2 different 5 year waivers granted.

Note they both went to the border on November 14 and 15th. They are both re-applications. Top one was a 5 year re-application. Bottom one was a re-application, but he had a 1 year first and he is in BC, the top one is in Ontario.

5 year waiver

ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
6/18/2025, 07:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
11/14/2024, 03:00 PM EST : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
11/5/2024, 05:07 PM EST : Status changed to Paid
11/5/2024, 05:05 PM EST : Status changed to Signed
10/21/2024, 04:12 PM EDT : Application Created

5 year waiver

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
6/18/2025, 09:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
11/15/2024, 12:30 PM EST : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
10/24/2024, 05:49 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
10/24/2024, 05:47 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
10/24/2024, 05:17 PM EDT : Application Created

@J Rogers Thank you for your feedback—I hear you, and I appreciate the clarification. You're absolutely right that this space is meant for real, experience-based timelines and specifics, not generic overviews. My intention was to help others understand the process based on what I’ve been seeing and learning, but I recognize now that the information I shared didn’t meet the expectations or the purpose of this particular thread.
To clarify, my I-192 was submitted October 30, 2024, through e-SAFE as a Canadian citizen, with an overstay history from several years ago, and I’m now approaching the 8-month mark with no update yet. So far, it seems like cases from late fall 2024 are still pending, which tracks with the delay’s others have reported since the April 2024 slowdown began.
Thanks again for keeping the space focused and useful for everyone, it really helps new first-time applicants like me stay on track.

*** I should also add, your response has impacts, please be more mindful.

5 year waiver

He had 5 years before. He also lives in British Columbia in case anyone was wondering about regional differences. Most of my clients are in Ontario.

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
6/11/2025, 10:37 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
6/20/2024, 08:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
6/13/2024, 04:52 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
6/13/2024, 04:49 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
6/6/2024, 11:32 AM EDT : Application Created

@wxyzlicious

Thanks, but your information is general (found on any website) incorrect in some cases (these people are Canadian and have NEVER paid $930) and in the wrong spot. A different person on a different topic asked for this.

The people here KNOW about waivers (at least generally) and would like SPECIFIC and CORRECT information. And please put it in the space that it is meant for. People want TIMELINES (or at least discussions about timelines) in this spot. In that way, people can find what they want, and ignore the topics that don't interest them.

So why not post it there, but please take out the "vague" information about the time. We are LISTING THE ACTUAL TIMELINES. Why are you saying 6-12 months (this is a 6 month spread, why bother) when the standard was ALWAYS 90 days or less? Its only been since approx April 1 2024 that the timeline has started to get significantly change.

People don't come to this space for "general information". They come for REAL, UPDATED information or personal experiences. Try and add that, not incorrect cut and paste found anywhere.

1. Application Submission (to CBP via e-SAFE or mail)
File through the e-SAFE portal (online) or in person/mail at a designated CBP port of entry or preclearance location.

Include all supporting documents:
• Canadian citizenship or PR proof
• Detailed personal statement
• Court records (if applicable)
• Rehabilitation proof (if any)
• Letters of support
• Travel purposes
• Pay the $930 USD fee.

2. Initial Review by CBP
CBP checks the application for completeness and biometric data.
• If submitted online via e-SAFE, you’ll get a receipt and case number to track progress.
• If required, you’ll be scheduled for fingerprinting or an in-person interview.

Time: A few weeks to 1–2 months after submission

3. Background Checks and Security Screening
FBI, DHS, and other U.S. agencies do criminal, immigration, and security background checks.

They look at:
• Immigration violations (e.g., overstays, bans)
• Criminal records
• Previous U.S. applications (visas, asylum, etc.)
• Whether the applicant poses a security risk

Time: 2–4 months (longer if complicated history)

4. Adjudication by CBP’s Admissibility Review Office (ARO)
The ARO in Virginia is the final decision-maker.

They assess:

• Risk to the U.S.
• Purpose and urgency of travel
• Evidence of rehabilitation or changed circumstances
• Hardship to applicant or family
• If granted, the waiver is valid for 1–5 years, usually renewable.

Time: Total processing time is 6–12 months on average, but some cases take up to 14–16 months.

@YouCanDoIt

Not at all. I wish more people would post their experiences, I just wanted to clarify, because people read into things, and I knew you would probably follow up.

200 pages?? You are 100% engineer! But as I tell my engineer clients, you are the reason things don't fall down, or work. Your mind has to work a certain way.

Attention to detail is the part most people (especially men) struggle with. But great description, and thank you for the follow up.

@J Rogers
Thanks for your input and compliments. I agree with your post and I can't assume that this process is straight forward to everyone, and at first I was overwhelmed. I do want to add, there was A LOT of leg work and A LOT of reading I had to do. Took months before I even started, and more months to collect the documents needed. Case in point, I submitted an i-212 application along with my i-192 the first time. When it came back, I was told it was not necessary, so USD$500+ dollars was wasted (something a lawyer would have had experience about). However, as Mr. Rogers noted, my US case was old, non-violent, and the immigration charge was dated (over 10 years). Also, for everyone reading, this is a crucial document. I know the impact it has on your life. Given MY situation and what I had researched, I felt comfortable doing it myself. My application was well over 200 pages after all the supplementals. So unless you have the time to read, ask questions and understand. I would definitely recommend a lawyer. The lawyer in question is retired from Quebec (Jean-Jacques Rousseau). I have to think he is well into his 80s by now, if still alive. I contacted him through an old website he had (https://waiverlawyer.com/ - no longer in service). It sounds like you are a lawyer, Mr. Rogers, and I hope I did not come across and trivializing the work you and others do in this field and if so, my apologies. I was just willing to share my experience and what I did, but it does not AT ALL replace what a professional can do for you in these matters.

@YouCanDoIt

First of all, great job! Not only in the waiver, but your description.

I have many clients who are engineers, and you sound VERY similar to them, even in your writing.

I see MANY rejections, some are waivers I was asked to "try" even though I told them their chances are not good, but the majority are people who applied either themselves, or through places that did not care if they were approved or not.

Whether it was your intention or not, you make this process seem "unlikely to fail" but your application is not actually a "hard one" because of one key factor.

Time.

Your offences were when you were young (non violent at that) and 21.
Immigration offences yes, but the last one was in 2010. You had a 13 year gap. 10 would have been perfect.

Your articulate, and detail oriented. You do not become an engineer if you are not great at details. As a matter of fact, the biggest problem I have with my engineer clients is getting them to TRUST me and let go of total control.

Most people are not at the same level as you, and what you think of as "easy" is NOT the standard.

-2 other points.

1. A one year waiver in 2023 for this application is actually a disappointing result. My split was 80% five year waivers and 20% (mainly 1 year) waivers in 2023. I posted all my waivers at that time, so its easy to check. We have no way of knowing, but I would have predicted a 5 year, first application in 2023, Biden was VERY lenient at the time, and I was getting 1 September Letter a month at that time, (those are waivers that never expire) a 13 year gap for your case is the perfect scenario for a 5 year waiver. (Not today, but you had the 1 year, so it made sense for them to bump you up to a 5 year)

2. "One lawyer said to me (worked in immigration for 50 years) that he only saw an application denied twice in his life. One where the person lied on their waiver application, and the other when he applied to early after his conviction" This immigration lawyer CANNOT specialize in waivers, if he is saying something that inaccurate. I know all of the high volume waiver people. No one would say that truthfully unless they do at most, a waiver every 6 months?

But tell me who he is (I am sure he would love the extra business his name would produce here) and I will check him out.

I think you are a very intelligent person, and I thank you for sharing your information. There is nothing wrong with posting free information on waivers, and letting people who can handle it do it themselves. But you have done 2 waivers. I have done 4 waivers TODAY. I have posted 2 results of people who applied months ago, TODAY. You need to remember, you are a smart person who did his own waiver twice, under pretty simple circumstances. Old conviction, fairly old immigration offences, and a person who has no problem with articulation and following instructions. There are MANY people who could use your help. But be careful about assuming that "most waivers are approved" or saying "in 50 years he has seen only 2 waivers denied"...no reputable immigration lawyer who handles waivers would say that.

Why would they? Also,. from 2016-2020 not a single waiver application was approved (that's 4 years) under a certain category. I posted about it MANY times. Even clients who were GRANTED waivers under Obama were denied under this "category". That lawyer didn't mention that? Weird. Maybe he is an immigration lawyer who doesn't do many waivers? Otherwise, this sounds a bit ridiculous. But when we know who he is we can clarify.

Thanks again.

Granted 5 year waiver

6/12/2025, 10:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
5/15/2024, 10:31 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
5/13/2024, 11:54 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
5/13/2024, 11:52 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
4/24/2024, 10:01 AM EDT : Application Created

Granted 1 Year Waiver
8/1/2023, 12:31 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
2/15/2023, 04:00 PM EST : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
2/14/2023, 05:35 PM EST : Status changed to Paid
2/14/2023, 05:34 PM EST : Status changed to Signed
1/2/2023, 01:54 PM EST : Application Created

My situation. Canadian citizen. Moved to the US when I was 16 years old (green card holder) year was 1985. Committed bank fraud (around $9,000) while in university (engineering) (21 years old), served 6 months in a Federal Prison Camp. Was released, violated my supervised release by committing another crime (used a business number as a social security number to obtain a vehicle). Served 18 months and then deported back to Canada in 1998. Used my brother's Canadian passport to travel to the US (used to meet work obligations). Was caught in 2010 by RCMP. Served 6 months conditional sentence (served at home with monitor). So after all that applied for a waiver February 2023. I was granted a 1-year waiver in August 2023. Then reapplied in May 2024 and granted a 5-year waiver in June 2025. I did the application myself. In fact, I was told by two lawyers that they would not add any benefit, and I was the best person to articulate my circumstance. I did finish my engineering degree in Canada, currently work in the field and, became a realestate investor. I am saying all this because I thought I was the least eligible person for a waiver. However, it was granted, twice. One lawyer said to me (worked in immigration for 50 years) that he only saw an application denied twice in his life. One where the person lied on their waiver application, and the other when he applied to early after his conviction. So if anyone has any questions, they can reply to this post and I will assist if I can.

@WaiverNotWaver

They are working on JUNE 2024 right now, so you are about 60-90 days away approx. (this is a guess of course)

This is SPECIFICALLY because you are not in the same line-up as some re-applications.

For example, I came her to post this one.

5 year waiver,
re-application, he has had multiple waivers. You are NOT in HIS lineup, you are in the lineup with the June 2024 people.

ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
6/3/2025, 07:00 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
11/7/2024, 08:00 AM EST : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
11/5/2024, 03:31 PM EST : Status changed to Paid
11/5/2024, 03:27 PM EST : Status changed to Signed
10/30/2024, 02:08 PM EDT : Application Created

I submitted my first application in September but haven’t received a response yet. Is this timeline normal? When should I realistically expect to hear back before I should start to worry?

@Portfolio99

No. Absolutely do NOT do a new application until you get the results of THIS application.

They have logged in and no response?

I have files that are longer than this.

@J Rogers Hi Roger, I have summited my waiter application since March 2024. 15 months, should I do a new application, I Believe the finger print Agency Haven't done it right, and since I have a new passport, and new employer.

5 year waiver

Re-application

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
6/6/2025, 09:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Completed
6/18/2024, 01:20 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
6/11/2024, 04:17 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
6/11/2024, 04:13 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
6/10/2024, 03:00 PM EDT : Application Created

5 year waiver

Re-application
Had a 5 year previously.

Completed
Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
6/4/2025, 03:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
11/8/2024, 03:00 PM EST : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
11/6/2024, 04:58 PM EST : Status changed to Paid
11/6/2024, 04:53 PM EST : Status changed to Signed
11/6/2024, 10:22 AM EST : Application Created

5 YEAR WAIVER

-Re-application. Had a 5 year before.

Completed
Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
6/2/2025, 12:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
11/5/2024, 03:00 PM EST : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
10/24/2024, 03:40 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
10/24/2024, 03:38 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
10/1/2024, 04:00 PM EDT : Application Created

1 YEAR WAIVER

2nd 1 year in a row.

2004- Robbery
2009 - guns.

6/2/2025, 01:00 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
6/10/2024, 05:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
6/3/2024, 03:35 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
6/3/2024, 03:34 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
4/15/2024, 10:13 AM EDT : Application Created

@Ana

Congratulations!

5 YEAR WAIVER - 1st Waiver old offence

Documents Shared With You
ARO Decision
Please review the documents
Status History (5)
5/30/2025, 03:30 PM EDT : Status changed to Completed
6/10/2024, 10:30 AM EDT : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
5/28/2024, 04:38 PM EDT : Status changed to Paid
5/28/2024, 04:37 PM EDT : Status changed to Signed
4/23/2024, 02:01 PM EDT : Application Created

@joolsjools the universe must have heard you LOL
Great news I had my renewal approved today for 5 years.
Thank you @J Rogers for your guidance and helping to keep me sane for 11+ months by sharing your insights into the approval timelines.

June 11, and still waiting :( @joolsjools

@J Rogers is correct - not all renewals are in the “fast” line

Hi @Ana, have you had any update to the 10 June 2024 application which was added to our tracker sheet, now at 347 days? Looking at timescales, it's probably due around this time?