Whom is the right person/office to complain?

[greens]

If I wish to file a complain regarding the poor handling of my PR application by immigration staff, whom and where should be my best bet?

I'm currently in Canada awaiting spouse-sponsored PR approval for more than 16 months. They told me this morning they've sent me letters and kits (which I never receive), made phonecalls to my home (which I never receive) and requested for documents (which, guess what, I never receive). I only knew about all these this morning. For the past 16 months that I've been calling them to check on my application status, not a single staff ever mention about all these letters, kits, documents and stuff which they've been sending and mysteriously getting lost in outer space. They merely made the same old comments, "Your application is being processed and you just have to wait." In actual fact, I confirmed it this morning that my application had been closed long ago and no one... just no one....I REPEAT simply no one ever told me this info over the phone in all the many months I've been calling them. They've been outrightly misleading me that my application is being processed.

I feel like I've lost 16 months of my life being prohibited from getting work or going to school in Canada because some staff in immigration are just sleeping on their job or watching way too much hockey. I am so upset I can cry. I wld expect this kind of things to happen in places like India or Russia, but I guess even India and Russia have better goverment employees.

The lady from immigration on the phone told me today, "there is no way an application would be sitting there being processed for 16 months."
But lady, all your gangs of staff have been telling me I would have to wait for up to 24 months. I don't even know if I've been calling the same immigration office with all the conflicting things they tell me.

 

[tired_of_waiting]

ok, if you applied in Canada and are stillin Canada then you should order your FOSS notes immediately. This will tell you exactly what has happened on your case, when it happened and the unique code of the officer responsible for updating the electronic FOSS system.

This documentation is free under the Canadian Privacy Act (it's $5 if you try under the Freedom of information Act). This document will be invaluable when proceeding with either a high court appeal or judicial proceedings.

 

[PMM]

Hi

ok, if you applied in Canada and are stillin Canada then you should order your FOSS notes immediately. This will tell you exactly what has happened on your case, when it happened and the unique code of the officer responsible for updating the electronic FOSS system.

This documentation is free under the Canadian Privacy Act (it's $5 if you try under the Freedom of information Act). This document will be invaluable when proceeding with either a high court appeal or judicial proceedings.

Try the minister, see: www.cic.gc.ca for his address.

PMM

 

[rely]

If I wish to file a complain regarding the poor handling of my PR application by immigration staff, whom and where should be my best bet?

I'm currently in Canada awaiting spouse-sponsored PR approval for more than 16 months. They told me this morning they've sent me letters and kits (which I never receive), made phonecalls to my home (which I never receive) and requested for documents (which, guess what, I never receive). I only knew about all these this morning. For the past 16 months that I've been calling them to check on my application status, not a single staff ever mention about all these letters, kits, documents and stuff which they've been sending and mysteriously getting lost in outer space. They merely made the same old comments, "Your application is being processed and you just have to wait." In actual fact, I confirmed it this morning that my application had been closed long ago and no one... just no one....I REPEAT simply no one ever told me this info over the phone in all the many months I've been calling them. They've been outrightly misleading me that my application is being processed.

I feel like I've lost 16 months of my life being prohibited from getting work or going to school in Canada because some staff in immigration are just sleeping on their job or watching way too much hockey. I am so upset I can cry. I wld expect this kind of things to happen in places like India or Russia, but I guess even India and Russia have better goverment employees.

The lady from immigration on the phone told me today, "there is no way an application would be sitting there being processed for 16 months."
But lady, all your gangs of staff have been telling me I would have to wait for up to 24 months. I don't even know if I've been calling the same immigration office with all the conflicting things they tell me.

Well you see you have been informed now TELEPHONICALLY that your application has been closed.BUT NOT IN WRITING.
I have a feeling that they have actually closed it long back by writing a letter to you when you had not responded to their earlier letters which they had asked and which you have not received.
It seems to be a clear cut case of "postal malfunction" .
I suggest you immediately write a letter to visa Immigration authorities explaining all these.I am sure somethjing will work out.I have come across many such cases.
rely

 

[greens]

ok, if you applied in Canada and are stillin Canada then you should order your FOSS notes immediately. This will tell you exactly what has happened on your case, when it happened and the unique code of the officer responsible for updating the electronic FOSS system.

This documentation is free under the Canadian Privacy Act (it's $5 if you try under the Freedom of information Act). This document will be invaluable when proceeding with either a high court appeal or judicial proceedings.

I'm rather ignorant on law matters. Do you mind telling me what is FOSS notes and how do I go about getting those notes?

 

[greens]

[
Well you see you have been informed now TELEPHONICALLY that your application has been closed.BUT NOT IN WRITING.
I have a feeling that they have actually closed it long back by writing a letter to you when you had not responded to their earlier letters which they had asked and which you have not received.
It seems to be a clear cut case of "postal malfunction" .
I suggest you immediately write a letter to visa Immigration authorities explaining all these.I am sure somethjing will work out.I have come across many such cases.
rely

My husband tried to calm me down too with "its just probably the messed-up postal system" reason. But what really riles me is why didn't they inform me over the phone they've sent me those documents since I've talked to the staff many times, they can even leave messages on my answering machine if I wasn't home. And on top of that, when I checked online, my application indicated "In-process".

I did receive one particular phonecall though about 5 months into the application. The guy said he's from immigration and wanted to verify where I live. And that was about it. The only one letter I received told me that my application is being processed.

Yesterday, the lady I spoke to told me that I should have noted down every staff name that I communicated with. I mentioned to her that they should replay back the recorded calls I made in the past, to which she defensively replied, "We can't do that because we don't really record everything." She then went on to blame the matter on my husband (oh lord heavens! what has he got to do with it?) She said I should go question my husband why he didn't reply to their letters or answer their calls and only he would know the truth. Ay! I was on the verge of tearing my hair out at that point.

So my advice to you guys, ALWAYS ALWAYS get down the full name of the people you speak to. Just in case you end up being in the similar case like me.

 

[BCbound]

Something is not kosher about this.

First, a quick look at the CIC website would have told you that you could expect to wait around 6-9 months for an in-Canada spousal application. After a maximum of 12 months I would have thought you would have stopped accepting 'it is in process' answers.

Second, they don't send out dozens of letters, phone calls and requests for documents. They send very few letters and if they request documentation it always says 'if we do not hear from you in X days we will assume you no longer wish to apply.'

Third, assuming they have sent letters and made phone calls, what happened to them? One letter gone astray, believable. Several? I think not. So do they have the correct address? One phone call to a wrong number? Possible. Several? I think not again. It doesn't add up.

One interesting comment you have now made is that the person you spoke to blamed your husband. Obviously I don't know you and your relationship but I'd give that more thought. The possibility that mail and phone calls have arrived and been conveniently 'lost or forgotten' is a real possibility. It would explain the situation, wouldn't it.

 

[tired_of_waiting]

ok, if you applied in Canada and are stillin Canada then you should order your FOSS notes immediately. This will tell you exactly what has happened on your case, when it happened and the unique code of the officer responsible for updating the electronic FOSS system.

This documentation is free under the Canadian Privacy Act (it's $5 if you try under the Freedom of information Act). This document will be invaluable when proceeding with either a high court appeal or judicial proceedings.

I'm rather ignorant on law matters. Do you mind telling me what is FOSS notes and how do I go about getting those notes?

Hi Greens.

When you land in Canada the immigration official records your landng in a computer system, this is called FOSS. When you apply for Permanent residency (in Canada) your landing record and PR application are grouped together under a client ID. If you are interested in the progress of your in Canada application, if you have concerns or you are just plain curious then you can apply from within Canada for a copy of these notes. You can only obtain notes for yourself or from someone who authorises you on their behalf. You can only order FOSS from within Canada (either a PR, Citizen or someone within the Canadian borders).

If you apply for a temporary or permanent residency visa from outside of Canada you are entered into a computer system called CAIPS. These notes are very similar to FOSS except they may not contain landing or visiting information concerning your presence within Canada (because you won't be there yet!).

Once you apply for your FOSS notes from within Canada, CIC are obliged to respond within 30 days of recieving your appliation. Your request is processed by a CIC clerk and the FOSS notes are given to at least two immigration officers who, at their own discretion, censor the information that is sent to you. This is rarely done but it has been known, especially in cases where legal proceedings against CIC have been issued or where the information relating to someones circumstance is confidential. If CIC sensor the FOSS notes then you should be advised of this. Particularly if you are embarking on a high court judical appeal against a CIC decision. (There is no right of appeal for In Canada applications, although you can submit a request for a high court appeal provided it is made within about 15 days of the CIC notification of their decisions. These sorts of apeals are rarely issued and when they are they nearly always result in dissapointment as the applicant is not permitted to show any new evidence that wasn't already provided with ther application).

I hope this helps.

 

[greens]

tired_of_waiting, you deserve a hug for all those useful info you've provided me. A sincere Thank You from the bottom of my heart .

 

[greens]

Something is not kosher about this.

First, a quick look at the CIC website would have told you that you could expect to wait around 6-9 months for an in-Canada spousal application. After a maximum of 12 months I would have thought you would have stopped accepting 'it is in process' answers.
I did stop accepting it. Thats why I called them numerous time demanding to know what happened to my application. The immigration staff is not exactly a bunch of Miss Congeniality hopefuls. I always get brushed off with "its being processed" remarks.


Second, they don't send out dozens of letters, phone calls and requests for documents. They send very few letters and if they request documentation it always says 'if we do not hear from you in X days we will assume you no longer wish to apply.'
"Dozens" was just an exaggerated figure of speech. I received that one sole letter as I mentioned.

Third, assuming they have sent letters and made phone calls, what happened to them? One letter gone astray, believable. Several? I think not. So do they have the correct address? One phone call to a wrong number? Possible. Several? I think not again. It doesn't add up.
Nope, it doesn't add up. It will remain a mystery to me more bizarre than the Bermuda Triangle.

One interesting comment you have now made is that the person you spoke to blamed your husband. Obviously I don't know you and your relationship but I'd give that more thought. The possibility that mail and phone calls have arrived and been conveniently 'lost or forgotten' is a real possibility. It would explain the situation, wouldn't it.
My husband and I relied on the same little black telephone in our kitchen for those important calls from immigration. And pick up our mails using the same one key from the red and white mail box outside our house. There's no weird arrangements that would make things get "lost and forgotten". But I do keep telling my husband that I would like to leave Canada for good some day. I come from Singapore, and thats a neat little paradise of a place. Canada is good.... with many nice kind folks, but Singapore is too much a beauty to resist. I miss home.
That last line is unnecessary for this post, but I just got to say it.

 

[tired_of_waiting]

tired_of_waiting, you deserve a hug for all those useful info you've provided me. A sincere Thank You from the bottom of my heart .

no problem, you are quite welcome. I asked the same question on another forum, that's how I know. I am also in the process of an In Canada application and I have just ordered my FOSS notes. I got a call from the CIC clerk who was preparing them because I applied under the Information act but made the money order out to the wrong person. He also suggested that I re-apply under the provacy act because it's free and to fax the new details directly to him. He then went on to explain the whole FOSS/CAIPS situation and the fact (suprisingly) that the notes are actually sensored.

There is also another forum I use called roadtocanada, this is also a very good place to go to ask questions. Patriculalry for In-Canada sponsorship cases.

 

[greens]

tired_of_waiting, you deserve a hug for all those useful info you've provided me. A sincere Thank You from the bottom of my heart .

no problem, you are quite welcome. I asked the same question on another forum, that's how I know. I am also in the process of an In Canada application and I have just ordered my FOSS notes. I got a call from the CIC clerk who was preparing them because I applied under the Information act but made the money order out to the wrong person. He also suggested that I re-apply under the provacy act because it's free and to fax the new details directly to him. He then went on to explain the whole FOSS/CAIPS situation and the fact (suprisingly) that the notes are actually sensored.

There is also another forum I use called roadtocanada, this is also a very good place to go to ask questions. Patriculalry for In-Canada sponsorship cases.

I hope you haven't been waiting as long as me. I will wait a while before ordering those FOSS notes since the immigration assured me this morning (I called them again ) that the problem is now solved, and also much of the problem lies in the Quebec office, rather than the Federal (we have to get past Quebec before being approved by the Federal). Am surprised too that the notes are censored, especially in a country which is usually transparent about most things. I did finally receive a letter this morning, except they're in French when I've specifically ticked the "English language" option in my application. Oh well, can't keep being grumpy all the time, can I?
Anyway, good luck to us BOTH, hope the good news come in soon. Its like Waiting for Godot, and Godot never arrives.

 

[tired_of_waiting]

tired_of_waiting, you deserve a hug for all those useful info you've provided me. A sincere Thank You from the bottom of my heart .

no problem, you are quite welcome. I asked the same question on another forum, that's how I know. I am also in the process of an In Canada application and I have just ordered my FOSS notes. I got a call from the CIC clerk who was preparing them because I applied under the Information act but made the money order out to the wrong person. He also suggested that I re-apply under the provacy act because it's free and to fax the new details directly to him. He then went on to explain the whole FOSS/CAIPS situation and the fact (suprisingly) that the notes are actually sensored.

There is also another forum I use called roadtocanada, this is also a very good place to go to ask questions. Patriculalry for In-Canada sponsorship cases.

I hope you haven't been waiting as long as me. I will wait a while before ordering those FOSS notes since the immigration assured me this morning (I called them again ) that the problem is now solved, and also much of the problem lies in the Quebec office, rather than the Federal (we have to get past Quebec before being approved by the Federal). Am surprised too that the notes are censored, especially in a country which is usually transparent about most things. I did finally receive a letter this morning, except they're in French when I've specifically ticked the "English language" option in my application. Oh well, can't keep being grumpy all the time, can I?
Anyway, good luck to us BOTH, hope the good news come in soon. Its like Waiting for Godot, and Godot never arrives.

Hi Greens,

I was approvided in principle around 2 months ago. I have checked with CIC and my background check is still ongoing. I have a child from a previous marriage who is not accompanying me but has to be examined anyway. I have ordered my FOSS notes to see what CIC are doing about her.

The clerk did stress that due to the volume of FOSS and CAIPS requests they are rarely given more than a cursory glance - but the process remains that they have to be reviewed by CIC officers before they are released. it's sneaky and deceitful but it's indicitive of any government organisation in any other country. I guess they want to make sure they don't give possible ammunition to any potentiol legal proceedings.

And good luck to you too. This immigration is a bumpy ride, full of suprises and loaded with stress. The sooner the journey is over the happier I will be. Me and my family I should say!!!!

Later.

 

[QAI]

hello greens,
I am a MPNP and i am in the exact situation as you. I gotta ask you, was your MP any help?

xxx

 

[spa]

Oh my... I cannot believe that Canada may have problems with mail. Why don't you go or call to the post office that is responsible for your area and explain them everything. Probably they can tell you whether they delivered mail to you. Then you can find out whether it was a conspiracy or just post system mulfunction.