To see our website filtered by a specific destination, select the country: You are viewing content related to . To view a specific destination, . To view a specific destination, click here

Get Personalized Help from Top Immigration Lawyers

Select your destination and start your quiz qualifier now.
Begin with an immigration consultation
Understand your options and the next steps
Find the right lawyer for Canada and US Immigration

Popular Topics in Immigration

Express Entry

Permanent Residence for Skilled Workers

Work in Canada

Canada Work Visas & Permits

Family Sponsorship

Sponsor a relative through family class sponsorship

Visit Canada

For study, work or pleasure

Denied Entry to Canada

Issues with admissibility to Canada

Green Card

Permanent Residence in the US

US Work Visas

Work in the US

Family Sponsorship

Sponsor a relative to live in the US

US Visitor Visas

Visit the US for tourism, work or other purposes

Denied Entry to US

Issues with admissibility to the US

Our experienced team of Immigration Lawyers and Consultants are here to help!

Welcome to VisaPlace! Founded by Toronto immigration lawyer Michael Niren, we're your go-to resource for US and Canadian immigration. With our experienced team of immigration lawyers and consultants, we offer quality and affordable visa services. Get started on your immigration journey with a consultation today!

What our clients are saying

Immigration Support Team

test

Reena Sandhu

unnamed (2)

Sheila Singh

Profile Picture

Frank Zhang

176A9519 Final

Mansi Sanghvi

image0

Nicole Oden

Common Immigration Questions

Is there a difference between lawyer and attorney?

No. Generally speaking an attorney is a person who is a member of the legal profession while a lawyer is someone who is trained in the field of law and provides advice.

Do I need to hire an immigration lawyer?

Hiring an experienced lawyer or a law firm can help minimize mistakes and improve chance of successfully getting a visa. In many immigration situations you do not want to risk representing yourself or applying without the advice of an experienced immigration professional. Failing to work with an immigration lawyer can lead to wasted money, wasted time, and frustration.

How much does an immigration attorney cost?

The cost of hiring an immigration attorney varies depending on the services you are requesting. Typically you will pay for the processing fees which are assigned by the government and then you pay for the service of the lawyer or attorney which they will give you during the consultation. During your initial consultation with the immigration consultant be sure to ask for an estimate so that you will know how much you are required to pay.

Should I only work with an immigration lawyer near me?

Although most of our immigration lawyers are based in our office in midtown Toronto, we can help you immigrate to Canada or the US from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re in the GTA or overseas, our immigration consultants can communicate by phone or video conferencing. This allows us to help people from the comfort of their home or office. We can accommodate any client with their preferred method of communication.

What is the difference between an immigration lawyer or an immigration consultant?

An immigration lawyer acts as an advisor and counselor for foreign citizens and immigrants. Green card lawyers provide aid when dealing with visa applications, permanent residency, citizenship, and naturalization. Immigration lawyers represent their clients and help mediate communication between them and immigration authorities. They also represent their clients in an immigration hearing.

An immigration consultant is an individual who provides assistance to immigrants. This assistance can be with filing applications, filing a petition, gathering the required documentation for their application, or helping to find a translator. Canadian consultants are licensed by the IRCC, a certification all of our consultants have.

How do I start my immigration process?

If you would like to start your process but you are not ready to hire an immigration lawyer then you can fill out our free online immigration questionnaire. Here you can fill in our immigration goals and let us know a bit more about you. We will be able to tell if you are eligible for immigration then reach out to you to book a consultation.

How do I get immigration advice?

Your first step is to book a consultation with an immigration professional to start mapping out the steps to complete your immigration journey. We will help you understand you eligibility and the best path to complete your immigration goals. Book a consultation now!

Is there a difference between a US and a Canadian immigration lawyer?

Yes, the United States and Canada are two completely different countries, who both have different rules and regulations involving immigration. Our immigration lawyers have the experience and knowledge to lead you in the right direction whether you are interested in US or Canadian immigration.

Book a Consultation with VisaPlace

Discuss your options for immigrating to Canada or the US with an immigration professional.

Don’t miss anything Latest Immigration News

Canada Flag Icon Canada

Canada Flag Icon

What Is a National Identity Document?

By CaseySeptember 5, 2024
Permanent ResidencyResources
When applying for a Canadian visa or permanent residency, one of the most essential documents you'll need to provide is a national identity document. This document serves as a form of identification that verifies your nationality and citizenship. A national identity document is a government-issued document that proves your citizenship or nationality. It typically contains your personal information, such as: full name date of birth place of birth photograph signature issuing authority expiration date

Common Examples of National Identity Documents

While the specific requirements may vary depending on your country of origin, here are some common examples of national identity documents: Passport: This is the most widely recognized form of a national identity document. It is issued by the Canadian government and allows you to travel internationally. National Identity Card: Many countries like Canada also issue identit
Read More
Canada Flag Icon

Visitors to Canada Can No Longer Apply for Work Permits

By CaseySeptember 3, 2024
Working in Canada

On August 28, IRCC announced that temporary visitors in Canada cannot apply for work permits from within the country. This change reverses a policy that allowed visitors to apply for work permits without leaving Canada, which was put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic to help those who were unable to return home. The policy […]

Maple leaf from the flag of Canada Express Entry 312 August 27, 2024 Total Invitations Issued: 3300 Lowest Qualifying Score: 507

Express Entry Draw August 27, 2024 #312 – Latest CRS Score

By CaseySeptember 3, 2024
Permanent ResidencyExpress Entry Draws

Canada Express Entry Draw August 27, 2024 #312 The latest Express Entry Draw took place on August 27th, 2024, which was the 312th Express Entry Draw. This was a Canadian Experience Class draw. The draw offered: This is fifth Express Entry draw of August 2024. Canada is inviting thousands of immigrants to apply for Permanent Residency […]

Maple leaf from the flag of Canada Express Entry 311 August 26, 2024 Total Invitations Issued: 1121 Lowest Qualifying Score: 694

Express Entry Draw August 26, 2024 #311 – CRS Score

By CaseyAugust 28, 2024
Permanent ResidencyExpress Entry Draws

Canada Express Entry Draw August 26, 2024 #311 The latest Express Entry Draw took place on August 26th, 2024, which was the 311th Express Entry Draw. This was a Provincial Nominee Program draw. The draw offered: This is fourth third Express Entry draw of August 2024. Canada is inviting thousands of immigrants to apply for Permanent […]

Canada Flag Icon

What Is an AOR in Canadian Immigration: Understanding AOR Canada

By CaseyAugust 22, 2024
Permanent Residency

One important step of applying for Canadian immigration is getting an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR). This is an official document from IRCC that says they’ve received your application. The AOR is like a digital stamp – it shows the exact date your application was received. This date is very important as it can affect how long your application takes to […]

USA Flag Icon USA

USA Flag Icon

US International Student Program Updates Guidelines

By CaseySeptember 5, 2024
Study
Great news for international students! USCIS has released updates on Optical Practical Training (OPT) for students and F and M visas. These changes will be especially helpful for students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. We'll break down the key points you need to know:

More Online Learning Options for Students

You can now take an online class or 3 credits per semester and still be considered a full-time student as long as the class doesn't require any in-person attendance.

Transferring Schools Made Easier

Students can freely transfer between schools approved by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the Student Exchange Visitor Program. This applies whether you're switching programs at the same level, such as bachelor's to bachelor's, or moving to a higher level, such as bachelor's to master's.

More Time After OPT to Make Decisions

Read More
USA Flag Iconeb3 visa

Annual Cap Reached for EB-3 and EW Visas

By CaseyAugust 28, 2024
Work in the US

The U.S. State Department has announced that all available visas for the Employment-Based Third Preference (EB-3) and Other Workers (EW) categories have been exhausted for fiscal year 2024. What Are EB-3 and EW Visas? EB-3 visas are employment-based immigrant visas that allow US employers to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency. They are divided into […]

USA Flag Iconparole in place

Keeping Families Together: A Guide for Parole in Place

By CaseyAugust 21, 2024
Green CardFamily Immigration

This article provides an overview of the parole in place program, a valuable tool for eligible family members of U.S.citizens to remain in the United States while their green card applications are being processed. Starting August 19, USCIS will begin accepting the new Form I-131F, an electronic application for Parole in Place for certain noncitizen spouses and […]

USA Flag Iconus citizenship

A Guide to US Citizenship for Eligible Immigrants in 2024

By CaseyAugust 9, 2024
Green CardUS Citizenship

In light of a recent report, it’s been revealed that approximately 9 million immigrants in the United States could become citizens in 2024. This milestone represents a significant opportunity for many to fully integrate into American society and enjoy the myriad benefits citizenship offers. This comprehensive guide aims to provide an in-depth look at the […]

USA Flag IconInternational Intrepreneur

Navigating the Updated Investment and Revenue Requirements for International Entrepreneurs

By CaseyAugust 7, 2024
Work in the USInvestor Visa

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently revised the investment thresholds and other requirements under the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER). These updates aim to make it more straightforward for international entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses in the U.S. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the specifics of these […]