Immigration terms can feel like a lot of jargon, a complex process and uncertainty. Here are clear, honest answers to the questions clients ask most, a starting point before we talk through your specific situation.
Felicita's practice is focused exclusively on Canadian immigration law. That spans temporary residence (open and employer-specific work permits, the International Mobility Program, study permits, and visitor visas), permanent residence and economic immigration (Express Entry, category-based selection, spousal and partner sponsorship, and Humanitarian & Compassionate applications), refugee protection and appeals, Authorizations to Return to Canada, and criminal rehabilitation and inadmissibility matters.
If you're not sure which applies to you, a consultation is the place to start.
There's no single "best" program. The right pathway depends on your goals, your education and work history, your family situation, your timeline, and any prior immigration or travel history. The purpose of an initial consultation is to map your circumstances to the options that genuinely fit, and to be honest about the realistic likelihood of each.
The Canadian immigration process can take anywhere from six months to several years, depending on the program and case type. Here's a quick overview:
Each timeline varies based on eligibility, document completeness, and background checks.
Current processing times are updated monthly on the IRCC processing-times page.
Express Entry is Canada's flagship system for selecting skilled workers for permanent residence. It manages applications under three programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.
Candidates create a profile and are ranked. IRCC then invites top-ranked candidates to apply, including through category-based draws that target specific skills Canada needs, such as healthcare, STEM, trades, and strong French-language proficiency.
Eligibility depends on the specific PR pathway. Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, family sponsorship, Humanitarian & Compassionate applications and others each have their own criteria around factors like age, education, language, work experience, and relationships.
A consultation is the most reliable way to assess which pathways you actually qualify for, rather than relying on an online estimate.
Yes. Spousal and partner sponsorship is a core part of the practice, including eligibility assessment for both sponsor and applicant, assembling strong evidence of a genuine relationship, preparing accurate and consistent forms, and guiding the application through submission and landing.
Yes, many permanent residence pathways, including Express Entry and certain sponsorship streams, can be applied for from outside Canada. Whether that's the best approach for your situation, and what it means for timing and travel, is something to work through in a consultation.
It depends on the type of permit. An open work permit lets you work for almost any eligible employer and change jobs without applying for a new permit.
An employer-specific (closed) work permit ties you to the employer, occupation, and location named on it. Changing employers generally requires a new work permit application before you start the new role.
Many economic immigration programs require proof of ability in English or French through an approved language test, with the minimum level depending on the program. Other pathways (such as some family or humanitarian streams) may not have a formal test requirement.
The required test, language, and minimum score are confirmed against the specific program you're applying under.
A Super Visa is a temporary resident visa that lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a stretch. It generally requires meeting specific conditions, including a qualifying invitation, a minimum income on the part of the host, and private medical insurance.
A consultation can confirm whether you and your family member qualify.
Fees depend on the type of matter, its complexity, and the scope of work involved. After your consultation, you'll receive a clear written retainer agreement setting out both the scope and the cost before any work begins, so there are no surprises.
Government and third-party fees, such as IRCC processing and biometrics, are separate from legal fees.
A refusal is not necessarily the end of the road. Depending on the program, options can include a reconsideration request, an appeal, judicial review, or a fresh and stronger application that directly addresses the reasons for refusal.
The first step is understanding exactly why the application was refused, which is why the refusal letter and the officer's reasons matter so much.
These cover the basics, but your circumstances are unique. The fastest way to get answers specific to you is a consultation.