Talked to IIO just for chatting

[gheewalabhai888]

Nice lady picked up the phone on the other end. Asked her the case status - answer was "received on this date"

She added it is taking 24 months for the case like yours. But
it can be shorter than that.
I asked her what makes shorter, she replied it can be anything those are just estimates.
I asked her if she has heard of NSC getting slowed during last 5 months. She said she has no clue, she never heard of it and she was answering my call from national call center. So basically she doen't know anything except reading out from the computer screen and extracting EB category estimates of 24 months wait time!

 

[peace_of_mind]

Since only computer generated message is being read out, it would be cheaper to outsource the National Call Center to any of the Southeast Asian countries. It would be cheaper and some more jobs would be generated in SE Asia....

The waiting time..., I am getting frustrated.

 

[GC Don]

not sure of outsourcing...

because this information is highly confidential data for this country, I don't think they are going to outsource to another country.

 

[gheewalabhai888]

This is not highly confidential,

anybody can read "an application was received on....."
"Taking between # to ##..... " We get that info form the web site.

Most of the time IIO are of no use.

 

[kjkool]

Re: not sure of outsourcing...

Originally posted by GC Don
because this information is highly confidential data for this country, I don't think they are going to outsource to another country.

If You call me, and give me your Receipt #, I can tell you the receipt date, and how many days would it take to approve your case.

Now, how can you call this information "confidential"?

 

[wwossen]

The only thing you hear is what they told to tell you. There is more to it they can see all the action made on your case but they don't allowed to discuss it with you. Incase there is a very important thing in your file they can refer it to immigration officer and if you get lucky you will get a courtesy letter from BCIS.

Regards,

Wondwossen

 

[peace_of_mind]

I am sure I was just joking about outsourcing....,
I am really frustrated with wait times...., and not much of info coming out from 800 number....

 

[whatshappening]

Me and my lawyer office believe that National Customer Service knows only what is shown on online status and published processing times and nothing more than that.
Anyhow here is what I copied from one web site.

How the BCIS 800 Number "Tier" System Works
(Provided by the American Immigration Lawyers Association)

June 18, 2003
BCIS National Customer Service Center:
Inquiry Tier System

The following information regarding the BCIS “800 number” customer service line, which is now the exclusive means of telephone contact with respect to non-premium processing cases filed at Service Centers, has been gleaned from several sources within the BCIS:
The 800 number feeds into two offices, and incoming calls may be routed to either. There are two tiers of people staffing the calls. Tier 1 responds from scripts and is staffed by contractors who are largely clerical type personnel. They should not be expected to be familiar with immigration terminology or concepts. If the question cannot be handled at Tier 1, the call is forwarded to Tier 2.
Tier 2 handles more complex issues and officers have received training similar to present service center Information Officers. However, Tier 2 personnel may very well have no prior experience with service center processing or operations.

If the Tier 2 operator is unable to resolve the question, they refer the question to the appropriate Service Center and the Service Center has 14 to 30 days to respond in writing. If there is no response received within 30 days, a call should be made back to the Customer Service Center and an "exception broker" can call the Service Center for an answer.

So it's always better to get in contact with Tier 2 support.

 

[dengdeng]

The problem is you can never get Tier 2.

Anyway, I have asked Rajiv office to write a
petition for us, to improve this phone service.

He will put on the petition sometime. please sign it.

 

[whatshappening]

Almosta month ago, when I called customer service, Tier 1 couldn't answer any of my questions and she asked me to hold to talk to real immigration officer (which I believe is Tier 2) but after keeping hold for almost 15 minutes, I had to hang up. But next time (if necessary) whenever I call, I'll stay on phone even it's an hour long wait.