Cannot reach an agent that can answer my question!

[Lemondrop78]

I tried to call the Case processing center in Mississauga just now and I can't reach an agent for the life of me. I did reach someone at the foreign affairs but couldn't answer my question cause they don't answer enquiries about residencey and citizenships, etc. None of the permanent residency enquiry options would take me to an agent...it was like a round about, all leading me to go on the website at immigration Canada or to call 1888-242-2100 which only deals w/ Canadians who live in Canada.

How in the world do you reach an agent to speak to when you live abroad? I live in the US. I called 1-613-944-4000 and it just kept taking me round and round. The agent at foreign affairs gave me the numbers to the Buffalo and Seattle Canadian consulate offices, which none accept telephone enquiries...the closest thing I got was to email them.

 

[parker24]

Does it hang up on you or does it just keep taking you through press 1 for this and 2 for that?

If it hangs up on you, you are probably calling at a closed/busy time. Either 8am or 4pm works best(EST).

If it keeps taking you around and around, try going this way: options 1,2,1,2,1 ... then 0 to skip the message

Hope that helps!

 

[Fencesitter]

I just called a day or two ago (my memory at the moment isn't very good!). I was able to get to an agent without a problem. I had to listen to the options because I forgot the order (the one Parker posted). I had to wait for about 3 minutes...but after that I was connected to an agent. Lucky for me, the agent was very cool...as they all should be...and I told him this at the end of our conversation...perhaps he'll bring this up at their next team meeting?

Lemondrop, I think you have to wait until they request the validated forms. If you send them now, they will probably return them to you. I'd hold off sending them now and wait.

FS

 

[Lemondrop78]

Does it hang up on you or does it just keep taking you through press 1 for this and 2 for that?

If it hangs up on you, you are probably calling at a closed/busy time. Either 8am or 4pm works best(EST).

If it keeps taking you around and around, try going this way: options 1,2,1,2,1 ... then 0 to skip the message

Hope that helps!

I made sure I called before 4pm(EST). It would just keep giving me options to press and it would keep taking me to the same places and never a real agent. I finally chose the foreign affairs option cause it allowed me to speak to an agent. I will try your options you suggested, thanks Parker24!

 

[Lemondrop78]

I just called a day or two ago (my memory at the moment isn't very good!). I was able to get to an agent without a problem. I had to listen to the options because I forgot the order (the one Parker posted). I had to wait for about 3 minutes...but after that I was connected to an agent. Lucky for me, the agent was very cool...as they all should be...and I told him this at the end of our conversation...perhaps he'll bring this up at their next team meeting?

Lemondrop, I think you have to wait until they request the validated forms. If you send them now, they will probably return them to you. I'd hold off sending them now and wait.

FS

The agents I spoke to at the foreign affairs was pretty cool too. I told him how I kept getting a round about and he said "Yah, I know it can be very frustrating", lol. He was pretty kind and offered to give me the numbers to the consulates. I hope I get a kind agent to talk to when I finally reach one next time, lol. A time or two I heard the voice say "you'll now be transferred" or "your call will be transferred"...I can't remember. but it never took me to anybody, only more voice recordings. I will try again on monday just to see if I'm smart enough to get an agent to talk to and give a little background info to get some ideas what to expect. Thanks Fencesitter!

 

[robrod]

I was able to talk to a real live CIC officer but here in Toronto!.
St. Clair office.
And to a non-CIC agent at the Embassy in Athens, Greece in person as well.
I think dropping by in person is quite effective if you can get in the Embassy. My wife is the Canadian citizen, that's how both of us got in in Greece.

 

[Lemondrop78]

I talked to someone at an immigration office in Vancouver, BC last summer to find out general questions about applying for the PR. I want to ask specifically about my file and case though, so I will try calling again on Monday.

 

[Fencesitter]

They won't be able to tell you anything at this stage. Ask them to confirm if your name is in their system. They'll probably have record of your payment, and hearing that your name showed up in their system is a big boost, even though it doesn't mean that the VO has opened your file.

Just find out what you should do in regards to those two forms. Confirm again with the agent when he/she tells you the answer, and then make sure to let him/her know that you will use his/her name and write a cover letter explaining the mistake...make this point very clear to the agent...so in case there is a mistake, it will fall back on the agent and not you...plus I would also request for an employee ID number, since there may be multiple "John" or "Jane" agents.

FS

 

[canadianwoman]

If you can understand some French (you only need enough to understand the options), try choosing the 'French' option instead of the 'English' option. The French line seems to be less busy. Then once you get a real live agent, just ask to use English instead of French - they have to be bilingual to be hired, so will be able to switch.

 

[Lemondrop78]

I haven't called them again yet. But your suggestion Fencesitter and Canadianwoman are good ones. I'll definitely ask for their name and employee number in case. I checked my status online w/my payment receipt number and doesn't look like they have any info for me yet. I'm going to call this week.

 

[Fencesitter]

I'd call if I were you, Lemondrop. You should at least be able to find out what you should do, i.e. wait or send it in now.

Keep us posted on the status of your app...I am hoping that all goes well and they accept the new forms without any major delays!

FS

 

[Lemondrop78]

I called today around 2pm Toronto time and finally reached the part where they are going to transfer you to an agent (thanks to you guys) but it said that all agents are currently busy, please try again...please not our least busiest times are thur and fri...then it hung up. I then kept calling and calling every 10 min. or so and same thing. Finally I tried one last time at 3:50pm Toronto time and it said my current wait time is 8 min!! Yay finally! So when the agent got on the phone I told him about I had handwritten my application and did not realize I had to fill out the generic application and sponsorship application electronically and validate it and so wondering what I should do at this point. He said I don't have to fill it out electronically or validate it, it is recommended but not mandatory. I said I heard some people got their applications returned cause they didn't get it validated and he said there could've been some glitches w/their application pertaining to those forms. He said they do accept them if they are not validated and electronically filled out. He probrably will only delay the process by a few days because they have to enter it in the computer. He said they will contact me via email or address if they need them redone....this is after I asked him what if I need to redo it. So hopefully things will be ok. I forgot to ask him about redoing the medical though since my spouse got it done in Feb and I mailed it off in April. So i will make another call next time. But I'm so glad to hear he said it was ok.