How Much is a US Entry Waiver? Your Complete Breakdown of Costs

How Much is a US Entry Waiver? Your Complete Breakdown of Costs

• How Much is a US Entry Waiver? 
• Discover the real cost to get a US Entry Waiver with our simplified guide. This blog covers everything from the intricacies of non-refundable fees to processing times. Instead of seeing these fees as mere expenses, consider them strategic investments on your journey towards worry-free travel to the United States.  
• For context, this blog covers the complete breakdown of costs for a US Entry waiver in cases of criminal inadmissibility.  
• I’m referring to Form I-192, which is the Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant.
• Before I get into the specifics about the costs, there are three important things you need to know about fees.

Understanding Non-Refundable US Waiver Fees

• First, the fees you pay are not refundable.
• And, there are 3 situations which will result in the loss of your fees.
• First, if the US Customs and Border Protection, referred to as the CBP, denies your US Waiver application.
• Second, if you withdraw your request for an already submitted US Waiver application.
• And third, if you fail to show up at a CBP Port of Entry for your biometric appointment within 45 days of your waiver application and payment. 

No Shortcut for US Entry Waiver Processing

• Second, you cannot pay extra to speed up the US Waiver process.
• The CBP and the Admissibility Review Office process waiver applications in the order they’re received, and no one can influence their timeline.
• So paying more will NOT speed up the process or guarantee faster results.
• Bottom line is you should avoid any service claiming to offer “expedited” US Entry Waiver processing.

US Waiver Application: An Investment, Not a Cost

• And third, it’s important to view your fees and the work required for a successful application as an investment in your future. 
• A successful US Waiver paves the way for worry-free travel to the US. 
• So, it’s crucial to ensure that your Form I-192 application is meticulously prepared and positions your situation in the best possible light to get approved by the CBP. 
• Now, lets get into the details of how much it costs to get a US Entry Waiver.
• There are 4 buckets of costs that you need to be aware of.

Cost Bucket #1:Form I-192 Application Fee

Cost: USD $585

• Cost bucket #1 is the fee paid to the US Government to process your Form I-192 waiver application.
• This fee is $585 US Dollars paid to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
• There are 2 opportunities to pay this fee.
• First, if you are applying by e-SAFE, you can make the payment online.  After you finalize your Waiver application in e-SAFE, you will be redirected to the US Department of Treasury’s Pay.Gov platform where you can make the payment.
• And second, if you are submitting your application in person at a Port of Entry, you can make the payment at the POE.

Cost Bucket #2: Fingerprinting Fee

Cost: $50 to $100

• Cost bucket #2 is the fee paid to get your fingerprints.
• The fee ranges between $50 to $100.
• Your i 192 application requires an original criminal record from the RCMP, which requires you to get your fingerprints taken.
• You can go either to a Police agency, the RCMP or a private fingerprinting service accredited by the RCMP.
• The difference between going to a private service versus going to the Police or RCMP is generally cost and time.
• Private fingerprinting services, while more expensive, are faster and more convenient.

Cost Bucket #3:  Court Record Fee

Cost: $5++

• Cost bucket #3 is the cost to get your court records.
• The US Waiver application requires you to get official court records from each court where you were convicted.
• Make sure that your court records have an original seal or stamp on it.
• And the cost for these court records varies.
• Some courts will provide them free, while others will charge you on a per-conviction basis along with postage.
• Contact each court to find out the specifics.

Cost Bucket #4: Case-Specific Fee

Situation Specific: $100++

• Cost bucket #4 is a category I call “Case-Specific Costs”
• These are the costs that arise based on your specific case.
• For example, if you have a drug-related charge, you need to get a drug test and submit the results as part of your Form I 192 application.
• In some cases, you may need to submit an affidavit which will need to be prepared and notarized.

US Waiver QUICK FAQs 

Here are some quick FAQs to help you understand more about US Entry Waivers.

What is a US entry waiver?

A US entry waiver enables inadmissible nonimmigrant aliens to temporarily enter the United States in advance by applying for advance permission.

Is the fee for a US entry waiver refundable?

No.  Your US entry waiver fee in the event your waiver application is denied, if you withdraw your already submitted application, or if you do not attend your biometric appointment within 45 days of submitting your application and payment.

Are there any additional costs associated with obtaining a US entry waiver?

Yes, you need to pay for fingerprinting (which ranges from $50 to $100).  There are potentially other costs, including court records and other case-specific fees such as a drug test (if you were convicted of a drug-related crime).

What is the process for applying for a US entry waiver?

There are 2 stages to the US entry waiver application process.  First stage is the documentation preparation.  The second stage is the processing your application by the US Customs and Border Protection.

How long does it take to process a US entry waiver application?

The processing time depends on a variety of factors, including the US Customs and Border Protection’s workload and the specific details of your waiver application.

What happens if my US entry waiver application is denied? Do I still have to pay?

If your US entry waiver application is denied, your fee will not be refunded.  

Do I need to hire a lawyer or immigration consultant to help with the US entry waiver process? If so, how might that impact the overall cost?

You do not need to hire a lawyer or consultant to help with your Form I 192 application.  The value to hiring a lawyer would be to get the peace of mind that your application is prepared with the best chance of success.  Cost to hire a lawyer varies depending on a number of factors.

Can the cost of the US entry waiver change over time or is it fixed?

Yes, U.S. entry waiver fees can change over time.  Fees are set by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.  It’s important to check the most up to date information before you apply.

What services are included in the fee for a US entry waiver?

The Form I-192 application fee is $585 in US dollars, which only covers the processing of your application. Additional charges, like those for fingerprinting, are not included and must be paid separately.

Are there any additional costs for expedited processing of a US entry waiver?

There is no payment you can make to expedite the processing of your US entry waiver application.  The US Customs and Border Protection agency will process your application on a first-come, first-serve basis.  

Can I apply for a US entry waiver online? Is the cost different if I do so?

Yes, you can apply for your US entry waiver online using the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s e-SAFE platform.