faq : More than filling out forms
At Suleman & Co., we assist immigrants who wish to make Canada their home. The process of immigration involves many steps and issues. We assist our clients at every stage of the process.
After all, we believe that immigration is more than just filling forms. It is a significant life decision and one, which requires full consideration.
- We start by assessing your needs
Which is the best immigration category for you? How quickly do you need/want to have your visa approved? Are there any medical, security or criminality problems, which may make you inadmissible to Canada or delay the processing of your application? If you have a spouse and/or children, are they accompanying you and what are their needs? Are you bringing significant funds to Canada to establish a business? Will you be staying outside Canada for significant periods of time? After reviewing your needs we will establish an application processing plan for you - Implementing the plan
In our plan we work with you to gather the required documents and information so as to present your application in the best possible light. Sometimes this means gathering references, acquiring financial statements, having copies notarized for authenticity. Whatever the need, we work with you to prepare your application for submission. - Monitoring the progress of your application
Once your application is submitted we keep track of the processing of your application. From reminders to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC - the government department which processes your application), to responding to requests for more information, to preparing you for your interview (if any), we monitor who, how and when your application is being processed. - Post-decision assistance
Once a decision is made about your application, we assist you with any issues, which arise after your arrival in Canada. While our law practice is limited to Canada Immigration and Citizenship law matters, we have a network of experienced professionals who can assist you with your banking, accounting, business law, real estate and other settlement needs. If your application is not successful, we assess the reasons for denial and provide alternatives which can include filing an appeal, making additional submissions to the immigration officer involved or applying again (perhaps under a different category). As a full service immigration law firm, we have the benefit of not only assisting you with applications but also with any litigation needs that may arise.
faq : Going to Court
As a 'full service' Canadian immigration law firm, we can assist you with all of your appeal needs whenever your application is denied or if you are facing removal from Canada. Canadian immigration and citizenship laws are structured in such a manner as to often provide opportunities for appeals and for judicial reviews of the decisions made by immigration officers and others within the immigration bureaucracy.
At Suleman & Co., we have represented clients successfully at all levels of immigration tribunals. Below we have listed a sample of some of our reported' cases from a variety of immigration law areas.
- Refugee Law
In Hernandez v. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Click Here for Case Details, we successfully secured a 'stay' order from the Federal Court of Canada, on an emergency basis, to stop the deportation of a family to Honduras. This family was subsequently able to make a new application for humanitarian and compassionate consideration from within Canada. - Business Immigration
In Yazdanian v. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Click Here for Case Details, the main issue was the definition of 'entrepreneur' as contained in the former Immigration Act. Through the presentation of evidence and close cross-examination of the immigration officer who made the negative decision, we were able to win our client's case on the basis that he could provide the active management required and that 'western' business experience should not be the governing factor in assessing experience. - Constitutional Law/Aboriginal/First Nations Rights
In Watt v. Leibelt, Click Here for Case Details , our firm asserted the Constitutional rights of a trans-border First Nations person whose people's traditional territory lay on either side of the Canada/USA border. This complex piece of litigation has been in process for 13 years and has proceeded through three levels of immigration/Federal Court. - Danger Opinion/Criminality
In Alyea v. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Click Here for Case Details, we argued on behalf of our client that the 'danger opinion' issued against him for his criminal conduct had not properly considered all the evidence presented to the decision maker. - Family Sponsorship/Adoption
In Minister of Citizenship and Immigration v. Khosa, Click Here for Case Details , we defended our client’s interests in sponsoring his adopted son against an appeal filed by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
Other cases of note:
- Keymanesh v. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration - fairness of notice given to client before denying application from inside Canada for humanitarian and compassionate consideration. Click Here for Case Details
- Minister for Public Safety v. Welch and Romero - rights of detained persons to be released, Click Here for Case Details
faq : Why Hire Us?
There are many lawyers and consultants and who provide Canadian Immigration law assistance.
We think that should you require assistance with your Canadian Immigration or Citizenship law needs you should use the services of a qualified and licensed lawyer. Lawyers in Canada need a minimum level of education (usually seven years of university), must pass a licensing process (which requires a period of practical training), must maintain minimum levels of insurance and are subject to a strict complaints and discipline process by their respective law societies. Suleman & Co. is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia and carries minimum liability insurance in excess of $1 million. Click Here to Confirm Membership in Law Society of BC
There are five reasons why you may wish to consider hiring our law firm:
- Comfort
Many of our clients are well-educated professionals and businesspersons. They manage large work forces and funds but when it comes to the best interests of their Canadian immigration law needs, they do not want to do it by themselves. They want the comfort of an experienced and knowledgeable law firm assisting them with the process. Canadian immigration law can be quite complex at times, especially as new laws are created and implemented. It is important to know what your legal rights are and the correct process to follow in achieving your immigration goal. We provide the comfort you need. Think of Suleman & Co. as your private 'immigration department' - advising and helping you every step of the way to Canada. - Special Issues
Sometimes past criminal convictions, medical ailments, security issues, missing records, past failed applications, misstatements and other sensitive topics can create 'special issues' regarding your admissibility to Canada as a permanent immigrant, visitor, worker, or student. If one or more of these 'special issues' affects your case, you most likely need the services of trained and qualified lawyers at Suleman & Co. - A Shortage of Time
Time is always a valuable commodity. Many of our clients are simply too busy to initiate and follow through with their own immigration applications. At Suleman & Co. we provide the necessary commitment of time to your immigration needs so you can spend your time on other matters. - Navigating the Bureaucracy
Citizenship and Immigration Canada is a complex bureaucracy. In addition to having 'visa posts' around the world, immigration delivery networks across Canada and implementing the Government of Canada's immigration policies, CIC is also in the midst of significant changes as it implements a new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. In this maze of decision-makers and shifting policy approaches, it is important to have a navigator who makes sure that you reach your destination - the issuance of a visa of your choice. While CIC has an excellent and informative website it is often difficult to make meaning of the information provided. We understand what CIC means and can interpret it for you and in your best interests. - Multicultural Sensitivity
Immigration law is one of the most 'multicultural' areas of law practice in Canada. It requires sensitivity to the cultures, languages, customs and traditions of peoples from around the world. With our multi-lingual staff and our past experience in assisting immigrants from all over the world, we pride ourselves on our firms 'multicultural sensitivity'. Whatever your linguistic and cultural needs, we believe that we can rise to the challenge.
