Interesting one here everyone. This is a truck driver, a client I have had for years. I did a few "essential truck driver" waivers. This client did his with the regular paper application in February 2021. No answer, no sign of the waiver. He went to Niagara Falls. Nothing. Buffalo had no answers, and his emails and my phone calls got no results. Finally, I just redid everything for free through eSAFE. New fingerprints, new everything. Here is the result. 5 year waiver...finally.

The other truck drivers that did the waiver at the time had no problem, just this one person.

Note again, 20 days. Again, the applications are taking longer and longer.

Please review the documents
Status History (5)
8/18/2021, 06:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/28/2021, 07:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/27/2021, 05:03 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/27/2021, 05:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/27/2021, 11:41 AM EDT : Application Created

16 day wait, another 80 plus year old man re-application. 5 year granted. So i am now telling everyone 15-30 days after they have gone to the border they should receive it.

ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
8/18/2021, 10:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
8/2/2021, 03:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/27/2021, 09:38 AM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/27/2021, 09:34 AM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/20/2021, 02:43 PM EDT : Application Created

This is a long time client, 5 year waiver, he has a shoplifting of a $10 item in the 80's. I point this out to show 1.) even minor offences can get you stopped and 2) the length of time for waivers is increasing. He was fingerprinted on July 30 and got it today at 6am. That is 18 days, so please note the waivers are not getting faster, they are getting slower.

I always feel bad for clients like this, he is in his mid 80's and I always try and get him a September Letter, but they keep giving him a 5 year waiver.

Please review the documents
Status History (5)
8/17/2021, 06:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/30/2021, 09:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/26/2021, 05:19 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/26/2021, 05:09 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/26/2021, 04:25 PM EDT : Application Created

Another one, August 11 granted, Again, the timeline a little longer. The July 4 weekend could have been a factor as well.

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ARO Decision
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Status History (5)
8/11/2021, 09:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/26/2021, 10:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/15/2021, 03:48 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/15/2021, 03:46 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/8/2021, 03:20 PM EDT : Application Created

Note they are starting to take a little bit longer. This lady got a 5 year waiver (her first) but decision was 15 days. He son got a 1 year waiver a while ago but only 6 days. So maybe they are taking a bit longer now.

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Status History (5)
8/11/2021, 11:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/27/2021, 11:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/16/2021, 01:50 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/16/2021, 01:41 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/13/2021, 02:47 PM EDT : Application Created

Here are some recent ones:

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ARO Decision
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Status History (5)
8/3/2021, 07:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/22/2021, 07:22 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/19/2021, 03:08 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/19/2021, 03:06 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/19/2021, 10:01 AM EDT : Application Created

Please review the documents
Status History (5)
7/29/2021, 02:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/19/2021, 10:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/15/2021, 10:17 AM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/15/2021, 10:13 AM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/14/2021, 09:39 AM EDT : Application Created

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
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Status History (5)
7/30/2021, 01:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/22/2021, 07:22 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/19/2021, 04:29 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/19/2021, 04:28 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/19/2021, 11:17 AM EDT : Application Created

ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
8/3/2021, 12:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/22/2021, 07:22 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/14/2021, 10:21 AM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/14/2021, 10:19 AM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/9/2021, 01:54 PM EDT : Application Created
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Please review the documents
Status History (5)
8/3/2021, 12:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/22/2021, 07:22 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
6/25/2021, 04:18 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
6/25/2021, 04:15 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
6/25/2021, 02:52 PM EDT : Application Created

Please review the documents
Status History (5)
8/3/2021, 06:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/22/2021, 07:22 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/6/2021, 05:21 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/6/2021, 05:19 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/6/2021, 11:26 AM EDT : Application Created

Granted Today. 5 year waiver.

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
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Status History (5)
7/29/2021, 06:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/22/2021, 07:22 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/16/2021, 03:51 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/16/2021, 03:48 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/15/2021, 11:18 AM EDT : Application Created

@K

Congratulations!!!! Obviously you did a great job.

I am posting this one because it is a little different than most of the waivers I see. He had a serious robbery/firearms offence from 2009. The result was a 1 year waiver. Recently I have been getting referrals from a lot of guys who I assume were in gangs in their youth, so this lets me know that even 10 years might only result in a one year waiver, but I need more data before I can be sure.

Still, even with a serious offence, a fast decision.

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ARO Decision
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Status History (5)
7/26/2021, 03:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/19/2021, 06:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/13/2021, 05:18 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/13/2021, 05:15 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/9/2021, 09:39 AM EDT : Application Created

Did it myself and voila! 5 year waiver issued today and I did it all by myself. First waiver was done by a Toronto company. Took my time to go through it and saved myself a ton of $$.

Status History (5)
7/26/2021, 01:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/13/2021, 07:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
6/30/2021, 10:12 AM EDT : Status changed to Paid
6/30/2021, 10:09 AM EDT : Status changed to Signed
6/11/2021, 11:03 PM EDT : Application Created

These 3 are 5 year waivers in July 2021

Status History (5)
7/14/2021, 10:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/7/2021, 11:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
7/5/2021, 05:11 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
7/5/2021, 05:08 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
7/5/2021, 04:04 PM EDT : Application Created

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ARO Decision
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Status History (5)
7/13/2021, 09:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/7/2021, 10:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
6/28/2021, 12:42 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
6/28/2021, 12:23 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
5/18/2021, 04:47 PM EDT : Application Created

ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
7/13/2021, 03:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
6/11/2021, 01:04 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
6/10/2021, 09:28 AM EDT : Status changed to Paid
6/10/2021, 08:51 AM EDT : Status changed to Signed
6/9/2021, 03:50 PM EDT : Application Create

This is a 1 year waiver July also

ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
7/2/2021, 04:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
6/30/2021, 03:35 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
6/16/2021, 03:11 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
6/16/2021, 03:09 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
6/16/2021, 02:27 PM EDT : Application Created

This client was also an I-212 case and got a one year. So there are entries for both applications. Also, there is an actual decision letter they gave the client to go with the waiver that is for his I-212. I will submit this for his re-application to show he has already done the I-212 so he won’t have to repeat it.

Status History (5)
7/14/2021, 10:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/10/2021, 11:47 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
6/7/2021, 01:57 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
5/26/2021, 11:50 AM EDT : Status changed to Signed
5/25/2021, 03:20 PM EDT : Application Created

Status History (5)
7/14/2021, 10:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
6/21/2021, 10:01 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
6/7/2021, 01:10 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
6/7/2021, 01:07 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
6/1/2021, 10:52 AM EDT : Application Created

I received my latest 5-year waiver this morning. This was my first time using e-safe and was extremely quick. This was a non-essential application and I did my biometric processing at the Sumas crossing in BC on 07/06/21 so basically 3-1/2 business days to receive an update to "completed" and the attached waiver.

Please note that I did not have to quarantine but as has been stated before; if you enter the building then you are subject to quarantine and currently none of the July 5th changes apply to waive that so be prepared that you may be lucky but should prepare to quarantine. As well to give ample time at US customs as some crossings like Sumas had not done an e-safe application before so took some time to figure it out but they were very pleasant about it.

TIMELINES VARY!!

Keep in mind different ports have different requirements. In Ontario, I can get away without court documents the majority of the time. As Michelle has stated, out west is different.

So by necessity, anyone applying out west has to remember that the gathering of documents WILL include court documents, which means a longer lead time before it can be processed.

As you can see, once its submitted, there is no difference. Homeland Security is quite fast right now regardless of where it is filed.

This brings up an interesting point. If you are out west, it is BETTER to use Michelle. She knows who is taking waivers, and what the requirements are. In Ontario, I am the expert. I have done a few in Manitoba, and even more in BC but in reality, when it comes to Sask, Alberta and even BC, Michelle is going to be your best option.

This info is collection of paperwork timeline for my e-safe client:

Jan. 25 - fingerprints sent to RCMP
Feb. 24 - Received RCMP results
Feb. 26 - Court request sent to Montreal
June 10 - received court docs

As you can see gathering the documents takes some time - please keep this in mind when applying for a Travel Waiver. Thanks!

I am happy to report my first e-safe client, keep in mind this timeline does not include gathering of paperwork.

June 28 - Client pickup paperwork from me.
June 29 - filed e-safe - paid USA Fee
June 30 - Went to Portal, ND - no appointment - advised he filed e-safe, they looked up file - fingerprinted him
July 2 - received email advising file received and being worked on
July 6 - received email waiver - 5 years.

No quarantine for Canada - however, he was told that "rule state if you leave vehicle - you are suppose to quarantine" but they let him go as rules are changing soon.

History of client: He is a truck driver - very old charges, no pardon in place - he has been previously denied 2 times. This is his second waiver - he did one previous, not with me. First waiver was 1 year. Has been several years since he has done a waiver.

@J Rogers
First time waiver but should be as close to a "slam-dunk" as possible...at least according to my lawyer since its not relating to a criminal conviction/pardon. Hopefully it's just a first time + west coast thing since I've read from previous waiver processing threads that some folks took up to 30 days to get a response.

I can update this thread once I do hear back

@Admt

I need a bit more info. Was this a first application? Slam dunk or marginal? I have 2 waivers, tough ones, that are still pending from early June but I expected that and they both got a "request for more documentation".

I don't have any on the West coast that are pending or handed in since they started taking them so I have no idea if this is a "west coast" thing or just you.

I would say ask Ken but I doubt he has any real waivers handed in since they started taking them to be honest. If he does, maybe he could post some timelines here so we can tell.

You can call me at 416-843-1371 or text and we can see if we can figure this out.

clarification: I mean I did my biometrics at the poe on the 15th and promptly got an email from CBD saying that the ARO is in receipt of my application but it's been radio silent since

@J Rogers Are all your clients based in Ontario/Quebec? I dropped my waiver in on June 15th at Blaine Washington PoE (Pacific Crossing) and I haven't received any updates yet.

Look at these crazy timelines. 5 days for waiver to be granted after Fingerprints done at border in 2 of these examples. That is INCREDIBLY fast.
All three are 5 year waivers.

ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
7/6/2021, 06:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
6/28/2021, 03:28 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
6/24/2021, 03:42 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
6/24/2021, 03:40 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
6/24/2021, 03:14 PM EDT : Application Created

ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
7/6/2021, 10:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/1/2021, 12:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
6/29/2021, 05:28 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
6/29/2021, 05:21 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
6/29/2021, 04:52 PM EDT : Application Created

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
7/6/2021, 10:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
7/1/2021, 11:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
6/15/2021, 04:51 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
6/15/2021, 04:48 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
5/11/2021, 08:37 PM EDT : Application Created