@J Rogers I submitted my documents on esafe Oct 22... didnt go to border until Nov 2nd, was at border to do biometrics and DNA for about 45 mins... they gave me a paper to return into Canada with no PCR test, and about 2 hrs later received an email saying ARO received my submission... and 13 days later, received my 5 yr waiver this morning!!!!
So happy!!!

Something a little different to give people a different perspective.

Both these clients are first time clients, and both were asked to provide "additional documentation" in these cases, court documents.

I knew both would get a waiver, I was not certain if it would be a 5 year, or a 1 year. In both cases, they got a 1 year waiver. Note that in one case, it took over a month to get the documents, and in the other, it only took 6 days. As you can see, after giving Homeland Security the documents, it took 6 days and 10 days for a final decision.

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (7)
11/15/2021, 07:30 AM EST : Status changed to Completed
11/9/2021, 10:49 AM EST : Status changed to Request for More Information Response
11/3/2021, 01:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Request for More Information
10/21/2021, 03:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
10/19/2021, 04:10 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
10/19/2021, 04:08 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
9/23/2021, 02:46 PM EDT : Application Created

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (7)
11/15/2021, 07:30 AM EST : Status changed to Completed
11/5/2021, 09:20 AM EDT : Status changed to Request for More Information Response
8/31/2021, 08:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Request for More Information
8/11/2021, 02:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/29/2021, 09:56 AM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/29/2021, 09:53 AM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/22/2021, 03:56 PM EDT : Application Created

Here is a typical one we are seeing these days, I don't want to post TOO many, but this gives you the idea. 5 year waiver. This one was 16 days since he went to Niagara Falls for fingerprints. This is a little faster than average, i find most of them are about 20 days.

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
11/10/2021, 08:00 AM EST : Status changed to Completed
10/26/2021, 07:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
10/20/2021, 04:08 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
10/20/2021, 04:06 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
8/5/2021, 11:08 AM EDT : Application Created

So I had my esafe application all done on Oct 14th.. submitted it and received an email from ARO that it was submitted and paid and to go to the border to do my biometrics , I went to the border on Niv 2nd. You must download your esafe application and print it and take that with all your court documents , criminal record check, past waivers, pardon ( if you have one) and any letters.
I didnt need an appointment, I just went down.. it takes about an hour, I went to Peace Arch, they look over your application, confirm all documentation you have, take your fingerprints, picture and do DNA swabs, and they will give you a special paper to give to the Canadian border when going back that you only went in to do your biometrics ( so you dont need a PCR test!!!)
An email came right away from ARO that now they are reviewing it!
I am waiting on an answer and as soon as I get it I will post it!!!

@John. Yeah process was pretty easy. At first one guy told me my court documents has to be original but they’re a true certified copy and supervisor said no, copy is fine and told me I had all my documents very well done and in the correct order. They like them like u upload them on esafe. Cbsa guy was an older gentlemen. Didn’t want to see my ArriveCAN receipt but did want to see my covid test. I’m lucky my sister is a nurse and got me the test for free I did hear today that Ottawa is looking into the requirements again for people under 48 hrs. Let’s hope so cause going down for 3 hrs to shop and get a test -ridiculous

@michelle. CBP told
Me new procedure for anyone applying for I-192. I don’t like the idea my dna floating around but oh well. And it was the supervisor at peace arch so I think he should know his stuff

Are some getting asked for a DNA sample because they have a criminal record? If you have just an immigration violation like solely an overstay, for example, are they asking for the DNA sample?

Hopefully Michelle can help me with her expertise in western Canada.
I'm located in Grand Prairie and just submitted my e-safe documents and wonder where I can go to get the US fingerprinting done.
Do I have to go the US border.?

@Michelle

I have had mixed messages. Some clients are getting DNA, some are not. Some aren't even being fingerprinted. Bizarre.

This is to illustrate how fast the response CAN be.

I submitted 3 responses yesterday. One came back ALREADY. They asked for court documents, for convictions that did NOT appear on CPIC. I assume they were discharges. His result? 5 year waiver. Gun charge in 2011.

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (7)
11/4/2021, 03:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
11/4/2021, 10:45 AM EDT : Status changed to Request for More Information Response
10/5/2021, 05:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Request for More Information
9/13/2021, 05:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
9/9/2021, 03:51 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
9/9/2021, 03:50 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
8/31/2021, 02:57 PM EDT : Application Created

@Gerry 65, DNA Swab? Really, why did they do this? John, is this common for your clients?

@Gerry

Thank you for the update and the first hand account.

So although Ontario doesn't seem to be asking for a test, Peace Arch clients may want to be ready with one.

went this am to peace arch ( very early ) as I work graveyard. I was there about an hour. I submitted my documents/verified by a supervisor ( guys were very nice there ). Did my fingerprints, picture and now (new ) a DNA swab and was on my way. At Canadian entry I WAS asked for a covid test which I had. got an email an hour ago documents submitted to ARO. So they are doing them but come Monday that border might be a madhouse and this am was empty.

@Denis9981, I deleted my previous message, as I found the answers I was looking for...

Your current situation:

Most recent 5 year I-192 Waiver has been revoked due to an overstay on an I-94.
You received a 5 year ban - 1 year ago
You have now applied for a new I-192 and I-212.

The USA is going to take time to investigate your reasons for "needing" to be in the USA. They will not consider your "wants" to be in the USA this soon into a 5 year ban in my option. Owing companies is not going to make much difference to them, unless you employ several USA employees. If you have family living in the USA who are dependent on you as support, they will investigate that. I believe that you are looking at 60 to 90 days for a response.

@Michelle HI Michelle. Just wondering if you would be so kind as to provide your thoughts on my correspondence between John and I in this thread. Thanks so much.

A few more waivers that came in. All of these are 5 year waivers. Only one is a re-application. I am trying not to show too many to overwhelm the board, but I want everyone to see the current timelines for themselves. The last 2 are brothers who went over the 45 days (as you can see) and they called and were given until October 8th to get the fingerprints done at the border. One had a 1 year before through another company, and his brother was a first time applicant.

So paid on July 21, not fingerprinted until October 8th and the waiver 19 days later.

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
10/20/2021, 07:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
9/30/2021, 12:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
9/16/2021, 03:53 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
9/16/2021, 03:51 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
9/2/2021, 09:31 AM EDT : Application Created

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
10/27/2021, 06:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
10/11/2021, 12:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
10/6/2021, 10:55 AM EDT : Status changed to Paid
10/6/2021, 10:53 AM EDT : Status changed to Signed
9/23/2021, 10:36 AM EDT : Application Created

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
10/27/2021, 09:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
10/8/2021, 11:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/21/2021, 11:26 AM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/21/2021, 11:24 AM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/21/2021, 09:18 AM EDT : Application Created

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
10/27/2021, 08:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
10/8/2021, 11:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/21/2021, 05:10 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/21/2021, 05:06 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/15/2021, 01:58 PM EDT : Application Created

@Denis9981

Regardless of the purpose of the I-212, the most recent "action" of overstaying is going to make them "punish" you for a period of time. If you had a 10 year ban, then I would say that they would probably give you a waiver after 5 years. In my experience (remember, you do not have a typical situation) my thought process is that they will not turn around and give you another waiver when they had to punish you for overstaying.

The exception is if they do not think your overstay is that egregious. Then they might be lenient. (fingers crossed) Had you not gotten a 5 year ban, then I would be more hopeful.

From a business standpoint, I hope I am wrong. Unlike many more predictable cases, this one wouldn't surprise me either way.

Michelle? Based on what you are reading, what is you prediction? He has already applied, so no harm in giving your best guess.

@J Rogers I was just reading your last reply again. When you say "Applying before the 5 year ban is up (if I understood that correctly) is not going to work.", I'm a little confused by that statement for the following two reasons:

1) The entire purpose of the I-212 waiver is to reapply for admission to enter the United States before the period of inadmissibility (ban) has been reached. In my case, my bar is five years (for the overstay).

2) If I waited for the five year ban to be over, then I would not require the I-212 waiver at all. Any person who files an I-212 waiver application is doing so because they are seeking to enter the United Stated within their banned period.

Please note that I am no longer barred from entering the US as a result of my felony conviction for forgery, from 2008, which is why I require the I-192 waiver. I have received two separate I-192 waivers in the past, but the most recent was revoked due to my three month overstay, which is why I now need the I-212.

From what I understand, my overstay (the recent violation) should not affect my ability to obtain another I-192 waiver whatsoever. However, without the I-212 waiver alongside the I-192, the I-192 is useless.

If I'm missing something, please let me know. And, I'm still interested in that call.

Thanks,
Denis

@J Rogers Thank you for your response. I would be interested in having a phone conversation with you, and have no problem compensating you for 15 minutes of your time. If this is possible, please let me know. I'd like some other feedback on a few other matters.

@Denis9981

The two most recent denials I got were started in May and July and both were denied in late September. I had 1 denial that took about 60 days in the summer as well.

If you came into my office I would advise you to wait. Your spending $585 +$930 US on something that has little chance of succeeding, no matter WHO does the application. Applying before the 5 year ban is up (if I understood that correctly) is not going to work.

As for telling your own story the best, that depends. I can write a letter based on what Homeland Security wants to hear because I am not emotionally invested. Letters of denial tell me exactly what Homeland Security WANTS to see, and what they don't. The problem is you have people like me and Michelle, and then you have a LOT of awful "experts". I don't blame you for your view, based on your past experiences. When the airport was open, I would look at some applications people would show me and just shake my head. You have every right to be cautious.

Please let us know what happens and the timeline so others can learn and thank you for sharing.