Facing delays in Canadian visa processing? Here are the top 5 ways to get in touch with IRCC for assistance

Highlights of Canadian visa processing

• Many applicants are facing delays in the processing of their immigration applications.
• IRCC is trying hard to reduce the wait time for Canadian visas.
• You can enquire about IRCC about filing a web form and also check the status of the application on the IRCC’s website.

 

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Canada immigration system

Canada's immigration system has many problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing shortages, and ageing technology. The applicants face a lot of delays in visa processing, and the status of their applications will not be updated. Here are a few steps to check your application status on IRCC’s website, inquire about filing a web form or calling the IRCC customer care number, request GCMS, CAIPS, or FOSS notes, etc.

 

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5 ways to communicate with IRCC

 

Contact through Web Form

The IRCC Web form is online; applicants can enquire through this if they have any specific queries regarding their application. The immigration department will be available to answer any questions the applicants request. This form is mainly for those who have to update some details in their application or for queries about their submitted application that have exceeded processing times.

 

In addition, the form can also be used by:

• Applicants who want to change/add/update their information in the application are ready to submit supporting documents.
• Need for urgent processing
• Replacement of their PR card (provided they meet certain criteria)
• Any technical issue with IRCC online services.

 

On average, it takes 30 days to receive a reply from IRCC through Web form (depending on the complexity of the request). It might take up to five working days for the IRCC department to update your application via information submitted through the web form.

 

Contact through Email

You can also communicate with IRCC through Email. Those who have general or technical questions that they would like to ask the IRCC department can use this method.

 

IRCC always suggests checking their popular questions on the webpage by email. The applicant can email questions@cic.gc.ca for general queries and web-tech-support@cic.gc.ca for technical questions.

 

This mode of communication is sometimes used by scammers who try to trick newcomers by asking for personal information. IRCC will never ask for personal information via email. It usually takes 2-5 working days to get a response from IRCC by email.

 

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Contact through Phone

Another method of contacting IRCC is through phone; this option is only available to those staying in Canada. IRCC has both a human-operated and an automated phone line, with different availabilities and conditions.

 

IRCC’s human-operated phone line (Client support centre agent) can be accessed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. This support is available in both English and French, allowing applicants to get help with general and specific case enquiries. The client support agents cannot make decisions on your applications or help process the applications faster unless you are eligible for urgent processing.

 

On the other hand, the automated telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; applicants can check their application status and listen to pre-recorded information about IRCC’s programs via phone.

Newcomers can contact IRCC (from within Canada only) at 1-888-242-2100.

 

Hire a Lawyer

You can get legal help by hiring a lawyer. They can help you submit a formal request letter through the IRCC web form, highlighting the extended processing time and the negative impact of the delay.

 

Request CAIPS, GCMS, or FOSS Notes

If your application was submitted after 2010, you can file for an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) application. This will help you get your Global Case Management System (GCMS) notes, along with Field Operations Support System (FOSS) notes or Computer Assisted Immigration Processing System (CAIPS) notes. These notes can provide a detailed understanding of concerns or doubts raised by the IRCC officer and allow you to address them with additional proof.

 

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Web Story: Facing delays in Canadian visa processing? Here are the top 5 ways to get in touch with IRCC for assistance