Getting through to CIC

[MD2B]

hey guys,
Anyone have any suggestions for how to actually get through to a human CIC agent?
Ive been trying multiple times per day all week, and I just keep getting the same response "All of our agents are currently busy. We are unable to transfer you're call" Then it disconnects after repeating it in French.


The # I tried is 1 888 242 2100. Our inland spousal app is at Vegreville.

I just wanted to ask a question about our status. On the phone recording it says " We anticipate being able to provide you with a response on your application by October 20th 2010." Id like to know what that is!
:-X

 

[arron]

Just keep trying, it is a total pain in the ass, and seems ridiculous to make you sit through a few minutes worth of automated menus, only to dump your call. Every time i've called I've had to call back anywhere between 5-10 times, they do not have a 'priority sequence', so it's just luck really whether you get through or not.

 

[rubyalabar]

my husband does not like calling the CIC call center as well because it takes at least 15 minutes before an agent picks up the call. and then when he finally gets to talk to an agent, seems the agent is in a hurry. after letting him ask what he wants to ask, they ask for his email address and tells him that they will send thru email the answer to his query. once he receives the email, it only contains a link to the CIC website... argghhhh. it isn't obvious to them that the reason we're calling is because we can't find the answer to our questions on their website.

ranting...sorry... :-[

 

[shawngt2]

Call repeatedly. When you call press 1 for English or 2 for French and then press 0 three times where it will tell you incorrect selection. After 3rd time you will get ring tone and if it tells you busy, call back later...Call back again and again. You are hoping to call just as someone drops from the que. If you do this, you will eventually be put on que for hold and get operator within 10 minutes. Works every time for me and maybe 10-15 redial attempts, one after the other.

Cheers!

 

[jmni1]

calling later in the day helps, Basically I have discovered that their systme only allows so many people to be on hold at a time that is why it tells you no one is availible.
Good luck

 

[adzees]

Start calling at 8 in the morning... or you can even start trying before 8.. I had call two times, and both times i only dialed once and wait for 10 minutes to get a hold of an agent

 

[Canuky]

First, Dial their number 1-888-242-2100
Second, once you hear "Welcome to CIC...." hit 1,2,0,# in a series
This will take you straight to the queue. If you get three rings, then you are thru to the queue, if you get two or one ring, then it tells u they can't take your call, just dial them again

 

[matthewc]

Just call soon after they open. That's the best time. The key, though, is to make it the beginning of their day, not yours. Before Ontario and Quebec starts calling them is really when you need to aim for.

The call centre is actually open much longer than you'd think, because it's open 8am-4pm for every time zone in Canada. It opens at 8am in Newfoundland, and closes at 4pm in Vancouver. Almost nobody from Ontario or Vancouver is going to be calling them when they open (6:30am EST) so that's the best time. (4pm Vancouver time you're still competing with everyone from out west, so it's not so good.)

http://immipedia.ca/CIC_call_centre

 

[MD2B]

Very great advice everyone!
Thank you so much for your kind responses!
Thank you!