Well for me it is different since they do not charge in BC yet. We include the fees for the Alberta court files as part of our total fee. I cannot charge a guy $60.00 for court files if we are charging him $1300 to prepare his waiver case. We just eat the cost of the Alberta files and our fee will include UPS shipping if needed.

Now Michelle here is one technique for waivers that you can use...Let's say that a guy has 2 DUI convictions at the Saskatoon court and 2 theft convictions at the Prince Albert court. You can skip the DUI files from Saskatoon and just order the Prince Albert files. You can also just add in the court fees to your total fee. We charge our fees based on the severity of the case. An example is #1 Less Complex Category #2 Serious Criminality Category. This still allows us to charge a flat fee and to take into account any extra charges that arise.

Another thing you can do is totally exclude all court files for offences that do not even require a waiver.

:: @K SCOTT added on 25 May ’18 · 11:41

Btw Michelle...When you say charges I assume you mean convictions in terms of ordering the court files?

#33, John Rogers, I have been hearing this rumor for a while, although, my contact has not confirmed it yet.. I am going to call her today... I think it is a flat fee per court house..but still, many people have charges that are at several different courthouses. I am not sure how I am going to deal with this..currently, right now, I charge a flat fee that includes everything, but the USA Filing Fee and Parole Board Fee, I did this,because I hated going back and asking for more money..but now, I think I am going to have to charge a flat fee for my service, and then advise additional fees will follow once, I get the criminal record back. It is going to be a tough sale as people want to know total..and now I can't advise...I am curious how you guys work your pricing..because some court houses charge in Ontario too....Alberta charges $20 per conviction, which can get pricey also..but thankfully, most of my clients only have 1 or 2 convictions from there. I did have a client who had over $600 worth of Court documents, she cancelled her pardon..as it was just too much money...

Court documents may be needed when applying for a US Entry Waiver. Each court has their applicable fees for these documents. Please note that as of July 1st, 2018 all Saskatchewan courts will now be charging a $75.00 flat fee to request court documents regarding a US Entry Waiver. If you are doing a pardon (record suspension) that fee is going to be $100.00. Please contact your applicable court house for applicable fees.

Michelle, have you heard about this? Is there a way around this? Could this only be applicable to outside the province or everyone?

Becca, they do indeed give extra time if a form is close to expiry but you have to check how long they give just to be safe. Sometimes they say they will still accept old forms for a certain period of time. It is better to double check the date on the new form to be safe. They are always changing these forms and fees.

Plus, they won't necessarily reject it if it is on an old form. What they would do though is write back and ask that you submit a new form. Mind you it could be a different story if someone were using a form that was 20 years old.

The CBP officer is supposed to be reviewing the forms and supplements at the border when you submit. They are SUPPOSED to tell you if a form is too old or not valid. However, you never know depending on whom you get.

@becca Thats the most recent form they have available. Even when they introduce a new one they give time that its still valid.

In the top right corner of form I-192 it says it expires on June 30 2018. Is there a new form? I'm planning on filing in July but don't want to prepare it on an expired form and have it rejected.

#28 Yes it is a pleasure to know you both. I was surprised as to the differences all across Canada in terms of borders and the attitude of the people. I prefer BC and AB actually but mostly BC & England though in terms of clients.

Hi guys, yes, until I started working with you both, I had no idea that there was such differences in POE locations. But, I really never deal with Ontario or BC..just AB, SK, and MB...it has been an interesting learning and greatly appreciate the fact we work together..

The majority for us are in BC and Alberta. Although we now have a location in London U.K. with an affiliate. John is right that the attitude of CBP officer can vary. Same goes for these officers at the embassy. Sometimes they can be hard on some BC people and I can understand. BC is known for BC bud and we have a lot of stoners in BC.

Also, BC is known for a lot of organized crime, drugs, money laundering and guns. So these officers are extremely strict at the BC borders.

I am waiting for the few U.K. cases to be submitted by the people, so we can see how the embassy is in London for now. England is full of ex-criminals.

In Ontario (where most of the waivers we deal with are filed) they will take waiver without court documents, and are fine with photocopies of court documents.

Homeland Securities attitude varies. The airport as I have detailed is a nightmare anyways. Niagara Falls is know to be VERY friendly and easy to deal with. Detroit and Port Huron will go out of their way to refuse to TAKE your waiver.

At Niagara Falls, they seem genuinely relieved that the waiver is prepared properly and in good order.

I do a few in BC ( I would assume far less than Ken or Michelle) and a few in Alberta. I have a few sprinkled around the Maritimes but the majority of my clients are in Ontario. I usually refer anyone in Quebec to my colleague there and anyone in Saskatchewan I send to Michelle.

#24 yes I can agree with you, Michelle. Some of these BC borders are known to be hard on waiver clients in general. We only deal with 1 or 2 particular borders and the officers know us there. They like the work that we send so it is not an issue. The Sumas border is the worst border to deal with in the lower mainland of BC. Some of these officers play games by trying to remove items from the waiver packet. We remind people to politely ask them to keep everything in the packet and that seems to work over here. #21 Also remember Chelsa that each waiver application is always a new application. We try not to use the term renewal since will examine each application as if it is a new one...which it actually is technically. Btw Chelsa...in terms of September letter...It is best to try it the very first time in terms of filing for a waiver. It becomes harder for a person to get a September Letter(if they qualify) after they have already been approved for multiple waivers.

#23, John Rogers, Sorry, yes, definitely the fingerprints must be re-done, as they have a 15 month timeline. Unfortunately, John, the Custom officers around here, want original court documents too, in most cases, especially if they people hire a company. A lot of times, the Custom Officers around here, actually give people a hard time for hiring private companies like me or lawyers and look for any reason to deny paperwork..they are kinda A.....I think they have too much time on their hands..

Michelle means the Court Documents, the fingerprint results (called the police certificate) must be brand new each time, not a photocopy.

You can just photocopy court documents.

#21 Chelsea, yes, fingerprints must be done again for each application, as there is a 15 month timeline from date of verification by the RCMP, they expire after the the 15 months is up. I advise my clients that if you are doing it on your own, sure, try and use copies when you deliver your paperwork. It may or may not be accepted, as officers here have refused photocopies at Port of Entry around here. If you hire me, I do the work all over again and everything is originals, ensuring that your application is not denied.

Am I correct in saying that fingerprints will need to be renewed for every waiver application renewal? Can you use the exact same application packet each time (ie. court records/letters) and just update the dates etc or is each application kept on file?

https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/ports-entry/operations/preclearance

Looks like Halifax is your best bet or New Brunswick. I have quite a few clients who got through New Brunswick.

I contacted CBP and the closest is Halifax. I'm travelling to Ontario in July. Hoping to have application ready to submit while I am there. Any idea how long it takes to get fingerprints/record back from RCMP? I have court records already.

There must be a place to file in Newfoundland. Anyone?

@ John Rogers

Thank you for the info. I live in Newfoundland. From my research so far I haven't found anyone locally who offers this service and I will also have to travel to Ontario or New Brunswick to file at a pre-clearance office.

:: @chelsea added on 03 May ’18 · 14:24

@John Rogers

Chelsea, I do waivers for a living and you bring up a great question.

My answer is always this. Know yourself. If you are the type of person who is comfortable doing applications and things like this yourself, "renewer" is correct. Follow the information you will find here. You need to do fingerprints and possibly court documents, but much can be handled on your own.

If you know your going to start the application, get bogged and possibly not finish, hire someone and let them do the work.

When i do a waiver, we handle the fingerprints and court documents and our fee includes all the costs. I charge $590, which includes the taxes as well. The waiver in 85% of cases should take about 4 months total (if your wanting it done quick) 5 months if you take your time. You can start with a $250 deposit.

In spirit of transparency this is a side to side comparison:

Me doing Waiver:

$590 CDN plus $585 USD

Forms done for you,
letter written for you
all documents court and criminal record obtained by me
You obtain
-letter showing employment
-proof of Canadian citizenship
-Proof of where you live.
- I usually write the reference letters for you, you get them signed.

You do the waiver yourself:
-cost is fingerprinting (around $85 ) and court ($25 max usually) you pay $585.USD
-you do personal letter, G325a, I-192, reference letters, court documents
you obtain:
-letter showing employment
-proof of Canadian citizenship
-Proof of where you live.

If you live in Saskatchewan, Michelle who posts here is very reliable and I recommend her highly. She is also capable of taking care of you over the phone if you don't live in the same province as her.

Other posters, feel free to give some advice as well.