Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
I just got back from 2 weeks in BC. The primary reason for the trip was to have my interview with the BC PNP business people.
When asked by the girl checking my passport whether it was business or pleasure trip I said pleasure BUT I was also attending an interview in Vancouver regarding immigration. She was obviously puzzled even after I gave her quite a bit more detail. After about a minute of toing and froing she still hadn’t really got it and I directed to the immigration office behind her. After a short wait in the office I was summoned to one of the counters where I explained to the Immigration Nazi there the purpose of my visit. I got lots of stupid questions back like how much money did I have, where was I staying, when was my return flight etc. etc. This is all pretty standard crap but the bit that astounded and p*ssed me off was when he stamped my passport scribbled a date next to it and said as he handed it back to me “you have until the first of July”. Jumped up little jobs-worth, what happened to the automatic 6 month visitor visa? Why are these people such a**holes? Are they trained to be that way or are they like that before they join “the service”? Perhaps they just get like that after a period of time? Having talked to a few Canadians in recent times it seems that they get it just as bad if not WORSE when they return to their own country! It makes me laugh; the Canadian government is desperate for immigrants, does nothing tangible to facilitate it and instead puts rude, suspicious idiots like that bloke on the immigration desks. Welcome to Canada…NOT! I am investing a lot of time, effort and money to set up a business that will be a benefit to the town, its residents and visitors (not to mention the Canadian economy) and this is how I am treated? If I wanted behaviour like that I would go and live in France. Rant over….for now. Ian. |
Re: Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
Originally Posted by Chops
I just got back from 2 weeks in BC. The primary reason for the trip was to have my interview with the BC PNP business people.
When asked by the girl checking my passport whether it was business or pleasure trip I said pleasure BUT I was also attending an interview in Vancouver regarding immigration. She was obviously puzzled even after I gave her quite a bit more detail. After about a minute of toing and froing she still hadn’t really got it and I directed to the immigration office behind her. After a short wait in the office I was summoned to one of the counters where I explained to the Immigration Nazi there the purpose of my visit. I got lots of stupid questions back like how much money did I have, where was I staying, when was my return flight etc. etc. This is all pretty standard crap but the bit that astounded and p*ssed me off was when he stamped my passport scribbled a date next to it and said as he handed it back to me “you have until the first of July”. Jumped up little jobs-worth, what happened to the automatic 6 month visitor visa? Why are these people such a**holes? Are they trained to be that way or are they like that before they join “the service”? Perhaps they just get like that after a period of time? Having talked to a few Canadians in recent times it seems that they get it just as bad if not WORSE when they return to their own country! It makes me laugh; the Canadian government is desperate for immigrants, does nothing tangible to facilitate it and instead puts rude, suspicious idiots like that bloke on the immigration desks. Welcome to Canada…NOT! I am investing a lot of time, effort and money to set up a business that will be a benefit to the town, its residents and visitors (not to mention the Canadian economy) and this is how I am treated? If I wanted behaviour like that I would go and live in France. Rant over….for now. Ian. |
Re: Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
Originally Posted by Calgal
Maybe they're just jealous? You're a go-getter, they're just what you said - a 'jobs-worth' ;)
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Re: Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
It all depends on just who you get.... I've run into several *sshole customs officials myself. In general, the less you tell them the better.... keep it simple.
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Re: Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
Originally Posted by Chops
Jumped up little jobs-worth, what happened to the automatic 6 month visitor visa? I once got a grilling at YYZ (used British passport at that time), but hey at least I wasn't handcuffed and quizzed about my accent. http://www.geocities.com/obarri.geo/...ishenough.html |
Re: Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
Originally Posted by Chops
I just got back from 2 weeks in BC. The primary reason for the trip was to have my interview with the BC PNP business people.
When asked by the girl checking my passport whether it was business or pleasure trip I said pleasure BUT I was also attending an interview in Vancouver regarding immigration. She was obviously puzzled even after I gave her quite a bit more detail. After about a minute of toing and froing she still hadn’t really got it and I directed to the immigration office behind her. After a short wait in the office I was summoned to one of the counters where I explained to the Immigration Nazi there the purpose of my visit. I got lots of stupid questions back like how much money did I have, where was I staying, when was my return flight etc. etc. This is all pretty standard crap but the bit that astounded and p*ssed me off was when he stamped my passport scribbled a date next to it and said as he handed it back to me “you have until the first of July”. Jumped up little jobs-worth, what happened to the automatic 6 month visitor visa? Why are these people such a**holes? Are they trained to be that way or are they like that before they join “the service”? Perhaps they just get like that after a period of time? Having talked to a few Canadians in recent times it seems that they get it just as bad if not WORSE when they return to their own country! It makes me laugh; the Canadian government is desperate for immigrants, does nothing tangible to facilitate it and instead puts rude, suspicious idiots like that bloke on the immigration desks. Welcome to Canada…NOT! I am investing a lot of time, effort and money to set up a business that will be a benefit to the town, its residents and visitors (not to mention the Canadian economy) and this is how I am treated? If I wanted behaviour like that I would go and live in France. Rant over….for now. Ian. |
Re: Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
Originally Posted by Chops
Rant over….for now.
Try not to take it personally Ian... it's a part of the Canadian experience! ;) |
Re: Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
.... to follow up on what dingbat said, and to clarify what I said... yes, answer their questions, but don't volunteer any information because they may try to twist what you say.
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Re: Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
I think I was a victim over-honesty. As ocean said, it's probably best just to say a little as possible. That was my intension but I must have been asked something that meant I needed to supply more information (can't remember now) so there would have been a danger of me appearing to lie if I hadn't been more forthcoming (beads of sweat, trembling hands, pale complexion etc. :) )
As dingbat said, I’m sure it’s best not to piss them off. Tempting as it may be to throw in a few quips or be obstinate you’d likely be cutting your nose of to spite your face. For me on this trip everything worked out fine. I was completely honest and the officials were officious. It's just the (apparent) attitude that gets me. I want to move for my own reasons of course but I feel (like most immigrants I'm sure) that I will be a positive asset to Canada and a loss to the UK. It should be more of "come on in mate, great to see you" attitude not a "what the bloody hell do you want ya scrounger" one. It also seems that the government is trying to encourage immigration whereas everyone that involved in the process from the CHC to the a**holes at airports seems to discourage it either by tardiness or rudeness respectfully. The only exception that I encountered thus far is the BC PNP people who have been great. Mind you my experience of USA immigration officers is no better, what are the British ones like for non-British citizens? i. |
Re: Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
Hi
Originally Posted by Chops
I think I was a victim over-honesty. As ocean said, it's probably best just to say a little as possible. That was my intension but I must have been asked something that meant I needed to supply more information (can't remember now) so there would have been a danger of me appearing to lie if I hadn't been more forthcoming (beads of sweat, trembling hands, pale complexion etc. :) )
As dingbat said, I’m sure it’s best not to piss them off. Tempting as it may be to throw in a few quips or be obstinate you’d likely be cutting your nose of to spite your face. For me on this trip everything worked out fine. I was completely honest and the officials were officious. It's just the (apparent) attitude that gets me. I want to move for my own reasons of course but I feel (like most immigrants I'm sure) that I will be a positive asset to Canada and a loss to the UK. It should be more of "come on in mate, great to see you" attitude not a "what the bloody hell do you want ya scrounger" one. It also seems that the government is trying to encourage immigration whereas everyone that involved in the process from the CHC to the a**holes at airports seems to discourage it either by tardiness or rudeness respectfully. The only exception that I encountered thus far is the BC PNP people who have been great. Mind you my experience of USA immigration officers is no better, what are the British ones like for non-British citizens? i. PMM |
Re: Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
Originally Posted by PMM
Hi
You ever thought it might be your attitude in the way you treat them? K. |
Re: Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
For some, just like some Customs Officers, it's simply because they can.
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Re: Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
Originally Posted by kt0157
I was smiled at by an American security person in Detroit airport once.
K. The very kind customs officer looked at us smiled and said Disneyland? We nodded yes and she just said go home and get some sleep. There are some very nice ones out there but unfortunately we tend to hear only about the a**holes. Cheers Steve |
Re: Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
Originally Posted by kt0157
I was smiled at by an American security person in Detroit airport once.
K. |
Re: Why are immigration officials such a**holes?
Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy
You're lying now.
K. |
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