I used to spend a lot of time in various immigration forums, and the same questions would always pop up.
“Paying the right person—an immigration lawyer, for instance—can speed up the process”
No immigration lawyer or consultant is needed to apply for a tourist visa, a work visa or permanent residence in Canada. Hiring an immigration representative is not a required step.
Although the process looks complicated at first, most immigrants handle it alone. Forms and application kits are available online from the Government of Canada for free.
Still, many immigration representatives promise they can improve your chances of getting permanent residence in Canada. Some even claim your application is processed faster when you use their services.
Can they really improve your chance of being approved for permanent residence? Meh. Sure, they probably know how to fill up paperwork and reduce the chance of making mistakes (which can delay the process). However, eligibility criteria are transparent. If you’re not eligible in the first place, you’re wasting money hiring an immigration lawyer or consultant.
One thing is for sure, your application won’t be prioritized or processed faster. Applications are processed on a first come first serve basis, with some possible exceptions (refugees, for example).
Immigrating to Canada isn’t cheap—you will have to pay many different fees for your application, the right of permanent residence, medical exams, etc. Hiring a representative can easily double your budget.
I would only advise seeking professional advice if your case is particularly complicated—and don’t get scammed, choose your representative carefully.
According to the Government of Canada: “the only representatives who may charge a fee to represent or advise you on immigration and refugee matters with the Government of Canada are […] lawyers members […] of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society, immigration consultants who are members […] of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, and notaries who are members […] of the Chambre des notaires du Québec. The Government of Canada will not deal with non-authorized representatives who charge a fee for their service.”
Do some research before hiring an immigration representative:
- Check if the immigration representative is licensed to represent you or provide immigration advice.
- The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants also provides a list of current and revoked members.
- Read these tips on how to choose an immigration representative.
- Bookmark How to file a complaint about your representative
- Check out this FAQ on immigration representatives.
“Getting married to a Canadian citizen means getting a Canadian passport”
Browse any immigration forum with the info “Canadian citizen” or “permanent resident” in our profile—you’re sure to receive dozens of private messages. “you are so pretty, I love you, let’s get married!” or “u r sexy pls IM me I want come Canada.”
Of course, you must be sexy, but there’s another reason why you’re suddenly such a good catch. Many people seem to think that if you marry a Canadian citizen, you’ll automatically be granted some kind of immigration visa or even Canadian citizenship.
Ah. I wish. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy.
Being married to a Canadian citizen (or being a common-law partner) doesn’t give you any special rights. I’ve heard the US has or had “fiancé(e) visa”—or is that a myth too?—but Canada definitely doesn’t.
If you want to live with your spouse, partner or lover in Canada, you will have to apply for permanent residence just like everybody else. You will probably be eligible under the sponsorship category and the process will take a few months or even a few years. The application and the relationship must be strong because the Government of Canada is keeping an eye on “marriage of convenience.”
So go ahead, marry a Canadian if you’re in love (I did just that!) but remember this is not a backdoor to get permanent residence in Canada.
Good post I don’t even know how my parents immigrated here. It seems like the system is quite complicated.
Oh, you should also mention that Quebec’s immigration system is different than the rest of Canada (after all, Quebec likes to be different).
i read once that one can buy canadian citizenship. when hong kong changed to chinese rule, british columbia let HK citizens immigrate if they had “x” amount of dollars to bring with them.
or is that another rumor?
Very good post about an interesting theme!
I’m glad about the thing you said about lawyers or consultants. Isn’t is so in most matters of like – that they try to make money on others and their feeling of uncertainties?
Also interesting to read about ‘no special rights’ if you are married. That was the only way for me to ‘import’ my Diane from the US to Norway you know. Mind you; I did it for love 😆
?: Are most of the immigrants now from the US? I guess some are from Europe too – some from Norway I might know? 🙂
Now this is information that is not only interesting but also possibly useful with respect to my situation. Thanks in advance for the info!
Very nicely written! I agree wholeheartedly with both of your points. In our situation I can’t imagine what a lawyer could have done to help us speed things up; we knew our situation better than anyone. And in support of the other point about marrying a Canadian – well I’ll tell you, it was a painstaking and difficult process for us (I’m Canadian, husband from Turkey), so yes, it sure doesn’t make it easier. This is a great informative part of your website!
Thank you for an informative post, and have a good weekend.:)
There was a time in late 2004 when Susan and I talked semi-seriously about moving to Canada where people and politics seem more rational. With the election of Mr. Obama however, we are less keen on moving. Maybe there is hope.
Hi Zhu. I agree that an immigration lawyer will not help speed up the process. It is a big waste of money. But there are people who can help you speed up the process though. In my case to speed up the process of my application, I use the Six Degree of Separation theory. Just look for someone who knows the Immigration Minister, a Labour Minister or a President of a Crown Corporation who has the power and MUST BE WILLING AND ABLE to help you speed up the process. With their help, your application will definitely be prioritized. You will be able to migrate to Canada in less than a year.
@Bluefish – Thank for mentioning! I will definitely add a post on “how to immigrate to Quebec” in this series.
@Seraphine – I have never heard of that! I know you can “buy” citizenship in some Caribbean island of you invest. I should know about HK from my studies but I don’t remember anything like that.
@RennyBA – Canada is a true melting pot. I think most immigrants currently come from Asia and South East Asia, but the previous wave was mostly from Europe. I don’t think they are so many immigrants from the USA, mostly because I think they can get a work visa more easily. Just my two cents!
@Linguist-in-Waiting – Glad I can help! Don’t hesitate to email me any question you have.
@Brenda – Thank you! I went through the same process, except I’m the immigrant, also married to a Canadian. I know what you mean… it’s a tough process, having to prove your relationship is real!
@Celine – Thank you!
@Bill Miller – The USA is a great country — it has ups and downs but I would stay right now. I’m sure change is on the way, even though Obama is not messiah!
@Nelson – Hi and thanks for your comment! I’m sorry to disagree though 😉 I did heard of MP helping if a case was really stuck, but unfortunately, when it comes to immigration, pretty much each case if a priority 😉 I got my Permanent Residence in exactly 4 months — no help received! However, it’s good for you.
Excellent post Zhu!
Merci beaucoup pour toutes ces informations. C’est super intéressant et ça va profiter à beaucoup de monde. Je connais moi-même des personnes d’Amérique Latine (mexicains surtout) qui se posent plein de questions, je leur conseillerai de lire ton blog (et je les aiderai pour ceux qui ne comprennent pas bien l’anglais).
C’est tout simplement super et très généreux de ta part de nous éclaircir un peu toutes les informations qui nous arrivent de toutes parts et qui se mélangent parfois.
Hi Zhu,
This series will be useful. Many people are un informed (or worse – ill informed) about the process. CIC website is very simple to understand but there is a huge fear and lack of self confidence. I became a perm resident last year.
cheers, Priyank
Yes, indeed very useful especially when you have gone through the process 😀
Thanks for sharing, I have no intention but who knows what lies ahead for my children 😉
@Caroline – Thank you!
@Anna – Gracias! J’aurais aimé traduire l’article en espagnol, chinois etc. mais je ne veux pas massacrer la grammaire trop! Donne-moi le lien s’il est publié sur Canadamigos, je l’ajouterai en bas de l’article. 😉
@Final_Transit – It seems simple once you are done with the process, but I remember a few sleepless nights preparing the paperworks… after that, it’s easy 😉 Congrats on your “new” PR!
@shionge – You just want an excuse to visit Canada again, don’t you! 😉
Dear Zhu, Gud day! Good series .Thanku.
Any info on other types of visas like work visa,student visa ?
Hi Zhu, Its very kind of you to spend your valuable time guiding the needed. Thanks zhu..
Something very important that many people do not realize is that you need to spend time researching the subject and gathering the papers, one of the advantages of getting a professional to do that for you, is that you have somebody holding accountable for your process, at least to be calling them to know how things are going, most of the people are procastinators and if they dont hire somebody they would not be able to get the process done
Hi there,
Indeed it is true that many immigration consultants claim that they “can help you speed up the process“, but this is less and less true, fortunately. Members in good standing of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants are prohibited from making such statements. Rule No 11 of the CSIC Code of Professional Conduct is very clear: “an Immigration Consultant shall not provide false or unrealistic expectations as to either results or processing times.” If you hear or see an authorized representative making such a statement you are strongly encouraged to advise their regulatory body.
About the marriage-for-a-visa myth, though it is true that a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor a foreign national after getting married, let us remember that immigration officials were not born yesterday and they have seen more than one attempt from people getting married for the benefit of a visa. If you try to fool the canadian authorities into a fake marriage for the sake of a visa, consequences can go as far as being prohibited from entering Canada for many years. Besides there is no need to try to immigrate the wrong way, it is an unnecessary risk. There are dozens of immigration programs for you to qualify and none will be more complicated or costly than going through the process of a fake marriage.
Hello, I am from Nigeria, please I want to migrate to Canada with my wife and three kids. How can I please start this processing on my own without middle-man? and which program is faster and perfect for a family.
All the info is online, canada.ca.