No — hiring a lawyer is not mandatory, and IRCC does not give special treatment to applications filed by a representative. That said, immigration rules change often and small mistakes can lead to refusals, delays, or even bans. A lawyer helps you choose the right program, present your case persuasively, and avoid errors that are costly to fix later.

Both are authorized to represent you before IRCC, but lawyers complete significantly more legal training and are regulated by a provincial law society. Importantly, only lawyers can represent you in Federal Court if your application is refused and needs to be challenged. If there's any chance your matter could end up in litigation, a lawyer can handle your file from start to finish.

The easiest way is to book a consultation with us. We'll review your situation, explain your options honestly, and outline the next steps and expected fees. From there, you decide whether you'd like us to handle your matter. More importantly, if you retain us after the consultation, we'll deduct the consultation fee from the retainer.

Yes. Many of our clients are applying from abroad, and we work with people around the world by phone and video call. Wherever you are, we'll keep you informed at every stage of your application.

Most visitors can stay for up to six months from the day they enter Canada, though a border officer can authorize a shorter or longer period. If you want to stay longer, you must apply to extend your stay before your current status expires. Learn more on our Temporary Resident Visa & Temporary Resident Permit page.

Most full-time students at a designated learning institution can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during academic sessions, and full-time during scheduled breaks, without a separate work permit. Your study permit must authorize you to work, and exceeding the limit can put your status and future applications at risk. Visit our Study Permits page to learn more.

Apply to extend or change your status before it expires — timing is critical. If your status has already lapsed, you may still have options, such as restoring your status within 90 days, but the window is short. Contact us as soon as possible so we can review your situation.

Express Entry is Canada's main system for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents. Candidates create a profile, receive a score based on factors like age, education, language ability, and work experience, and the highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence. Our Permanent Residence page explains the programs in more detail.

If you're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to sponsor your spouse, partner, dependent children, and in some cases other family members. A strong, well-documented application matters — refusals can mean long delays before your family is together. Visit our Family Reunification page to learn more.

It depends on the type of application, where you're applying from, and IRCC's current workload — and processing times change without notice. No lawyer or consultant can guarantee a timeline, and you should be cautious of anyone who does. What we can do is prepare your application thoroughly the first time, which helps avoid the delays caused by requests for more information or refusals.

Often, yes. Depending on your situation, options may include reapplying with a stronger application, appealing the decision, or challenging it in Federal Court through judicial review. Deadlines for appeals and judicial review are strict, so reach out quickly — our Immigration Litigation page explains how we can help.

For many people, yes. Under recent changes to the law, people who entered Canada after 24 June 2020 generally must make their refugee claim within one year of arriving, or their claim may not be referred for a full hearing. If you fear returning to your home country, speak to a lawyer as soon as possible — our Refugee Law page has more information.

You may be able to apply for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) grounds. These applications consider factors like your establishment in Canada, the best interests of any children affected, and the hardship you would face if required to leave. Learn more on our Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) Applications page.