Frequently asked questions

Immigration applications can involve complex eligibility requirements, documentation, deadlines and legal considerations. A lawyer can help you understand your options, identify potential issues and develop an approach based on your circumstances.

At Nutakor Law, we can assist with your application from start to finish, or provide a case review and advice if you prefer to prepare and submit the application yourself.

Yes. Canadian immigration law often involves clients who are outside Canada and we can assist eligible clients with immigration matters regardless of where they are located.

Yes. You do not necessarily need to retain a lawyer before submitting an immigration application.

We can review your circumstances and advise you on next steps after an application has been submitted. Depending on your situation, this may include responding to an IRCC request, addressing concerns with your application, providing additional documentation, or advising you if your circumstances have changed.

If your application has been refused, we can assess the reasons for the refusal, discuss the options available to you and explain how we may be able to help.

Yes. We offer case review and advisory services for individuals who have prepared their own applications but would like professional guidance before submitting them.

A review can help identify potential issues, missing information, inconsistencies, or areas where additional supporting documentation may be appropriate. We can also provide advice on how to strengthen your application based on the circumstances of your case.

A case review may be particularly useful if you are comfortable preparing the application yourself but want the reassurance of having a lawyer review it before submission.

Our fees depend on the nature and complexity of the matter and the services required. We provide a clear fee structure before you retain us.

Most of our immigration services are offered at a flat fee, so you know the legal fee for the agreed scope of work in advance. More complex matters may require a different fee arrangement depending on the circumstances.

Please note that our legal fees do not include government fees, such as IRCC processing fees, the right of permanent residence fee and biometrics, or third party costs such as language tests, medical exams, police certificates and translations. We will inform you of the fees that apply to your application before you retain us.

Our initial consultation is $150 CAD plus tax if applicable. This consultation is 30 minutes. If you decide to retain us for additional services, the consultation fee will be credited toward your file and subsequent legal fees will be discussed with you before we proceed.

Your initial consultation is an opportunity for us to understand your circumstances, immigration history and goals. We will discuss the relevant details of your situation, identify potential immigration options and answer your questions.

Depending on your circumstances, we may also identify potential concerns or issues that should be addressed before you proceed with an application.

A consultation does not necessarily mean that you need to retain us for ongoing representation. If you decide to proceed, we can discuss the services that would best meet your needs.

Yes. Everything you discuss with a lawyer in the course of seeking legal advice is protected, including at a first consultation and including if you decide not to retain the firm. That protection is one of the main practical differences between speaking to a lawyer and speaking to anyone else about your situation.

At Nutakor Law, we believe every immigration matter deserves thoughtful attention and a strategy tailored to the person or business behind it. Our motto, “The care your case deserves,” reflects our approach to every matter we handle.

We take the time to understand your circumstances, identify your options and explain the process clearly so that you can make informed decisions about your immigration goals. Whether you need assistance with a new application, a case review, or immigration advice, we provide practical, personalized guidance based on the details of your case.

Processing times vary depending on the type of application, the immigration program and the circumstances of your case. They can also change based on the volume of applications being processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

We can help you understand the estimated processing time for your application and identify any factors that may affect your timeline. While processing times are outside our control, we will guide you through the process and keep you informed of important steps along the way.

There is no single immigration pathway that is right for everyone. The appropriate option depends on factors such as your education, work experience, language ability, family circumstances, current status in Canada, employment and long term goals.

At Nutakor Law, we begin by understanding your circumstances and objectives before recommending an immigration strategy. A consultation can help you understand which options may be available to you and what requirements you would need to meet.

Yes, in many circumstances. Your options will depend on your current immigration status, the type of application you are considering and whether you meet the requirements to apply from within Canada.

For example, depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply to extend your temporary status, obtain or extend a work permit or study permit or pursue a pathway to permanent residence.

If you are already in Canada, we can help you understand how your current status affects your options before submitting an application.

It depends on your current status and on what you have applied for. In some situations you keep the right to work or study while a decision is pending. In others you do not. Acting on the wrong assumption can create an inadmissibility problem that is far worse than the original question. This is worth a conversation before you make a decision, not after.

You should address an upcoming work permit expiry as early as possible. The options available to you will depend on your current work permit, your circumstances and whether you qualify for an extension or another immigration pathway.

In some situations, an application submitted before your current status expires may allow you to remain in Canada while a decision is being made. However, the rules depend on the circumstances and the type of application.

If your work permit is approaching its expiry date, we recommend seeking advice before your status expires so that you can understand your options and any applicable deadlines.

In many cases, yes. However, there is no automatic transition from a work permit to permanent residence.

The pathway available to you will depend on factors such as your work experience, occupation, education, language proficiency, location, family circumstances and other eligibility requirements.

If you are currently working in Canada, we can review your circumstances and advise you on potential pathways to permanent residence and how your current work experience may fit into your longer term immigration plans.

Canadian employers may be able to hire foreign workers through a number of immigration pathways. Depending on the circumstances, the employer may need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or the worker may qualify for an LMIA exempt work permit.

The appropriate process depends on factors such as the position, the employer, the foreign worker’s qualifications and the applicable immigration program.

We advise employers on available options and assist with the immigration process, including employer compliance considerations.

A temporary work permit does not necessarily have to be the end of an international employee’s journey in Canada. Depending on the employee’s circumstances, there may be pathways from temporary residence to permanent residence.

Potential options may take into account the employee’s Canadian work experience, occupation, qualifications, language ability, employer support and other eligibility factors.

We work with employers and employees to identify potential permanent residence pathways and develop a strategy that supports both the employee’s immigration goals and the employer’s workforce needs.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents may be able to sponsor an eligible spouse or partner for permanent residence, provided the applicable requirements are met.

The process and requirements can differ depending on whether your spouse or partner is applying from inside or outside Canada and whether you are married, common law partners or in another qualifying relationship.

Because relationship based applications can involve significant documentation and legal requirements, it is important to understand the applicable process and provide evidence that supports the application.

At Nutakor Law, we can assess your circumstances, explain the sponsorship process and assist you with preparing your application.

Yes, through the Parents and Grandparents Program, but only when IRCC opens it and invites you to apply. Invitations are limited and you must meet a minimum income for the three tax years before you apply.

If you are not invited, a super visa allows your parents or grandparents to visit Canada for up to five years at a time.

At Nutakor Law, we can check whether you meet the income requirement and explain which option fits your family.

Yes. Canadian citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to sponsor their dependent child if the child is under 22 years old and is not married or in a common law relationship. Older children may also qualify if they have relied on their parent for financial support since before turning 22 because of a physical or mental condition.

Adopted children can also be sponsored. If you are immigrating yourself, your children can often be included in your own application.

At Nutakor Law, we can assess your eligibility to sponsor your child and guide you through preparing the application and supporting documents.

In some circumstances, your spouse or partner and dependent children may be able to accompany you to Canada. Their eligibility for visitor status, a study permit or a work permit depends on factors such as your study program and their individual circumstances. Nutakor Law can assess your family’s situation and advise you on the available immigration options.

If your study permit is approaching its expiry date and you need more time to complete your studies, you may be able to apply for an extension. It is important to review your circumstances and apply within the required timeframe to avoid complications with your immigration status. Nutakor Law can review your situation, explain your options and assist with an extension application where appropriate.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a post graduation work permit or another immigration pathway. Eligibility depends on factors such as your study program, institution and compliance with the applicable requirements. Nutakor Law can help you assess your eligibility and identify potential pathways to continue living and working in Canada after graduation.

A visitor visa does not generally authorize you to work in Canada. Whether you need a work permit depends on the activities you intend to undertake and whether an exemption applies. Nutakor Law can review your plans and advise you on whether a work permit or another immigration authorization is required.

In many cases, foreign nationals can enter Canada as business visitors to attend meetings, conferences or other permitted business activities without a work permit. The requirements depend on the nature of the activities and your circumstances. Nutakor Law can assess your planned visit and advise you on the appropriate immigration requirements before you travel.

No. No lawyer can guarantee the approval of an immigration application.

Immigration decisions are made by the Government of Canada based on the applicable law, the program requirements and the information and evidence provided with the application.

An immigration lawyer can help you understand your eligibility, identify potential concerns, prepare a thorough application and respond to issues that may arise. However, the final decision remains with the immigration authorities.

Possibly. It is best to identify any potential inadmissibility concerns before submitting your application. These concerns may arise from criminal charges or convictions, certain medical conditions, financial circumstances, security grounds, or misrepresentation in a previous immigration application. Most have a solution: rehabilitation, a temporary resident permit or an application framed to address the issue directly. Raising an issue early is almost always better than leaving it for the officer to find.

It means an officer has a concern serious enough that they are prepared to refuse your application. They are giving you one opportunity to respond before they do. It is not a formality and it is not a request for more paperwork. These letters often involve allegations of misrepresentation, doubts about a relationship, or concerns about documents. The response window is short and the reply becomes part of your permanent record, so it is worth getting advice before answering.

Processing delays can occur for various reasons, including application backlogs, additional document requests or further review by immigration authorities. If your application has been pending for an unusually long time, there may be options to address the delay.

Depending on your circumstances, these may include following up with IRCC or seeking a remedy through the Federal Court. In appropriate cases, we can make an application for mandamus to ask the court to compel immigration authorities to make a decision on an application that has been unreasonably delayed.

In many cases there are still options available, but it is important to act quickly. Depending on the decision, you may be able to request reconsideration, appeal the decision, seek judicial review in the Federal Court, or submit a new application that addresses the concerns raised in the refusal.

Deadlines for challenging immigration decisions can be short. To seek judicial review in the Federal Court, you generally have 15 days from the date you received the decision if it was made in Canada and 60 days if it was made outside Canada. If your application has been refused, we can review the decision, explain the options available to you and help you determine the most appropriate next steps.

Please have available any documents or information relevant to your immigration matter, such as details of your immigration history, current or previous applications, correspondence or refusal letters from IRCC, passport information and travel history. A brief summary of your circumstances and what you hope to achieve can also help us better understand your goals.

If you do not have all these documents or are unsure what is relevant, you can still book a consultation. We can help you identify what additional information may be needed and discuss the next steps.

Please do not submit documents through our website contact form, as it is intended only for a description of your situation. Once we have spoken, we will provide you with a secure way to share any documents needed for your matter. To protect your privacy, please avoid emailing sensitive information, such as passport details or medical records, before we have established communication.

Complete the contact form on our website with a few details about your situation and we will get back to you within one business day. From there, we can arrange a consultation by video or phone at a time that works for you, wherever you are.