Find an Immigration Lawyer: 3 Tips to Become a Canadian
October 27, 2017
In Canada, you do not have to have an immigration lawyer to represent you, but you do need someone to represent your interests. Many people choose an immigration lawyer because they understand the Canadian immigration system and can help provide assistance and advice if problems develop. If you are going to hire a Canadian immigration lawyer you should make sure that they just not knowledgeable, but that they have a license to practice that is authorized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. If not, they might refuse to deal with them to resolve your issues.
At the very beginning you should ask about your prospective representative’s experience and training. Ask for references and how long they have been in business as an immigration lawyer in Canada. After you discuss your case with them, you can consider hiring them. But before you do, you should get a written estimate and have a signed contract. Ensure that the contract lists the services they will provide and how much they will charge you for their services.
Here are some more tips from Citizenship and Immigration Canada:
1. Be careful about fraud artists
Contact the Better Business Bureau in your area to see if the lawyer you are considering has had any complaints registered against them. Like any other service if they are offering too much for too little, it’s probably too good to be true. They also caution against a couple of specific things like signing any blank documents and filling in false information even if your new lawyer suggests them. They will get into trouble, and so will you. Also, don’t leave your original documents or photographs with them, they might be used to prepare fraudulent documents that could cause you much difficulty later.
They also suggest that if you don’t understand your lawyer or any documents they provide, have someone to translate them for you before you sign anything. Get a receipt every single time you make a payment and keep the copies in a safe place. Make sure that your representative updates you on your application often and be careful with your money. The government will never ask you to deposit money into a personal bank account or transfer money through a private money transfer company.
2. Finding the right immigration lawyer for you
You should first check on the Canadian immigration portal where there is a helpful document called Why Hire A Immigration Lawyer or Consultant vs Do-It-Yourself? After reading this document you can determine whether you need an immigration lawyer and then start your search. The first place that many people go in online to look for an immigration lawyer. Once you find some, you can take a look at their experience and check what people say about them in their client testimonials. They will also list their particular area of expertise on their website and whether they are eligible to practice law in Ontario or British Columbia. Even more importantly look for indication that they have been formally certified as a Canada Immigration Law Specialist.
3. Do you need a specialist?
Many immigration lawyers specialize in parts of Canadian immigration law that might be of particular interest to you. For example, do you think you might need formal legal representation at a tribunal or a higher court to sort out your application if it is refused by an immigration officer or manager or tribunal? Or maybe you just want to find the highest profile immigration lawyer you can find and money is no expense. Then you can read some news articles about Canadian immigration lawyers and a few familiar names will pop up. Other expert lawyers with immigration backgrounds focus on studying the law and publishing articles in legal journals about cases like yours. They may be the perfect fit to meet your Canadian immigration legal needs.
