@SouthernBBQ did you have two convictions? I’m just trying to understand your recent comment. Are you saying this matter has been pending since 2004 or do you mean 2014?

Summited August 1 to ARO,
Still waiting 164days so far.
Asked for a update early Dec, Update reply was they had to wait for secondary screening...reply below. I also just asked for another update yesterday as it's over 150 days. Hopefully moves along positively soon. Arrest 2004, 15months probation done end of 2016,after appeal for fraud convictions, no theft so no restitution.

ARO reply
Your application is on file with the Admissibility Review Office. It is pending results of necessary secondary security checks.

@Marsha I’ve never been turned away , but been warned twice I need a waiver, maybe they let me go only for my trip purpose

@Kev the first time I attempted to cross the border was transit flight and I was turned away at the airport. I never attempted to cross after that. But yes, thank you. Good luck to you as well.

@Marsha thank you for your answer that was what I thought and worried about. So frustrating knowing I always been to travel and suddenly I need a waiver

Good luck on your waiver, your time is coming

@Kev by looking at the posts, I believe it’s in order received more than anything else. John said in previous comments that sometimes it depends on whose desk it lands on and how fast they work. More serious convictions may result in more security checks but I’ll leave that to the people with first hand knowledge to speak to. I have seen a few with dates received later and completed earlier but not as much as the ones completed in the order.

[ Marsha appended this reply on January 10, 2023 @ 9:12 pm ]

I’m glad to see they’re into September now. My submission was October 19th.

I keep looking the update on waivers approved and it seem the timeline is getting longer every time, I wonder if anyone know if this is on case by case basis depending on the previous conviction or simply in first come first serve?

@jrogers The reason for the second request - if you can believe it - they asked for more information on a charge he didn’t have! They wanted details of something he didn’t do. So they had to fix their errors. As a side note, the charge was for having relations with his girlfriend at the time who was under age. The mother pressed charges. He got a suspended sentence - 2 years probation. We live in a small town and still talk to the girlfriend to this day. She even wrote a letter of support for him!

@neats47

It is very unusual for them to ask for information more than once, so you are in a very rare situation. So it is hard to say how much longer it would take. I don't know what the charge is, but I did have a client with gun convictions, and a "charge" of sexual assault and attempted murder that was withdrawn. So they asked for an explanation. The charges came form his ex-wife, who sadly had a brain tumor. For example, she said he tried to throw her off a balcony but his condo doesn't have one, this was a "delusion" the tumor caused. She died shortly after. This client got a September Letter, so was happy in the end.

@jrogers Is it normal for the USBP, when asking for “more information”, to take so long? Application submitted August 14. Request For More Information November 29. Response received December 2. ANOTHER Request For More Information December 3. Response received December 5. We sent a letter from the court that said they could not provide information on the one and only charge my husband has because it’s from 30 years ago and they don’t have the records anymore. And so far that’s where it sits. Is this normal? Sorry to bother you with what probably seems silly to you, but as I’m sure you know with all of your work experience that it’s so very frustrating.

5 YEAR WAIVER - RE-APPLICATION

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
1/6/2023, 07:30 AM EST : Status changed to Completed
9/2/2022, 12:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
8/31/2022, 11:50 AM EDT : Status changed to Paid
8/31/2022, 11:49 AM EDT : Status changed to Signed
8/23/2022, 10:01 AM EDT : Application Created

WAIVER 5 YEARS, RE-APPLICATION

Status History (5)
1/10/2023, 12:30 PM EST : Status changed to Completed
9/8/2022, 02:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
8/16/2022, 02:57 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
8/16/2022, 02:55 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
8/16/2022, 10:51 AM EDT : Application Created

@jrogers. thanks, I didn't have any court documents due to it being in the US.
But they wouldn't let you Certify unless something was downloaded.
I supplied a letter explaining the circumstances .

5 year waiver - first time applicant, tried to get asylum in the 90's

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
1/9/2023, 01:30 PM EST : Status changed to Completed
9/8/2022, 06:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
8/25/2022, 04:09 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
8/25/2022, 04:07 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
8/4/2022, 02:16 PM EDT : Application Created

@wishbone

Yes, once you CERTIFY the application, it should give you an option to pay.

I finally finished the e-safe forms and downloaded all required documentation, (personal letter, rcmp , references etc)
I didn't get any prompts to submit and pay the fee.
Did I miss something or do they contact me by email.
thanks

@neats47 i know the feeling I had to cancel two trip for work, I still had a long wait since ARO got my files only mid December

@casper I haven’t heard of that during my countless researches on the process but it sounds like you created the account and was uploading documents in the mean time? I am collecting but haven’t created an account since I’m not ready to make the application yet.

@neats47 did you go to the courthouse directly or called in to inquire? You may hear from them soon and may not miss the cruise. I had a cruise booked and canceled because I didn’t tell my girlfriend that I was turned away from the border previously. It was with Royal and they offered a voucher that doesn’t expire. I really hope you get the waiver. Is it a difficult case he has or simply? I can understand how you feel. We are all at their mercy when that time comes aren’t we. Let the forum know how it goes.

@DT it was requested December 2. We sent it back right away (Dec 5). I think what bothers me more than anything is that when applying for the waiver, you are totally and completely at the mercy of the USBP. Short of begging, all you can do is submit what they ask for and hope for the best. It’s just really starting to get me down. We are missing out on a two week cruise in a few weeks because we don’t have my husbands waiver yet. And that’s if he gets it. Our hands are tied for now.