Immigration Law
Immigration Consulting & Advocacy
Our lawyers provide a variety of immigration services depending on your needs. Whether you are seeking advice about which immigration stream to apply to, completing an immigration application, or seeking representation for your immigration application, our knowledgeable lawyers can assist you with your immigration matter. Our services include:
- Consultation about immigration programs and application process.
- Completion and filing of immigration application.
- Appeals of immigration decisions.
- Consult and assist with immigration applications.
See below for an overview of permanent and temporary residency programs.
Our Partnership with Elevay
Elevay is a Dubai-based international organization dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve freedom through residency and citizenship planning.
Our lawyers work closely with Elevay, specializing in immigration services. Our clients are unique, looking for fresh opportunities and new beginnings. Because every client is unique, we strive to provide customized services that addresses each client's circumstances.
About Canadian Immigration Law
Temporary Residency
Temporary Residency
Temporary Residency
Our lawyers are knowledgeable about temporary residency applications including: Visitor Visas, Work Permits & Study Permits and extending applications. See below for more information on temporary residency.
Permanent Residency
Temporary Residency
Temporary Residency
Canada has a variety of different permanent residency programs. Our lawyers can help you navigate your options and assist you each step of the way. See below for information permanent residency programs.
Appeals
Temporary Residency
Appeals
Did you know that you have a right to appeal decisions about your immigration application? Talk to one of our lawyers to discuss your options.
Temporary Residency
Study Visas / Permits
Defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act Regulations as: "a written authorization to engage in academic, professional, vocational or other training in Canada" (IRPR s.2). Note: minor children who are already in Canada with a parent who has a valid study or work permit is not required to have a study permit to attend preschool, primary or secondary school.
Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
For students with a valid study permit who are about to graduate from a post-secondary program of full-time study that was at least 8 months long.
Co-op/Internship Work Permit Program
For students with a valid study permit in certain post-secondary programs of study that have work related to a research program as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act Regulations.
Work Visas / Permits
Foreign nationals require a work permit (also called a work visa) to be employed in Canada.
Open Work Permit
A work permit that is not job-specific. Open work permits may be restricted to a certain occupation.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Allows a foreign national to remain and work in Canada for a specified period of time. The work permit is limited to a specific job, employer and location. Includes Foreign Academic Program, Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, and low wage positions.
Caregiver Program
Includes two streams: caregivers for children under 18 years of age and caregivers with people with high medical needs.
Business Visitors and Professionals
Foreign workers who seek to engage in international business in Canada but not become employed in Canada.
Visitor Visa / Permit
A temporary resident visa (also called a visitor visa) allows a foreign national to enter Canada. A visitor visa is required in addition to a study or work permit.
Visa Exempt Countries
Not all foreign nationals require a visitor visa to enter Canada. The Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees maintains a list of visa-exempt countries. Foreign nationals from those countries do not require a visitor visa to enter Canada.
Types of Visitor Visas
Single-entry visa, Multiple-entry visa, Transit visa, and Super visa.
Amending Visas and Permits
Extending Visitor Visa
A foreign national with a valid visitor visa can extend it before it expires.
Changing Conditions
A foreign national with a valid work or study visa may apply to change the conditions of their permit (for example, the employer or length of employment).
Permanent Residency Programs
Economic Class
Each program has separate eligibility criteria that are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Federal Skilled Worker
Selection factors include: work experience, education, arranged employment, age, adaptability and settlement funds.
Federal Skilled Trades
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act Regulations defines what skilled trade occupations are eligible under this category.
Canadian Experience
Requires at least 12 months of work experience in an occupation listed as type or skill level A or B in the National Occupation Classification system.
Business Class
Includes Self-Employed Persons Program and Start-up Visa Program. Note that the Federal Investor Immigrant program ended in 2014.
*Express Entry under economic class
Express Entry is an online application management system used by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada to rank candidates applying under the economic class. Candidates first create an online Express Entry profile and, if eligible, are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System. IRCC issues Invitations to Apply to those candidates with the highest scores.
Family Class
A permanent resident or citizen may apply to sponsor a family member.
Spouse / common law partner
A common law partner is someone who has been in a conjugal relationship with the sponsor and living with the sponsor for one year.
**Applies to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples.
Parents, grandparents and their dependent children
Dependent children must meet "dependent child" definition.
Orphaned dependents
Includes brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and grandchildren who are orphaned and under the age of 18.
Dependent children
Includes adopted children. Dependent children are under the age of 21 and not married or in a common law relationship. Also includes children over the age of 22 who remained financially dependent due to mental or physical disability.
Other family members
A sponsor who has no family in Canada and no family to sponsor
Humanitarian & Compassionate Grounds
The Minister of Immigration has discretion to grant permanent residency in compelling circumstances where the candidate would not fall under one of the other classes.
Hardship
The applicant must prove that they would suffer unusual, undue, undeserved and disproportionate hardship if not granted permanent residency.
Best interests of the child
The Minister must consider the best interests of any child who is directly affected by their decision because of the child's relationship to the applicant.
Caregivers
These programs require Canadian work experience in a specified caregiving profession.
Caring for children class
Two years of full-time work experience caring for a child in a home in Canada.
Live-in caregiver
Two years full-time work experience in Canada through the temporary residency Live-in Caregiver Program (see below).
Caring for people with high medical needs
Two years work experience in Canada as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, nurse aid or orderly, or home support worker.
Provincial Nominee Programs
Each province and territory have their own immigration programs. Candidates who are eligible under provincial programs are nominated to the federal government for permanent residency. Below is an overview of Provincial Nominee Programs in Nova Scotia. Note that our lawyers can assist with other provicncial nominee programs.
Entrepreneur
For experienced business owners and senior business managers who wish to start or buy a business in Nova Scotia.
International student entrepreneur
For recent graduates from a Nova Scotia university or Community College who have started or bought a business and have been running it for a year.
Skilled worker
Eligibility includes a permanent full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employr.
Nova Scotia Demand (Express Entry)
For highly skilled candidates who have a good chance of finding a job in Nova Scotia's labour market.
Nova Scotia Experience (Express Entry)
Requires at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia in a highly skilled job.
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
Requires a valid job offer from a certified employer in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland.
Fees
At CIR Law, our immigration lawyers have professional experience and expertise to carefully review your matter and advise of the best options. Our partnership with Elevay, an international organization of residency and citizenship planners, provides invaluable guidance.
Fees are assessed on a case-by-case basis depending on your circums
At CIR Law, our immigration lawyers have professional experience and expertise to carefully review your matter and advise of the best options. Our partnership with Elevay, an international organization of residency and citizenship planners, provides invaluable guidance.
Fees are assessed on a case-by-case basis depending on your circumstances. Book a free half hour consultation with one of our lawyers to discuss our fees.
Contact an Immigration Lawyer
CIR Law Inc.
5536 Sackville St., Suite 700
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 1L1
Phone: (902) 423 - 6900
Fax: (902) 704-5511
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902-423-6900