New information about US Waivers

Every month, at our office we have meetings among the staff about the various ares of Canada and US Immigration and Visas we handle every day. We discuss the latest developments in the law, new procedures, share experiences etc. This helps all of us keep up to date with the latest information affecting our clients and their cases.

Last week we the topic we discussed, was US WAIVERS conducted by one of our US Attorney’s Fadi Minawi. Below are some of the brief  minutes (notes) taken at the session that I thought I would share with you. These notes are somewhat cryptic and focus only on the basics but provide a quick summary of the different kinds of waivers we usually deal with.  For more detailed information about US Waivers go here.

Topic 1: U.S. and Waivers Inadmissibilities

I-192 Applications: By far this is the most popular waiver prepared at our offices.

o      When the application is approved, an I-194 will be issued confirming the granting of waiver.

o      Generally, most Canadians who have the following issues will need a waiver:

§       Overstay

§       Misrepresentation

§       Criminal offences

o      Not every crime committed will render a person inadmissible.

§       Only those who committed a crime of moral turpitude require (CMT) a waiver

§       A single DUI will not render you inadmissible to the U.S. neither will single “petty offense” (see petty offense exceptions)

I-212: Persons who have been deported from the U.S., typically in the last 5 years, need an I-212 waiver as well.

o      It may be processed together with I-192.

o      Persons who apply more than once for entry into the U.S. within a short period of time may be expressly removed by US authority, and they will need I-212

–        Waiver application may be submitted to Pearson Airport, Port of Entry (POE) and by Mail

o      Pearson Airport is the first choice because it is “safer” for clients (it is on Canadian soil)

o      While application may be submitted by mail, applicant will still be required to take US fingerprints at POE

I- 601: extreme hardship waiver, only used for immigration petition

–        Humanitarian parole:  (HPs) may assist people who need to enter the U.S. urgently, but must have valid humanitarian reasons. Turn around time may be within a week and submissions are sent to District Director at POE and should be filed in conjunction with US Waiver to show good faith. Applicant will be “pre approved” and be given a defined duration for the US after which he or she must return.

HPs are for urgent, very serious matters only. Supporting documentation to justify them are a must and detailed submissions outlining the reasons for urgent entry should be compelling.

Do you have a question about US Waivers? Contact Niren and Associates immigration law firm.

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President & CEO

Michael Niren

Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.