Preferred Areas of Practice:
A Full-Service Immigration Firm
Lyon Stern offers a full range of immigration services. With a global network of lawyers and other immigration experts, our clients can count on sound advice and creative strategies to achieve their immigration objectives.
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Fast Facts
Use the tabs to view quick facts about the types of service, and select ‘Learn More’ to access a more detailed description.
Lyon Stern is a full-service immigration law firm with a global network of talented and creative experts to provide tailored solutions.
The benefits of a team approach.
Immigration services often require a broad range of geographic and knowledge-specific expertise. Similarly situated international students will encounter different challenges based on their country of residence.
A start-up business or entrepreneur often requires the services of a management consultant, an accountant, and business attorney as well as immigration advice.
Lyon Stern offers a single point of contact for all immigration services to ensure efficient case management and strategic synergy to assist our clients in obtaining a successful outcome.
Permanent Residence
Individuals seeking permanent residence in Canada face many options and programs as potential pathways for immigrating to Canada.
Our experienced immigration counsel will assess your circumstances, determine the best pathway to achieve permanent residence, and tirelessly pursue a favorable outcome. Lyon Stern can assist with:
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Provincial Nominee Programs
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) play an essential role in Canada’s immigration system, enabling provinces and territories to address their unique economic and labor market requirements by selecting and nominating eligible immigrants. Each region operates its own PNP to target specific needs, ensuring a tailored approach to immigration.
Canada offers a wide range of PNP streams designed to attract diverse groups of immigrants, including workers, entrepreneurs, students, and investors.
Key Types of PNP Programs:
- Skilled Worker Streams: For individuals with specialized skills to fill labor shortages.
- Non-Skilled Worker Streams: For workers in essential or high-demand occupations.
- Entrepreneur and Investor Streams: For business professionals willing to invest or start businesses in Canada.
- Graduate Streams: For recent Canadian or international graduates seeking to stay and work in the region.
- Other Specialized Streams: For unique categories based on provincial priorities, such as community-driven needs.
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Working in Canada
A work permit authorizes foreign nationals to work in Canada. Nearly 500,000 work permits are granted to temporary foreign workers annually, making Canada a top choice for international job seekers. Working in Canada can also serve as a pathway to permanent immigration.
Lyon Stern is experienced in navigating the complexities of obtaining the authorization to work in Canada. Our expert counsel can assist with:
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Studying in Canada
Canada is a very popular choice for international students, however, obtaining a study permit is often considerably more difficult than merely meeting eligibility requirements.
Lyon Stern has expertise in the laws relating to study permits, including the permit process, eligibility criteria, potential hurdles, refusals, and supplementary immigration procedures. Our counsel can assist with:
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Sponsoring Family Members
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of keeping families together providing numerous sponsorship programs allowing citizens and permanent residents to sponsor eligible family members for immigration to Canada.
Lyon Stern’s immigration experts understand the complexities of the family sponsorship process and the avoiding potential pitfalls. We can assist with:
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Business Immigration
Canada offers a variety of fast-track business immigration programs for entrepreneurs, business managers, investors, and self-employed persons seeking opportunities in Canada’s diverse, fast-growing economy.
Our corporate client counsel are experienced in working with entrepreneurs, investors, and international businesses in developing strategies to navigate Canada’s complex immigration system. Lyon Stern is experienced in assisting with:
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IImmigrationServicesforCImmigration Services for Canadian Businesses
Canadian-based businesses rely on immigration services to access global talent, address labor shortages, and enhance their workforce with skilled professionals. These services help employers navigate the immigration system, ensuring compliance with regulations while streamlining the process of hiring international workers. By leveraging these services, businesses can meet their staffing needs and remain competitive in the global market.
Key Types of Immigration Services for Businesses:
- Work Permit Assistance: Guidance on obtaining employer-specific or open work permits for foreign employees.
- Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIA): Support with LMIA applications to prove the need for hiring international workers.
- Global Talent Stream (GTS): Fast-tracked processing for hiring highly skilled professionals in tech and other specialized sectors.
- Permanent Residency Programs: Assistance in transitioning foreign employees to permanent residency through programs like Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs.
- Compliance Support: Ensuring businesses meet all immigration and employment regulations to avoid penalties.
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Visitors to Canada
A visitor visa, known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is an immigration credential permitting foreign nationals to travel to and enter Canada. Unless you’re from a visa-exempt country, you’ll require a visitor visa to enter Canada, regardless of your purpose— be it as a student, temporary worker, or for leisure travel.
Our corporate client counsel are experienced in working with entrepreneurs, investors, and international businesses in developing strategies to navigate Canada’s complex immigration system. Lyon Stern is experienced in assisting with:
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Becoming a Canadian Citizen
Applying for Canadian citizenship is a significant milestone for individuals who have made Canada their home.
Citizenship grants them the rights and privileges of full membership in Canadian society, including the ability to vote in elections, obtain a Canadian passport, travel freely, pass on citizenship to children, live anywhere, and enjoy the benefits of social programs.
To apply for Canadian citizenship, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria, including:
- Permanent Resident Status: Applicants must have lived in Canada as a permanent resident for a specified period, typically three out of the five years preceding the application.
- Language Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French, Canada’s official languages, by providing evidence of language test results.
- Knowledge of Canada: Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of Canadian history, values, institutions, and symbols by passing the citizenship test.
- Residency Obligations: Applicants must meet residency obligations, including physical presence in Canada for a certain number of days within the qualifying period.
Once eligibility criteria are met, applicants can submit their citizenship application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The application process involves completing forms, gathering supporting documents, attending interviews, and taking the citizenship test.
Upon approval of the application, applicants attend a citizenship ceremony where they take the Oath of Citizenship, officially becoming Canadian citizens. Obtaining Canadian citizenship is a momentous occasion, marking the culmination of an individual’s journey to fully embrace and contribute to Canadian society.
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Refusals and Appeals
The refusal of immigration applications can occur for many reasons. Depending on the circumstance and the type of application, various approaches may be available to achieve a favorable result.
Our expert team can deal with all immigration refusals, appeals, and judicial reviews. Our experienced attorneys may appear before the Immigration Appeal Division and the Federal Court of Appeal on judicial reviews. Our appeals and refusal group of experts can assist with all immigration services including:
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Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Grounds
Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Grounds applications are a pathway for individuals who do not meet the standard eligibility criteria for permanent residency in Canada but face compelling personal circumstances.
These applications are highly complex, discretionary, and often have a high refusal rate due to the subjective nature of the decision-making process. Legal assistance is crucial in these cases to ensure the application is well-prepared, thoroughly documented, and effectively addresses all relevant factors to maximize the chances of approval.
These applications consider the hardships applicants would experience if required to leave Canada, focusing on factors like family ties, best interests of children, and unique challenges.
Key Considerations for H&C Applications:
- Personal Hardship
- Best Interests of Children
- Establishment in Canada
- Family Separation
- Health or Safety Risks
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Overcoming Inadmissibility
Inadmissibility under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) refers to situations where individuals are barred from entering or staying in Canada due to specific legal, medical, or security reasons. These provisions ensure that immigration decisions align with Canada’s safety, social, and economic interests. Understanding the grounds for inadmissibility is crucial for individuals seeking to travel, work, or live in Canada.
Key Grounds for Inadmissibility
- Criminal Inadmissibility
- Medical Inadmissibility
- National Security Inadmissibility
- Financial Inadmissibility
- Misrepresentation
- Non-Compliance with IRPA
- Organized Crime
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Responding to Procedural Fairness Letters
Procedural fairness letters (PFLs) are issued by Canadian immigration authorities when there are concerns or issues with an application that could lead to its refusal. These letters give applicants a critical opportunity to respond by clarifying, correcting, or providing additional information to address the concerns raised. The stakes are high when dealing with a PFL, as failure to respond appropriately or within the given timeline can result in the rejection of the application, potentially closing the door to opportunities in Canada.
Given the complexity of immigration laws and the serious implications of a refusal, seeking the assistance of an experienced immigration lawyer is highly recommended. Lawyers can help applicants understand the specific concerns raised in the PFL, analyze the legal and factual basis of the officer’s concerns, and prepare a well-structured, persuasive response. They ensure that all necessary evidence is presented in a clear and compelling way, eliminating ambiguities and minimizing the risk of further complications. With their knowledge of procedural fairness principles and immigration regulations, lawyers can strengthen the applicant’s case and significantly improve the chances of a favorable outcome.
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Professional Legal and Other Services
Our immigration experts and attorneys provide a broad range of consulting and professional legal services.
Lyon Stern can assist clients with:
Professional Legal Services
Additional Immigration Services
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Professional Legal and Other Services
Our immigration experts and attorneys provide a broad range of consulting and professional legal services.
Lyon Stern can assist clients with:
Professional Legal Services
Additional Immigration Services
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