My last 4 waivers; Note the timelines and the most recent is 89 days. Also I have a 5, a September Letter and 2 1 year waivers.

5 YEAR WAIVER
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Status History (5)
8/5/2022, 04:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
5/10/2022, 07:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
4/11/2022, 12:36 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
4/11/2022, 12:34 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
4/6/2022, 10:08 AM EDT : Application Created

1 year waiver
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Status History (7)
8/15/2022, 10:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
6/6/2022, 01:48 PM EDT : Status changed to Request for More Information Response
4/14/2022, 12:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Request for More Information
3/14/2022, 12:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
2/23/2022, 11:50 AM EST : Status changed to Paid
2/23/2022, 11:48 AM EST : Status changed to Signed
1/5/2022, 02:16 PM EST : Application Created

SEPTEMBER LETTER!!!

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Status History (5)
8/15/2022, 03:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
5/13/2022, 12:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
5/9/2022, 09:28 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
5/9/2022, 09:26 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
3/22/2022, 11:20 AM EDT : Application Created

1 year waiver
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Status History (5)
8/15/2022, 03:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
5/16/2022, 03:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
5/11/2022, 08:52 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
5/11/2022, 08:51 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
4/29/2022, 10:50 AM EDT : Application Created

@Magnus

I will let other give their first hand accounts on this since I have never handed in a waiver, just sent others. But technically
1. You show the original documents, they look up your esafe file online
2.they take your biometrics
3. They might take DNA
4 They give your documents back to you , and send you home.

When one goes to the border for biometrics what do they ask for? Do they ask for your driver’s license and car registration or is it just your passport (obviously)? Any other documentation?

I think someone asked if any May submissions still outstanding, the answer is yes lol

Status History (4)
5/20/2022, 12:30 PM ADT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
5/12/2022, 10:15 AM ADT : Status changed to Paid
5/12/2022, 10:12 AM ADT : Status changed to Signed
5/9/2022, 12:10 PM ADT : Application Created

September Letter!!!! 88 days but well worth it! She actually handed her waiver in with her BF who has a serious record. He is still waiting.

She travelled with a friend who claimed she was staying in the same place, which wasn't true. (2016) The friend was an exotic dancer, so they assumed she was planning on working in the US and so must the client be doing the same She was denied entry. I was pretty certain she would get a September Letter, and I am very happy she did.

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Status History (5)
8/15/2022, 03:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
5/13/2022, 12:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
5/9/2022, 09:28 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
5/9/2022, 09:26 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
3/22/2022, 11:20 AM EDT : Application Created

A waiver granted today. Note 2 things,. 1 year waiver, first time applicant. Also, he was asked for court documents and we were able to provide SOME but not all in the 87 days.

2003 Possession of property Obtained by Crime
2017 False Pretences

Just to give you context. Also its obviously the fact he barely waited 5 years that resulted in the 1 year waiver.

1 year waiver
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Status History (7)
8/15/2022, 10:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
6/6/2022, 01:48 PM EDT : Status changed to Request for More Information Response
4/14/2022, 12:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Request for More Information
3/14/2022, 12:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
2/23/2022, 11:50 AM EST : Status changed to Paid
2/23/2022, 11:48 AM EST : Status changed to Signed
1/5/2022, 02:16 PM EST : Application Created

Congratulations to everyone that got their waiver approval, I am so happy to see that things are picking up. I don't think we have more of May submissions anymore. It is safe to hope that this coming week we can start receiving June approvals.
This forum has been helpful with my anxiety so far.
Thank you @ J Rogers for all your prompt response.
Now do we still have people that submitted in the month of May?

Thank you so much. You were so right! I’m grateful I got five years first time. 😊 wish you all the best. @candra1

@Beu wow congrats I knew it was going to be this week.. you are so lucky of getting 5 years and it was your first time as well..

Waiver finally received. 5 years first timer. Fingerprint done May 5 at the border. Approval on August 11. About 98 days @J Rogers

WAIVER RECEIVED 5 YEAR RENEWAL
Finally received my response August 11!!
Submitted it May 5 at POE and received email August 11 granting me 5 year renewal. This is my second waiver and my first one was expiring on August 14 2022. Just in the nick of time!!

@W

Well, if someone has a 2008 conviction and they have the smallest possible sentence, something has to be "missing".

The personal letter can be a huge factor in drug convictions, because you are supposed to recognize that drugs "hurt our communities, tear apart families, fuel organized crime". If you have an assault conviction or sexual assault, you have to show empathy for the victim. Most people have spent a lot of time and money defending themselves, and that is hard to not let creep in to a personal letter.

The problem is people ALWAYS defend themselves, or mitigate what they have done without any acknowledgment of personal responsibility.
For example, "I plead guilty and was given a conditional discharge" is different from "I wasn't convicted, I was conditionally discharged", which is inaccurate, but I have seen plenty of letters that say that. Most people don't even understand what a conditional discharge is, oor if it has been removed, they fail to provide any proof of what the discharge looks like.

I have no personal ties to the events. So when I write a letter, all I am aiming for is sincerity, specifics and whatever I think Homeland Security wants to hear. I KNOW what they want to hear because when they reject a waiver, they give 4 pages of details with exactly what they did NOT like about a personal letter. I use THIER phraseology to give them exactly what they want.

@J Rogers Thank you for your feedback. Moving forward, I don't want to rock the boat but can the decision be revised or I have to take what they have given me? I too was surprised that they granted me 2 years but at same time relieved that I finally got approved. Thanks again!

How much weight does the personal letter carry? I’m sure everyone grovels for forgiveness in them, or just pay someone to write one from a template @J Rogers

@Certified82

My earlier answer has disappeared.

A conditional discharge should never get less than a 5 year waiver if its that old. And now you have a 2 year waiver? Makes no sense. It MUST be the personal letter.

@J Rogers I was charged but never convicted with the possession for the purpose of trafficking of illegal drugs in 2008. I was acquitted of these charges. I have another charge same year of possession but pleaded guilty and was conditionally discharged. My first waiver was granted for 1 year.

@Certified82
Was the first waiver just a 1 year?
If you give me the following (you can keep in general)
-span of convictions (how many years)
-approx how many convictions
-seriousness and longest sentence
-year of the last conviction

I can tell you pretty accurately if what you got was typical or atypical.

@J Rogers - 93 Days since submission. Approved for 2 years ... this is my second waiver as well. Should I received 5? I'm assuming they only gave me 2 due to the severity of my charges? Thanks for your feedback

Application Status

Completed

Status History (5)

8/11/2022, 07:00 AM PDT : Status changed to Completed

5/10/2022, 07:00 PM PDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO

5/9/2022, 05:45 PM PDT : Status changed to Paid

5/9/2022, 05:05 PM PDT : Status changed to Signed

5/9/2022, 10:19 AM PDT : Application Created

This one is from Friday August 5. 85 days according to my math. 5 year renewal, he has had 5 waivers in total..

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Status History (5)
8/5/2022, 04:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
5/10/2022, 07:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
4/11/2022, 12:36 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
4/11/2022, 12:34 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
4/6/2022, 10:08 AM EDT : Application Created

Interesting article and “may” have something to do with the waiver backlog although one could surmise that adjudication of a waiver is exponentially less complicated than a green card or visa application.

https://apple.news/ARvorBzSETh2Yfbcjp9iP2A