What is the date of this email? when did you receive this email?

WE received this email on March 7th
Its a stressful process keeps me awake at night

Hi all - I don't currently have a waiver request pending, but I wish I knew about this forum when I had!

I have a general question (hope that's ok) for those who travel with a US Visa incl. "Waiver granted..." in their passport.
Have you ever been hassled about it while entering other countries?

Particularly I'm interested in Japan. They have some restrictions on entry, but my issue is so minor (no criminal record, no trace on ACRO, no arrest or court appearances) I don't qualify to tick yes on any of the security questions.
My concern is a border official (in Japan or anywhere) may leaf through my passport, notice the waiver on my US visa and ask questions.

Has anyone any experience or advice here? Debtrev7 has your husband entered Japan before with a US Visa/waiver in his passport?

No he hasn't been to Japan yet but been hassled plenty of times in the USA going through airports

I went to Japan a few months ago, border official looked at my passport for about three seconds, that was it!.Also,I have had a waiver(s) for 12 years and have visited various countries in SE Asia and Europe and have never been questioned about the waiver in my passport.

Maybe not the right place, but I received my waiver a few months back and made my first visit to the US a few weeks ago. My immigration experience (LAX) was as follows:

You get asked all the normal questions, then escorted to a large back room for "secondary processing". At my mid-afternoon arrival at TB Terminal there were about 10 of us but I didn't get seen for about an hour, and what followed were 4 or 5 general questions similar to those I already answered, followed by a friendly "enjoy your stay" and free to go.

I say this as it is probably worth factoring this delay into your arrival. In my case my partner was waiting on the other side, but while you are in secondary processing you cannot use your mobile phone at all so can't update anyone on your progress. It adds a fair bit of stress to an already un-nerving situation.

what did they ask you in secondary? The same as primary? Or were they interested in your reasons for getting the waiver?

TBH, I don't remember the specifics (I was knackered, jetlagged, and had put in a 15 hour workday prior to boarding). I suspect the questions will also depend on why you are in secondary and the reasons for why you couldn't get an ESTA.
But as I recall, they were pretty much the same basic questions I had in primary; how long are you here for, when did you last visit, why are you visiting, where are you staying, etc.
That said, overhearing some of the other people there, they were getting a grilling. But again, I suspect they were in secondary for different reasons.

Update on my waiver, ceac changed to approved 30th (after 12 days of staying on refused and no updates), changed to issued and email arrived today to collect passport on Monday (pity it's a weekend as I had another flight on Sunday to go back to work)
So theoretically all good and finally finished.
They had my passport for over 4 weeks which seemed very unusual, hopefully that goes back down.
Good luck to everyone still waiting!

Every time I've entered the US I've gone in for secondary, times vary between an hour and 10 mins, they ask the usual questions and then the reason for the waiver, have you ever been arrested etc...they're usually friendly enough however I'm usually leaving the following day so maybe that makes a difference?

Congrats and all the best with the job. That's was a very long wait.

The one question (which is common on visa applications) to look out for in your case I imagine is, have you ever had a visa refused - as getting recommended for a waiver happens after your visa has been refused, so I always disclose this when applying for a visa for another country - and then provide details of the waiver etc.

Never had an issue with customs anywhere bringing up the waiver in my passport.

Thanks! It certainy was and now I know to apply a year ahead for next time!

I’d imagine that your visa is not refused as you have been granted one, even though you needed a waiver.
if you don’t get a waiver then I’d say your refused. But for other countries I would not disclose that I’d been refused. Not sure if I’m correct here!

what does the actual visa look like in your passport? Does it state anything in there?

yes maybe you’re right, I’ve just assumed that because you are classed as permanently ineligible and initially refused a visa, that counts as a refusal - but maybe not!

I just admit it to be on the safe side, one time Australian customs were talking to me and said that it’s much worse if they think you’re trying to hide something or lie.

Yes the visa states that it has been issued through a waiver and states the reason you were found ineligible - 212 etc