Waiver application processing times

@Philly - What do you mean by final action has been taken? Usually it changes over to a notice saying " a decision was mailed on XX/XX/XXXX to the address on file"
Would you mind quoting what it was that your most recent email said?
Thanks!

Is there any border crossing that this group feels is faster than others? I always use Queenston/Lewiston and I wait long times. I've been getting waivers since 1994. And the length of waiver (1 or 5 year) literally depends on the officer processing your submission. End of Feb will mark 11 months on this one and counting. (Longest wait ever for me). I always found submitting at Pearson airport got processed fast, but the setup there is terrible for lining up.
Stay positive folks..... they always get approved ...eventually

Im not sure what's faster or not, I applied Detroit/Windsor Tunnel both times and the fist one was 90 days the renewal is still ongoing almost 203 days.. So my take is its just random and will get processed when it get processed. Unfortunately I just canceled Disney for the kiddies because Friday is the last day or lose my deposit... I guess its Karma for screwing up when I was 20yrs old and 20 years later still paying for it... certainly this life lesson will be used to explain to my kids why I canceled disney and how your choices can affect you later in life. GOOD luck to all.

quick question...i am waiting on a waiver due to an overstay in the states that caught me off guard when i came to Canada for a friends wedding in September, filed back on November 7th 2015. How long is a good time before i request a status update?

@Figman - the border crossing or port simply couriers the package to the ARO office. I cant imagine it changes the processing time by more than 1 day depending on how far across the country your application goes. I cannot imagine the ARO office prioritizes the applications based on where they come from. What makes you think the 1 or 5 year has to do with the officer? The officer that took my application told me numerous times that he has no idea how the applications are processed and all he does is create an alien card with fingerprints and sends it away by courier.

@Chris ... thanks for the comments. I was once told by an officer that part of their job was to spend a certain amount of time each week working on these applications. That was before Homeland Security so it's probably not that way anymore. As for 1 or 5 years, I just meant that it is subjective as to which you get. Usually it is 5 after the first one but my last one was put back to one year without explanation. I had been on 5 year deals prior to that. I hope my next one is 5 again.

This was the last message I receive after I sent email checking on the status. SO fingers crossed its a positive decision and for 5yrs. So typical male I procrastinated on cancelling disney. Im going to hope for the best and let the chips fall where they may.

“On February 12, 2016, a decision was mailed to the address of record provided on your application.”

Good Luck to all !

Cheers LV

Just some info...

I am on my 3rd waiver...never used a lawyer.

First one was for 1 year, applied in 2012 I think a little less then 5 months for approval.
The second was for 3 years in 2013, a little under 3 months for approval.

My last was Dec 2015....hoping for 5 years, and am coming up on the 3 month wait mark....but I assume 2 weeks of Christmas holidays should be factored in....

All my applications were done through the Edmonton pre-clearance.....reading some other comments it appears the Edmonton offices are somewhat faster return times for some reason...if I a wrong please correct me.

I will post my total processing time if I remember...hopefully it will be soon. I have read a lot of horror stories on this site of 1 year waits (which I am sorry for) but my experience so far has been surprisingly fast.

Hello, I am waiting on my 1st renewal. After getting a 1 year waiver(4.5 month wait) I applied for the renewal near the end of Sept 2015 at Port Huron POE. I've sent 2 requests to check on the progress of the waiver application. 1st response was pending and 2nd response came yesterday saying processing. My first waiver expired a week ago. I thought the renewal would be quicker but it's not.

I submitted my 1st Waiver application August 2014 at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara falls.. received a 1 year waiver on Dec 1st 2014. I re-submitted a new application for a renewal on Sept 27th, 2015.. it's now 5 months and still haven't heard anything. (My 1 yr waiver expired Dec 1st, 2015) Am starting to worry as I have an event to be at in Minnesota soon.. but was told if I make status inquiry it could delay it even longer..what to do, what to do?..*sigh*

:: @Barry added on 23 Feb ’16 · 11:37

As per Email received today.

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 am not sure of all the dates, but I do remember the timelines.

First Waiver 1 yr. Went through Canada Pardons. This one took a little longer than 6 months, plus the time it took to work with Canada Pardons.

Second Waiver 3 yrs. Did this one myself and it took less than four months to complete everything from start to receiving my approved Waiver. Did this at the NY (not sure which one accepted at that time) boarder crossing. I think this was the peacebridge.

Third Waiver 5 yrs. Pretty much copied the second waiver and it was again less than 5 months to receive. Although I went to Pearson International this time. They had a person behind glass to take applications.

Sept 2015 applied for fourth Waiver. Went to Pearson and they accept application on Sundays. You have to wait the entire morning in line. People showed up at 4am to sign the board because it's first come first serve. And don't step out of line. Once your name is called hours after signing ( I went 8am and called 11:30am), they check over your application and make you an appointment to come back to submit. They do not take them on 1st appointment. So pretty much waited the entire day and went back at 6pm to hand in my paperwork and pay the man. It's now end of Feb 2016 and still waiting.

By the way I risked sending an email to inquire about my application and was sent a generic response the next day. "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. "

Good luck all.

:: @Rob added on 02 Mar ’16 · 11:36

Hi All.

Just received my approval today. It is for 5 years.

I know the discomfort of waiting you are all feeling. Trying to make plans, one year in advance.

Keep manifesting that it will be in the mail and it will happen.

My job requires travel to the US and my waiver expired Feb 21st 2016.

I wish you all luck.

Rob

Hi there
Applied on the Saturday of the Labor Day Weekend (Sept 5th) at Toronto Pearson (14 painful hours) and just received my waiver Feb 22nd (Date Feb 16th). So it took 5 months and 17 days.
I received a 1 year with no restrictions on port of entry and for personal or business. Strangely under the reason for issue it said Humanitarian. So 1 year for first seems to be common

I handed my waiver in for processing feb. 25 2016 at the Lynden, WA POE ( Aldergrove, BC ) ... like all border officials, they were fishing for information to type in the computer to deny access, I have had two granted so far one was in 2007, which was my first for one year ( 9 month waiting period ) ... second was in 2010 for 3 years ( 7 month waiting period ) ...and now this one ( hopefully 5 years access ) with a rough estimate of 6 months from DHS...but who knows since it's an election year.

I'll let everyone know my update, at least this way you'll have a general guide line if your processing your waiver from (Lynden WA) ...aka Aldergrove, BC.

This is my 4th waiver apllication. I previously received a 1-year, 2-year and 5 year.

September 26, 2015: i194 Application submitted at Pearson Airport

February 2, 2016: Emailed AROINQUIRYWAIVER@cbp.dhs.gov for status update

February 4, 2016: Received the following response

“Your application is pending with this office. We will take action on your application as soon as possible. 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.”

March 1,2016: Still waiting (5 months and 4 days since I applied)

I have been waiting over 14 months for my first waiver. Applied Dec 2014 at YVR.

I have been sending email requests every month or so, I got a different response last week,

“Your application is on file pending further review. Absent any unforeseen issues you will most likely receive a decision on this application within 45 to 60 business days from your receipt of this message.”

Possibly just another cut & paste but interesting how each different response raises the hopes that it will be coming soon.

I've had to cancel so many events that I usually attend in the US because I don't have this waiver but with the current exchange rate I'm not as fussed about not being able to cross the border.

This is my 4th waiver apllication. I previously received a 1-year, 2-year and 5 year.

September 26, 2015: i194 Application submitted at Pearson Airport

February 2, 2016: Emailed AROINQUIRYWAIVER@cbp.dhs.gov for status update

February 4, 2016: Received the following response

“Your application is pending with this office. We will take action on your application as soon as possible. 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.”

March 1,2016: Emailed AROINQUIRYWAIVER@cbp.dhs.gov for status update

March 2, 2016: Received the following response

“On March 07, 2016, a decision will be mailed to the address of record provided on your application”

Elapsed time: Approximately 5 1/2 months

Are character references mandatory in each application? Thank You

@ Canuck, references give you a better chance.... one should be from an employer...and get a couple of other ones from friends, family doesn't really help, but you can include it to make your case stronger to enter the states.

Cheers.