Canadian Immigration Law Frequently Asked Questions

Retaining the right immigration lawyer is a big decision and we want you to be confident in your choice of us. If, after exploring our website and reviewing our client testimonials, you feel we may be the right law firm for you, we recommend that you book an initial consultation with us.

We offer two initial consultation option, at which we discuss your immigration goals and issues, provide guidance, and present options, timelines, and expected fees. 

1. A thirty minute consultation for a fee of $150 + HST;  
2. A sixty minute consultation for a fee of $250 + HST.

After you book a consultation, we ask you to complete a brief online questionnaire designed to enable us to better understand your situation and your options.

Consultations are held in person, over the phone, as well as via Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other video conferencing platforms, depending on our clients’ location, preference, and public health orders.

In most cases the cost of the consultation is credited towards the total cost of the legal fees.

We excel at complex immigration matters: that’s what sets us apart from most Canadian immigration practitioners. We’d still recommend that we start with an initial consultation. In complex matters, a client may benefit from an opinion letter setting out the key issues and potential outcomes. We prepare opinion letters on a flat fee basis, which we would discuss at your initial consultation.

We know our clients don’t like surprises. Frankly, neither do we. We provide services on an hourly as well as a flat fee basis.

A flat fee retainer means that a client pays a fixed fee for the service. We present this fee to you up-front at the initial consultation, and this fee will not increase.

An hourly fee retainer means that the client pays strictly for the time spent on his file. If a file takes two hours to complete, you pay for two hours. If it takes ten hours, you pay for ten. Our hourly fee varies depending on which of our lawyers or consultants is working with you.

We disclose all of our fees in detail during our initial consultation.

Absolutely. We offer both full and limited scope retainer options. Our clients can choose to have our firm handle every relevant aspect of the matter, or to just provide guidance as needed.

For example, on Express Entry related matters, a client may choose to be responsible for the completion and submission of the permanent residence application while we provide high—level guidance by reviewing the application, drafting employment letters, and answering questions related to the application process. We charge for this limited scope retainer on an hourly basis.

On a full retainer basis, in which we complete the entire application (with input from the client), we typically charge a flat fee.

We are client-focused and we know how important your immigration application, review or appeal is to you. We make every effort to make sure you know what’s happening every step of the way.

After we are retained, we usually provide you with access to a secure client portal.

The portal allows us to streamline the application preparation process, and to serve you in a more cost-effective way. It eliminates unnecessary and time-consuming emails for document collection. It also provides you with real-time updates.

We use technology to enhance our clients’ experience and reduce time and cost spent on routine matters, while we focus our efforts on preparing applications to the highest possible standard. 

After submitting your application, we continue to stay in touch and provide Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada with any relevant updates. We notify you if additional information is required. If necessary, we provide post-approval guidance (for example, what documents should the dependent of a non-visa exempt work permit holder present at the port of entry). 

Even though the file is managed via the portal, you can reach out to the lawyer handling the application at any time. We are here to help you, and we take that commitment very seriously.

Yes. We’ve been privileged to work with businesses and individuals from all six inhabited continents. We have particular expertise in US immigration matters, as well as in the challenges unique to immigrants from Latin America, India, and the former-Soviet republics.

Our staff provides support in English, Spanish, Russian, and Cantonese. We have established relationships with translators to ensure clarity in communication with all our clients, whatever their native language is.

Yes, we do. We work with entrepreneurs, employers, and business owners for whom immigration applications, whether their own or their workers, need to be a strategic part of their business goals. We have a reputation for a big picture approach. And, as business owners ourselves, we know what’s at stake for you.

For entrepreneurs who already have a business footprint in Canada, we are conveniently located in downtown Toronto, at the center of the Canadian financial and business sectors.

Find out more about our Corporate Immigration and Entrepreneur practice areas.