Waiver application processing times

i194waiverposted 9 years ago

Got your I-194?

Reply here with how long it took. Months, weeks, days...

Replies (recent first):

Just received my waiver, 4 months to the day. My first waiver, did it myself, im good for 5 years. Im stoked

chantal replied 7 years ago   #382

Has everyone received an email prior to getting the waiver in the mail? I'm just wondering if I'll get an e-mail before I see it in my mailbox.

I applied for my second waiver in May (about 4 months ago) in Edmonton and have not yet received it. My first waiver was received 3.5 months after I submitted the application. I used a lawyer for the first waiver and prepared the application myself for the second waiver.

Brenda replied 7 years ago   #381

I'm still waiting for my second waiver, it's been over 5 months. My first waiver was approved in 3.5 months. Not sure what the hold up is on the second.

Anyone know how often is okay to request an update? I don't want to email if it's just going to delay the application process. Any insight is greatly appreciated. I emailed over 4 weeks ago.

Thanks.

Gary replied 7 years ago   #380

@bdawg

see you in disneyland
congrats.

thehobit replied 7 years ago   #379

Ditto..5 years arrived today!

Bdawg replied 7 years ago   #378

Came today. 5 yr's. Mailed August 23

thehobit replied 7 years ago   #377

Once a week eh. Oh. Didn't know that. I'll wait a month and say what u recommended if it doesn't show.
My wife said it's too bad they can't just send them where u applied cause u gotta go in first time anyways. But guess that's a manpower issue.

thehobit replied 7 years ago   #376

@thehobit

Haven't received it yet either..I believe we will receive it the same time despite their date provided for mailing; they send them out once a week. You probably hit the day they were being mailed.I am expecting it today or tomorrow.

As for the resend, I think it would be easier to say it is lost and please resend instead of "not received yet"

Bdawg replied 7 years ago   #375

oh and their email when i said if it doesnt arrive can i get it resent? was :
Please allow for timely mail delivery.

which i understand, but can you get it resent?

thehobit replied 7 years ago   #374

@bdawg
Nothing in mail today. Aro insists they mailed it to my address 9 days ago. Not good sign.
You hopefully?

thehobit replied 7 years ago   #373

4 months on us side
6 months waiting for Canadian court records

Tgib replied 7 years ago   #372

@thehobit I meant...

Bdawg replied 7 years ago   #371

@bdawg

Nothing today either...theoretically I should receive it the day after you do so I was kind of hoping you got yours today.

Tommorrow hopefully!

Bdawg replied 7 years ago   #370

@bdawg

Nothing in mail today. Getting kinda stressed cause it should only take 6 business days.

You?

thehobit replied 7 years ago   #369

@bdawg
Perfect! Thanks for the tip. You should have yours soon. I filed April 18th. Good luck

Molly replied 7 years ago   #368

@thehobit

Makes sense...we go every year (except this one) in the summer but never at Christmas. It should be fun! They do give you a hard time when you don't hand them in. In fact, I still had an expired one when I did my renewal....got hassled pretty hard but with a bit of humour from the agent.

@Molly

They still make you do it it if you are travelling with an I-192. Make sure that you go in the visa carrier line at the airport otherwise the machine will flag you and you will have to go over there anyways. When you walk in to the customs area, take the line that is meant for people on visas.(It is usually a smaller line anyways..unless you are flying out of YVR)

Bdawg replied 7 years ago   #367

@thehobit @bdawg
Here's some good news from the site

Foreign visitors to the U.S. arriving via air or sea no longer need to complete paper Customs and Border Protection Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record or Form I-94W Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Record. Those who need to prove their legal-visitor status—to employers, schools/universities or government agencies—can access their CBP arrival/departure record information online.

CBP now gathers travelers’ arrival/departure information automatically from their electronic travel records. Because advance information is only transmitted for air and sea travelers, CBP will still issue a paper form I-94 at land border ports of entry.

Molly replied 7 years ago   #366

@thehobit @bdawg

Thank you. That makes sense. So I technically can do this right at the airport before I leave. The customs officer will do it? I can't drive down before I go sadly. Showing up earlier for my flight would be best I'm thinking. :)

Molly replied 7 years ago   #365

@bdawg.
thanks, will let you know when it comes. just makes me nervous such an important document cant be at least sent first class mail or anything for the cost you pay.

I called it a visa cause guy in secondary did, but your right thats it correct name and purpose. When they gave me crap for not turning it in my wife said "you know this paper shows up with no instructions, etc, how are people supposed to know what to do?" and he said the cbp website but she searched and no instructions so its nice to let those getting these the first time what to expect. first time i went i only brought one piece of the papers too. but they let me through with a warning.

you been to disneyland at Christmas before? its very busy, we went with my first waiver in 2011. but really great weather and nicely decorated.

thehobit replied 7 years ago   #364

@molly
It is not a visa that you get every six months. It is an arrival/departure record (I-92) that at least you do not have to do every time you cross.The waivers we receive are are a temporary waiver of inadmissabilty and not used for permanent status in the US. This is how they track individuals in a single database to ensure they have returned home. You can even access your own arrival/departure records now on CBP website with your A number. It is stapled to your passport and valid for 6 months.

@thehobit
I applied for my third renewal at Sumas on April 25th and received the email saying it was mailed on Aug 24th. I am expecting it this week and I am taking my family to Disneyland for Christmas as well. I will let you know when I receive it unless you do first.

Bdawg replied 7 years ago   #363