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How much does an Immigration Lawyer charge on average?

Average Price
$200 - $400 per hour

How much does an Immigration Lawyer charge on average?

Need help with international legal matters but not sure of the cost? Read our handy guide to find out how much an immigration lawyer will charge depending on the service you require.

What is an Immigration Lawyer?

Immigration lawyers are highly skilled professionals who are qualified in helping people become citizens of a particular country. They arrange visas so that people can live, work, study or invest in the country. As part of this, an immigration lawyer can also fight the case of someone who is being deported. Also, they can help people obtain citizenship through naturalization. 

How much does an Immigration Lawyer cost? 

It’s difficult to give an exact figure for the cost of an Immigration Lawyer as the price can vary widely depending on the professional’s experience and your requirements. To give you a rough idea, we’ve calculated the average cost for an Immigration Lawyer across Canada: 

Average cost (per hour) $200 - $400

Factors influencing costs 

If your legal matter relates to the right to live in a particular country, then by choosing an immigration lawyer you are already on the right track. However, it’s important to know that the overall cost of hiring an immigration lawyer can vary significantly depending on the service you need. 

Let’s take a look at some common immigration lawyer services for entering Canada and their average costs: 

  • Work and study permits 

  • Permanent residence application 

  • Canadian citizenship - naturalization 

  • Asylum appeal 

  • Residency obligation appeal 

  • The individual lawyer 

Average cost of different Immigration Lawyer services in Canada
Type of serviceHighest average price (in total) Lowest average price (in total)
Work permit$8,000$3,000
Student visa$5,000$3,000
Permanent residence application$7,500$1,000
Canadian citizenship (naturalisation)$4,000$2,000
Asylum appeal$3,500$2,000
Residency obligation appeal$15,000$10,000

The most expensive service is a Residency Obligation Appeal, which can be as much as $15,000

Work & study permits

If you are looking to work in Canada and do not have settlement rights then you will require a work permit. This is going to allow you to work and live in the country freely. Certain jobs do require a work permit. This includes being a public speaker, a foreign athlete, a performing artist or an airline worker.

If you are a full-time international student, you are not required to have a work permit. But you will require a student visa.

Permanent residence application

If you are not a Canadian citizen, you can apply for permanent residence status. This allows you to legally live in Canada permanently and to work and study anywhere in the country. You can also have access to social benefits and apply for Canadian citizenship.

The average permanent residency assistance can cost between $1,000 to $7,500.

Canadian citizenship - naturalization

When you have lived in Canada for a full three years and you already have permanent resident status, you can apply for citizenship. This process can be easier with a Canadian immigration lawyer. A 30-minute consultation can cost from $75 to $300. A citizenship application will cost $2,000, with a citizenship eligibility review costing $400.

Asylum appeal

Granting asylum in another country is usually related to the need to flee your home country due to security concerns. As this issue is the most serious, an immigration lawyer will normally be needed to help prove your case. The fees can be as low as $2,000 but can range to $3,500. The actual cost will depend on the complexity of the case and how many family members wish to claim asylum. 

Residency obligation appeal

If you have been refused permanent residency in Canada, there are processes in place to help you appeal this decision. This must be raised within 60 days of the refusal. With the help of a professional immigration lawyer, this can cost up to $15,000.

The individual Lawyer

The experience of the lawyer, whether they work on a freelance basis or as part of a law firm and their location will all impact the cost of hiring their services. If the case is extremely complex and involves several family members, then this will require more hours of work for your immigration lawyer. It’s important to discuss all costs involved upfront so that you and your immigration lawyer are on the same page. 

Is it worth hiring an Immigration Lawyer?

When it comes to having the legal right to live, work, study or invest in Canada, it is well worth having a qualified expert on your side. After all, the legal system is complex and most people do not know nearly enough to be able to win a case without help. An immigration lawyer will be well versed in your particular issue, and so although they are expensive to hire, will give you the best possible chance at winning your case. 

From asylum applications to having the right to study in Canada, find Immigration Lawyers to help fight your case on Bark.

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