When Do You Need a Student Visa Lawyer?
If you have been accepted into a Canadian university or exchange program, your next step is to apply for a student visa. To participate in one of the various study and exchange programs that Canada provides, you must apply for the visa that best suits you.
However, Canadian immigration regulations are complex and always changing. It can be challenging to decide which visa to apply for, navigate the application process, or understand the myriad bureaucratic requirements that go along with a visa application.
If you have applied for the same visa numerous times but keep getting denied, a knowledgeable student visa lawyer can help you file a successful application for a Canadian student visa.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Student Visa Lawyer in Canada?
A student visa lawyer can cost you anything between $200 and $1,000 per hour, depending on your specific situation. Depending on the services your student visa lawyer provides, you might be required to pay the following fees:
- Consultation fees range from $75 to $100.
- Service fees per hour: $150 to $300
- Form filing fees range from $250 to $800.
The price varies based on how much your student visa lawyer charges. For instance, some student visa lawyers offer a flat fee for the entire procedure, while others charge by the hour.
What to Look For in a Student Visa Lawyer
No one can deny the importance of a student visa lawyer when you are looking to get a student visa.
Given how much complexity you’ll have to sift through, your lawyer should understand the requirement criteria by immigration authorities and, sometimes, the criteria of the schools you have applied for.
In addition, restrictions and guidelines specific to each visa, embassy, and consulate must be followed for an application to be accepted or proceed. The following are a few conditions that applicants must follow:
Each visa, embassy, and consulate has its own restrictions and requirements that must be adhered to for an application to be accepted or processed. The following are a few prerequisites that candidates must meet:
- Enrollment in full at a recognized school
- Enrollment in an academic department rather than a vocational program
- One must apply to a school that is on the list of colleges that immigration authorities have approved
- A residency outside of the country must be maintained during the applicant’s study.
- Sufficient funds to cover their living expenses while they complete their schooling
How to Prepare for Your Consultation With a Student Visa Lawyer
Before selecting a student visa lawyer, it’s a good idea to speak with them and ask a few questions. You may even create a list of questions to ask to guide your decision-making. Your questions should focus on things like whether the student visa lawyer you are discussing with:
- Focuses in particular on immigration-related circumstances
- Participates in specialized immigration organizations
- Has a reputation for being reliable and defending their clients
- Has the time to take on your case and experience dealing with issues like yours.
Immigration law is frequently one of many legal specialties law firms offer.
If a lawyer’s primary area of practice is not immigration law, evolving legal requirements and increased enforcement can be unexpected to them. The strongest defense is knowledge and expertise, and committed immigration and visa lawyers know how to handle special circumstances.
Immigration law changes frequently, and new regulations are frequently implemented. Because of this, a lawyer specializing in divorce, for example, will be more versed in that area of law than in immigration law, which may not be advantageous in your case.
Where to Find the Best Student Visa Lawyers in Canada
You can find the best student visa lawyers in Canada on LegalMatch. You can also use the Canadian Bar Association to learn more and search for student visa lawyers.