(Below is a transcription of this video)
Hi, this is Michael Niren, immigration lawyer and founder of VisaPlace.com. We we’re asked this question. What happens to my application once I file it with the government? The context of the question is we’re handling your case. You hire a lawyer. You hire a law firm to do your paper work, your visa. You’re involved with the lawyer who is helping you and their team, but once the application is filed, it’s in the government’s hands.
What Happens to Your Application After Its Filed?
So what happens? Do I have control? What’s the next step? That’s a good question. And often causes a lot of anxiety with people because they know that when it’s in the hands of the government, when your application’s in the hands of the government, there is a loss of control. It’s not as if you can call the immigration department and say, “Hey, what’s going on with my file.”
You can certainly do that with your lawyer. Hopefully your lawyer’s responsive to you when you call them or email them, but it’s not so easy when it comes to dealing with the government. So the answer is this. There is a prescribed process. There’s a process involved depending upon the nature of the visa. And if it goes to an immigration service center or an application center, they do post processing times and procedures. Obviously, it depends on the visa itself.
Visa Processing Times
Now, as we all know, we’re dealing with the government so often the processing times are not adhered to. There are delays. There are back logs. Sometimes there’s even a change in the law midway, and that could potentially impact your application. But if you are working with a law firm that is proactive, and when there is a change or is a problem that law firm will be on it and will aggressively contact the government and, obviously, inform you of every step of the way, that should reduce the anxiety and uncertainty that you’ll face after the application is submitted.
Notice of Receipt
But generally speaking, once the application is submitted, we do get a notice from the government, a notice of receipt that they’ve received the application. That’s something that they send us in writing so we have a document from them with a file number with your name on it. Often the letter will tell us what the next steps are, and then if there is an interview that’s required, we’ll get an interview notice. So each step of the way the government is supposed to notify us that the file is being processed.
Now, of course, there are some times hiccups and problems along the way, and that is the job of a law firm or the lawyer to be on that, to make sure that things go as smoothly as possible, and to inform you of every step of the way. So it’s my opinion that once the application is filed, the lawyer, the law firm does not wash his or her hands of it. You are on it. We are on it until the very end until you get your visa hopefully, and you’re on your way.
So it’s a long process in some cases in terms of applying for a visa. And it’s a good idea to have a partner, a good law firm that will partner up with you to make the process as less stressful and as painless as possible. So hopefully this has given you some comfort. If you like the video, go to www.visaplace.com and of course click like. Thanks very much.
Hire an Immigration Lawyer to Handle Your Visa Application
The immigration application process can be very difficult. These days, the rules and regulations make it increasingly difficult to qualify for a Canadian visa. Therefore, it is essential that your application is handled by an immigration professional.
At Visaplace, we have literally helped thousands and thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada or the US, so they can visit, work, study or live, and we certainly can help you too! All you need to do is use our free online immigration assessment form here or contact us here.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
