Hire an Attorney in Canada as an Immigrant: Step-by-Step Guide

Unfortunately, immigration fraud is a serious threat to prospective immigrants wanting to live in Canada. Hence, the need to be more mindful and tread carefully before you hire an attorney in Canada. If you have made up your mind to proceed with your immigration application, then you need to hire an expert attorney you can trust and work with until success is assured.

In this blog, I have composed a clear step-by-step guide on what needs to be done and all you need to know in order to land yourself a perfect attorney who can handle all your immigration processes in Canada. Let’s get into detail.

Key Points

Hiring an immigration attorney simplifies the complex legal procedures involved in the immigration process.

An experienced lawyer provides clear explanations of available options, helping you choose the best pathway for your situation.

Their expertise increases your chances of a successful application by identifying potential pitfalls and suggesting improvements.

Working with an attorney allows you to focus on other important aspects of your life while they manage your case.

Investing in a trustworthy immigration lawyer can save you time, stress, and potential financial losses in the long run.

Why Should I Hire an Attorney in Canada?

As an immigrant planning on relocating to Canada, I don’t need to tell you that moving to a new country is a big decision that involves many steps. While you might not necessarily see the need to hire and work with an attorney, I still highly recommend that it can be greatly beneficial. Here are a few reasons why you should hire one:

#1. Assistance with complex legal procedures

There’s no doubt that Canada’s immigration process can be complex and sometimes presents immigrants with legal challenges to navigate. And in no time, it will zap your energy and make you feel overwhelmed. But with the help of an immigration lawyer, they can offer support and make sure you grasp the process.

#2. Clear explanations of all your options

There are several pathways to immigrate to Canada, including options like the Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs. Every immigration program has its own unique features, and figuring out the right choice can often be challenging and take a lot of time. But when an immigration lawyer comes into the equation, they will help evaluate your eligibility for each program and give you expert advice on which suits you more.

#3. Increased chances of success

Going solo might not always be the ideal choice when it comes to immigration, particularly if your situation is complicated or if you’ve faced a denial of entry into Canada in the past. Having an immigration attorney by your side opens up new options you might not have been aware of, and it can greatly improve your chances of a successful application. They review your application and identify any mistakes you might have overlooked. And then tell you the best ways to enhance the whole process.

#4. Extra free time

Managing multiple forms, collecting documents, and adhering to tight deadlines can be quite challenging, especially when trying to balance other areas of life. An immigration lawyer helps you navigate your application from start to finish. In turn, you can pay attention to other important areas of your life.

#5. Reduced strain on your finances

It might feel like doing everything on your own is the cheaper choice initially. Yet, if there’s a problem with your application or if the process takes longer than expected, it could end up costing you more over time. Using an immigration lawyer can save you all the stress or wrong decisions that can attract more fees or costs to your pocketbook.

What to Look for When Hiring an Immigration Attorney in Canada

Having looked at the benefits that come with hiring an immigration attorney, let’s then look into some essential factors that can ensure you make an informed decision regarding which immigration attorney to hire in Canada.

#1. Qualifications and Credentials

Qualifications and credentials should be your first priority while on your quest to hire an attorney in Canada. Seek out immigration lawyers who are licensed and certified to practice in the country you are headed to. Speaking from experience, just tailor your list to attorneys who strictly practice your immigration case. You will want to go with an expert, not a liability.

#2. Transparency About Legal Fees

The immigration attorney should be transparent and comfortable talking about the costs and legal fees involved in the process. You should also expect them to give you a written agreement that clearly outlines the services and costs related to your case. It might be based on either an hourly fee or a flat rate, depending on the attorney. In this case, I always advise you to have a top list, especially if you are on a budget. Pick one that best works for you, and then stick to it.

Be wary of cunny attorneys that might not want to give you the total cost upfront. Instead, they prefer to hide costs and reveal them as the case progresses.

Here is a FREE Cost Comparison Checklist for Hiring an Immigration Attorney to help you further:

Cost Comparison Spreadsheet for Legal Fees.PDF

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#3. Ethical Standards

It’s important that your immigration attorney follows strong ethical standards. You can verify this by looking into their disciplinary history with the provincial bar association they belong to.

Receiving unethical legal advice from an immigration attorney can significantly affect your application and even lead to termination, and I bet you don’t want that.

Misrepresentation, like document fraud, can make your current application ineligible for processing and could also affect all future immigration applications you submit to IRCC.

#4. Online Presence

When looking for an immigration attorney, it’s important to ensure they have an online presence and have received positive reviews from clients they have worked with. This current digital age has helped a lot of people detect fraud even before it happened.

If the attorney hasn’t been practicing for several years, doesn’t have a website, or lacks numerous reviews that speak to their credibility, communication skills, and client satisfaction, it might be a red flag.

#5. Expertise in Your Specific Case-Type

Immigration law cases cover a range of topics, including family-based immigration, start-up visas, asylum seekers, and refugee applicants. Hiring an immigration attorney who specializes in your specific case type is crucial, and having prior experience in similar cases is essential as well. You don’t want to hire an immigration attorney that is everywhere.

#6. Availability of the Attorney

Considering the attorney’s current workload and future availability is crucial. An immigration lawyer juggling too many cases may not be able to dedicate the necessary time and attention to your immigration application. When you call them or reach out via email, whats their response rate? When they are on a call with you, how much attention is being paid?

#7. Promises

While it can boost confidence to believe that an immigration application is guaranteed to be approved, immigrants like yourself should approach such claims with caution.

Any lawyer who makes unrealistic promises, regardless of their reputation or success, is committing to an outcome that they cannot ensure themselves. Ultimately, it’s the IRCC that manages all immigration cases and makes the decisions to approve or deny claims. It’s impossible for any lawyer to predict with certainty the outcome of a case. The highest that we can do is to have mapped out strategies to bounce back in case anything goes wrong.

5 Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Immigration Attorney in Canada

Let’s look at some top relevant questions that are essential and important to ask your attorney before you hire them in Canada:

#1. What are your credentials?

I can’t emphasize this enough because it is the very first criterion that signifies that one is a professional at one’s job. Question your immigration lawyer’s credentials. Knowing their education, certifications, and experience will determine your immigration success.

Ask your immigration lawyer where they got their degree and research the educational institution to ensure its legitimacy. Their response should be like: “I have a Civil and Common Law degree from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s degree in law from King’s College in London, England. My firm is located in Montréal, Québec, so I’m registered with the Barreau du Québec”

#2. How long have you been practicing?

Ask them how long they have been practicing and expect to get replies like: “I have been practicing immigration law in Québec for almost 20 years.”

#3. Have you handled cases similar to mine?

I have also mentioned some factors similar to this here in this guide. Comparisons are difficult because each immigration applicant is unique.

Ask your immigration lawyer if they’ve handled any cases like yours. This inquiry ensures they have the skills to solve your problems. Their response should look like this: “Over the past 20 years, I’ve encountered a wide variety of cases. However, keep in mind that, at the end of the day, the final decision on any application comes down to the visa officer reviewing your case.”

#4. How much will it cost, and how will I be billed?

This same factor has been discussed before as well. You should receive a contract from your immigration lawyer that details the fees and services you will receive. The contract should also detail payment schedules. Some application fees may not be covered by your contract, and your file may require government processing or courier fees.

#5. What happens after I hire you?

Your involvement in application preparation is required even if you hire a representative. Knowing what to expect from your immigration lawyer and what to do is crucial. This will also help you detect if your attorney shares the same interests and goals as you.

Cost of Hiring an Immigration Lawyer in Canada

The cost of hiring an immigration attorney can differ significantly based on various factors. Some lawyers may offer a flat fee for specific services, but the majority will charge you an hourly rate. Some might even charge as much as $1,400, according to a report from AILA. Aside from the cost of the lawyer, you might also end up paying for specific services, like submitting a USCIS petition. It’s important to take into account your attorney’s experience before settling on a final choice.

The first consultations are usually free because it is more on the fact that you want to know your lawyer better, but this does not apply in all cases. Some immigration lawyers might still end up charging for it. The initial consultation typically lasts between thirty to sixty minutes and generally costs around $150. Following the initial consultation, attorneys will decide on the payment arrangement. In all, just remember to weigh out your options according to your budget before settling for the one that suits you more.

Immigration law can be quite complex. Rulings, regulations, and legislation are constantly evolving. Making mistakes, missing deadlines, and filing incorrect documentation can happen to anyone. If you’re dealing with deportation or are a parent of a child in this situation, it’s really important to seek legal advice and representation to prevent any missteps.

In conclusion, it’s important to think about your budget before deciding to hire an immigration lawyer.

Conclusion

Finally, hiring an immigration lawyer in Canada might increase your chances of success in navigating the complex immigration procedure. However, it is critical to avoid frequent mistakes when you hire an immigration attorney in Canada. Choose intelligently to increase your chances of meeting your immigration goals and settling into life in Canada.

If you have any problems or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us via the comment section.

Hire an Attorney in Canada as an Immigrant: Step-by-Step Guide

Key Points

Why Should I Hire an Attorney in Canada?

#1. Assistance with complex legal procedures