💡If you are working in Canada on an LMIA-supported work permit and are laid off, you are generally entitled to the exact same statutory notice and severance pay as Canadianā¦
💡Generally, an asylum seeker (refugee claimant) holding a valid Open Work Permit in Canada can legally register and own a business in certain provinces like Ontario or British Columbia. However,ā¦
💡Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada can collect EI regular benefits (currently up to $729 CAD per week) if they lose their job without cause. However, you must legally be “ready,ā¦
š”If you crossed into Canada irregularly before the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) expansion, you are generally still entitled to a Refugee Protection Division (RPD) hearing. However, if your claimā¦
š”If IRCC or CBSA loses your original passport, they generally cannot deport you, as airlines and receiving countries require valid travel documents. To resolve the limbo, your lawyer can fileā¦
🇨🇦Bilingual IT professionals can bypass the complex LMIA process under the Francophone Mobility program (exemption code C16). To qualify, you must have a valid job offer outside Quebec, score atā¦
🚫In Canada, it is virtually impossible to legally obtain a provincial driver’s license if you are completely undocumented. Unlike some jurisdictions in the United States, Canadian provinces require strict proofā¦
💡If your Canadian employer files for bankruptcy, your closed work permit remains legally valid, allowing you to stay in Canada until it expires. However, you cannot legally work for anotherā¦
š”Foreign ski instructors typically secure a seasonal work permit in Canada through the IEC Working Holiday program or an LMIA-backed closed work permit. If a Canadian resort sponsors you viaā¦
š”To use the C11 Work Permit (officially known as the Work Permit for Business Owners with Temporary Residence Intent) to buy a gas station or motel in Canada, you mustā¦
š”Under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), foreign tour guides accompanying an international tour group into Canada are generally exempt from needing a work permit. However, if a guideā¦
🚨If the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issues you a Departure Order, you have exactly 30 days to voluntarily leave the country. Unwinding or selling a business within this tinyā¦
👴Elderly parents claiming asylum in Canada who face severe medical decline often rely on a Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) application or a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA). While a PRRA isā¦
š”If you are a Canadian PR or Citizen bringing a surrogate child born abroad into Canada, you may face severe CBSA entry disputes if parentage is questioned. If the childā¦
💡While federal immigration law technically overrides provincial law, the CBSA generally will not deport an undocumented child who is actively under the care of a provincial child protection agency likeā¦
💡You can legally sue for a personal injury in Canada even if you are facing deportation or have already been removed. Civil lawsuits do not stop a CBSA removal order,ā¦
š”To stop the deportation of an undocumented orphaned relative in Canada, you must urgently request a deferral of removal from the CBSA while simultaneously pursuing a provincial adoption and aā¦
💡Generally, yes. Your right to collect workers’ compensation from provincial boards like the WSIB or WorkSafeBC is based on where you were injured, not your immigration status. Even if theā¦
💡To release a detained foreign national in Canada, the Immigration Division typically requires a bondsperson (surety) who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The cash bond generally ranges fromā¦
💡If a foreign national goes underground, the CBSA will automatically seize the bondsperson’s money under strict liability rules. Disputing this forfeiture process involves the Federal Court of Canada, and youā¦
🏠In Canada, a residential landlord cannot legally evict you simply because you are undocumented or have lost your immigration status. Provincial tenancy boards, such as the LTB in Ontario orā¦
Welcome to the Canada Federal Immigration & Visas guide centre. Here you will find comprehensive resources covering everything from permanent residency applications to temporary work permits, based on current federal regulations.
Overview of Federal Immigration & Visas in Canada
Immigration in Canada is primarily a federal responsibility managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The rules governing who can enter, work, study, or live permanently in the country apply from coast to coast. Whether you are settling in Toronto, Vancouver, or a rural community, the foundational immigration laws remain consistent across the nation.
Navigating the Canadian immigration system can be an overwhelming journey filled with complex paperwork and strict deadlines. This guide centre is designed to provide clear, reliable information on the various pathways to living in Canada. We aim to help you understand your legal options and the framework surrounding Canadian visas and citizenship.
Common Legal Issues We Cover
The journey to temporary or permanent status involves numerous legal pathways. Our resources address many common topics, including:
Express Entry and permanent residency (PR) applications.
Spousal sponsorships and family reunification programs.
Temporary resident visas, study permits, and work permits.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and their federal processing.
Refugee protection claims and asylum hearings.
Overcoming criminal or medical inadmissibility.
Federal Legal Context & Courts in Canada
While provincial governments have some influence through nominee programs, the ultimate authority on immigration is federal. Decisions made by IRCC or the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) can sometimes be challenged legally. If a visa application is refused or a removal order is issued, appeals and judicial reviews are handled by the Federal Court of Canada, not provincial bodies like the Superior Court of Justice.
You may also interact with various specialized tribunals and agencies during your journey. The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) is an independent tribunal that handles asylum claims, immigration appeals, and detention reviews. Additionally, for everyday integration services, such as obtaining a Social Insurance Number (SIN) after receiving your work permit, you will visit local Service Canada centres.
Professional Legal Help & Federal Agencies
Canadian immigration law is notoriously strict, and a single mistake on an application can lead to years of delays, returned files, or a complete refusal. We strongly advise against navigating complex immigration appeals or complicated visa applications on your own. A skilled immigration lawyer deeply understands the nuances of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and will ensure your rights are protected throughout the process.
You can find a list of relevant local lawyers and government agencies at the top of this page. Hiring a legal professional gives you the strongest possible representation, whether you are responding to a procedural fairness letter, appealing a refusal, or applying for Canadian citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between a work permit and permanent residency?
A work permit allows you to live and work in Canada for a temporary, specified period, often tied to a specific employer. Permanent residency (PR) grants you the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada indefinitely, and is a mandatory stepping stone toward Canadian citizenship.
What is the Express Entry system?
Express Entry is the federal government’s online system used to manage immigration applications for skilled workers. It uses a competitive, points-based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to score candidates based on age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
Can I appeal a refused visa application?
Not all immigration decisions can be formally appealed. While some refusals, like family sponsorships, can be appealed to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD), others may require you to file for a Judicial Review at the Federal Court of Canada. A lawyer can help determine the correct legal pathway.
What happens if my Permanent Resident (PR) card expires?
An expired PR card does not mean you have automatically lost your permanent resident status. However, you need a valid PR card to return to Canada on a commercial vehicle like an airplane or bus. You must apply to IRCC to renew it, provided you still meet your residency obligations.
What makes someone criminally inadmissible to Canada?
You can be denied entry or a visa if you have been convicted of a crime inside or outside of Canada, including driving under the influence (DUI) or minor theft. Overcoming inadmissibility generally requires applying for Criminal Rehabilitation or a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).
How long does the family sponsorship process take?
Processing times for spousal or family sponsorships vary greatly depending on the type of application and whether you are applying from inside or outside Canada. IRCC frequently updates their estimated processing times online, but it typically takes anywhere from several months to over a year.
What is a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?
An LMIA is a document that an employer in Canada may need to obtain from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) before hiring a foreign worker. A positive LMIA proves that there is a genuine need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian worker is available to do it.
