My Experience at Toronto Pearson on Apr 8 2017

srt1posted 6 years ago

This is my first time doing waiver and I did all by myself with the help of this forum and online search. So i want to give my experience back to the forum as my "thank you"

I reached the office at 5 AM. there were 3 people before me. they got the sign up sheet around 5:30 AM. started taking the applications at 8:05.
there are 2 people inside taking applications, asking questions, taking finger prints etc. It took approx 20- 40 mins for each application.

I went inside around 9 am, just because 2 people in front of me had insufficient documents, so they turned back with in 10 mins.
I went inside officers checked my application, took finger prints. but there was an issue with their computer. so they made me and rest of the people wait outside for 1 hour till they fix the issue with their system. I was called again at 10:05, i went inside. They verified all the papers. I arranged them very nicely as per the requirement. so it took me 20 mins inside. I was out by 10:25.

MUST have forms

Original proof of citizenship and a copy
2 - I 192 applications
4 - G325 A forms (someone had to go back just because they got 3 forms)
RCMP original
personal Statement regarding inadmissibility and proposed activities in US
Personal statement regarding criminal convictions

above are must have forms and there is a list of recommended forms. let me know if anyone wants that too.

Replies (recent first):

Yes, the article John and Waiverless are referring to is "terrible" information. As stated in comments you cannot get a Pardon for Conditional Discharges. The chart they show is BS, in my opinion. The RCMP do not provide paper copies of Pardons, however, they can provide a fingerprint release of criminal history if required..Always, keep in mind that Pardoned information exists in CPIC and can be accessed if you have proper authority. Also, I know that US Customs can request a copy of an individual's Pardon from the Parole Board. (I learned that from experience with one of my first client's - they were so nice to send it to me, when they denied his application for lying)..but that is another story...This media article just confuses people and scares them into not traveling..which is too bad...

Michelle replied 4 years ago   #23

I just read the article. Horribly written. This is absolutely untrue:


Last October, a senior RCMP officer offered an explanation in a letter seen by Global News.

When a Canadian is pardoned, he wrote, the RCMP finds out whether U.S. border officials have looked up the person's criminal file. If they have, the RCMP sends them a notification of the pardon, without saying what the original crime was, and asks them to destroy any records of their own they might have created over the years.

So Global News, one of the most unreliable news sources out there, "saw a letter" but would not actually publish the letter.

In my opinion, ignore this entire article. "Mischief is admissible" was the first clue that there was a misunderstanding of what they allow in and don't. And that immigration lawyer quoted (Global News loves that guy) tells everyone constantly to do a waiver, whether they need one or not. "American Immigration Lawyer" is code for "nothing I am going to tell you in accurate, and I am going to rip you off".

J Rogers replied 4 years ago   #22

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/he-never-had-trouble-at-the-us-border-—-until-he-got-a-pardon-heres-what-seems-to-be-happening/ar-BBZaTXt?li=AAggNb9&ocid=mailsignout

Now, there is some conflicting information on here. You don't get a pardon for conditional discharges but it seems this individual's problems started after getting his records straight. RCMP give copies of pardons to US officials. I guess it defears the purpose.

Waiverless replied 4 years ago   #21

Pearson is now open EVERY Tuesday. But today on Tuesday January 21st at 10 am they informed everyone they were not going to be open because of a shortage of manpower. 1 person had been there since 4am.

See my note above, save yourself the hassle and go to Niagara Falls.

J Rogers replied 4 years ago   #20

pearson airport open for US waiver Thursday?

Waiver 2020 replied 4 years ago   #19

Thanks for the quick feedback!

Justin replied 4 years ago   #18

@Justin, they are open for eSAFE between 2-9 Monday-Thursday. Beware of talking to them on the phone, sometimes they "pretend" they can't process you or that they are busy....they are not. That is the best location to go to for eSafe.

Just go to the falls and you will see "Bridge to USA" you go as if you are crossing, just tell them what you are there for when you get to the booth. As long as you make it clear you are there for your waiver or Esafe, no problem at all.

J Rogers replied 4 years ago   #17

@Justin You can call them to ask 716-843-8300. There is information about hours, etc on the cbp.gov page https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/buffalo

There might be others on this forum that have more recent personal information. Either way, good luck and let us know how it goes.

WaiverCan replied 4 years ago   #16

I'm going to give the Rainbow Bridge a shot for the biometrics part of the e-safe application process. Does anyone have a walkthrough as I've never gone across that bridge. Do you drive through a Canadian clearance first? If so do you let them know the purpose? Do you cross the bridge and is there a specific pull of to go to?

Just want to avoid one of those 'accidental' crossings they show on the Border Security shows.

Justin replied 4 years ago   #15

It looks like they have taken down the "we only process waivers every first and third Tuesday of the month" sign at Pearson, and some people who were there are telling me they MAY be processing waivers EVERY Tuesday now. I may take a drive on Tuesday December 24th and see if this is true. REGARDLESS, Niagara Falls is still your better best for eSafe and handing in Waivers in general.

Rainbow Bridge
Monday-Thursday 2pm-9pm
Sunday 5pm-9pm

I know many of you are going to be stressed over the holidays about handing in your waivers before the fee possibly goes up. I can guarantee the fee is NOT going up until January at the very earliest.

If you have questions during the holidays, 416-843-1371 is my cell phone. Please don't hesitate to call if you have any questions.

John Rogers.

J Rogers replied 4 years ago   #14

Toronto Airport December 3 2019.

By 10:30 they had still not opened, BUT they had (because someone called them) come to everyone and announced they were PLANNING to open and that they were just slammed because of the weather.

They had also put up a list, so I know they planned to open.

The next day is Christmas eve December 24rth.

John Rogers replied 4 years ago   #13

Pearson Airport (Toronto) Tuesday November 5 2019.

No list was put out, so when I arrived I made up a list and got everyone to put their names on it.

When they finally opened at 9:07 they put up a blank list and said "your list is not official" which led to everyone trying to move the names over.

I ask officers if they will be taking eSAFE since there are 4 people waiting just for that. The lady says they will be taking waivers and esafe.

When I leave at 10:30 only 1 person has been completed. The third guy on the list calls me later to say eSAFE was not in fact working.

This is the THIRD Tuesday in a row it has not been working. Unfortunately at least one couple that was there was from Newfoundland and had come specifically for eSAFE.

My advice? Go to Niagara Falls.

John Rogers replied 4 years ago   #12

Obviously, someone is hacking my profile.

#7, 8, 9 and 10 are not accurate.

I am an expert but I have many things to learn about waivers with the current administration.

John Rοgers replied 4 years ago   #11

#9 is not accurate

John Rogers . replied 4 years ago   #10

Obviously ignore #8, # 7 is accurate.

John Rogers replied 4 years ago   #9

I obviously don't know what I'm talking about.

John Rogers . replied 4 years ago   #8

Pearson Airport is once again open the first and third Tuesday of every month.

Tuesday September 3rd (first day of school!!)

Tuesday September 17th. I will be there both days, I usually go just before 7.

They NEVER open at 8 am, last time was 9:30. I usually stay until about 10:30. I am sitting in the fold up chair, because there are only about 7 seats there. That is the other thing, if you are coming, bring your own chair!!

John Rogers replied 4 years ago   #7

Thanks John for your response.

gin replied 6 years ago   #6

yes you absolutely need 2 letter of reference.

JOHN ROGERS replied 6 years ago   #5

Hi, did the agents really ask for the Letters of Reference or its voluntary on the part of the applicants. Because in the CBP check list it was not indicated/states that you need those letters. Thanks

gin replied 6 years ago   #4

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