do you mind sharing when you called what application number did you enter? PR application number or PR card application?
which menu did you go?
Thanks!!
Of course! I am stationed in Vancouver so I called around 12pm PST. I would recommend calling between 12pm-1pm PST (or 5-6am PST) time as I assume the call centre is located on eastern time zone and therefore the lines are less busy later in the afternoon or right when they open, You DO NOT want to wait for the PR card application entry as I have never had any luck getting through on there. When calling, you want to enter your PR application number (mine started with an 'E' for express entry) and they will direct your call after a few minutes to a representative.
FOLLOW THE GUIDE BELOW! Once you are connected to a representative, you want to let them know that you are inquiring about a PR card application and if they tell you to redial and choose the PR card application menu, say that you were disconnected when talking to an agent earlier in the day and you would like to be transferred to that department. They ALWAYS transfer!!
A quick summary:
Dial: +1 (888) 242-2100
Welcoming message: "Welcome to Immigration Canada..." (
can't be skipped)
==>
press 1 for English
==>
(wait for about 2.5 minutes) long announcements taking about (
this part can't be skipped, pressing any key indeed adds more time) (
See Note A.)
==>
press 1 for UCI entry (wait until the prompt finished)
---->
wait until you hear a new prompt, then
dial your UCI "XXXXXXXXXX" (don't rush, otherwise you will miss the first digit dialed) ---->
press 1 to confirm the entry. (
See Note B.)
==>
press 1 (for already applied). (
See Note C)
==>
press 2 (for information regarding a PR profile). (
See Note D)
==>
press 2 for application starting with "E" Express Entry (economic class,
see Note D.2.)
---->
Dial your applications (only digits followed by the first letter) "xxxxxxxxx" when hearing something like "with the help of telephone keyboard..." ---->
press 1 to confirm the entry
==>
Dial your year of birth "XXXX" ---->
press 1 to confirm your YOB
==> the bot reads your application status (
can't be skipped)
==> after all messages are read, then
press 0 for talking to an agent (it's highly possible that you need another call (actually multiple ones) because of the high volume of calls). (
see Note E)
Good luck!
================
Notes:
A. this part takes about 2.5 minutes (messages including information about call centre time, refugees / crisis, travel restriction.... )
B. press 1 if you have one***;***
press 2 if you don't have (then there is no point to make the call)
C. This is the Main menu: you will hear something like "In order to better assist you..." choose one of the following 4 options (this can be skipped once you hear the first sentence):
- for "already applied";
- for victims or abused situations;
- for FAQ and helps;
- for COVID-19 information.
D. This step identifies the type of applications, which has 5 options:
- temporary residence: visitor/work/study permits
- permanent residence
- to renew P.R. card
- to apply for Canadian citizenship or proof of the citizenship
- certificate or reproduce the lost identification and etc.
D.2. (if you select Permanent residence in the previous level), choose the beginning letter of the application:
- EP
- E
- F
- G
- H
E. If the wait time is long, you may be asked for the option for a callback. You can leave your phone number, and they will call you normally within +-10 minutes of the estimated wait time provided by the system with an "unknown caller" shown on your phone.