@wkb You SHOULD get a 1 year waiver if it was done properly. 7 years ago gives you the "elapsed time".

@J Rogers The alleged misrep. actually happened 7 years ago but they denied entry because of that two years ago.

@Bindy johal

Usually 30-60 days is common.

@wkb When was the misrepresentation?

@J Rogers HOW LONG DO PRIVACY FINGER PRINTS TAKE

Has anyone crossed border (with waiver) by land? Which one (land or air) is more safe w.r.t length/depth of secondary inspection?

I have crossed the border twice by air only and contemplating to cross by land as it is much cheaper.

[ cal123 appended this reply on March 25, 2026 @ 6:46 am ]

I have crossed the border twice by air only and contemplating to cross by land (Ambassador Bridge @Windsor) as it is much cheaper.

@J Rogers Hey, I applied my first waiver for misrepresentation on 10th March 2025 but have not got any responses yet. Does this longer wait time imply unfavorable outcome based on your experience? Thanks!

@kay

Is it a first waiver? It could be any day now, I wouldn't consider it "late" yet.

Why are you doing it? Has enough time elapsed?

@wjl14

They only give you the ONE opportunity to upload the document. It has to be in one shot. That sucks. I am not sure how to fix that.

@BlueManGroup

Canada has always had the opinion that "people change" which is why we have a unique system for getting rid of records. Whether it is sequestration, or discharges, or pardons. There are many ways you can remove a record, and that is unique from the US.

The problem is DUI's depend on the "legal limit". So if you had an offence that some States would not prosecute you, then that is why some DUI's did not need waivers.

If a person ONLY has a DUI, they should do a pardon and avoid the US. Once its granted, the US should not know it ever existed.

If they have been denied entry, you apply for the waiver, and see what they say. They will decide on a waiver or a September Letter.

There are people who get a DUI and are given a waiver.

My business is not about making people apply for things they do not need. Anyone who calls me asking about a waiver is ALWAYS consulted on possible alternatives. I NEVER "just do" a waiver without making sure the client has no other option, and knows the "probability of success".

If someone does not need a waiver, I will tell them so. Turning clients away because you are honest is ALWAYS good for business. When people see you are honest and transparent, they WANT to send others to you. Its the best confirmation that you can be trusted you can have.

That doesn't mean sometimes people want to try when their odds are not good. I still get applications where I am not optimistic, but the client is aware.

@J Rogers Hey I applied for my waiver april 1 2025 and i still havent received an answer. My question is i thought they approve it in the order they receive, i see alot of others are getting approved before mine.

Hi guys,

I did some work on the data from April to September and here’s what I found. The data comes from the USCIS Immigration and Citizenship Data portal: https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-and-studies/immigration-and-citizenship-data?ddt_mon=&ddt_yr=2025&query=&items_per_page=10

Key numbers:

Applications received dropped from 9,333 → 6,571 per month (~30% decrease)
Finalized cases rose slightly from 1,919 → 2,298 per month
Backlog growth slowed from ~7,400/month → ~4,300/month

What this tells us:

The backlog is still increasing, because finalized cases are fewer than incoming applications
The slowdown in backlog growth is mainly due to fewer applications, not just processing improvements
Slight improvements in processing help, but they are secondary
Interesting note: US government data doesn’t distinguish new applications from reapplications. Since reapplications take around 5 months versus 9–12 months for first-time waivers, part of the improvement in processing may reflect faster handling of reapplications

Bottom line:
The system is performing a bit better, but the main reason backlog growth has slowed is fewer applications, with faster processing of reapplications contributing as well.
Backlog won’t shrink unless first-time waivers are processed faster than re-applications are coming in.

Here are the timelines I am working with for a 1st time applicant:

03/24/2026, 08:21 AM : Status changed to Request for More Information Response
03/24/2026, 07:17 AM : Status changed to Request for More Information
04/22/2025, 07:00 PM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
04/08/2025, 07:05 PM : Status changed to Paid
04/08/2025, 07:03 PM : Status changed to Signed
01/15/2025, 03:09 PM : Application Created

@J Rogers - HOWEVER - I made a mistake today. There were two questions on the request for more information. I thought I could upload each document separately, but it only took the one. It closed the response option but it is only 50% complete. Do I just wait or is there a way to reverse of contact them? Any advice is appreciated.

@John Rogers

My question pertains mostly to those waivers you do for clients with impaired driving charges....The US was or at least from what I read online quite lenient. What changed? A simple DUI or even 2 doesn't make you inadmissible for CBP, yet many waivers you post have DUI charges....So? Something doesn't add up. I heard the Canada being progressive narrative countless times, doesn't mean anything to be honest. These policies hurt tourism more than anything as law abiding citizens get caught in the system and victimized for life....They are not criminals, just happened to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time. As for drunk driving, I mean those who actually get caught know pretty well the consequences of their actions beforehand. However, lots of teenagers get tangled up in bar fights and arrest records out of it, with discharges as the outcome. Are they criminals?

Quite shameful that governments require tourists to wait months or years for costly documents, so they can give false illusions about safeguarding borders. All this talk about the 51st state, yet all we do is add more complexity. Open borders? Says who? We are all criminals...lol.

It will be interesting to know how many DUIs now require US waivers, because the current administration changed course it seems. Maybe payback for Canada excluding visitors with DUIs? But I also understand that you cannot provide a truthful answer, as it may compromise your business.

@BlueManGroup

Most clients have specific reasons to travel. Relatives, friends, wives who want to travel, kids who go to Disney etc. Work as well, football games, hockey.

The US has specific criteria. Canada has different criteria. To answer your question, Travel to the US was down 75%. So many are no longer going.

Impaired is more serious in Canada I think. But we are usually ahead of the US, more progressive. Canada is also very strict on guns where the US could not care less about gun crimes.

Privacy Act - less than 90 days for sure, usually around 30 days.

@Bobby Dhaliwal ??

@John Rogers

How come so many waivers are necessary for impaired driving charges? Where these committed while under the influence of narcotics? Examples of waivers you post are not lengthy at all when it comes to charges laid (just 1 or 2 at most from the early 90s). Just regular people who were caught up in the system after something silly they did years ago (driving drunk, caught up in a fight, broke something, drugs for personal use, etc.). Criminalized for good, no second chances is the memo....An one out of context situation where they acted on impulse....Most of them are now in their later years, pensioners, grandparents, etc.

Yet, society decided to banish the younger offenders into poverty nowadays....They hand out discharges, yet they keep records of you for life, accessible at court houses in many provinces. Whatever happened to the right to be forgotten? A slap on the wrist they say, but professional orders no longer allow them in their ranks. Yet, we don't have enough doctors, engineers, nurses, lawyers, etc.?

I thought CBP was quite lenient on drunk driving....Same goes for simple assault, mischief under....Canada on the other hand....

I mean where do we draw the line? The current administration calls for a 51st state, yet makes it increasingly difficult to travel South. My fellow Canadians why would you shove thousands of dollars to visit a place that deems you a criminal...Meetings can be done on Teams, Zoom, etc. Some are truck drivers, I get it, but still, there is no need to visit NYC, Vegas, if you don't need to. The true criminals are roaming the streets, running governments, yet smoking a joint is punishable for life.

@J Rogers hey question about Privacy act Fingerprints how long do they take I’m in the midst of it now waiting couple weeks I know it’s done via mail aswell any info would help thanks

@J Rogers wait so if they mailed it to me Feb 13 date of there letter and stated 87 days to respond is that from the day I get the letter it the day they have it dated little confused on what you just said

5 year waiver

Re-application had a 5 before

1986- Possession of a Narcotic
1990-Impaired Driving

Twist on this was, he went to Detroit and Homeland Security had the closedown and although they took his fingerprints, they did not update his file until 45 days later, which we were worried mean that it had not been recorded. In that case they usually close the file.

It turned out ok, but he could not go back to Detroit because he was with his wife in the South, and could not leave her.

Status History (5)

03/18/2026, 08:20 AM : Status changed to Completed
12/01/2025, 01:00 AM : Status changed to Submitted to ARO
10/16/2025, 04:16 PM : Status changed to Paid
10/16/2025, 04:13 PM : Status changed to Signed
09/29/2025, 10:32 AM : Application Created

@Bobby Dhaliwal

I know how long fingerprints take because......we do fingerprints here. A lot of them. But there is also the fact that sometimes the RCMP does take longer for certain prints, and the other factor, is they come by regular mail. Which is not perfect. So although they SHOULD arrive, it can also through no fault of your own, not arrive in time as well. But I have been doing quite a few of them, and no one has taken over 90 days yet. So fingers crossed.

I corrected you about the days because people read this and I want to make sure we are being accurate. Remember DAY 1 is the day you get it, so its really like 86. But you have right up to the last day to submit it. Remember as well you only get ONE submission so you need to give them everything they want in ONE big document. Again, its not to rebuff you, I just want to make sure someone else doesn't procrastinate. Its ALWAYS 87 days, no exceptions.

@J Rogers this was my first one so my lawyer claimed they didn’t ask before now they do like you said so future now we know BUT As for the fingerprinting under privacy act I’ve been waiting 5 weeks already with no end in site and if you look all over a lot of em are taking 100+ days to get back so you saying it never takes that long your kind of wrong because lately they have been taking that long ps no need to be a dick over me saying 88 days or 87 calm down

[ Bobby Dhaliwal appended this reply on March 20, 2026 @ 11:29 am ]

If it don’t arrive within 87 days it’s automatic fail ans you have to start all over again ?