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 15-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. Customs and Border Protection does not recognize Canadian pardons or record suspensions for admissibility purposes. If your record is already flagged in U.S. Customs and Border Protection'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 $1,895 CAD for an I-192 entry waiver. Renewal of an I-192 originally filed by us is $1,395 CAD. 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

U.S. Customs and Border Protection'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 U.S. Customs and Border Protection'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 U.S. Customs and Border Protection. A pardon company can help gather documents but cannot advocate for you.

Question 6

Who is the attorney and what is Chernoff Legal Services?

Accepted Answer

Chernoff Legal Services is a California sole proprietorship operated by Frederick Chernoff, a California-licensed immigration attorney (Cal Bar #342412). Frederick personally signs every Form G-28, files via U.S. Customs and Border Protection's e-SAFE attorney portal, and provides all legal advice under a written engagement agreement. Practice is limited to U.S. federal immigration law.

Question 7

What if the attorney has concerns about my case?

Accepted Answer

Within 48 hours of your consult, the attorney issues a pre-filing written merit opinion on your application. The attorney advises; the decision to file is yours, and we will not refuse to file a case you want filed. Government filing fees, if already paid to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, are not refundable by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

No. U.S. Customs and Border Protection decides waivers at its discretion under the three-factor test in Matter of Hranka. No lawyer, anywhere, can promise a specific outcome. What we commit to is (1) a pre-filing written merit opinion 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 Chernoff Legal Services is one line — the $1,895 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), and your RCMP-accredited fingerprinting appointment.

Question 10

Are there any hidden fees?

Accepted Answer

No. The Chernoff Legal Services invoice is the flat service fee. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection filing fee and RCMP fingerprinting are listed under "What's not included" on this page and paid by you directly to U.S. Customs and Border Protection 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 do I pay?

Accepted Answer

We accept credit card and debit (via Stripe), cashier's cheque, e-transfer (CAD), Zelle (USD), and Venmo (USD). The flat service fee is due at the start of representation; the U.S. Customs and Border Protection filing fee is paid by you directly to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the time of filing.

Question 13

How is renewal priced?

Accepted Answer

Renewal of an I-192 originally filed by us is $1,395 CAD flat. A renewal is filed before your current waiver expires, so you keep continuous permission to enter.

Question 14

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 on your application — recency of offences, evidentiary gaps, prior denials, anything we see. The attorney advises; the decision to file is yours. We will not refuse to file a case you want filed. The filing fee, if already paid to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is non-refundable.

Question 15

Do you guarantee my waiver will be approved?

Accepted Answer

No. U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Admissibility Review Office decides waivers at its discretion under Matter of Hranka. No lawyer — anywhere — can promise a specific outcome. What we commit to is (1) a pre-filing written merit opinion and (2) free re-filing if we make a documentable error in your filing. Government filing fees and fingerprinting are not part of that commitment.

Frequently asked questions.

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