Are there any real people at the Canadian High Commission?

county durham canadian
New Member



Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 1
Location: county durham

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 1:32 am

 

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I've been trying to contact the Canadian High Commission in London, but end up trapped in an endless automated phone system that never leads to a real person on the other end of the line. This would not be a problem, if I could find out the information I need on their Internet site, but we have an individual situation, which can only be dealt with on a personal level. So perhaps, somebody out there knows how to crack through their automated system?

We are a family living in the UK. I am Canadian, but have lived in the UK for nearly 12 years. My husband is British, We have 4 children, all born in the UK. My eldest has a Canadian Citizenship card, and we are in the process of applying for citizenship for the other 3. Now it gets complicated. My husband has been offered a visiting post at a university in Canada for a period of 6 months next year, but we want to stay for 8 months in total - does a temporary work permit cover the entire period, even if his contract has officially ended or does he need some other leave to remain type document? What health and education benefits are the children entitled to, as they are certainly eligible for Canadian Citizenship? Having lived abroad for so many years, do I need any special permit to return to Canada? Do we all need to submit photographs with the work permit application?

So you can perhaps understand why it is frustrating to not be able to reach an actual human at the High Commission. Currently, I have sent them an email in the vague hope of receiving a useful reply.

But if anyone out there has any info, it would be much appreciated. Cheers!

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englishman
New Member



Joined: 08 Jun 2007
Posts: 4
Location: Reading

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 1:30 pm

 

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Beleive me, I tried for months to get hold of them and the only way to speak to someone there is to go there! But beware, they are only open from 8am until 12.00pm and the line ups are normally long and thre don't get to see everyone. The best way is to stay in LOndon overnight and get there 7.30am the next morning. Once inside they are the most unhelpful bunch you will ever meet to be prepared and take everything you'll need. Hope this helps!

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