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):

I have been waiting since Feb 13th, applied at Sumas Port of Entry. Still getting generic email that it is pending further review. I applied in late 2015 as well.. i had to wait until May 2016 to find out I was denied. Crime was from early 2012 but convicted in Sept of 2013. Crime was all relating to computer hacking.

ChrisD replied 6 years ago   #742

Applied for my 1st travel waiver on July 29th at the YWG pre-clearance facility, and received my 5 year waiver today. Took 3 months less 3 days. Charges were multiple hybrid offences that resulted in fines. Provided a detailed letter explaining my regret, and filling in details of the offences in my own words. I strongly believe this letter is the difference maker for a lot of people. If you don't regret the offences, and show remorse and shame, then your chances are less.

NoLawyerRequired replied 6 years ago   #741

did they give you any particular reason? Is it less than 5 years? And did they ask for any further documentation or was it just the rejection?

Did you letter show remorse and did you take responsibility? For whatever it was?

JOHN ROGERS replied 6 years ago   #740

@Kiwi

I got the same exact shitty news in the mail last week. I'm going to appeal it. Also, the 30 days starts from the day it arrives at your door. That's why they send it certified. What a pain in the as this whole process is.

I'll report back!

Philly replied 6 years ago   #739

John, I really appreciate the response, that is good to know about the waiting period as that makes sense, also I did not fall on the sword and "take full responsibility for my crime" in my letter, just stated the facts as I believed them to be true.

I would write the letter differently now but it's hard to prove that I'm "reformed", even seems weird writing that.

So I guess I'll re-apply in Aug 2018 as that's just short of 5 years from the date I was sentenced.

Philly, no direct explanation given, just list of reasons why they can decline an application and they included a form to file an appeal.

It cost $110 USD to file an appeal and it must be received by them within 30 days from the date of the letter so I only had 10 days to prepare and get the package to Virginia, so not a lot of time to prepare and get it to them.

Good luck and hope you get your letter regular mail.

Cheers.

Kiwi

Kiwi replied 6 years ago   #738

Kiwi, as i have written before in some of the forums, 5 years is the time period I find to be "safe".

I find the main reasons people get denied:

-Less than 5 years since conviction
-lack of contrition in personal letter
-sexually based offence (since mid-2017)
-5 year ban still in place

Almost any conviction can be overcome as long as at least 5 years has passed. Less than 3 years you have virtually no chance in my experience, although I get clients who are desperate and do try. These usually fail.

Homeland Security USED to give a nice long detailed written explanation. John Kelly seems to have put a stop to this when he took over. Now they don't give much of a reason at all which sucks, because I could tell WHAT areas to attack when we re-apply.

New Homeland Security Chief has been chosen.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/11/us/politics/kirstjen-nielsen-homeland-security-secretary.html

JOHN ROGERS replied 6 years ago   #737

Applied in Calgary July 17 received 3rd 5 year waiver October 10

osok replied 6 years ago   #736

@Kiwi

UGH! I'm really sorry to hear you were declined. At this point, I have zero expectations. All I can do is hope for the best. It seems like its just a crapshoot that is dependant on which officer's desk your file lands on. It's completely arbitrary which is a shame.

Did they provide a reason for the denial?

I'm not feeling very optimistic...

Philly replied 6 years ago   #735

Question for JOHN ROGERS or K SCOTT,

I was declined recently after waiting over 2 years for my I192 Visa Waiver, the letter came by registered mail.

My charges stem from 2013, making a False Statement on a Tax Return, which is considered a "crime of moral turpitude" in USA.

I did get a response requesting additional info after just a few months which I sent back right away, they wanted proof that restitution and that any fines levied were paid, sent copies of receipts.

I prepared the package myself and believe I did a very thorough job, I had had very good references, high level government employees in BC, neither were contacted at anytime.

Are either of you aware if there is a waiting period for this type of conviction before they will issue a Visa Waiver.

I did not challenge or appeal the refusal of my application at the time as I was pretty disappointed and it felt like throwing more money at a hopeless cause.

Any feedback appreciated.

Philly@ keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Kiwi.

Kiwi replied 6 years ago   #734

If you still getting the email, then there really is nothing else you CAN do. Just hang tight, the answer will come. If you were convicted as a "juvenile" maybe you will get a September letter, if you made that clear in your application.

JOHN ROGERS replied 6 years ago   #733

I am coming up to 20 months I am still waiting...... my offense was from 39 years a go.......... it was still in the RCMP database even though I was charged under the young offenders act..........I put in a very thorough and strong application....... including doctors examination and complete medical reports...... and tests.......... I was 15 at the time but not convicted until 18...... was stopped at the border 2 years a go........ still waiting for a decision.......... last emailed ARO on September 1....... just got the same standard response everyone gets.

gone replied 6 years ago   #732

Singh5555 It does seem that under the Trump administration they tend to be easier on Fraud as opposed to under the Obama administration.

What a ridiculous statement.

This board was a lot better before the "experts" showed up. I'm outta here.

Still paying replied 6 years ago   #731

Singh5555 It does seem that under the Trump administration they tend to be easier on Fraud as opposed to under the Obama administration.

Philly it will also depend on what offence(s) they have on your RCMP and/or what you may have admitted to in your packet. It is difficult to speculate since this is a public forum and your case specifics would have to be known. However, if we knew the type of offence then it would indeed be easier to speculate. We had a guy that had a case pending for 3 years but his was an actual rape case as opposed to Sexual Assault.

Philly there is a way to see what they did with your file. The big thing will be the decision letter and the analysis that they used to come to their decision....assuming that it is a denial. Another factor is who prepared your case too.

K SCOTT replied 6 years ago   #730

25 months is indeed very unusual. You are going to want to make sure that they have a current address. The longest that I have seen for a waiver pending is 3 years. We usually don't have this issue with clients. Time length will depend on a number of factors. They can say 3 or 4 months but in the end they pretty do whatever they want.

K SCOTT replied 6 years ago   #729

@John Rogers

I'm okay with you completing your speculation....

Philly replied 6 years ago   #728

Thats usually trouble Philly. Doesn't mean you WON'T get the waiver, but I have had a couple of clients with the same problem and they had specific cases. I don't want to speculate here on a public forum, but please let us know when you get it, and if it was approved.

JOHN ROGERS replied 6 years ago   #727

Been waiting 25 months

Philly replied 6 years ago   #726

Its not common, no. How long have you been waiting?

JOHN ROGERS replied 6 years ago   #725

Has anyone ever received this message?

Final action has been taken on your application. You should be receiving correspondence from this office in the near future regarding the decision.

Do not reply to this message; submit all your inquiries to ARO.INQUIRY.WAIVER@cbp.dhs.gov

Thank you,
Admissibility Review Office

Philly replied 6 years ago   #724

Lurker Lady: I haven't seen a 2 year waiver in a few years. Rare.

Singh5555: Fraud over $5000 I assume is what your talking about. The Circumstances are very important.

For example: I bounced cheques, or I was on assistance and working at the same time are less "serious".

" I defrauded old people out of thousands of dollars" or "committed complicated investment fraud worth hundreds of thousands of dollars" would be considered more serious.

John Kelly is no longer the head of Homeland Security, and apparently he was responsible for a new "tightening of rules" that occurred. He is an ex Marine General. But now he is on Trumps staff and there is no official "head". Ironically that has made results "less predictable".

My best advice when doing a waiver on your own, is ATTENTION to DETAIL. If the application looks half-assed, your going to get a shorter waiver if at all. Don't assume they "have to give you the waiver" because you gave them half the information. Be thorough.

JOHN ROGERS replied 6 years ago   #723