Choosing an Immigration Lawyer in Mississauga: What to Ask

Immigration applications are document-heavy, deadlines are strict, and mistakes can be hard to undo. If you are thinking about hiring a lawyer in Mississauga, this guide explains what an immigration lawyer does, when legal help matters most, and what to ask before you hire anyone.

Who can give immigration advice in Canada?

Only certain people may represent or advise you for a fee on a Canadian immigration matter. They are lawyers licensed by the Law Society of Ontario (or another provincial or territorial law society), Quebec notaries, and immigration consultants licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. You can check a lawyer's licence on the Law Society of Ontario's Find a Lawyer and Paralegal directory. Representing someone before the Federal Court is done by a lawyer.

When legal help matters most

Many straightforward applications are completed without a lawyer. Legal advice is most useful when there is a complication, for example:

• A refusal. A refusal letter has reasons, and there may be short deadlines to act. See our page on inadmissibility to Canada.
• A procedural fairness letter. IRCC may write to you with concerns and give you a deadline to respond. See how to respond to a procedural fairness letter.
• Misrepresentation. Under section 40 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a finding of misrepresentation can make a foreign national inadmissible for five years. Read about misrepresentation.
• Criminal charges or convictions. A charge or conviction in Canada or abroad can affect your status. See criminal charges and immigration status.
• Medical or other inadmissibility issues. These need careful, individual analysis.
• Judicial review. If you want the Federal Court to review a decision, the deadlines are short. In general, you have 15 days to apply for leave if the decision was made in Canada and 60 days if it was made outside Canada.

Common services

• Spousal and family sponsorship
• Permanent residence and Express Entry
• Study permits and work permits
• Visitor visas
• Temporary resident permits and authorization to return to Canada

Questions to ask before you hire a lawyer

1. Are you licensed with the Law Society of Ontario, and can I verify that?
2. What exactly does your fee cover, and are government fees and other costs extra?
3. Will you confirm the fee and scope in writing?
4. Who will work on my file, and how will you keep me updated?
5. What documents will you need from me, and by when?
6. Can you meet me in a language I am comfortable with?

Warning signs

• Anyone who guarantees a visa or approval. No lawyer controls the decision.
• Anyone who claims special contacts with immigration officers.
• Anyone who suggests you leave information off a form or misstate facts.
• Anyone who is not licensed or will not give you a written agreement.

Why a local office can help

Meeting in person is not necessary for every matter, but some clients prefer it, especially for complex files. Our main office is in Mississauga, and we also meet clients by appointment at our other offices. We serve clients in English, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.

Talk to us

If you have an immigration question, see our immigration law page, book a consultation, or call (289) 652-0529. Bring any refusal letter or IRCC correspondence, with its deadline, so we can review it quickly.

DISCLAIMER: This article is general information about Canadian immigration law, not legal advice, and no lawyer-client relationship is created by reading it. Immigration rules and policies change often, so check current IRCC information and speak with a lawyer about your situation.