Question 1

Do I actually need a US Entry Waiver?

Accepted Answer

If you have a Canadian criminal record involving a crime of moral turpitude (most theft and fraud offences, many assaults), any controlled-substance offence, two or more summary convictions, a prior US border refusal, a visa overstay, or if you have admitted cannabis use to a border officer, you likely need a waiver. A 30-minute consult will tell you for certain. If you do not need one, we will say so.

Question 2

Is a Canadian pardon or record suspension recognized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection?

Accepted Answer

No. U.S. CBP does not recognize Canadian pardons or record suspensions for admissibility purposes. If your record is already flagged in CBP's system or your offence triggers inadmissibility, a waiver under INA § 212(d)(3)(A)(ii) remains required even after a Canadian pardon.

Question 3

How much does the service cost?

Accepted Answer

Our flat service fee is $1,295 CAD for an I-192 entry waiver. Renewal of an I-192 originally filed by us is $695 CAD. I-212 cases and combined I-192 + I-212 filings are quoted on a free phone consult. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection filing fee and RCMP fingerprinting are paid by you directly to those parties; both are itemised on the pricing page.

Question 4

How long does an I-192 take?

Accepted Answer

CBP's current published guidance is that review takes 60–90 days from the date of biometrics for nonimmigrants who already hold appropriate documents, and 90–120 days from biometrics for applicants with criminal records or overstays. Older guidance still cited "up to six months or longer," and individual decisions can run beyond the 90–120-day window.

Question 5

Why should I use a lawyer instead of a pardon company?

Accepted Answer

Only US-licensed immigration attorneys can sign Form G-28, file through CBP's e-SAFE attorney portal, and use the Admissibility Review Office's direct attorney inquiry channel. Under INA § 292 and 8 CFR § 292.1, non-lawyers and Canadian consultants cannot represent you before CBP. A pardon company can help gather documents but cannot advocate for you.

Question 6

What does Waiver Counsel Inc. do, and what does the Attorney PLLC do?

Accepted Answer

Waiver Counsel Inc. is a Canadian corporation that handles marketing, client intake, document management, fingerprinting logistics, payments, and the client portal. All legal services — G-28 signing, e-SAFE filing, legal advice, and advocacy — are provided by [Attorney Name] PLLC, a U.S. law firm. Your retainer is with the Attorney PLLC.

Question 7

What if the attorney has concerns about my case?

Accepted Answer

Within 48 hours of your consult, the attorney issues a written merit opinion identifying any weaknesses CBP may weigh against you. You see those concerns in writing before you commit. From there, the decision to file is yours — we will not refuse to file a weak case if you want it filed (the only filings we decline are filings that would be unlawful). Government filing fees, if already paid to CBP, are not refundable by CBP.

Question 8

Can I get a guarantee that my waiver will be approved?

Accepted Answer

No. CBP decides waivers at its discretion under the three-factor test in Matter of Hranka. No lawyer, anywhere, can promise a specific adjudication outcome. What we do commit to in writing is (1) every concern about your file before you file and (2) free re-filing if we make a documentable error in your filing.

Question 9

What does the all-in cost look like — service fee plus everything else?

Accepted Answer

Your invoice from Waiver Counsel is one line — the $1,295 CAD flat service fee for an I-192 entry waiver. Two other costs are paid by you directly to third parties: the U.S. Customs and Border Protection filing fee (US$1,100 for Form I-192 — set by federal regulation 8 CFR § 106.2; an additional US$1,175 for combined I-192 + I-212 cases), and your RCMP-accredited fingerprinting appointment.

Question 10

Are there any hidden fees?

Accepted Answer

No. The Waiver Counsel invoice is the flat service fee. The CBP filing fee and RCMP fingerprinting are listed under "What's not included" on this page and paid by you directly to CBP and the fingerprinting provider.

Question 11

What's included in the flat fee?

Accepted Answer

The full legal service: a US-licensed attorney on your Form G-28, direct e-SAFE filing, a personal statement drafted from your attorney interview, a Hranka legal brief, biometrics scheduling guidance, and secure portal access.

Question 12

How is renewal priced?

Accepted Answer

Renewal of an I-192 originally filed by us is $695 CAD flat. I-212 cases and combined I-192 + I-212 filings are quoted on a free phone consult — every I-212 file is fact-specific.

Question 13

What happens if the attorney has concerns about my case?

Accepted Answer

Within 48 hours of your consult, the attorney issues a written merit opinion identifying any weaknesses CBP may weigh against you — recency of offences, evidentiary gaps, prior denials, anything we see. You decide whether to proceed. We will not refuse to file a weak case if you want it filed; we will only decline to file an application that would be unlawful. The CBP filing fee, if already paid to CBP, is non-refundable by CBP.

Question 14

Do you guarantee my waiver will be approved?

Accepted Answer

No. CBP's Admissibility Review Office decides waivers at its discretion under Matter of Hranka. No lawyer — anywhere — can promise a specific adjudication outcome. What we commit to in writing is (1) every concern about your file in writing before you file and (2) free re-filing if we make a documentable error in your filing. CBP filing fees and fingerprinting are not part of that commitment.

Frequently asked questions.

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