Canada is one of the world’s most welcoming nations for immigrants. The government is targeting half a million immigrants per year, believing that Canadian immigration will help address the nation’s ageing population.
However, you will usually still need a visa to enter Canada legally. That is where immigration lawyers like Immigration Advice Service come in. Below, you can discover how they are particularly vital for the most complex visa cases. Call IAS or visit our website to begin your Canadian immigration journey today.
What Areas Can Canadian Immigration Lawyers Help With?
Great immigration lawyers are adept at providing support for both complex and routine immigration cases. In Canada, you should expect your immigration advisor to provide the following services:
- Business immigration.
- Work permits.
- Family sponsorship.
- Visitor visas.
- Study visas.
- Permanent residency.
Other immigration services are considered complex cases, but great immigration lawyers should have no trouble performing them. These are detailed below and include Express Entry, Canadian citizenship, and appealing a refusal.
Express Entry
Express Entry is a pathway for the world’s most skilled and qualified workers to come and settle in Canada. You can use this pathway to access several highly desirable federal immigration programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Canada’s Express Entry ranks candidates according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which allocates points based on an applicant’s work experience, education, age, language skills, and more.
Talented immigration lawyers will know how to optimise your CRS score without you needing to obtain further qualifications. That will give you the best possible chance of ranking high enough to access this pathway.
Express Entry is also complex because it applies to multiple immigration pathways. Each has different eligibility requirements and application processes. Skilled Canadian immigration lawyers will have the knowledge to guide you through each.
Canadian Citizenship
Applying for a new citizenship is always complex. It is also among the highest-stakes and most life-changing matters an immigration lawyer can be involved in. Becoming a Canadian citizen will give you access to the full rights Canada offers, such as voting, working in government jobs with high-security clearance, and traveling freely in and out of Canada without worrying about immigration enforcement.
The Canadian passport is also one of the world’s most powerful. You can use it to travel visa-free to more than 180 countries.
Canada has strict requirements that all prospective citizens must meet. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- You are a permanent resident of Canada and have no unfulfilled conditions relating to your permanent residency status.
- You have strong English or French language skills.
- You have passed a Canadian citizenship test.
- You have no unpaid taxes in Canada.
- You have lived in Canada for at least three years in the last five years.
Great immigration lawyers can guide you through the citizenship requirements, giving you a comprehensive understanding of what you will need to prove in your application. Citizenship applications are also notable for the extensive documentation required. Immigration lawyers can help you compile all the documentation and ensure it is valid.
Examples of documentation needed for a Canadian citizenship application include the following:
- Photocopies of your passport pages and travel documents across the five-year residency period.
- A completed application form.
- Two forms of personal identification.
- Proof of passing language tests.
- Receipt of payment for any application fees.
- Two passport-style photographs.
Your Canadian citizenship application will also require you to take a citizenship test and attend an interview. You will be asked questions about Canada and the rules and responsibilities that apply to its citizens. Your immigration lawyer can guide you through the final stage by explaining what will be expected of you.
Responding to a Canadian Visa Refusal
If your application has issues or you are not eligible for the visa you applied for, it will be refused. Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will send you a brief letter explaining the reasons for the refusal. There are a number of options available to you, and an immigration lawyer will help you to understand which choice will be best for you.
Firstly, you can reapply for the visa. This is a great idea if you didn’t use an immigration lawyer the first time you applied, and your visa was rejected due to errors made in your original application. However, Canadian visa application fees are typically non-refundable if the application is rejected, so this strategy can become costly if it takes multiple attempts to receive approval.
You may also be able to launch an appeal. Your letter from the IRCC will explain if this is possible. The Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) is in charge of Canadian visa refusals, and you will need to file a notice of appeal through them before delivering your case. Details of the case and the IAD’s decision will often be published online. Getting help from an immigration lawyer is strongly recommended, as Canadian legal procedures can be confusing for individuals without formal training.
How Can Immigration Advice Service Help?
Whether your visa application is a routine or complex case, IAS is here to help. Our team of expert immigration lawyers and advisors is well-versed in Canadian immigration law and has helped countless people to move to Canada.
IAS can help you determine which visa is right for you and guide you through the entire application process, including gathering extensive documentation. We can also present a compelling case to the IAD if you need to appeal a visa decision.
If you decide you want help from some of the best immigration lawyers and advisors, call IAS today. You can also visit our website to learn more about the range of immigration services we offer.
