@J Rogers

[ willbill appended this reply on January 8, 2026 @ 3:20 pm ]

Thanks for sharing all these timelines
One thing I don't see as often people that overstay applying for Waiver
My application was Jun 15 2025 still hopeful to get some response by Next month February 2026
Would they ask for any additional document for overstay?

1 year waiver

Again first applicant, and they asked for additional information.

Status History (7)
01/08/2026, 12:03 PM : Status changed to Completed
12/23/2025, 11:03 AM : Status changed to Request for More Information Response
10/24/2025, 09:00 AM : Status changed to Request for More Information
12/02/2024, 04:30 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
11/13/2024, 07:45 PM : Status changed to Paid
11/13/2024, 07:43 PM : Status changed to Signed
10/22/2024, 02:54 PM : Application Created

1993-THEFT UNDER
1989-CONSPIRACY TO TRAFFIC IN NARCOTICS -DISCHARGE

Again, another "give us additional info" and another 1 year waiver. Not 100% sure if there is a distinct pattern, but maybe.

@J Rogers - thank you for continuing this thread. As someone who "submitted to ARO" the end of April, I remain optimistic for a first-time applicant. In seeing some of the other criminal charges, the crime of moral turpitude (value of less than $200 for a forged cheque, no time served and over 35 years ago) seems minor. I will be sure to share the timelines once the status is complete.

1 year waiver

First waiver - also note timeline is different because they asked for additional information.

1 year waiver

Status History (7)

01/06/2026, 08:33 AM : Status changed to Completed
12/23/2025, 01:30 PM : Status changed to Request for More Information Response
10/15/2025, 07:33 AM : Status changed to Request for More Information
11/19/2024, 04:19 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
11/14/2024, 09:37 PM : Status changed to Paid
11/14/2024, 09:29 PM : Status changed to Signed
10/29/2024, 07:59 PM : Application Created

2001-ASSAULT WITH A WEAPON
2003-UTTERING, USING OR EXPORTING COUNTERFEIT MONEY

He had a pardon, so although we did submit his pardon, they still asked additionally for a Privacy Act set of fingerprints.

We now tell clients with pardons to do this upfront, since it gets asked for later.

@Josh Campbell

This is NORMAL. I am getting in Februarys right now (new applicants) This is normal for new applications, and if you get a February waiver in January 2026, that is 11 months. Re-applications and considerably faster. All the results I have been posting clearly show 2 distinct lines. One for re-apps (3 months from "submitted to ARO" ) and first time applications, 11 months from that same date.

But these are guidelines. Like the average man is 5'9. But some are taller and some are shorter. So there are always exceptions.

As for "normal"...the US president kidnapped a Leader and is talking about invade in Greenland and possibly Canada. Wondering why "timelines" are out of whack is nothing compared to the instability happening right now.

Just the timelines not matching up with what I been seeing if applies in Feb 2025 I would expect to know something in 11-12 months nothing kind of crazy but maybe it’s normal

@Josh green

Can you elaborate on what you are puzzled by?

@J Rogers none of these timelines make sense

SEPTEMBER LETTER

Big surprise, I wish I could say I "predicted" this, but I was unsure of what would happen.

Client had a 5 year waiver granted in 2023 due to an overstay. 10 year ban, he did overstay between 2005-2014 but not the entire time. Anyways, we applied, and we got a 5 year waiver.

He travelled a lot back and forth and ended up overstaying a bit, but in short visits, and was denied entry, and his waiver was taken away. We applied right away for a new waiver. The official reason was his job gave him a lot of freedom, and he clearly could be away from Canada for long stretches, so he was considered to not "have sufficient ties to Canada".

The client is a very personable, nice guy, so we had many conversations about what could happen. I was hoping I could at least get him a 1 year waiver, he has a girlfriend and dog in California. (this client is on the west coast)

I am stunned he got a September Letter, but it was always unclear about what the US really had a problem with, and also it was hard to know how many days he actually had "over".

Anyways, congratulations! Best result possible.

01/05/2026, 10:33 AM : Status changed to Completed
08/14/2025, 11:00 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
07/30/2025, 10:08 PM : Status changed to Paid
07/30/2025, 10:05 PM : Status changed to Signed
07/24/2025, 08:23 PM : Application Created

@What
Even though the "Submitted" date is later.... It just took time to update. I actually submitted it the same day as it was "paid".

@What It took 3 months from submitted at the border, to results.

@Joey how did u get it in 1-2 months makes no sense none of these timelines match

Just received a 5-year waiver.

01/02/2026, 12:33 PM : Status changed to Completed
10/22/2025, 06:20 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
09/30/2025, 07:59 AM : Status changed to Paid
09/30/2025, 07:58 AM : Status changed to Signed
09/22/2025, 08:15 AM : Application Created

I actually submitted my package at the border the same day as I paid online (09/30/2025), but the status didn't change to "Submitted" until 10/22/2025. I spoke to CBP and DHS a few times in between those dates, and they assured me that even though the website wasn't stating that it was submitted, they were actually in possession of my application.

2 Prior 1-year waivers granted.

2009 - 3 counts of trafficking of a controlled substance.

@J Rogers timelines you provided don’t look they line up I’m still applied in Jan 2025 still waiting with no answers crazy…

This is NOT a waiver that has been granted yet.

08/25/2025, 07:30 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
08/20/2025, 07:24 PM : Status changed to Paid
08/20/2025, 07:21 PM : Status changed to Signed
07/31/2025, 06:28 PM : Application Created

This is a re-application, the client had a 1 year waiver from April 3 2023. so this is a re-app. Still no response.

-working in the US without authorization
-suspected of prostitution

Denied entry in 2018.

For those of you still waiting, just trying to show an example where someone "should" have an answer by now but does not.

5 year waiver

Re-app had a 1 year waiver

Weird record

1971-BE and Theft
2013-Produce a Scheduled Substance

Note as well, this was not granted today. It was granted December 8th, and the earlier client I posted today was granted on December 10. Both are older guys so not really "email people" so we actually caught this.

If you are a re-application and went in August or September, check your eSAFE.

Status History (5)
12/08/2025, 06:33 AM : Status changed to Completed
09/11/2025, 02:30 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
09/05/2025, 02:38 PM : Status changed to Paid
09/05/2025, 02:37 PM : Status changed to Signed
09/03/2025, 03:57 PM : Application Created

5 year waiver
Re-application 5 years to 5 years.

12/10/2025, 10:02 AM : Status changed to Completed
09/15/2025, 03:30 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
08/29/2025, 04:19 PM : Status changed to Paid
08/29/2025, 04:17 PM : Status changed to Signed
08/29/2025, 02:56 PM : Application Created

5 offences over a 10 year period, 1976-1986 minor stuff with a possession of a narcotic thrown in.

@Mark Carney

This isn't "Best Buy" with delivery dates. I told you when to anticipate it, why would Homeland Security do "updates" when they prefer you don't even come? They don't CARE about you. The crazy thing is that you can see them bombing boats and killing people and think "why don't they do updates?" You are misreading Homeland Security, but feel free to call them and yell at them. Ask to speak to the "manager". LOL

They put the system they have now in place so you can clearly SEE if the waiver has been decided on, and you know if you are a February from me that it is "imminent". So you have more information than most people, but yes, remember who you are dealing with. These are no longer our "friends" although most Americans have now turned on Trump.

@J Rogers I too been waiting since February with no word this is crazy to hear nothing with no updates

@J Rogers thanks man I heard after approval people still get hassled when they go over tattoos and stuff which is ridiculous