A visitor visa, also known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is an official document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows a foreign national to enter Canada as a visitor for a temporary purpose, such as tourism, visiting family, or short-term work or study. Approval is discretionary and depends on factors such as ties to the applicant’s home country, financial means, and compliance with Canadian immigration law.

I provide legal assistance with visitor visa applications, including assessing eligibility, advising on required documentation, preparing and reviewing applications, and guiding clients through the IRCC process.

Temporary residence for workers allows foreign nationals to work in Canada for a limited period of time with authorization from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Most individuals require a work permit, which generally falls under one of two categories:

Employer-Specific Work Permits:
These permits allow individuals to work for a particular employer under specific conditions, such as the employer’s name, work location, and authorized duration. Depending on the situation, the employer may require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or may qualify for an LMIA-exempt category under IRCC’s programs.

Open Work Permits:
These permits allow individuals to work for most employers in Canada without needing a specific job offer. Open work permits are available in certain circumstances, such as for eligible spouses or common-law partners of workers or students, recent graduates under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, and other IRCC-defined categories.

I provide legal assistance to individuals and employers seeking temporary work authorization in Canada, including advising on eligibility, determining the appropriate work permit category, preparing and reviewing application materials, and guiding clients through the application process.

Temporary residence for students allows foreign nationals to study in Canada for a specified period with authorization from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Individuals generally require a study permit if they intend to pursue an academic, professional, or vocational program that is longer than six months at a designated learning institution (DLI).

Study Permits:
A study permit authorizes a foreign national to study in Canada for the duration of their approved program. To obtain a study permit, applicants must provide proof of acceptance from a DLI, demonstrate financial capacity to cover tuition and living expenses, and meet additional IRCC requirements related to admissibility and intent.

Work Authorization for Students:
Certain students may also be eligible to work while studying, either on-campus or off-campus, if they meet IRCC’s conditions. Work authorization may also extend to approved co-op or internship placements that form part of the academic program.

I provide legal assistance to individuals seeking temporary status as students in Canada, including advising on eligibility, preparing and reviewing study permit applications, addressing potential concerns related to documentation or intent, and guiding clients through the overall application process.

Permanent residence allows individuals to live, work, and study in Canada on a long-term basis. There are two main pathways:

• Economic Immigration Programs: For skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and other applicants who meet criteria related to work experience, education, and language skills. Examples include Express Entry programs (Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class) and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

• Family Sponsorships: Allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor eligible family members, such as spouses, partners, dependent children, parents, or grandparents.

I provide legal assistance to individuals and families applying for permanent residence through these pathways, including advising on eligibility, preparing and reviewing application materials, and guiding clients through the application process.

Immigration pilot programs provide pathways to permanent residence that are targeted to specific groups, regions, or industries in Canada. These programs aim to address local labour market needs or support certain populations and often have unique eligibility criteria.

Some examples relevant to British Columbia include:

• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RCIP): For skilled workers with a job offer from a designated employer in participating rural or remote communities.

• Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP): For French-speaking newcomers willing to settle in designated Francophone-minority communities outside Quebec.

• Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot: For qualified caregivers with relevant work experience or a valid job offer in the home child care or home support sectors, providing a pathway to permanent residence while addressing labour shortages in caregiving.

I provide legal assistance with immigration pilot program applications, including assessing eligibility, preparing and reviewing application materials, and guiding clients through the process to ensure clients understand program requirements and submission steps.

Permanent residents of Canada must hold a valid Permanent Resident (PR) card as official proof of their status. A PR card is generally required for travel outside Canada and for re-entry to Canada on a commercial carrier. Although PR status itself does not expire, the PR card does, and individuals are responsible for renewing it before expiry to avoid interruptions in travel or challenges in proving status.

To renew a PR card, applicants must demonstrate compliance with IRCC’s residency obligation, which generally requires being physically present in Canada for at least 730 days within the previous five years, subject to specific exceptions for accompanying a Canadian citizen or employment abroad with certain eligible employers. Renewal applications must include appropriate documentation to establish identity, residency history, and continued status as a permanent resident. In some cases, IRCC may request additional information or schedule an interview to verify compliance.

I provide legal assistance with PR card matters, including assessing residency compliance, advising on challenges related to extended absences, preparing and reviewing renewal applications, and offering guidance if IRCC requests further information or raises concerns about residency obligations.

Canadian citizenship may be obtained through an application to IRCC once an individual meets the eligibility criteria. These criteria typically include a required period of physical presence in Canada as a permanent resident, meeting language proficiency requirements (for applicants between certain ages), and demonstrating knowledge of Canada’s history, values, institutions, and civic responsibilities. Applicants must also meet any applicable requirements regarding income tax filing and must not be subject to prohibitions related to criminality or security concerns.

Individuals may also apply for proof of citizenship if they have a claim to citizenship by descent, such as being born abroad to a Canadian parent. In addition, IRCC provides pathways for certain individuals to obtain grants of citizenship based on specific statutory criteria, which may include adoption, previous loss of citizenship under historical provisions, or other recognized categories.

I assist with a wide range of citizenship matters, including eligibility assessments, proof of citizenship applications, grant applications, and standard citizenship applications. My services include reviewing documentation, preparing application materials, addressing potential concerns related to physical presence or documentation, and providing guidance throughout the process until a decision is made.

Certain immigration and citizenship decisions made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) may be challenged through judicial review or, where available, an appeal.

I provide legal assistance with judicial reviews and appeals, including assessing options, preparing applications or submissions, and representing clients before courts or tribunals.

Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) applications provide a pathway for individuals who would not normally be eligible for permanent residence in Canada but who face unusual, exceptional, or compelling circumstances. H&C applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), taking into account factors such as the best interests of any children involved, establishment in Canada, family ties, and the hardship that could result from removal or having to depart Canada.

Common circumstances addressed in H&C applications may include:

• Risk of hardship or persecution in the applicant’s home country.

• Strong personal, family, or community ties in Canada.

• Health, safety, or compassionate considerations that make relocation extremely difficult.

I provide legal assistance with H&C applications, including assessing eligibility, preparing and reviewing supporting documentation, and guiding clients through the application process to ensure their circumstances are clearly presented.

A file review involves a thorough assessment of your immigration or citizenship application, decision, or supporting documentation to identify issues, gaps, or potential options for moving forward.

I provide legal assistance with file reviews, including evaluating completed applications, prior refusals, or ongoing cases. This process can help clients understand their current position, clarify eligibility for programs, and determine possible next steps under Canadian immigration and citizenship law.

A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) allows individuals who are otherwise inadmissible to Canada to enter or remain in Canada for a specific and temporary purpose. TRPs are discretionary and may be issued when an officer determines that the need for the individual’s presence in Canada outweighs any risk to Canadian society.

Inadmissibility may arise for various reasons, including:

• Criminal Inadmissibility: Past criminal convictions inside or outside Canada that render an individual inadmissible under Canadian immigration law.

• Medical or Other Grounds of Inadmissibility: Circumstances that may prevent an individual from entering or remaining in Canada without special authorization.

I provide legal assistance to individuals seeking a Temporary Resident Permit, including advising on inadmissibility issues, assessing eligibility, preparing and reviewing TRP applications, and guiding clients through the application process.

Criminal rehabilitation allows individuals who are inadmissible to Canada due to past criminal convictions to overcome that inadmissibility permanently. Once approved, applicants can enter or remain in Canada without requiring a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).

I provide legal assistance with criminal rehabilitation applications, including assessing eligibility, advising on grounds of inadmissibility, preparing and reviewing application materials, and guiding clients through each step of the process. I also help clients understand the documentation and evidence required to support their application and ensure that submissions meet IRCC requirements.