Immigration Lawyers

Whether you want to settle in Canada, bring your family here, work or study, or stay after a refusal, immigration files are full of forms, rules and deadlines that are easy to get wrong. An immigration lawyer can explain your options, prepare your application and represent you if something goes wrong. On this page you can compare immigration lawyers, see their rates and availability, and book a consultation online.

What an immigration lawyer does

An immigration lawyer advises and represents people dealing with the federal immigration system, and in Quebec, with the province's own selection process. Depending on your file, a lawyer can:

• Assess your options: look at your situation and explain which programs you may qualify for and which risks to watch.
• Prepare applications: help you assemble a complete, consistent file, with the right forms and supporting documents.
• Respond to the government: answer requests for information, procedural fairness letters or concerns raised by an officer.
• Represent you at hearings: appear before the Immigration and Refugee Board, for example on a refugee claim or an appeal.
• Challenge decisions: bring an appeal or ask the Federal Court to review a decision when the law allows it.

Common immigration situations

• Permanent residency: economic programs, Quebec selection, and applications on humanitarian grounds.
• Work permits: employer-specific and open permits, extensions and changes of status.
• Study permits: admission as an international student, extensions, and working during or after studies.
• Family sponsorship: sponsoring a spouse, partner, child, parent or grandparent.
• Citizenship: eligibility, the application itself, and problems such as a refusal or a delay you do not understand.
• Refusals and appeals: figuring out why an application was refused and whether to reapply, appeal or seek review.
• Refugee claims: preparing a claim for protection and the hearing that follows.
• Removal orders: responding when you are told you must leave Canada, and checking whether any remedy is still open.

How immigration works in Canada and Quebec

Immigration is mainly a federal matter. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) handles most applications: visas, work and study permits, permanent residence, sponsorship and citizenship. The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) is an independent tribunal. Its divisions hear refugee claims and refugee appeals, admissibility hearings and detention reviews, and appeals on matters such as sponsorship refusals and certain removal orders. The Canada Border Services Agency handles enforcement at the border and removals. When no appeal is available, the Federal Court can review many immigration decisions, but you first need its permission, and the deadline to ask is short.

Quebec adds its own layer. Under an agreement with Ottawa, Quebec selects its own economic immigrants. The Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI) runs Quebec's selection programs and issues the Quebec selection certificate (CSQ), after which the federal government checks admissibility (health, security and criminality) and grants permanent residence. Quebec also has its own requirements for many temporary workers and international students, and for sponsors, who make a commitment to Quebec as well as to the federal government. A Quebec file often involves both governments.

Who can represent you

You can always apply on your own. But if someone charges you, or expects any other benefit, to advise or represent you on an immigration matter, that person must be authorized. In general, that means a lawyer who is a member of a provincial or territorial law society, a Quebec notary, or a licensed immigration consultant. For Quebec's own selection procedures, consultants must also be recognized by Quebec. Only lawyers can represent you before the Federal Court.

Be careful with unlicensed "ghost" consultants: people who charge for help but whose names never appear on the forms, or who promise jobs, guaranteed approvals or shortcuts. Using one can expose you to false information in your file, which can lead to a refusal and serious consequences for future applications. Before paying anyone, check their licence, and make sure every representative is declared on your application.

When to get a lawyer

• Your application was refused and you want to know whether to appeal, seek review or reapply.
• You received a procedural fairness letter or a request that suggests a problem with your file.
• You are making a refugee claim or have an IRB hearing coming up.
• You received a removal order or a notice to appear for an admissibility hearing.
• Your situation involves a criminal charge, a past refusal or a previous misrepresentation concern.
• Your file involves both Quebec and federal steps and you are unsure where you stand.

Deadlines in immigration law are often strict and short, especially after a refusal or a removal order. If a decision just arrived, get advice right away.

Preparing for your consultation

• Your passport and your current immigration documents (permit, visa, CSQ or confirmation of permanent residence, if any).
• Copies of every application you submitted and every letter or decision you received.
• A short timeline of your stay in Canada: entries, exits, status changes and addresses.
• Documents on work, studies, family ties or language tests that relate to your plan.
• Your questions: your options, the risks, and how the lawyer charges.

What an immigration lawyer costs

Each lawyer sets their own rates, and many offer a fixed fee for a defined application or an hourly rate for more complex files. On JustiConnect you can see each lawyer's rates on their profile before you book. At your first consultation, ask what the fee covers and which government fees are separate.

If your means are limited, legal aid may cover some immigration and refugee matters, depending on your income and the type of case.

Compare immigration lawyers and book on JustiConnect

Browse the immigration lawyers listed below, filter by location, language, rates and availability, and book a consultation directly. You can also search all immigration lawyers or find immigration lawyers in Montreal. Check each profile to see where the lawyer practises. Not sure how to choose? Read our guide on how to choose a lawyer in Quebec.

Frequently asked questions

What does an immigration lawyer do in Canada?

A lawyer assesses your options, prepares applications, deals with the government when there is a problem, represents you at hearings and challenges decisions when the law allows it, including Quebec selection steps.

How much does an immigration lawyer cost?

It depends on the lawyer and on the file. Each lawyer sets their own rates, which you can compare on their profiles before booking. Government processing fees are separate from the lawyer's fees.

Where can I get free immigration advice?

The official IRCC and Quebec websites explain the programs and forms, and legal aid may cover some immigration and refugee matters if you qualify. For advice on your own file, speak with an authorized representative.

Is a lawyer different from an immigration consultant?

Both can be authorized to represent you for a fee on many immigration applications. Lawyers can also give broader legal advice and are the only representatives who can appear before the Federal Court. Whoever you choose, check that they are licensed.

Can a lawyer speed up my application?

No one can make the government process an application faster or guarantee approval. What a lawyer can do is help you submit a complete, well-prepared file, which reduces the risk of requests, delays caused by missing documents, or a refusal.