Oroville-Osoyoos Border is doing bio-metrics for e-safe, no appointment required. I still advise to call ahead.

@Magnus

Yes, I should mention it more here, but Michelle and I do fingerprints, and although she is a bit further from Ottawa that I am (Regina vs Brampton) fingerprints for most things, including waivers are generally under 3 weeks every time. The further you live form Ottawa, add a day or two, but everyone should be about 2 - weeks.

Just a FYI for folks here:
Had fingerprints done and got them back in 2 weeks from the RCMP. I heard it was going to take at least a month.

@John, no card was not declined. Payment was entered, but it never registered in program. We waited a few days, and decided to enter again, 2nd time it worked. Client advised that there was only 1 payment showing on credit card, so must have been a program glitch. Thanks!

@Michelle

So just to clarify, the payment wasn't "declined", it looked like it went through, but no "status changed to paid"?

@John, I submitted an e-safe file last Thursday - payment has not gone through? I did several before and after, never had this problem. Has this happened to you? I am thinking that we will have to re-submit payment? Your thoughts?

Saskatchewan update: Most of my clients are waiting until December 1, to do bio-metrics at Portal. However, here is an current file: There was a week delay - as client drove from Edmonton to Regina to see me - as Sweet Grass is currently booking appointments into January, and he was able to attend Portal, ND within 2 days.

11/20/21 - application created
11/26/21 - status changed to paid
11/26/21 - status changed to signed
11/27-21 - status changed to submitted to ARO

Will update when waiver received.

This one as well, only 15 days. But also only a 1 year waiver. The reason for the 1 year waiver was this was for a Robbery in 2014 with 60 days intermittent sentence (5 months pre sentence custody) and a weapons prohibition. I knew I could get him a waiver, but it was likely just a 1 year. And this was what he got.

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
11/16/2021, 12:30 PM EST : Status changed to Completed
11/1/2021, 02:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
10/22/2021, 09:36 AM EDT : Status changed to Paid
10/22/2021, 09:32 AM EDT : Status changed to Signed
10/21/2021, 11:28 AM EDT : Application Created

So just when I say "look, its taking longer, this morning I get this one;
15 days after being at the border. He is a long time client, 5 year waiver (he has had 6 waivers total)

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
11/24/2021, 05:00 PM EST : Status changed to Completed
11/9/2021, 10:00 AM EST : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
11/1/2021, 03:16 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
11/1/2021, 03:10 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
10/29/2021, 11:03 AM EDT : Application Created

I am posting this one because it is a 5 year waiver, first time applicant, but look at the timeline. Almost a full month. It could be that timelines are increasing a bit.

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
11/24/2021, 01:00 PM EST : Status changed to Completed
10/25/2021, 06:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
10/13/2021, 11:09 AM EDT : Status changed to Paid
10/13/2021, 11:07 AM EDT : Status changed to Signed
8/23/2021, 02:53 PM EDT : Application Created

Update: Alberta people: Sweet Grass is the only POE that is doing Bio-metrics for Waivers. You need to call ahead and book an appointment. I have been advised that they are booking into last week of December - beginning of January.

How do I rectify a mistake made in a waiver form already filed? any thoughts

A waiver that was granted Friday. A reapplication, 5 years, and the record is very old. The client is a nurse. 21 days from fingerprints. Very typical.

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
11/19/2021, 06:30 PM EST : Status changed to Completed
10/28/2021, 07:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
10/18/2021, 09:53 AM EDT : Status changed to Paid
10/18/2021, 09:51 AM EDT : Status changed to Signed
10/14/2021, 04:11 PM EDT : Application Created
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@Michelle

I agree with everything you have said here. We are also raising our prices in January, we haven't made the final decision on which services and by how much. Right now we are hiring another person, this times we are going for a paralegal. We want to do our own notarization, and look to expand what we offer in terms of services, like name changes, divorces etc. We spent many years worried about expanding, but now we are always busy with something, so its time to grow our staff. Hiring new people is stressful!!!

Anyone out west, especially in the Prairie Provinces, Michelle should be the person you talk to for Waivers.

Sorry, have not been on here much, I filed 10 e-safe files last week and will be more specific on timelines once my clients go to Portal, ND and Sweet Grass, MT. These are the 2 ports that I am dealing with (Portal for Saskatchewan) and (Sweet Grass for Alberta), both require client to call ahead and book appointments for the bio metrics. I will be more specific on time lines once I receive updates. So far, I really like e-safe, there have been some learning curves for me, and definitely some changes are required in my office and my procedures, but all for the good and more easy for clients. @John, I don't know about you, but I do find e-safe is more work for us as a service provider, and therefore, I am raising my fees for waivers in January. Anyone, wishing to hire me, should be aware, that effective January 2022, my waiver fee will increase to $800 + GST from the current $700 it is now. I have not done a fee increase in 3 years, so it is time. I will also be implementing a $125 minimum fee for consultation or instructions on how to do a waiver if you call me. I have received a considerable amount of calls from this forum and have provided extensive free service such as advise on process, reviewed paperwork for free, which I don't mind, however, I am getting more busy and don't have time anymore. I do thank everyone who has contacted me and if you need immediate assistant please email me at info@fingerprintpardon.com

@wishbone, my apologies, I am just reading your message now, did you attend Customs yet? I believe that Sweet Grass is the only port you can go to right now in Alberta. Which port did you put on your I-192 e-safe file?

Did esafe application April 25
Went for biometrics Nov 4 /21 at Peace Arch BC
Received 5 year waiver today Nov 18/21