The burdensome task of navigating the ever-evolving Canadian immigration landscape can often be simplified with the help of an immigration lawyer, whether it be for individuals looking to obtain a visa, businesses seeking to hire foreign talent, or families hoping to reunite with loved ones.

The importance of seeking effective legal counsel in the matter at hand becomes even more pronounced considering this decision could be one of the primary determinants in how quickly and simply your immigration case will be resolved.

It is essential to consider a variety of factors to ensure you make an informed decision regarding which immigration attorney you approach to help you come to Canada.

1. Qualifications and Credentials

The first step in researching an immigration lawyer would be to assess their qualifications and credentials.

Look for lawyers who are licensed and certified to practice in the province you want to immigrate to, and look for attorneys who specialize in immigration law rather than general legal practitioners who claim to be able to handle immigration cases.

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This is because immigration regulations are complex and frequently updated, and you want to rely on only those who dedicate all their time to keeping themselves informed with the legal fluidity accompanying the field in question.

2. Transparency About Legal Fees

The attorney’s fee structure needs to be discussed upfront and transparently, and they should be expected to provide you with a written agreement outlining the services and costs involved in your case.

While some lawyers charge flat fees, others bill by the hour; either way, the lawyer should disclose all requisite payments from the get-go, instead of gradually revealing hidden costs as the case progress.

3. Ethical Standards

Your immigration attorney should adhere to high ethical standards, which you can ensure by checking their disciplinary history with the provincial bar association they are registered with.

Taking unethical legal advice from an immigration attorney – such as them convincing you to give them money to bribe an immigration officer or lie on an application – can majorly impact your application if caught.

In fact, practices such as misrepresentation (document fraud) may not only render your current application ineligible for processing, but also all future immigration applications you file with IRCC.

4. Online Presence

When scoping out an immigration attorney, it is vital you check for them to possess an online presence and for them have had positive client feedback given about them.

If the attorney has not been in practice for years, does not have a website, and/or lacks multiple reviews that attest to their credibility, communication skills, and client satisfaction, you should re-evaluate your choice of hiring them.

5. Expertise in Your Specific Case-Type

Immigration law cases span from family-based immigration and start-up visas to asylum claimants and refugee applicants. It is important that you hire an immigration attorney who at best is a specialist in that case type, and at least has had past experience with it.

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6. Attorney Availability 

It is vital to consider the attorney’s current workload and future availability, as a lawyer working on more cases than they can handle takes away the time and attention that every individual immigration application requires.

7. Promises 

Although it may bolster one’s confidence on knowing that their application for immigration is a sure-shot approval waiting to happen, it is a claim that applicants should be wary of.

Any lawyer that makes unrealistic promises – no matter how well-established and successful they are – is committing to an outcome that they themselves cannot guarantee. This is because at the end of the day, IRCC handles all immigration cases and approves or denies their claims. No lawyer can know for certain what the outcome to any case is going to be.