Do I Need A Lawyer For My Application?
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Immigration Canada's Website says that their forms are designed to be easy for the Applicant to fill out. A toll free number is available to answer questions. There is a Website available. Immigration officers are usually helpful and courteous. With all of these sources, why would you need a lawyer?
If the Application is short and simple, if you know exactly what you need, what type of application is best for you, where to file it, are fluent in English or French, are experienced in dealing with Immigration Canada forms and officers, AND do not mind delays caused by mistakes, then you may not need a lawyer.
Most people do not have these advantages.
It is true that the Immigration forms were written for people to fill in by themselves. But, the Immigration forms are long, repetitive, and sometimes difficult to understand. The instructions are often confusing. It is not easy to know what information Immigration Canada wants. Unless you are experienced in dealing with Immigration Canada, you may not realize how important an obscure document or small piece of information can be. If you, or someone in your family, has a serious medical condition or an old criminal conviction, you will not necessarily know whether this would prevent you from immigrating to Canada.
The toll-free number is available only in Canada. You can wait on hold for up to an hour before speaking to someone.
The Immigration officers are generally helpful and do their very best in a difficult job. However, their level of training and experience varies from officer to officer and it is not uncommon to receive two completely different answers to the same question from two different officers.
Sometimes, a decision by Immigration will be based on their administrative procedures or policies. Not all of these are written down for you to find. Only someone who has practical experience dealing with Immigration officers can tell you what the answer to your question or problem is.
Do you know what type of Application is best for you? Many people have more than one choice as to what type of Application they can make. Not all Applications are the same, and they all have different advantages and disadvantages. Only an experienced Immigration practitioner can tell you which choice is best for you, your family and your personal plans.
If Immigration denies your Visa request, only a lawyer can represent you in the Federal Court of Canada, if an Appeal is necessary.
Why should you have a lawyer prepare your Immigration Application?
For peace of mind. For completeness and for success. Only a qualified Immigration practitioner can help you choose the category that is best for you, guide you through the maze of regulations and requirements, tell you what documents and information is REALLY required to maximize your points and assist you with any Appeals that may be necessary.
For assistance contact Natasha A. Grof at grof@victorialaw.ca.
