Still waiting for a refund AFTER 2 YEARS !!! :'(

whitlingham

I am really hoping somebody out there can point me in the right direction at this stage because I am really desperate for some good advice !!!

Basically I am still waiting for the Canadian High Comission in London to pay me back for a visa I withdrew 2 years ago!!!!! I have done everything in my power to get my money back .. Most recently I sent an official written letter and it was completely ignored.

In detail ...

Back in 2013 I applied for a Canadian working holiday visa and I paid £100 for it as you know. I withdrew my application and I was told that I would receive a refund as the Introduction Letter' had not been issued. It has now been almost 2 years and I still haven't been refunded!!! I have sent countless emails to the appropriate departments which haven't got me anywhere. I usually get a request for more information which I have actually already given them time and time again and the correspondence stops there. I have even called the Canadian embassy here in Tokyo which is where I live now to make an appointment to speak to somebody but I was just told to contact the embassy in the Philippines as they no longer deal with visa related concerns. I sent them an email but I never got a reply. I also contacted the British embassy as I am also a British citizen and they also told me to contact the embassy in the Philippines. I can no longer log into my Kompass account and access the emails for some reason.

What I am supposed to do to get my refund at this stage? I would really appreciate any advice you might have for me. I am really desperate now. The past two years have been really distressing and stressful trying to get this money back. I know a £100 might not be a lot of money for some but it is a lot to me.

Thanks a lot for reading my message everybody and I will truly be grateful for any advice !!!

bris

Nothing more you can do, certainly nothing anyone on here can advise you on either as the Canadian embassy is ruled by Canadian law regardless of where they are situated all over the world.


I always find that the best course of action is by getting an actual contact you can deal with one on one, generic emails are easy to ignore. See if you can get a real persons contact details and pester them.

agrinnall

The Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Consular is Lynne Yellich, her ministerial page doesn't have contact details but I'm sure if you look hard enough you'll find them.

http://www.international.gc.ca/ministers-ministres/Lynne_Yelich.aspx?lang=eng

Alternatvely, Tweet the UK High Commission at @CanadianUK or Facebook them at https://www.facebook.com/CanadaintheUK

whitlingham

Thank you very much to you both.


bris - Yes I agree with you. Most recently I have managed to correspond with the same person but she simply tells me that it is still being processed every time I get in touch with her so that was when I decided to send an official letter.


agrinnall - I will definitely be looking into it. Yes, Facebook seems to be a pretty good way to get a prompt reply these days.


Once again, I very much appreciate the info and the time it took you both to reply

agrinnall

I forgot to ask how you paid in the first place. If it was by card then there is a slim possibility of a chargeback, although you may fall foul of time rules.

whitlingham

Hello again I'm sorry it took me a little while to reply this time. No I didn't use a card and I have actually closed the bank account I used since because I moved to another country but I still have a scanned receipt which was requested at the time. I am now reaching the end of my tether with this

whitlingham

FINAL UPDATE


The money is FINALLY in the bank !!!!!


To those who find themselves in the same boat. Send a letter a lot sooner than I did EVEN if they give you the impression that your emails/telephone calls are getting you somewhere.


Mr Gordon Campbell
High Commission of Canada
Consular Services
Canada House
Trafalgar Square
London SW1Y 5BJ


Date I withdrew my application: 10th of July 2013
Date I got my money back: 13th of July 2015


Yes .. 2 years !!!!! And the truth is I would have done exactly the same for any amount of money.


Moral of the story: Treat yourself with respect. Don't let others walk all over you. The consequences are far more serious that any amount of money is to your wallet.


Thank you once again to those who took the time to respond with their kind advice. I hope that I have now been able to pay it forward

Semple

Glad to hear that you've got your money back. I was starting to fear that after 2 years your chances were going to be rather slim.