It is indeed very difficult to get through to talk to an agent from the call center. They are not the same that works on applications, so they can't help much regarding your application. They can only confirm that nothing is missing from you and what is still in process. Some people went through calling another service (like the citizenship line) and then when the agent said you called the wrong service, people asked if the agent can transfer the call to the right service and they got transferred in the waiting line.is it even possible to get through to an agent by phoning anymore? it seems in the past it was, but lately it always goes to the "we can't connect you to an agent" recording. It takes a long time just to get to that recording, so unless you have nothing better to do than sit on the phone all day pressing buttons and calling over and over and over and over, I don't see any hope in actually getting through to talk to anyone (and anyways, the recording of your status pretty much spells everything out anyways, "we are processing your background check" etc..... probably no reason to bother them by calling anyways if the staff is actually working on cases rather than wasting time talking on the phone telling us the exact same things we already can get on ecas, I bet if one actually were to get through they would just say "we are processing your background check")
I fear that the border jumpers that we are reading about that are crossing by the thousands are taking away resources that would have been helping finish the cases that have gone through proper channels and have been waiting over a year, it is like the system is in a standstill from the perspective of a lot of us
anyways, that is my vent for the day, another week going by with zero progress
Regarding the refugee claimants that are crossing the border illegally, I don't think they slow things down for spousal sponsorship. The truth is that the processing time was significantly reduced despite the huge increase in refugee applying through normal channels. I think the arrival of those crossing illegally might have an effect for landing appointments in Montreal, because those crossing illegally needs to have a rapid hearing at the office in Montreal, the only landing office in the province of Quebec. But i don't think they affect the processing in Mississauga.
Still looking at the processing time of most applicants, they are really close to the 12 months they promised. I know it feels bitter/sweet to see people that applied way after you getting their DM and landing. It's like, I'm happy for them, but when will it finally be my turn. I understand that, we went through the same. But honestly, just hang on, your turn is coming! Stay positive, stay happy, enjoy everyday,... despite the long wait! that's the best advice I can give you.
I sincerely wish you get news very soon.
