Eta approval time with criminal record

[IamJems]

Hi all. I have applied for an ETA to travel to Canada for Christmas. I have 2 juvenile convictions for shoplifting, i received a reprimand and a warning for this. No caution, no sentence, no fine. Just a slap on the wrist at the police station and a good telling off. I was 14 and 16. It was 11 years ago.

I first applied for an ETa and clicked "no" to the question have you ever been arrested because i didnt realise it still counted. HOWEVER i have applied for a Working holiday visa and this made me realise that i should have said yes to that question for the ETA. So i submitted another application for ETA on the 7th December and uploaded the police certificate on this date too as i already had one for the WHV. It says "No Live Trace". I missed my flight on the 11th December and now im just waiting for the ETA to come through before booking another flight.

Do you think ill get approved before Christmas? My boyfriend is out there waiting for me and if its not going to get approved before Christmas then ill stop hoping. ive emailed them a case specific inquiry and they told me they couldn't give me a time estimate. Im just wondering if anyone else has done this and how long you waited? A girl told me hers was approved in 12 days in May 2016, which gives me hope, but hers may be an exceptional case.

Any time frames would be helpful. Thank you!

(P.S I was invited to apply for the working holiday visa and have submitted my application for that as well.. will that complicate or speed up waiting for the ETA as i know you get one issued with your work permit if you are approved)

 

[Nicer77]

I'm sort of in the same position. Very similar background, i applied on Sunday 3rd Dec. Spent a small fortune to get the certificate which I uploaded on 9th I fly on 22nd Dec. I have also had huge problems with linking application sent 3 tech reports- no response.
I'm only transiting, I had an email from them saying they are 'experiencing delays' but cannot or will not tell me if it is likely that it will be processed in time or not so I can cancel my hotel bookings etc in time.
It's really unacceptable. If they clearly stated that a second look would take so long would have started ages ago. But web does not give warnings for this only says 72 hours.
I'd be interested to know if you got the ETA when you click on the first time as if you did it makes a whole sham of the whole thing. PM me

 

[IamJems]

Yes my first ETA not declaring the conviction was approved within a few hours. Ive already missed my flight out there, i have a return booked for the 23rd January so i could still book a flight out there and have a few weeks IF they approve it. I just dont know how long its gonna take! They dont seem to be giving anyone any information and it could take 2 weeks or 3 months :'(

 

[Nicer77]

It's a Joke (only it's not we are loosing money due to the rubbish system) So if people lie and click 'no' they get through but if they are honest and rehabilitated they are left in the lurch. This proves they have no way of checking if you are telling the truth, you don't Flagg up on a database as 'no live' The website needs to be much clearer info like the USA one is. I would have expected much better from Canada

 

[IamJems]

It is. I could have entered on that ETA and i would be in Canada right now, but im not a dishonest person. As soon as i realised id made a mistake i corrected it.. and now im left waiting. I didnt even recieve a sentence for what i did! I got told off at the police station. I didnt see a judge, i didnt go to court..

Im applying for a WHV too which may end up being approved before the ETA at this rate ANY kind of time estimate would be helpful and yet theyre not telling us anything

 

[Robcaesar]

How long did it take in the end ?? I'm in the same boat

 

[sadafh]

yeah any updates on the time frame from anyone? pleasE?