Consultations
A Complete Guide for Clients
You can book a consultation with an immigration lawyer to get professional answers to your questions. Below, we've addressed everything clients typically ask before scheduling their first appointment.
What Is a Consultation?
A consultation is, first and foremost, a conversation – built around your questions and concerns. You can raise any topic related to visas, immigration, or your specific circumstances, and have a detailed discussion with a lawyer to clarify everything that matters to you.
By the end of the session, you will have a clear understanding of the options available to you – whether that's immigrating to Canada, obtaining a visa, or pursuing another immigration pathway. The lawyer will explain what steps to take, outline expected timelines, and provide a cost estimate for each stage of the process. You will leave the consultation informed and equipped to make well-considered decisions about your immigration journey.
Think of It Like Visiting a Doctor
Just as a doctor examines symptoms and test results to arrive at a diagnosis, an immigration lawyer assesses your situation by asking targeted questions to understand your individual needs. Both are experts in their field, equipped with the knowledge and experience to guide their clients toward the best outcome.
And just as a doctor might recommend preventive measures to maintain your health, a lawyer can suggest a strategy that helps you avoid unnecessary complications in the immigration process.
Assessing Your Path to Permanent Residence
For many clients, the primary goal of a consultation is to identify the most suitable path to permanent residence in Canada. During the conversation, you describe your situation while the lawyer asks clarifying questions and walks you through the relevant immigration programs. Together, you evaluate multi-step strategies, weigh the advantages and drawbacks of each option, and narrow the field to the pathways that best match your circumstances and goals.
Why Consult a Lawyer?
A consultation is valuable because it provides efficient, tailored solutions for your specific situation. A qualified lawyer can identify options you may not have known existed.
I spent a lot of time researching immigration to Canada – eligibility criteria, programs, including provincial programs in every province. I was sure I knew all the options available to my family. I just needed to clarify a few things, so I booked a consultation with Lawpoint. Not only did I get answers to every question I had, but I also learned about an immigration pathway I had never read about or even knew existed. I regret not reaching out sooner – time is precious in the immigration process.
An immigration lawyer's knowledge and experience are extensive. A qualified professional understands far more about immigration processes than any individual client could research on their own. This allows the lawyer to flag potentially costly mistakes that could derail your application, and to find non-obvious opportunities that can accelerate and simplify the process. These are the reasons a professional consultation is essential when navigating immigration matters.
How Consultations Work
Booking and Format
Consultations are booked through our website. Choose a duration, select a date and time, and complete the payment. You'll receive a confirmation email with a link to a Google Meet session. In most cases, consultations are conducted by voice only (no video).
Scheduling
From the time of payment, consultations are typically scheduled within 2 to 4 business days, depending on the lawyer's availability and workload. You can check open dates on the booking page calendar.
Available Times
Consultations are held on business days during midday hours in the Toronto time zone. The booking calendar displays times converted to your local time zone.
These hours are convenient for clients in both North America and Europe. We try to be flexible and are happy to consider alternative times when necessary, subject to the lawyer's availability.
Preparing for Your Consultation
When Should I Get a Consultation?
The earlier the better. Consulting a lawyer at the beginning of your immigration journey can help you avoid costly mistakes, identify the right programs for your situation, choose the most efficient pathway, and save time and money by avoiding the wrong approach. If you've decided to pursue permanent residence in Canada, a consultation can deliver immediate value.
What Should I Prepare?
Nothing beyond your questions. You don't need to bring or prepare any documents – their main function is to formally confirm certain facts, and that isn't what a consultation is for. The goal is to discuss your questions and find solutions, not to review evidence.
During the session, the lawyer will ask follow-up questions to better understand your circumstances. This helps pinpoint the most effective solutions for your situation.
Which Programs Are Covered?
Although our practice is based in Toronto (Ontario), we can advise on most Canadian immigration programs. The exception is certain rare cases, primarily Quebec immigration programs.
What If I Know Nothing About Immigration?
A consultation is suitable even for those who are just beginning to explore the topic. If you don't know where to start or what options are available, the lawyer will walk you through the fundamentals – the key principles, stages, and requirements related to your potential move to Canada.
How Detailed Will the Answers Be?
The level of detail depends largely on the nature of your questions and your individual circumstances. We aim to provide precise, specific answers whenever possible. In some cases, however, only general guidance can be offered – for example, if current eligibility requirements aren't met and the process can only begin later, predicting exact conditions and outcomes may not be feasible. That said, the lawyer will do everything possible to give you the most complete and practically useful information available.
Additional Questions
Can Others Attend the Consultation?
Yes. Multiple participants are welcome to join. For example, a spouse and partner, or an employee and employer, can both be present on the call. This allows all parties to receive information firsthand and ask their own questions.
How Do I Choose Between 30 and 60 Minutes?
We offer consultations of 30 and 60 minutes. If you have specific questions – for instance, about a particular immigration program – a 30-minute session is usually sufficient.
A 60-minute consultation is ideal for exploring multiple options, developing an immigration strategy, or discussing complex matters such as business immigration, dealing with refusals, obtaining different types of visas for several family members, and similar cases.
Are There Questions You Cannot Answer?
Occasionally, yes. Some questions require a personal decision by the client or fall outside the scope of legal advice. For example:
Which college program should I choose to get a study permit? – The lawyer cannot choose a program for you, as that decision depends on your personal interests, educational goals, and career ambitions.
Which immigration program is the easiest and fastest? – Each program has its own requirements, advantages, and limitations. The lawyer can assess your eligibility, but the choice always rests with the client.
Should I move to another province to improve my chances? – This depends on factors such as employment prospects, family situation, and finances, which are beyond the scope of legal advice.
Even when the lawyer cannot give a direct answer, you will receive all the information you need to make an informed decision on your own.
Confidentiality
All consultations are protected by solicitor-client privilege. This means that the contents of your conversation and the matters discussed will not be disclosed to any third party without your permission. You can be confident that your personal information and the details of your case will remain private and secure.