non toll-free number to call CIC in Mississauga

[toby]

Does anyone have a number I can use to call?

Their 1-888-242-2100 doesn't work from outside Canada.

When I call 1-613-944-4000 (Service Canada), I get to Immigration indirectly, but when it comes time to talk to a live person, I hear the message that the call centre is closed, and open 0800 - 1600 "local time".

Since I have tried calling at different times of my day (in China) I am a bit doubtful that this message can be correct. And why say "local time" without specifying the time zone? That is less than helpful.


So, I need a number, please.

 

[YorkFactory]

My guess is that they detect, based on your phone's area code, whether the line is open for you or not, and staff the center accordingly, based on the number of calls they expect. Do you know what your caller ID/ANI shows up as? To make sure you call between 0800 and 1600 in all Canadian time zones, call between 0800 Pacific (1100 Eastern) and 1600 Newfoundland (1430 Eastern). During that 3.5-hour span, it is between 0800 and 1600 in all of Canada.

edited to add: But I remember reading that you can't call CIC's call center from outside Canada anymore. The only time I ever called was in early May 2009.

 

[Suin]

where did you hear about it, YorkFactory? please do give more info. thank you.

 

[newbie2281]

Try this out: http://immipedia.ca/CIC_call_centre
Works for me from the US

 

[toby]

Thanks, Newbie. The number worked perfectly. I don't know how you found it, but thanks again.

Everyone: I talked to CIC in Mississauga, and the agent I talked to said they are just now inputting Oct 14 applications into the system. SO anyone who submitted an application after that, don't expect to see your file on the track-it system for a while.

I'll wait for two more weeks before even looking again.

 

[YorkFactory]

October 22 applications were in the system as of November 10's e-CAS update.

 

[thai/peg]

Is e-cas through the CIC website? Because when I go in there and check time for sponsorship applications it says Oct 14. Where did you find the 22nd? Also do they put the applications on file once a decision is made or once they have opened them?

 

[YorkFactory]

Yes, e-CAS is on CIC's web site. Have your receipt number handy.

Usually, the sponsorship approval is quick enough for them to open the file, look at it, make a decision, and mail you a letter in one day. However, e-CAS is only updated once a week, on Tuesdays, so we didn't find out that they'd even done anything with the file until five days later (still haven't received the letter from Mississauga).

 

[toby]

I take it the letter from Mississauga is for information, not for action. If they've approved you as a sponsor, your file is probably already on its way to the designated Visa Office. If not, your returnable documents are already on their way to you. Right?

 

[Suin]

yes, just one or another - if they return the application back they state it on ecas too