4 Things to Bring to Your Initial Consultation for Canadian Immigration

You’ve just placed a call to Orange LLP and booked your initial consultation for Canadian immigration.  Chances are, you’re not sure what to expect. We understand that the immigration process can be stressful and tedious, and our lawyers will work tirelessly to advocate for you. In the days leading up to your consultation, please review this post. Based on the advice of our lawyers, we’ve compiled a list of four things you should keep in mind for, and bring to, your consultation.

• Background information: Together we will discuss your status in Canada – for example, do you currently possess, or are seeking, a student visa, or a temporary work permit? Bring all personal identification documents that state your full legal name and date of birth, and those of your family is applicable. Some photo identification is essential. You’ll need to supply documents proving other aspects of your identity as well, including your education history, work history, and any other relevant credentials.

• Bring your memory: As your lawyers, we advocate for you by helping you tell your story, but we must hear it from you first. Before your free initial consultation, take your time to remember as many details as possible, and ensure the information you’re relaying is correct. Be honest and straightforward, because if something comes up later that we haven’t prepared for, that will be detrimental to your case. If it will help, write everything down. We will ask questions to jog your memory. Remember: even if you don’t choose Orange LLP, everything shared during your free initial consultation will be confidential. We’ll keep your information for internal purposes, but we will be bound by confidentiality. Don’t be afraid if you cannot speak English: we are a multilingual law firm, with professionals able to discuss your case in Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, French, Punjabi, Hindi, Hebrew, and Italian. If necessary, we can arrange for external translators and interpreters for blind or deaf clients.

• Keep an open mind. During your consultation, your lawyer may realize that an alternative avenue is best for your immigration to Canada. It is extremely important, therefore, that you enter your consultation with an open mind. For example, your circumstances might dictate that your adult child immigrate to Canada first, and then sponsor you. We may also advise that you take an extra year to strengthen your application before you get your Canadian permanent residence card. Remember that immigration law is very discretionary, and creative solutions are often advisable and quite commonplace.

• If you have previously applied for immigration, bring all documents received from Immigration Canada, or relevant authorities, in your possession. Bring any previous applications and refusal letters. Essentially, you’ll need to bring documents that fully describe your entire immigration history, whether or not it was successful, and no matter how long ago each application was filed. This information is only relevant for people who have previously applied for immigration – individuals with no immigration history don’t need to worry.

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