Ok update -- after almost 7 months in I get an email from the ARO saying pending the results of required security checks! If you read my thread on here it's my 2nd Waiver renewal. What does this mean. Has anyone else got this response? I throw in the towel I think.

Just a quick update, I sent a status request today - now almost 6 months from application date - and the auto reply confirming the receipt of the request included in red at the bottom of the standard reply this

Attention To Those Inquiring About the Status of a Waiver Recommendation Sought in Conjunction With a Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Through U.S. Department of State (DOS) Consular Processing:

The CBP-ARO does not provide status updates on visa applications. The DOS waiver recommendation is part of the DOS visa application process. The information pertaining to a visa application is considered confidential under Section 222(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Any additional inquiries regarding a visa application may be directed to the U.S. Department of State.

Further, it is important to note that the DOS database used for processing visa applications and associated waivers of ineligibility, Consular Consolidated Database (CCD), has experienced significant and ongoing technical issues. These database issues have caused substantial delays in the CBP-ARO processing of DOS waiver recommendation, causing current processing times to extend to approximately 180 days.

I have been emailing every month since month 5, same standard cut and paste answer this month, still waiting. Almost 10 months since I submitted my original application.

I did notice that I have never had the same responder, every time a different email with the officers name, has anyone ever tried responding directly to the email with the status update?

My first waiver took just over 6 months to arrive. It was good for one year. My second waiver was for 5 years and arrived in about 4 months so I know I have been fortunate.

Having read extensively on this subject my understanding is there are a few factors in play. The first is simply a question of volume of requests that they are receiving. A finite number of employees with a variable number requests equals variable processing times. When my first application went in I had great chat with the border official processing the request. He advised me that I was fortunate because the year before the ARO had moved physical locations and it took them almost 6 months just to get caught up. The second based on my understanding is the completeness of the request. Any missing information, lack of detail or clarity can result in a delay. Finally, though I have no way to confirm this, the nature of the conviction, or convictions, and the time elapsed since the conviction may impact processing at least in the first instance.

I suspect this does not help, but it may explain some of the issues.

It's really horrible that our fate is in their hands. And seriously look at our Canadian dollar vs the US$ I don't think they are flooded by new applications that's for sure. Still over 6 months ... Gotta love paying $585 US dollars for what we are told 90 days to enquire at the ARO then oops it changes to 120 days to enquire with the ARO then you do everything according to procedure and zippo! Nothing! Albeit should have never had a criminal record to begin with but in my case I was young and stupid. Have been granted a pardon BUT in the US they don't care so I have been told. It's a total joke. Good luck everyone ... I agree with FrankD we should all keep updates on this thread to give insight and perhaps hope to others and maybe one day we will get our Waiver!

@Moozeee1 I'm in the same boat... got a reply back from ARO first week of Sept in 48 hours. Emailed multiple times afterward to get an update and no reply yet. My case is that they said they mailed the decision (waiver renwal) but have not gotten the mail and it is 2 months after, they said they mailed it, and really don't want to pay another $400 to file I-824 to get a copy... pleading with them to mail me a new copy... hopefully they do... or at least reply back to email to file I-824... if I hear back from ARO email... will update... this thread. If you hear back update as well. Looks like the guy that looks after these emails is on vacation or something. Or if any one has gotten a reply after sept 14 from ARO emails update plz.

To Doug -- this is quite the ordeal agreed and I am extremely frustrated. I have supplied everything required to the ARO and an update of a positive nature from the ARO would be respectful. Well I am thinking that if we are granted one once why would they not give another one and perhaps for longer than 1 year duration. When I get mine and hopefully soon and if it's only for a year I think I might apply that same week for the next one. I am very upset as I have very important travel plans and family events to attend in the United States -- I am sure they don't care. So NO point mentioning that in your status update requests. I intend to send status update requests weekly. It's our right. Just make the request short and simple. Truthfully we deserve a response/answer. Last year when I got my first waiver they sent me a response the next day via email saying "a decision has been made and has been mailed to the address on Record". I received it in less than 10 days later. And I thought I was anxious then. Good luck to you and please keep us all updated on here. It's good to hear that we are not alone. It's not the ideal situation but it is what it is unfortunately. Have a great weekend!

Moozeee1 - My story is almost exactly the same. First waiver in 4 months good for 1 year, filed in mid April this year, professionally prepared in Manitoba, emailed ARO after 120 days - but I got the standard reply "On file". Still waiting for waiver. I had expected to get my waiver faster as it was a renewal, and wanted to go to the states in the summer, or a conference later this year, but now I have no idea when - or even if - my waiver is coming.

Wait is just short of 9 months (jan 8 file) now with three email inquiries (late May response "on file", late july response "pending security checks" and yesterday "pending security checks"). I cannot believe this wait.

Applied for my second waiver end of April 2015. First waiver was processed in 90 days and has expired mid September 2015 (was valid for one year). Now with the second waiver I inquired to the ARO after 120 days and got a response overnight saying "we have sent a request/evidence to the address on record". I received that letter in the mail 13 days later ... They wanted me to provide a letter outlining my criminal record and write in my own words what the charges were and the outcome etc. I already provided that with the first waiver but nevertheless I promptly sent via courier on overnight express package the letter to the address they provided. A week later I sent an email with my case number etc and mentioned it was a request for update based on the information they requested and referred to their letter of September 3/15. I am still waiting and have received no response via email except for the auto response. I am quite upset and confused as my first waiver was so fast and the renewal is now taking more than double the time. Must mention both waiver apps were professionally prepared in Manitoba. Has anyone else experienced this?

I will be 8 months in October. Nothing yet Looking everyday in the mailbox hoping that would arrive. Anybody got the good news yet ?
I am thinking about inquiry a second time but it could add moretime to the process. I inquired once back in July. Anybody got any suggestions?
I hope that we get it soon
Thank for all

Applied on April 20, US pre clearance in Edmonton. Arrived on Sept 10...so just short of 5 months. First waiver, good for one year. Charges were from way back in 1985.

For those still waiting and have not mailed ARO and 4 months have passed. EMail them (include date it was submitted). As mine was lost in mail, and requesting them to re-mail. Fingers crossed that they will mail a copy.

I got a response back, different wording but nothing new to report.

“Your application was received and is being processed. Due to the
individual circumstances of each waiver application, there is not a
set timeframe to give as to when an application decision will be completed.”

9 months and no answer yet, I expect to be approved (don't we all) and I agree hope to have it in hand by Dec. 2015.

Good luck to everybody else, I'll update this blog if I get any news.

Kiwi

Thanks for answer everybody.
I will complete 7 months in 2 days Nothing yet , I was hoping the you guys would have the approval by now. I am hoping that we all get the approval before the end of the year. I emailed once back in July and they said was pending further review. I would like to take my kids to Florida in December.
I submit a very complete package with great references but it seems like take a while to check all the information. They never ask me for any more documents.
Hope the best luck for all of us.
I will let you guys know if I get any anything.
Thanks

Nothing for me yet. Wait is at 8 months (jan 8 file) now with two email inquiries (late May response "on file", late july response "pending security checks"). I'm considering making a 3rd inquiry but really don't want to risk a delay. My daughter turns 5 early October and still holding onto hopes for a Disneyland trip.

Kiwi, for as frustrating as their response is, i would not expect a different response via mail.

Dan, nothing yet, just sent another email request for Status Update, no response yet.

I was pretty sure mine would be quick as I had awesome reference letters, very complete package and when they asked for more info sent it within 3 days (that was back in April) and nothing since.
Not sure why the delay, I have conventions in the US that I attend every year, now I've missed the last 2 and hopefully have my waver by Dec so I can book for a conference in January.

I considered a written request for update and to send it by regular post as the email response is a cut & paste with no info that would help.

Kiwi , tits magees or anybody got the waiver aproval yet?

I will complete 6 months tomorrow. I email a month ago and got an answer in a few hours ( pending further review) I just concern if my application can take up to a year. I am hoping to take the kids to Disneyworld in December. Anybody had a long delay to get a waiver? More than a year? I will keep waiting.

Still waiting for my approval, I requested an update last Friday and received a response yesterday (Monday) with the standard response, "on file awaiting further review".

It's been more than 8 months since I submitted my application, well at least I can stop looking in my mail box everyday hoping it will be there.

I was hoping to get it soon as I will now need to start a new RCMP criminal record check as the existing one will be more than 15 months old before I get to reapply for my next waiver.