Contacting CIC from USA

[Beehivefive]

The toll free number (1-888-242-2100) is not available to me in the US. I made an online payment that I need a receipt for, but I cannot reach CIC. Anyone have any suggestions? A phone number that works outside Canada would be nice.

 

[QuebecOkie]

This is weird and more difficult than it should be. There's this link: http://www.canada.gc.ca/search-recherche/help.html.

If you have experienced difficulties while browsing or navigating the Canada Site, call our toll-free service line at 1 800 755-7047 from any location within Canada or the United States. If you are calling from outside Canada or the United States, please consult the service line toll-free number listing for the country from which you are dialing. Information officers are available to help you, in English and French, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

So that's for "difficulty while browsing or navigating" the site, but sounds like it should at least connect you to a rep when calling from the US.

 

[Beehivefive]

hey, QuebecOkie! My favorite (favourite) person! Thanks for the sleuthing. I will try that number now. I've tried other numbers and emails, but nothing seems to work. Very frustrating.

 

[Beehivefive]

OK, so, that number is no longer in service, but an automated message gave me a new number. This new number put me in contact with a very helpful and friendly government agent, but this person still couldn't really answer my question regarding online receipt of payment. She did, however, let me know that I should call the Canadian Consulate here in New York, which I did. That number gave me an automated message that stated that the Consulate could not answer telephone calls regarding questions about immigration applications, etc. So, I'm basically convinced there is no way for someone outside of Canada to get info such as I require. Wonderful bureaucracy. Wonderful, polite, Canadian bureaucracy.

 

[shanmba1174]

The toll free number (1-888-242-2100) is not available to me in the US. I made an online payment that I need a receipt for, but I cannot reach CIC. Anyone have any suggestions? A phone number that works outside Canada would be nice.

613-944-4000
Option 1,2,1,2,1 then 0 to skip the MSG

 

[QuebecOkie]

At least they were politely unhelpful. Grrrr, so frustrating! Hope you have better luck with the number shanmba1174 provided.

 

[Beehivefive]

Thanks, but the 613 number doesn't work either. It's actually what I got by calling the original number. I just called the consulate, and they don't answer any immigration questions, so their message says, so I'm out of luck. It's bloody ridiculous, really. Unless it's an emergency, a Canadian in the US cannot speak to CIC by phone. I'm not really sure what to do at this point.

 

[QuebecOkie]

Sent you a PM.

 

[pseudowolf]

When I had to call from the US I created a Skype number based in Canada and then called the regular toll-free number. Worked just fine. Good luck!

 

[Sweden]

Skype is a good idea and it usually works.
You can also try to contact them by mail at CPCM-EXTCOM@cic.gc.ca it's the address related to fees payment etc, they might be able to help.
you can also try that https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/ols/login.do?&app=epay&page=viewallreceipts&lang=en

I haven't tried it myself but maybe they have your information there and you could print out the receipt online.
Good luck,
Sweden

 

[Beehivefive]

Thanks, everyone. I will try those options, for sure! Fingers crossed.

 

[Beehivefive]

How do i create a skype number in canada from the US, by the way?

 

[shanmba1174]

Skype is a good idea and it usually works.
You can also try to contact them by mail at CPCM-EXTCOM @ cic.gc.ca it's the address related to fees payment etc, they might be able to help.
you can also try that https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/ols/login.do?&app=epay&page=viewallreceipts&lang=en

I haven't tried it myself but maybe they have your information there and you could print out the receipt online.
Good luck,
Sweden

As Sweden mentioned , you can always retrieve old receipts . I tried now, it shows all the receipts which I paid thro online from last year!

 

[Beehivefive]

Unfortunately, my receipt of payment is not showing up when I login to the CIC service. It is on my credit card statement, however. Does it take some time to show on the online service?

 

[Sweden]

Unfortunately, my receipt of payment is not showing up when I login to the CIC service. It is on my credit card statement, however. Does it take some time to show on the online service?

I have no idea as I've never done it. Did you try the email address?
To create a SKype account from Canada, just go on the Skype website and create a new account, and for country of residence, choose Canada.
Good luck,
Sweden