U.S. Waiver Application eSAFE Waiver – 5 Things You Need to Know
- Is eSAFE a faster way to get your U.S. Entry Waiver?
- And why does approaching your U.S. Waiver Application like a puzzle help in reducing chances of rejection?
- There’s 5 things you need to know about the eSAFE Waiver.
- That’s what I’m going to cover in this blog.
1/ What is the eSAFE waiver?
- e-SAFE is an online system created by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.
- It allows Canadian citizens who are inadmissible to apply ONLINE for a U.S. Entry Waiver
- It is a much more effective way to get your U.S. Waiver.
2/ How long does it take to get the e-SAFE waiver?
- e-Safe Waiver processing times vary depending on factors including the Custom Border Protection workload, the complexity of your application and the third party response times to CBP inquiries about your waiver application.
- One of the CBP’s objectives for creating eSAFE is to improve waiver processing times.
- Here is what the CBP says:
- So you WILL get your application processed faster, which means you WILL get your U.S. Waiver faster.
3/ Do all law firms or service companies have access to eSAFE?
- While individuals can get access to eSAFE, not all law firms or service companies have access to eSAFE.
- The U.S. CBP authorizes only specific law firms to access eSAFE based on security clearance criteria.
- If you hire a service for your U.S. Waiver application, it’s important to ensure they have eSAFE access. If a service does not, it might be due to their failure to meet the CBP’s security and clearance standards.
- To divert your attention away from the importance of eSAFE access, some firms claim that eSAFE processing is NOT faster because of the requirement for an in-person biometrics appointment. These firms will then push you to a manual application.
- But, again, according to the CBP, using eSAFE will allow you to get your U.S. Waiver faster.
- So before hiring a service, make sure they have access to eSAFE for faster processing.
4/ How easy is eSAFE to use?
- If you’re comfortable with online tasks like filling in forms, uploading documents, and making online payments, you’ll find eSAFE user-friendly.
- But simplicity of use should not be your main concern.
- Your goal is to prepare the strongest application possible maximizing your chance of approval.
- Filling in the form portion of the e-safe waiver is the easy part. What’s much harder is the supporting documentation.
- A good way to think about the U.S. Waiver Application is to envision it as a puzzle. Each document that you need to submit – like your personal statement, recommendation letters, and other supporting documents – serves as pieces of this puzzle.
- Every piece must fit perfectly to communicate a clear and compelling legal narrative about you, and that story has to match with the U.S. CBP’s criteria for approval.
- If any piece of your puzzle is misaligned or doesn’t fit the CBP’s criteria, the risk of rejection increases.
- It’s critical to get your U.S. Waiver application right because after you submit it, you can’t make changes. It becomes a permanent entry with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. There’s no room for mistakes.
5/ How do I apply for an eSAFE waiver?
- There are two stages you need to take to apply for an eSAFE waiver.
- Stage 1 is completing the eSAFE application online. In addition to filling out a form, you need to prepare and upload all the required documentation.
- Stage 2 is the biometrics appointment. Within 45 days of submitting your eSAFE application, you need to attend in person a biometrics appointment at an eSAFE Port of Entry. At that biometrics appointment the CBP will take your fingerprints and photograph and confirm the authenticity of the documents you’ve uploaded on eSAFE.
- Finally, one more point. Even though using eSAFE will get your U.S. Waver faster, eSAFE is NOT mandatory.
- You CAN prepare a paper-based application and manually submit it at an appropriate Port of Entry.
What is the eSAFE waiver and how does it expedite the U.S. Entry Waiver process?
The eSAFE waiver is an online system established by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency to facilitate Canadian citizens, who are inadmissible, in applying for a U.S. Entry Waiver online. The system aims to speed up the waiver processing times, as stated by the CBP, “The processing time for waiver applications submitted online via e-SAFE are expected to be significantly less than paper form applications”. By using eSAFE, the application process is streamlined, making it a more effective and quicker way to obtain a U.S. Waiver.
How can one apply for a U.S. Waiver using eSAFE and what are the steps involved?
Applying for a U.S. Waiver via eSAFE involves two stages. In the first stage, applicants need to complete the eSAFE application online, which includes filling out a form and preparing and uploading all required documentation. The second stage requires attending an in-person biometrics appointment at an eSAFE Port of Entry within 45 days of submitting the eSAFE application. During this appointment, the CBP will capture your fingerprints and photograph and confirm the authenticity of the documents uploaded on eSAFE. While eSAFE expedites the waiver process, it's not mandatory, and applicants can opt for a paper-based application submitted manually at an appropriate Port of Entry.
