Why Do You Need a Canada Immigration Lawyer To Help With Your Application to Immigrate?   Why not do it yourself?
What is a Paid Canada Immigration Consultant?

| Federal Regulations for Immigration Consultants / Immigration Lawyers | Concerns and Complaints  | Appeals | Investor Immigrants | Work Permits aka Work Visas |

Examplars of Canada Immigration Lawyers Services - by Jeffrey Lowe, B.Com., LLB.

There is so much free information on the web right? 

Canada Immigration & Citizenship website www.cic.gc.ca has application forms, kits, and guides.  And there are websites, Chat Rooms, and newsgroups to get ideas about how to handle your immigration case.  So you ask yourself, "Why do I need a lawyer to handle my immigration case?"

The truth is, you don't need just any lawyer.  Most lawyers specialize in a particular area of practice. You wouldn't go to a Family doctor, or even a Heart surgeon, if you have liver cancer; you'd see a liver cancer specialist!

In the same way, you don't want to go to a general lawyer, or a corporate lawyer to handle your Immigration matters; with diligent research, you may learn more about immigration procedures than the general lawyer you hire!

The same is true for Immigration Consultants.  While many Consultants are good at immigration procedures, most do not have any legal training to think about the "why" behind the "how to".  Unless they work with an immigration law firm, they're not likely to have the expertise to recognize and deal with complex situations or problems that arise.

When hiring a lawyer for your immigration case, you need one who knows the most up to date Immigration law and procedures.  Who handles immigration cases all the time, and not "on the side". And whom you can trust your family's future with.

Consider these facts:

1. The stakes are high. It's not just money; it's the years of time, energy, and your future plans that are affected. You can't afford to make a mistake.
2. You've never done it before, and may never do it again. Canada's immigration laws are complex, and most lawyers don't even know all the new provisions. Do you really want to learn the law and procedures yourself, and use your family as a test case?
3. Immigration laws are in a state of flux. ...
4. You may not know if you've made a mistake, especially a fatal one, until many months later. ....
5. You need the right answers to your questions, which you can rely on.  Information that you get from Canada Immigration's clerks is often inconsistent, and sometimes completely wrong! Also, while there are thousands of pages on Canada Immigration's website, you need to find answers to your questions, and how to apply them to your situation. Lowe & Company, we do the thinking for you....about the right questions, as well as the right answers.
6. You need to know the right Questions. You often have options, but don't know about them; you need to ask the right questions. At Lowe & Company, we review your case, consider your legal options, then ask YOU the questions, to process your case smoothly.
7. There may be problems delaying your case, but you don't even know about them. We periodically search your Immigration file to see if there are problems with your case. Then, we will advise you as to the best solutions for these.
8. Increase your chance of an Interview Waiver:  Often, we can help you get an interview waiver by providing additional documents which are not on Canada Immigration's "document lists".  We consider the facts of your case, then advise you as to what could improve your chances of an interview waiver.
9. The cost is worth the benefit.  Lowe & Company's legal fees are competitive, and are payable in instalments as your case progresses. The cost of failure is much higher.

see also "Find application forms and guides" www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/

Appeals of Canada Immigration Decisions

Everyone applying to immigrate to Canada has the right to have their application treated fairly, and assessed in accordance with the law.  Immigration officers are human, however, and even if you have a good case, it may still be refused.  In most cases, the law provides you with a right to appeal.

There are many reasons why cases may be refused.  You may not have prepared your case well, with enough supporting evidence.

[Note:  While you don't need a lawyer or immigration consultant to apply to immigrate to Canada, only a lawyer(s) can represent you in Canada's Federal Court system.]

Robert Y.C. Leong, LLB (Hon) (UK) is a lawyer, called to the Bar in both Singapore and BC - serving clients from law firms in Singapore and Vancouver, BC to assist in immigrating to Canada or handling immigration litigation / appleals - click to see his profile in English and Chinese text at CanadaVisaLaw.com/about-us

www.cic.gc.ca/ english/helpcentre/ results-by-topic.
Programs that people can apply to immigrate include:

• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal skilled workers
• Business immigration program
• Language Testing
• Provincial Nominees
• Skilled trades
• For more information on the above programs go to www.cic.gc.ca/ english/helpcentre/ results-by-topic.

Canada Work Permits [also commonly known as Work Visas]

* * * * * *

Tips on finding-choosing a Canada Immigration Lawyers | Certified Immigration Law Specialists

OK, you've decided to look for a lawyer to consult on your immigration or permit application.  How do you choose between the hundreds and thousands of lawyers on the web?

See our article on Tips on finding and choosing a Canadian lawyer or law firm

Regulating Who Can Be Paid to Represent Immigrant Applicants for Canada

New Government Regulations for Paid Representatives: Canada Immigration Lawyers and/or Immigration Consultants 
www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/representative/rep-who.asp

[quote fr. above Citizenship and Immigration Canada website 2014.06.17 ]
"...The new regulations [starting in 2004] state that paid representatives must be authorized:

• in order to conduct business on behalf of clients when dealing with the Government of Canada in immigration and refugee matters; or
• to provide advice or assistance.
  

Authorized, paid representatives ( see for more information www.cic.gc.ca/english/ information/ representative/ rep-who.asp) may only be [emphasis added]:

• immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council.  Go to their web site at: www.iccrc-crcic.ca/home.cfm
• lawyers who are members in good standing of a Canadian law society [ie. Provincial law societies e.g. Ontario's Law Society of Upper Canada or BC]  and students-at-law under their supervision; and
• notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec [s/a www.cdnq.org [note this site as of 2005.01.20 is only in French]  and students-at-law under their supervision.

You are not obliged to hire a representative for immigration or refugee matters.  The Government of Canada treats everyone equally, whether they use the services of a representative or not.

Consumer Protection / Complaints in use of Immigration Consultants or Immigration Lawyers

Concerns - When using a "Immigration Lawyer"
If you have concerns about the lawyer you have retained to assist you in your immigration application, go to the Provincial Law Society that the lawyer is a member of - they all have a "complaints-concerns about your lawyer" area e.g. BC Law Society's "Concerned about the conduct of your lawyer?"
These web information areas typically make reference to "code of conduct and ethics guidelines and rules" and how the law society may play a role in an individual's concern over their working relationship with a lawyer.

Concerns - When using a Immigration Consultant

Consumer Protection The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants Société canadienne de consultants en immigration [www.csic-scci.ca] regulates immigration consultants who are members and protects the interest of consumers who pay these consultants for their services through its Complaints process.
[Note: there is a list of "Suspended Members" on the Society's web site

The Society's Rules of Professional Conduct set out the rules of professional and ethical conduct members have to abide by. Members failing to meet these obligations are subject to the Society's Complaints and Disciplinary Process.

The Society can address your Complaints about a consultant who is a member by:

Assisting you with concerns about that consultant's services Investigating complaints about that consultant's behaviour or conduct Disciplining that consultant if he or she is found guilty of contravening (or breaking) one of the Society's Rules of Professional Conduct

* * * * * *

Canada Embassy & Counsulate Offices Around the World

See the Department of Foreign Affairs web site for their listings of embassies
www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/world/embassies/menu-en.asp

* * * * * *

Twenty Questions to Ask - Before You Hire a Lawyer

An excellent Checklist for someone to use in selecting a lawyer, has been prepared by the publishers of www.lawyers-bc.com/tips.htm.  You will find these guidelines useful for not just Immigration Lawyers but other types of lawyers also.

* * * * * *

Canada Immigration Law as a Preferred Area of Practice

The Law Society of BC has lawyers who have stated a particular "preferred area of practice"  Canada Immigration Law is one of these P.A.P's.

Not all lawyers who advertise in:   telephone directories; on the Web or in magazines have stated their Preferred Area of Practice with the Law Society of BC, as it appears there is no requirement that they do so.

* * * * * *

Canada Immigration Research and Statistics

"Find the latest research and statistical information on citizenship and immigration trends." [quote from Research and Statistics fr. Citizenship & Immigration Canada [Government Web Site]

Canada Immigration Government Policy and Regulations

" See what the law says. You can read the Acts, the Regulations or a range of related information [on the Government web site at www.cic.gc.ca/english/policy/index.html .  Information includes:]

• Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)
  Learn about Canada's new immigration law, which came into effect on June 28, 2002.
• Citizenship Act and Regulations
  See Canada's latest Citizenship Act and Regulations.
• Manuals and Operations Memoranda
  See CIC manuals, operations memoranda or read related questions and answers.
• ... go to this site for information on above and more topics

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) | Agence des services frontaliers du Canada

• "The CBSA is an integral component in enhancing Canada's national security.  We will build on the success of the Canada-United States Smart Border Declaration to ensure the twin goals of public safety and economic security." [quote fr. website 050121] www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Canadian Lawyers - Exemplars of Practice Profiles

Multi-Lingual Realtors in Vancouver & Victoria, BC

A immigration "relocation consultant" that many people depend on is their realtor.

Looking for experienced Vancouver realtors who speaks English / Chinese Cantonese / Chinese Mandarin consider realtors Arthur Gee & Rosy Yung.

www.sellsyourhome.com
see some of their work at Metrotown.info Vancouver Real Estate

Looking for a Victoria realtor who speaks English / Chinese Cantonese / Chiu Chow / Chinese Mandarin consider MLS award winning realtor Lucy Richardson, with Re/Max Camosun
see her web site at LucyRichardson.com or
see the Victoria Real Estate area of Metrotown.info

This page is in part sponsored by Lowe & Company CanadaVisalaw.com as a public service for people looking for immigration lawyers and services in the Vancouver area.

Web site Disclaimer

This site lists lawyers with areas of practice including Canada Citizenship and Immigration / Refugee Law - we advise you to verify if the lawyer is still maintaining their membership with the Law Society of BC by going to www.lawsociety.bc.ca as lawyers move or change areas of specialization over time.

The intent of this web-site is to provide "starting points" for people looking for sources of legal information and specialists.  Information on this web site is not to be seen as legal advice -- for that you directly consult a lawyer. 

This site is not endorsed by web sites to which it provides links to, unless otherwise noted, where a particular lawyer has volunteered to become a content contributor.

Credits
Photo of Ottawa's Parliament Buildings from Adrienne S. Chan, Ph.D, a Vancouver based consultant in diversity/ anti-racism/ multiculturalism training, research, organizational development, program development and review.  See www.GetDiversity.com

Errors or Omissions

If any lawyer-firm notes that we have made an error or omission in our mention of them on this web site, please send us email with the appropriate information. 

Canada Immigration & Work Permits Help For
Applicants and Employers

Government of Canada - Governement du Canada

Apply for a work permit — Temporary workers
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/apply.html

For New Immigrants: Applying for a permanent residence card - or - Canadian citizenship https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/apply.html

Sample of an experienced group of lawyers with over 25 years of immigration and business consulting background providing services to immigrants and workers seeking work permits and to employers wishing assistance in recruiting overseas skilled trades people to fill the needs of a booming construction / mining / hightech economy in Western Canada can be seen at CanadaTradeJobs.com

Robert Y. C. Leong, is a lawyer, LLB (Hon) from the U.K., called to the Bar in both Singapore and BC - serving clients from law firms in Singapore and Vancouver, BC to assist in immigrating to Canada or handling immigration litigation / appleals - click to see his profile in English and Chinese text at CanadaVisaLaw.com/about-us

STANLEY LEO, B.A., J.D. Born in Singapore, Stan moved to the Fraser Valley with his family and has called B.C. home ever since. Stan graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science before graduating from the University of Manitoba with a Juris Doctor. Before joining Lowe & Company as an associate, he articled at a mid-size Vancouver full service business law firm and then worked briefly at a law firm in the Tri-Cities primarily practicing residential real estate law. Stan now enjoys the opportunity to assist people from all over the world with various Canadian immigration matters including:  Skilled worker immigration through Express Entry, the BC PNP, and other relevant programs; Overseas and in-Canada Spousal Sponsorships; Work authorizations including those involving: - Clergy and Religious Workers; - Free Trade Agreements; and - Labour Market Impact Assessments; Overcoming inadmissibility matters; and Permanent resident card renewals. Stan has also shared his experience through seminars and written materials including: October 2018: "Finding the Right Tone", Co-Presenter, Seminar, Immigration Education Alliance; October 2018: "To LMIA or Not to LMIA… is that the Question?", Co-Presenter, Seminar, Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (National Conference); September 2018: "Business Work Authorization and Immigration Options", Co-Presenter, Seminar, Immigration Education Alliance; March 2018: "LMIA Owner Operator & Other Business Work Permit Options", Co-Presenter, Seminar, Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants; November 2016: "Introduction to Owner Operator Labour Market Impact Assessments", Seminar, Immigration Education Alliance; April 2016: "Business Immigration Options: Creative Work Permit strategies", Co-Author, Canadian Bar Association; May 2015: "Update on Canada's Immigration Laws for Religious Workers", Co-Author, Canadian Council for Christian Charities; and October 2014: "Business Immigration: Past, Present and Future", Co-Author, Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia. Stan is excited to contribute to the future societal fabric of the province and of Canada. Stanley Leo, BA JD Lowe & Company Canada Immigration-Business Lawyers #900 - 777 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC Canada Phone:  604.875.9338 Web site:  www.canadavisalaw.com/about-us

Akiko Fujita Japanese Canada Immigration Consultant, in Vancouver, BC with Lowe and Company business immigration lawyers.  Akiko is a member of Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).  Akiko first came to Kamloops, B.C. from her native Japan as a student and later returned to Canada as a Permanent Resident. Prior to immigrating to Canada, Akiko was a local staff of the Japanese Embassy in Singapore Consular section, and served the Japanese residents in the country for nearly 8 years. She has been helping clients of Lowe & Company to realize their dream of coming to Canada since 2006. you can see her profile at CanadaVisaLaw.com and Japanese introduction at canadaimmigration.asia/ consultants/ RegulatedCanadianImmigrationConsultants.html#japanese

Rita Cheng, registered Canada Immigration Consultant, see more info at www.canadavisalaw.com/about-us

Vivien Lee, registered Canada Immigration Consultant and Notary, see more info at www.canadavisalaw.com/about-us

See also her website about notary public services: www.canadanotary.com

Mary Keyork, LLM, Certified Specialist in Immigration Law by the Law Society of Ontario and also member of Le Barreau du Québec (the Quebec Bar)

Fluent in English, French, Armenian and Spanish.

Services include:

• Sponsorship
• Citizenship
• Refusals
• Appeals

Toronto Office
#1901 - 5000 Yonge St.
Toronto, Ontario
Phone:   416-479-3632
Toll Free:  1-855-281-5500
Montreal Office
4485 St-Denis, Suite 212
Montreal, QC, Canada, H2J 2L2
Phone:  514-664-1227
Email: info@keyorkimmigrationlaw.com
Website : KeyorkImmigrationLaw.com also

Social Media Pages:
www.facebook.com/keyorkimmigrationlaw
www.YouTube.com/keyorkimmigrationlaw

Finding & choosing Canadian Immigration Lawyers

See Keyork YouTube videos on Why use a lawyer? and Spousal sponsorship processing times click on image(s) below:

· see also article written in Dec. 2014 re 2015 changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers programs of Canada Immigraton services written by Sarah N. Goodman, BBA JD, a immigration-business and employment law lawyer based in Victoria BC businessmatrix.com/ca-foreign-workers/Canada-foreign-workers-options-Goodman150106.html

· see article on Express Entry - where are we now? CanadaImmigration.asia ... express-entry...