To maintain permanent resident status, you generally need to live in Canada for at least two years within every five-year period. There are some exceptions depending on individual circumstances. We recommend speaking with our office to review your situation and confirm how the rules apply to you.

In most cases, you must have been physically present in Canada for at least three years during the five years before submitting your citizenship application. However, calculating physical presence can be complex, and there are exceptions to the general rule. Our office can guide you through the requirements and help assess your eligibility.

A refugee claim is normally made by someone who is already in Canada or at a Canadian port of entry. There are exceptions, and the rules can be technical. We encourage you to book a consultation so we can explain your options in detail.

A criminal conviction in Canada can put your permanent resident status at risk, and in some cases can lead to removal from the country. Recent changes to the law have made the consequences stricter and limited appeal rights. If you are facing criminal charges, it is critical to get legal advice right away.

A refusal does not prevent someone from applying again. Often, a stronger application with better supporting documents makes a big difference in the outcome. We would be glad to review the refusal and advise on how to improve the chances of success on a new application.

Permanent residents enjoy nearly all the same rights as Canadian citizens, including access to healthcare, education, and most social benefits. The main exceptions are that permanent residents cannot vote, run for elected office, or hold a Canadian passport until they become citizens. For advice specific to your situation, please contact our office.

No. A visitor visa does not give you permission to work or study. To do so, you need the appropriate work permit or study permit. There are limited exceptions, and we would be happy to discuss whether any of them apply to you.

The sponsorship program is limited to certain close relatives: a spouse or partner, dependent children, and parents or grandparents. In some rare circumstances, other relatives may be eligible, but this requires a case-by-case assessment. Our office can review your situation and advise you on possible options.

Depending on your case, you may have options such as an appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division, a judicial review at the Federal Court, a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment, or a Humanitarian and Compassionate application. Strict deadlines apply, and not all options are available in every case. It is important to get legal advice as soon as possible to protect your rights.

You may need to apply for an extension or, if your status has already lapsed, for restoration. We can help you understand your options and submit the appropriate application.

In many cases, permanent residence applications are filed from outside Canada. However, some people may qualify to apply from within Canada, such as under the Canadian Experience Class or on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds. A consultation with our office will help you understand which pathways may apply to you.

Processing times vary depending on the type of application and which immigration office is handling it. Current estimates are posted on the Government of Canada website. We can also help you interpret these timelines in the context of your case.

We accept online payments by credit (VISA and M/C), debit card, email fund transfer, and wire transfer. As our practice is all online, we do not accept any other payment method.