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| Subject: Perhaps it's a marketing problem? |
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If you go to CIC´s website and want information about immigration everything is there. Not only is everything there, but it is organized in such a way that you do this first, then that, then that, etc. It makes it seem like a system that is so organized and easy and works like a well-greased machine. Heck, you can even get up-to-the-minute status on your application online through e-client! You´re moving? No problem, submit an online change of address. There is no doubt in my mind that it is a fair system and probably one of the best in the world.
This gives us (at least me) certain expectations. Well, if I download the application kits, send in everything as the consulate asks, I´ll get my AOR. Well, I guess this is where there begin to be kinks in the system. No one would ever guess that you would have to wait 3 or 4 months for a file number! That does seem to be a bit too much.
Are there some things that are unjust or unfair with the system? Of course, as with anything else. Nothing is going to be 100% fair to 100% of the people 100% of the time. Right now I can see that the biggest problems are: 1. Even after you submit your application and it is received, the points can be increased. That really isn´t fair. I mean, you´re following the rules. You should be assessed by the points in place on date of submission of application. 2. There seems to be little, no, or slow communication by CIC. The hardest part about any wait is uncertainty. I´m sure that if you potential immigrants were more informed along the way, the anxiety levels would be decreased sharply.
To sum things up, CIC puts out a great website that makes the process of immigration seem like a snap (great marketing by the way!!!) and then the reality is somewhat different when it comes to customer service.
Just to share a personal story...I called Buffalo back in August to ask them an immigration question. I was told that they would not answer any questions on the phone (this was at the stage of considering to apply). I was instructed to fax my question. Faxed the question. Never got a response. In October I had to fly from Minneapolis to NYC to pick up a car and drive it back to Minneapolis. I decided to drive up to Buffalo and go north of the lakes. Passed by the HSBC Center. There it was - in all its glory. I was informed that I couldn´t get in to ask a question. I crossed the border to call the CIC Call Centre from within Canada. It was about 2 in the afternoon. I went through all the menus and prompts and when it got time to speak with a representative there was a recording in English and French "Due to technical problems we are unable to answer your call at this time". Can you see where the frustration adds up? And this was just to ask a question.
I never got an answer and decided to apply any way. To date, I have spent $1147.76USD on fees, postage, notarized copies, transcripts, translations, you name it. It´s not necesarily about the money (I´m not rich so it is a bit of money) but the point is...all I wanted to do is ask a question and couldn´t get a response. So I don´t know if everything is being done in vain or what.
Comparing CIS to the US INS (or whatever they are calling it these days Border Control-Customs-Agriculture-Immigration-AntiTerrorism-Stop Illegal Immmigration Department) I personally never had to deal with INS since I was born in this country and so were my parents. When my grandparents immigrated I´m sure it was a much more simple process. Anyway, INS has the reputation of making you wait years and heavy on the beaurocracy. So that is what everyone expects and people may grunt, but they know that´s the way it is. The INS website does not make immigration seem like "a piece of cake" on the contrary, if I were considering immigrating to the USA, the INS website would deter me from applying to the USA!!!
Another thing that I think is truly unfair. Canada and the US went ahead and put their SAFE THIRD COUNTRY LAW into effect in December. If you don´t know what that means, if someone tries to enter Canada from the US and applies for assylum, Canada will send them back to the US. And if someone tries to enter the US from Canada and ask for assylum, they will be turned back to Canada. I guess they went into that agreement in good faith with the US. Is it a coincidence that a month or two later the REAL ID ACT is being proposed??? That is making it ever so hard for anyone to seek assylum in the US. So if you want to seek assylum in Canada (which may be easier to obtain than in the US) do not cross US soil!!!
In another post there was mention of the US entering another war? With whom? God help us all.
I guess I´ve put my two cents in.
Enjoy your Sunday!
[13-02-2005,14:31]
[**.118.3.91]
Menino |
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(in reply to: Perhaps it's a marketing problem?)
Very good post Menino.
You mostly seem to corroborate what I have said in the "Buffalos took my money" threads.
[13-02-2005,15:08]
[*.243.108.206]
Kanaada |
(in reply to: Perhaps it's a marketing problem?)
You are 100% right. Now... how can they fix it. I am not sure hiring more staff - maybe. but there also needs to be a revisit on the number of applications coming into the system. I have commented on that in previous postings. Changing the points... I would think they would be required to assess everyone under the criteria they applied with. That is the point of this lawsuit issue. Rules changed, but applicants in the que will still be assessed under the old rules.
[13-02-2005,15:10]
[***.81.114.40]
sharon |
(in reply to: Perhaps it's a marketing problem?)
Menino, I totally agree. I´m in the entrepreneur class through Paris. On the CIC site they make it look like the whole application is a walk in the park and on the Paris site they have an application kit ,specifically for the Paris office, where they explain the whole procedure AND time it takes for each step , it concludes that the whole process takes about 8 to 18 months. Today, that site is down and links to the CIC site and the new waiting times for business through Paris are WAY up, try like 35 to 43 months now......duh !
Btw, if you get your visa in the entrepreneur class it is conditional ! meaning if you don´t have a qualified business within 3 years after landing, they don´t grant you permanent residency, period. I mean...what do they have to lose for God sake, you take in money, invest it in Canada , make a business work, hire someone (one of the conditions ) and if that doesn´t work out....back home you go.
[13-02-2005,16:46]
[**.194.186.222]
John |
(in reply to: Perhaps it's a marketing problem?)
ACtually, I will defend CIC on the website. Despite their operational inefficiencies, CIC has done a great job in making information available in ther website. I give them a 100 in that sense. If you look at the website, thet even post, although really hard to understand, a series of stats about processing times. So, please let´s give them credit for that and do not consider it as a bait for future immigrants. I don´t think is fair to say that designing a decent website is part of a marketing campaign, but rather a good faith effort from the Canadian government to assist future immigrants.
The problem radicates in the operational part of the system. It´s not fair the uncertainty that the system creates, especially after that after takinge the immigrant´s money they arefamous for not ackwoledging they have accepted the paymeny and the process has started.
I think that CIC has the resources and the know-how to make the system fair and more certain, but they are just not trying at all. I don´t understand what prevents CIC from exploiting E-client capabilitites. Is it hard to plug numbers and type when the medical was received? When the interview date is? a more detailed status like "currently on background checking? or communicating messages like "go ahead with the medical" It´s not a big deal at all!
What I don´t understand is how CIC prefers to act like stupid, half-brained individuals when they have the capabilities to make the system work better.
Sharon, you keep bringing the issue of the quota system. That´s a related, but different issue. In that respect, what CIC should do is stop accepting applications that make the system excced the quota. Establish a deadline to apply within the year, or simply send back an application with a letter saying: apply next year, the system is full. There must be a way to fix things, CIC is just ignoring the problem.
[13-02-2005,20:37]
[***.163.254.113]
Ozz |
(in reply to: Perhaps it's a marketing problem?)
Ozz,
They definitely know what are their drawbacks and they can fix them. If they cannot handle too many applications, they can simply say dera applicants due to high volumes of applications this Visa post can not accept further applications now. However, there is a big difference here. They get the application fee NOW but start processing the application in next few years! It´s like you go walmart, ask for a microwave oven and they tell you" "Go to the cashier, pay $100 and we will check our stock next year to see if any microwaves are left!!! Believe me my friend it is just a huge bussiness for CIC and Canadian government!!!
[13-02-2005,21:55]
[***.187.69.90]
Anonymous |
I absolutely agree!!!! (in reply to: Perhaps it's a marketing problem?)
Immigration is a good source of revenue for Canadian Goverment!!!
[14-02-2005,15:16]
[***.148.232.19]
Flirty |
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