Follow this forum: Subscribe above to receive an email when anyone responds or add the RSS Feed below into your own newsfeed reader.
Because MANY people log on here to see timelines, not discussions, lets keep THIS thread ONLY for timelines. Then people don;t have to sift through to find out how long they are taking. I was trying to amend the old one but it got deleted, so I saved the last page, and added a bit to it. My apologies if you were looking for old info. The page was getting spammed all the time and had a lot of comments on it.
[ J Rogers appended this reply on September 18, 2025 @ 4:02 pm ]
As for the timeline......when the fees went up the backlog slowed these applications down. That backlog is GONE. They could get every application they have done by Thanksgiving if they want. They do NOT want then done quickly. If this seems like "why would they do that?" then you aren't paying attention. Notice Canada has tariffs for made up reasons, and we have been threatened by Annexation. Notice Russia has not a SINGLE TARIFF. Notice Trump met with Putin in Alaska and got embarrassed. And STILL his "friends" have tariffs and the Russians.....nothing.
[ J Rogers appended this reply on February 18, 2026 @ 2:14 pm ]
sorry everyone, my mistake, this is his FIRST waiver. Not a re-application.
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?
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)
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.
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)
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.
Waiver denied.
Status History (5)
10/06/2026, 09:16 AM : Status changed to Completed
02/14/2025, 04:00 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
01/20/2025, 08:39 PM : Status changed to Paid
01/20/2025, 08:37 PM : Status changed to Signed
10/23/2024, 07:10 PM : Application Created
599 days for a decision.
2016-Robbery - 3 years
2016-Theft Over 5000 - 90 days
3 people and a gun was involved. Jewelry store.
I thought it was less that 50% chance, but client needed to try and get to festivals.
They did not ask for further information, and we did submit a psychiatric report that claimed he was a "low risk" to re-offend.
In my opinion, 2029 makes this a "safe" waiver to try, that will be a FULL 10 years after the end of sentence. I have never seen Homeland Security not address the "not enough time" factor, just the "aggravated felony" factor.
1 YEAR WAIVER
First waiver
2007 Robbery (4 banks) 14 month sentence (gun prohibition as well)
He got asked for a police report, because like a couple of other Robbery Convictions, they wanted to see CONTEXT and if his story matched up to the actual crime.
Status History (7)
10/06/2026, 07:55 AM : Status changed to Completed
10/05/2026, 05:09 PM : Status changed to Request for More Information Response
07/24/2026, 08:09 AM : Status changed to Request for More Information
11/26/2025, 03:00 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
11/14/2025, 02:42 PM : Status changed to Paid
11/14/2025, 02:40 PM : Status changed to Signed
10/29/2025, 03:10 PM : Application Created
Notice they responded the NEXT day after asking for more information. This isn't always the case, but it happens enough that I always check the file 2 days later.
3 year waiver
3 YEAR WAIVER
Status History (5)
10/05/2026, 10:11 AM : Status changed to Completed
05/27/2026, 12:25 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
05/11/2026, 10:42 AM : Status changed to Paid
05/11/2026, 10:37 AM : Status changed to Signed
02/18/2026, 02:42 PM : Application Created
131 days
He had a 1 year first so reapplication
7 convictions from 2001-2007 including a trafficking.
Its a very rare Waiver, I do not get many 3 year waivers.
2 year waiver
he had a 1 year, reapplication
239 days. (I assume because of the nature of the offence)
2012 - Sexual Assault
Status History (5)
10/01/2026, 11:31 AM : Status changed to Completed
02/04/2026, 07:03 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
01/28/2026, 06:17 PM : Status changed to Paid
01/28/2026, 05:22 PM : Status changed to Signed
11/12/2025, 01:49 PM : Application Created
5 year Waiver
Reapplication multiple 5 year waivers
128 days
1974 Theft
1982 Theft
1983 Fraud
1992 Fraud
Status History (5)
09/25/2026, 11:57 AM : Status changed to Completed
05/20/2026, 12:46 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
04/24/2026, 03:28 PM : Status changed to Paid
04/24/2026, 03:16 PM : Status changed to Signed
04/21/2026, 03:11 PM : Application Created
128 days
| YOU TYPE: | YOU SEE: |
|---|---|
| _italic_ | italic |
| *bold* | bold |
| "This is quoted text." | This is quoted text. |
| ::This is a title | This is a title |
| :::This is a smaller title | This is a smaller title |
| --- | |
| % inline code text % | inline code text |
| +Bulleted unordered list item+ +Bulleted unordered list item+ |
|
| #Bulleted ordered list item# #Bulleted ordered list item# |
|
|
YES: http://www.google.com NO: www.google.com YES: email@email.com |
http://www.google.com www.google.com email@email.com |
