HI people
The first time we contacted the Minister was in April. CPPO had told us that we had been transferred back to London for QA and that they couldn't do anything more for us, and obviously contacting London through the regular channels (email or contact form on their site) was useless. We were just desperate for a way to contact London and Ahmad suggested we tried this. Bless you Ahmad!
The first time the Ministry replied in just 6 days! They had contacted London, and London had told them they would contact us "in the next month" about the next step of QA. At last, we had a way of communication with London!!
However, the "next month" soon became 2, and as our own projects loomed ever closer we had to try again. I emailed the Ministry on May 24 and was expecting the same speediness... I resent my request on June 6...and got these calls yesterday. So if the ministry takes longer to act, it's worth it!
In fact after the phone calls, I actually got an email last night from the ministry:
I am replying to your emails of May 24 and June 6, 2011, addressed to the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, concerning your application for permanent residence in Canada.
I have contacted the visa office in London on your behalf. The designated immigration officer has informed me that they will be sending out convocation letters this week, to invite you and Mr. XXXX to your interview, taking into account the travel dates when you will be in London (end of June/beginning of July).
So they DO get your emails and try to be accommodating! I guess the phone calls were instead of the letters the email mentionned. The guy in London said he would send an email today with the exact arrangements... and asked to call back if we had any problem!
So they're actually NICE!!!! They want to help! It's just that they're buried under so many files that an email is easily lost. The only way to make sure they get your info quick if your case is time-sensitive is through the ministry itself.
MY ADVICE for all applicants who have done their meds in August-September etc would be to start planning as if you will get your visa just before your meds expire (like prepare for moving, but don't sell your house yet!) so that you'll be ready at short notice. This is especially valid for anyone going through QA who does not live near London. Email them, give them your dates (wedding, trips, work...) and they should be able to fit something in for you. You could even try saying that you are wondering if the interview could be conducted in your nearest office/embassy instead of London, you never know it might work? Or maybe since the interview is only to check your documents, you could politely suggest sending your original documents to London instead as travelling would not be practical? I'm pretty sure they would try to accommodate, remember London didn't ask for these QA, they want to get it over and done with soon...
And don't worry if you don't get a reply immediately people, as you're "only" October. Give them your info now, then resend in a month.
Hope this helps
