@Dunston I remember seeing a post on Reddit a couple of months ago (I wish I could find the link now) where someone went to a land border to apply for TN status and already had an active I-192 waiver. The officer still denied the TN because the waiver didn’t specifically mention TN status. They ended up having to decline the job offer and apply for a new waiver, which would take months. Obviously, most employers aren’t going to wait that long.

Of course, every case is different, and TN approval is ultimately at the officer’s discretion. The port of entry can also matter. For example, Pearson airport is KNOWN for high denials. As John has emphasized, border agents are scrutinizing applications much more closely these days.

@Dunston While we wait for an answer, my 2 cents is that when you apply for the waiver, you should ALWAYS try and include that fact that "you might apply for a TN visa in the future" because you might get a 5 year waiver.

Most of the clients I have in this category were not criminal record related, and some were actually waiver clients BECAUSE they had TN visas and made the mistake of not re-applying for a NEW visa when they switched employers.

@skumar

First of all, its very good to know that someone with a waiver has been working with a tn visa. It will be great if you could outline your waiver+ TN visa application journey/ process. There are some questions which will be really helpful- For example, did you have to apply for a separate/ new waiver requesting TN status, or was it included in your original application? I really hope you could spare some of your free time to help!

Four years ago would mean Biden- different administration- but I hope the core approval process remains the same.

Thanks!

5 YEAR WAIVER

Re-application Multiple waivers

186 days.

Born in Italy.

1985- poss of stolen property under $200 x 2
1986 - Assault - uttering forged document

Status History (5)
10/26/2026, 09:38 AM : Status changed to Completed
04/23/2026, 01:40 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
04/16/2026, 04:23 PM : Status changed to Paid
04/16/2026, 04:21 PM : Status changed to Signed
04/13/2026, 10:42 AM : Application Created

3 WAIVERS BELOW.

All are 5 years. All are repeat clients with OLD criminal records. No need for them to take longer. 1 was granted Friday, 2 were from today.

I won't bother with posting the records, all 3 have pardons, all 3 submitted Privacy Act AND court docs with their applications. All 3 have had 3 or more waivers.

186 183 and 139 days. The only differentiation between the 139 and the 2 others were place of Birth.

186 - Canada but Italian decent
183- Canada but Jamaican decent
139 - Born in Tel Aviv, Isreal

I do not know if this was a factor, and I have other clients recently that were 130 days born in Canada as well.

At the bottom ill put a woman, multiple waivers born in Canada, and this same month she got her waiver in 128 days. (I had posted about her before)

5 YEAR WAIVER

Status History (5)

10/26/2026, 10:19 AM : Status changed to Completed
04/23/2026, 03:38 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
04/22/2026, 02:02 PM : Status changed to Paid
04/22/2026, 02:00 PM : Status changed to Signed
04/22/2026, 01:42 PM : Application Created

186

5 YEAR WAIVER

Status History (5)

10/23/2026, 10:13 AM : Status changed to Completed
04/23/2026, 03:39 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
04/17/2026, 03:34 PM : Status changed to Paid
04/17/2026, 03:31 PM : Status changed to Signed
04/17/2026, 02:38 PM : Application Created

183

5 YEAR WAIVER

Status History (5)

10/26/2026, 10:23 AM : Status changed to Completed
06/09/2026, 02:46 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
06/08/2026, 04:36 PM : Status changed to Paid
06/08/2026, 04:35 PM : Status changed to Signed
06/08/2026, 03:44 PM : Application Created

139 DAYS

This is the woman, 128 days. Has a pardon, multiple waivers.

5 year waiver

re-application, this is her 4rth

128 days

Status History (5)
10/07/2026, 09:06 AM : Status changed to Completed
06/01/2026, 02:49 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
05/29/2026, 03:10 PM : Status changed to Paid
05/29/2026, 03:09 PM : Status changed to Signed
05/29/2026, 11:12 AM : Application Created

@skumar

You can send us ink fingerprints, or use a similar business in BC.

We have a website, www.inkfingerprints.com that deals with this very thing.

Just to give a broad explanation, you are using a company/police to do ink fingerprints in Seattle. Probably they will use an FBI card. We then take those ink fingerprints and use a special scanner to "digitize" them. Its as if you are standing in our office.

Then when the results come (it can come to us or to you) you have the same police certificate as if you did it the normal way.

Remember, you will have to "leave" and come to Canada to "submit" your application, or at least go to the same border point from the US side. You have a TN visa, so for you this should be "no problem" but just be prepared. Some of these officers LOOK for trouble, although they have been slightly better (according to anecdotal information, not statistics) than they were earlier in 2026.

I mention 'anecdotal' because unlike timelines, which are based on actual DATA, I am NOT getting data when clients or people have NO problem at the border. These clients call me much less than people who have a hassle.

Today a client called because when she crossed a couple of months ago, the officer INSISTED she was good for 5 years, despite her waiver clearly saying ONE year. He got angry when she told him it clearly said "1 year". (boggles the mind)

So please be careful. and please let us know how it goes, for others in the Seattle area.

@skumar So did you have a waiver before that had a TN and b1/b2 designate? And then just moved to Seattle area?
As for fingerprints from my research, you can get prints done in the u.s and then they send them off to Ottawa.

I have been in US working on TN visa after getting I-192 approval four years ago. I have done search online and understand that I need to get RCMP fingerprints. I am living in Seattle area. @John Rogers, from where should I apply for my RCMP fingerprints. Do you know an accredited institution that can do it in lowermainland area or do you want me to get it done through an agency here in Seattle area where they take my ink prints.

I’m in the same boat. I submitted my waiver application at the end of August, requesting L-2 and TN work designations, along with B1/B2. This is my second waiver; I previously had a B1/B2 waiver that was valid for one year.

@J Rogers, ok good ,I feel better about my submission now, and hopefully the shorter wait times stay on track. I will definitely provide an update, I have been checking this forum daily for months now lol. It's all good info.

@Canuck67

We have submitted waivers with "we may want to apply for an E Visa in the future" and that basically made them send back the application and ask "are you applying for the E visa or a waiver?"

I think for other visas, like L and TN etc, you should do exactly what you did. I just don't have a RECENT example of this, (most of my clients end up with 5 years waivers) so when you get your results, please post them so others can get some guidance.

As I tell everyone, its more accurate to see WHAT is happening, vs what is SUPPOSSED to happen. So if they grant your waiver and say "B1 B2 and L" then that is what I would tell people going forward.

The frustrating thing is the US isn't even following many of its OWN rules, so it is impossible to know sometimes what is applicable and what is not.

@J Rogers - Thank you for responding, correct my spouse has the L1 and is down there with my child, I submitted mine in August with the documentation proving I would be automatically eligible for the L2s, So I would need that designate in the pre-authorized access section under B1/B2 and L2s. My fingers have been crossed for it all to go smoothly. Just out of curiosity have you submitted many with similar circumstances, if so, was there many issues?

@Canuck67

Well, I think 130 days is a good general guideline because its a re-application. Yes the L2 adds a level of scrutiny.

(L visas are "interoffice transfers" in general terms) so they are contemplating whether this is a factor is giving a longer waiver.

@J Rogers

I haven't quite figured out if it makes a difference what month of the year the packages is submitted? But, if I submitted in 1st week of Aug, and previously had a 1 year (expired in Aug of 2024) any guess to what timeframe i'd be looking at? I also requested that I have a L2 visa designate be on there, not sure if that adds another level of scrutiny? (probably)

@J Rogers

Thank you so much for the extra information i really appreciate this forum and all the hard work you post to give us an idea.

I did include a test the first time however i did not this time. I focused heavily on my personal letter. I hope i get a longer one this time.

Again thank you for everything you do on this forum.

Next time i will be contacting you to get my next waiver filed.

@Mopar 11

October 1 should result in a waiver around February 8.

The Trump admin is giving out a LOT of 1 year waivers the first time you apply, although there are exceptions.

When I do a reapplication, I always try and expand the applications.

Drugs? Include a drug test, if you did it for the first application include both and MENTION them in the personal letter. Also indicate you "no longer use drugs of any kind despite it being legal in Canada".

Being stopped because of "messages about drug use" is a VERY minor "offence". The personal letter is the MOST important part of this application.

If you do not enclose drug tests, you are being compared to people who ARE. If I worked at Homeland Security, I would want to see "I no longer use drugs of any kind" and here is the proof. Also, they want to see an "understanding" of how drugs affect the community.

This is not a very common "offence" I get way more waivers for communications indicating prostitution or plans to overstay, so I don't think most of the people I post about here would be an exact match. I am confident that if you did the elements I mentioned, that they will give you a longer waiver this time. With the right approach, you could get a September Letter, remember, you did not actually break the law, or bring drugs into the US.

I would be a little disappointed you got a 1 year waiver to be honest. In July I had 3 September letters, (big fluke) and I am sure one of them was similar. (I am not 100% sure)

@J Rogers

Hello Mr. Rogers when you get the time can you upload more renewals especially ones that had 1 year previously.

I reapplied for my second one October 1st it expires in feb 2027.

Just trying to see my chances of being approved for a longer waiver.

I have not been in any sort of trouble since approval. I had messages related to drug use in 2017 no crimnal record.

Hoping i get a 5 year this time.

[ Mopar 11 appended this reply on October 20, 2026 @ 7:00 pm ]

Thank you

I was on Vacation for a week, so this week no doubt will have many waivers either granted or updated.

1 year waiver

1st waiver 190 days

Status History (5)

09/25/2026, 09:22 AM : Status changed to Completed
03/19/2026, 01:40 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
03/18/2026, 11:39 AM : Status changed to Paid
03/18/2026, 11:35 AM : Status changed to Signed
03/11/2026, 02:49 PM : Application Created

1996 tried to apply for asylum already a landed immigrant in Canada.

5 year waiver

re-application, this is her 4rth

128 days

Status History (5)
10/07/2026, 09:06 AM : Status changed to Completed
06/01/2026, 02:49 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
05/29/2026, 03:10 PM : Status changed to Paid
05/29/2026, 03:09 PM : Status changed to Signed
05/29/2026, 11:12 AM : Application Created

1997 Importing
2000 Forgery of Passport
2005 Common Bawdy House
2005 Fail to Comply

Timelines for Reapplications seem to be 128-133 days for "most" but not all. I have quite a few that are over 150 days as well.

@Jacob You can call my office

905-459-9669
Cell is 416-843-1371

John Rogers