@LeeVing don't worry. I sent a second status update request last week and it took three days for a reply, and it said "Final action has been taken on your application. You should be receiving correspondence from this office in the near future regarding the decision."

Making it 5 months to the day. First application. Soon as I receive it, I am going to start the process right away as it looks like second applications take longer.

@LeeVing - my first one was 93 days was good for one year. My second waiver renewal took almost 9 months. Good for 5 years!

@Moozee1. how long did it take to process you waiver Im on to 6 months... I also sent anther request on Thursday and this time I didn't even get a response... Is this normal?

@LeeVing and @ Figman - I think that you should send a request for update to the ARO at least once a week. I sent continuously and do not believe it held up the process. Good luck to you all on here that are still waiting.

@Lee Ving thanks, absolutely starting right away! It took 8 months just to get the RCMP check alone, though I believe we can use the same one provided it's still valid. I have to re-research that. It was a 14 month process from start to finish and time was not wasted on our end getting around to it.

@Figman thanks, yes first one, hopefully five years second time around fingers crossed!

Congrats @Cafpei was that your first?

@ChrisD. Very good point that is the last thing I want to do, plus spending another $ 700.00 is not in the cards anyway... I guess I will just keeping checking the mailbox :(

@Cafpei - Congrats..... Start the next application sooner then later as of Monday I can longer cross for work and family trips. So don't wait :) Cheers LV

Received waiver in today's mail, dated January 19, 2016 (6 Months and 10 days), good for one year. Applied at Calais ME crossing on July 19, 2015. Sent an update email request on November 26, 2015 (120 days) and received their automated reply advising if the required info was provided we would receive a response, no further reply was ever received. Applied ourselves, no lawyer or processing company used.

:: @Cafpei added on 28 Jan ’16 · 18:27

Thanks so much to all of you for your info, kept me sane and patient through the process.

@Lee Ving - I don't think that's a wise idea to re apply until your first application has been processed. You only have one alien number so the duplicate application would pop up on their end immediately and they may think its some type of fraudulent application. I am also not sure what the benefit would be as you say it costs $700 to apply.

@Figman - Did you confirm they have your application ? That really sucks 10 months!!!

@forum - Has anyone considered reapplying even though they have one current one outstanding? Im not sure its possible or not. Assuming spending $700.00 + CDN is not a problem...

this Monday will mark 10 months since my application for renewal was submitted... starting to get a bad feeling

@ ALLL

Is it bad form to send a second request email for an status update. My first request was done January 5th 2016 and I received the generic response on the 6th of January 2016. I have read that this will slow the process down. Any advise or lessons learned would be greatly appreciated. Thanks All

I applied for 1st renewal on Nov 12/16 and still waiting, received my first Waiver in less then 3 months.
Hoping and praying to receive the Waiver by mid Feb 16

@LeeVing I applied for my first waiver the end of August, hope to see it soon.. Good luck to you as well

@puzzled - It seems that way to me. I applied for my fist in October 15 and received by Jan 20. So approx. 90 days... The second application August 25 so approx. 150 days and still waiting... hope to receive soon checking mail daily as my current expires end of the month... Cheers and good luck

Would I be correct in saying that first time waivers are processed faster than the renewals lately? Seems that first time waivers are in the 4-6 month range and renewals are 6-10 months?

@Lee Ving - was my second 5 year renewal. Applied at Pt. Bob crossing. Hang tight.

@smily was this your first renewal ? If yes how long is the waiver good for if you don't mind me asking? thanks L.V

@smily - congrats on the Waiver. Happy travels.
@ChrisD - hang in there your Waiver is coming soon. Yep I would say average wait time 6 to 8 months. Good luck!

Hello All..
Applied on July 24th in BC at the Blaine port... Still awaiting. Most recent email says awaiting secondary security checks and thats all i have gotten so far... Still hoping it comes this month sometime as Feb will mark 6 months. It looks like from following this forum over time.. if your lucky you get it in 4-5 months.. unlucky is like 6-9 or 10 but the good news is i don't think i have seen a report of over a year and if there is, its pretty uncommon