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Services

We offer a wide range of Canadian and US immigration services. Whether sponsoring a family member, looking for employment, studying, or simply planning to visit Canada or the Unites States for the first time, we can help navigate the often complex immigrations options available to you. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have and one of our trained legal professionals will be happy to assist you.

As a general rule, a permanent resident will be eligible to apply for citizenship if they were physically present in Canada for three (3) of the previous five (5) years, looking backwards from the date of the application. Applicants must also be able to speak and understand English or French, have basic knowledge of Canada (passing a test is required), have filed their taxes, and not be found to be criminally inadmissible. Certain people are automatically entitled to citizenship, including those people born in Canada, and certain individuals born outside of Canada to a Canadian parent. If you are unsure whether or not you qualify for citizenship, an application for a citizenship certificate can help determine your status. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding Canadian citizenship.

Citizenship Matters

Family Class

Sponsorships

Both Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to sponsor their parents and grandparents, spouses and/or dependent children. While the sponsor generally is required to be living in Canada to sponsor their parents and grandparents, there are certain exceptions where Canadian citizens can begin the sponsorship process even when living outside of Canada.

For spousal sponsorships, there are two different sponsorship paths available. The "In-Canada" sponsorship is usually best if the applicant wishes to remain in Canada with their spouse throughout the sponsorship process. The "Outside of Canada" option is optimal for an applicant who is unable to come to Canada. Sponsors are required to meet certain undertakings and financial obligations in order to be eligible to sponsor. Sometimes a co-signer is required on the application if the sponsor does not meet the minimum income requirements. Is it best to consult with a lawyer to discuss your eligibility and which option, if any, are best suited for you.

There are many reasons why a Canadian citizen or permanent resident might be denied eligibility to become a sponsor. You can appeal a refusal of sponsorship by appealing the negative decision within 30 days. It is important to maintain this deadline so that your application will not be discarded. It is best to contact a lawyer as soon as you receive a refusal letter so that they can help navigate your options and determine whether an appeal is possible.

Sponsorship Appeals

Permanent resident (PR) cards are issued to permanent residents of Canada and prove status in Canada. To prove your status, you must present a valid permanent resident (PR) card upon re-entry into Canada. Permanent resident cards expire every 5 years so it is important that you keep your permanent resident card up to date and ensure that it will not expire while you are out of the country. If your permanent resident card is lost or stolen, it is important that you report it and apply for a replacement card as soon as possible. You can also apply for a replacement PR card if you have legally changed your name. Feel free to contact us with any questions relating to your initial permanent resident card, requesting a replacement card, or a renewal card.

Permanent Resident Cards

Permanent resident cards expire every five (5) years. In order to maintain your permanent resident status at the end of your five (5) year permanent resident cycle, you must have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days. If a decision has been made against you and your permanent resident status is not renewed, it is important to file an appeal as soon as possible. It is best to contact a lawyer if you receive a negative decision.

Residency Obligation Appeals

Oftentimes a foreign national is not eligible for any of the traditional routes to permanent residency in Canada, yet the personal circumstances of the applicant’s case merit Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds (H and C) consideration. These applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and usually factor in the applicant’s personal circumstances. Humanitarian and compassionate grounds cases do not assess risk factors such as persecution, risk to life, cruel and unusual treatment or punishment, as these circumstances require a claim for refugee status. H and C applications deal with extraordinary personal circumstances of the applicant. H and C applications are complex and often take 2-3 years to process. It is best to consult with a lawyer to find out whether you are eligible for an H and C application.

Humanitarian & Compassionate Grounds

Both foreign nationals and permanent residents can be found to be "inadmissible" based on their prior criminal history. A finding of criminal inadmissibility usually results in a deportation order from Canada or a ban on future entries to Canada. There are options available in these circumstances, including appeals and criminal rehabilitation applications. Is it best to seek legal advice if you have been found criminally inadmissible. A trained professional can help guide you through the different options available to you.

Criminal Inadmissibility

In order to study in Canada, a foreign national must first obtain an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI). A DLI is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. With your acceptance letter, you can then apply for a study permit. A study permit is not the same as a visa and you would still need a valid visa and/or an ETA in order to enter Canada. A visa will typically be issued together with your study permit.

Study Permits

Depending on the nature of the job and the duration you intend to stay in Canada, you may need a work permit to legally enter and work in Canada. There are two types of work permits; open work permits and employer specific work permits. While an open work permit pretty much allows you to work for any employer in Canada, they are only available for specific work situations. Employer specific work permits on the other hand, are specific to the employer, job offer, and duration listed on the work permit. In addition to the work permit, the employer will often need to apply for a labour marker impact assessment (LMIA), and pay an employer compliance fee prior to hiring any foreign workers. Depending on the job and the type of work, you may or may not need a work permit to legally work in Canada. It is best to consult with a lawyer to help understand your options when looking to work in Canada.

Work Permits

In Ontario, you may legally change your first, middle, or last name, if you are over the age of sixteen (16) and have been living in Ontario for the previous twelve (12) months. Instead of legally changing your name, you may choose to assume a new last name after marriage, divorce, separation, or death of your spouse. Assuming a last name does not change your legally registered name on your birth certificate but it will allow you to change your name on your health card, driver’s licence, and Ontario photo identification card. Feel free to contact us for help navigating through the legal name change process.

Legal Name Change

To apply for a new passport, you must be a Canadian citizen and over the age of sixteen (16). You can apply for a child’s passport (under the age of 16 years) if you are the child’s parent, legal guardian, or custodial parent. You must have the proper identity documents along with your passport application otherwise the application will be refused. If you recently changed your name, you must make sure to include your legal name change document along with your passport application. Feel free to contact us with any passport questions you may have and one of our trained experts will guide you through the process.

Passports

Nexus

NEXUS is a joint Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection program created to simplify border crossing for pre-approved, trusted travellers. The program is designed to speed up border crossings, and enhance security for low-risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada and the United States. Nexus is a great option for Canadians who travel frequently to the United States. A Nexus card is valid for five (5) years.

Nexus Benefits

Automated self-serve NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada at nine major international airports and U.S. Global Entry kiosks for entry into the U.S.
Expedited clearance through security screening lines at major and select mid-sized airports in Canada;
Expedited clearance through the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Pre-Check lines at over 180 participating U.S. airports.
Enjoy a simplified entry process using dedicated vehicle lanes at 21 designated land border crossings.
When arriving to Canada by boat, report by phone to a Telephone Reporting Centre at more than 450 marine sites across Canada.

Feel free to contact us to find out if Nexus is right for you.

Start-Up Visas

Canada offers a competitive Start-up Visa (SUV) program targeting immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills, passion, and potential, to build innovative businesses that help Canada compete on a global scale. In order to apply for the SUV program, your qualifying business must be backed by an approved designated organization. These organizations consist of venture capital funds, angel investor groups, and business incubators. Once your business has the support of a designated organization, you and up to four of your eligible business partners may then be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Canada. The lure of permanent residence in Canada makes this program highly competitive and so it's important to ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements before applying. Feel free to reach out to one of our SUV professionals to see if your start-up business is eligible for this unique program.

Most foreign nationals require a non-immigrant visa to visit, work, study, or teach in the USA. There are numerous non-immigrant visa categories depending on the specific purpose of entry to the USA. Foreign nationals planning to live permanently in the US would require an immigrant visa. There are multiple immigrant visa categories including immediate relative and family sponsorship visa, employer sponsored visa, and religious worker visas. Feel free to contact us to learn more about your US immigration options.