The cost of an immigration lawyer in BC has two parts: the government fees you pay to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the lawyer's own fee. The government fees are published. The lawyer's fee depends on the matter. This article lists what IRCC charges, explains how lawyers usually bill, describes what makes one file cost more than another, and gives you questions to ask before you pay anyone.
What you pay IRCC
IRCC sets its fees, and they are the same whichever lawyer you hire, or if you hire none. IRCC's fee list, last modified on July 2, 2026, shows these amounts for common applications.
| Application | IRCC fee |
|---|---|
| Sponsor your spouse or partner | $1,260 |
| Sponsor your spouse or partner, without the right of permanent residence fee | $660 |
| Include a dependent child in a sponsorship | $180 per child |
| Biometrics | $85 per person |
| Study permit, including extensions | $150 per person |
| Work permit, including extensions | $155 per person |
| Permanent residence application through Express Entry, including the right of permanent residence fee | $1,590 |
Many applications also need a medical exam or police certificates, and some need certified translations. You pay for those separately.
How immigration lawyers charge
Lawyers quote either a flat fee for a defined piece of work or an hourly rate. A flat fee suits an application with a clear scope, such as a study permit extension. Hourly billing suits work with no fixed end, such as a file that needs several rounds of correspondence with IRCC.
Ask what the fee covers. A quote should say whether it includes preparing the forms, reviewing your supporting documents, submitting the application, and answering IRCC's requests after you apply. Government fees and third-party costs such as translations are usually billed separately, and a clear quote lists them apart from the legal fee.
Pacific Point Law runs free 15-minute virtual consultations on Google Meet, in English, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi. [VERIFY: state how the firm quotes fees for sponsorship, study permit and work permit files, and add typical ranges if the firm is willing to publish them.]
What makes one file cost more than another
The price follows the amount of work the file needs. These factors change it most:
- Whether this is a first application or a new attempt after a refusal.
- How many family members are included.
- How many documents need translating or explaining.
- Any history that raises questions about admissibility, such as a past refusal or a criminal record.
- A short deadline, for example a permit that expires soon.
Work after a refusal, such as a reconsideration request or a court challenge, is usually quoted as a separate piece of work.
Who can charge you for immigration advice
IRCC lists who is authorized to represent you. Consultants who are members of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants can, and so can lawyers who are members of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society. Notaries who belong to the Chambre des notaires du Québec are also authorized, and so are paralegals in Ontario who belong to the Law Society of Ontario. IRCC's page says: "If they are not members in good standing, you should not use their services."
Check standing before you pay. For a lawyer in BC, use the Law Society of BC's lawyer directory. For a consultant, use the College's public register at college-ic.ca.
How to compare quotes
Ask each firm the same questions:
- What does the fee include, and what is billed separately?
- How long do you expect the matter to take?
- Who will handle my file day to day?
- What happens to the fee if IRCC refuses the application?
- Is work after a refusal included, or quoted separately?
Get the answers in writing before you pay.
Clients in Kelowna and the Okanagan
IRCC's fee list has one set of amounts for everyone, so the government fees are the same in Kelowna as in Surrey. Consultations can be held by video, which means you do not have to travel to the Lower Mainland. For more on immigration help in the Okanagan, read our guide to immigration help in Kelowna and the Okanagan.