Explore Your Options to Live, Work, or Settle in Canada
We are a full-service licensed Canadian immigration firm with a staff of 17 in business for over 10 years. We are happy to assist clients located worldwide with any type of Citizenship or Immigration matter, and we are proud to have secured over 7000 approvals with over a 98% success rate during the past decade.
Whether you’re expanding your business, claiming your Canadian citizenship, joining your Canadian partner, or exploring new adventures abroad, Doherty Fultz Immigration can help you find the best immigration path to Canada.
Canadian Citizenship Through Family Heritage
Could You Already Be Canadian?
Canada is on the verge of a major change in citizenship law, and for many people with Canadian ancestry this could mean an unprecedented opportunity to obtain Canadian citizenship not just through a parent or grandparent, but potentially through a great-grandparent or even earlier generations.
If your parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent was born in Canada, you might already have a claim to Canadian citizenship even if you’ve never lived in Canada.
Interim Measures and the Invitation to Apply
Until the legislation is officially enacted, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is using interim measures to address urgent cases. We are now seeing applicants being invited to apply for Canadian citizenship via a discretionary grant of citizenship in certain circumstances.
At Doherty Fultz Immigration, we are advising clients with ancestral ties to Canada, including those with great-grandparents or other earlier Canadian ancestors, to apply now.
No Canadian immigration firm has more experience with Canadian citizenship through descent. Our founder, BNI Member Cassandra Fultz, has successfully represented thousands of applications in this niche area of Canadian citizenship law throughout her 16-year career.
Submitting an application to claim Canadian citizenship during this interim period, especially with well-supported urgency or compassionate reasons, puts you in a stronger position. IRCC is actively processing these cases and already approving applications for Canadian citizenship under the interim measures before the formal changes to the law are finalized.
Sponsor Your Spouse or Partner for Permanent Residence in Canada
Bring Your Loved One to Canada
If you’re married to or in a committed relationship with a Canadian, you can be sponsored for permanent residence in Canada under the Family Class.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents are both able to sponsor family members living abroad for PR in Canada. Canadian citizens can even initiate and complete the process while living outside Canada, and relocate together with their family members once the application is complete.
There are two processes that can be used to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner: inland (In-Canada Class) Sponsorship and overseas (Family Class) Sponsorship.
The inland process is to apply for permanent residence for family members who are already physically present in Canada, such as a visitor or someone on a work permit. The inland process can also be used to sponsor someone who is in Canada without status (illegally).
The overseas process is used to obtain permanent residence for family members who are not yet physically present in Canada.
We handle everything from eligibility assessment to application preparation, ensuring your case is seamless from start to finish.
Enter Canada with a Criminal Record
Overcome Barriers to Travel and Visa Issuance
A DUI or other criminal record doesn’t have to stop you from visiting, working, or moving to Canada.
Anyone who is not a Canadian citizen can be refused entry, but there are several common reasons why they do not let someone into Canada.
The most common reason someone is refused is because they have a criminal history such as criminal charges, convictions, or even arrests where no charges have been lain. This is called criminal inadmissibility.
The most common cause of criminal inadmissibility is having been arrested for DUI / OWI / DWI.
How To Enter Canada With A DUI
When someone has been arrested for DUI, they are considered inadmissible to Canada even if they have not been formally charged or convicted (unless they have been acquitted). Even if you have never been charged or convicted of any crime, it must still be declared on any eTA or visa application to enter Canada.
DUI laws changed in Canada in December 2018. Now, DUI is considered “serious criminality”. Under the previous law, the DUI conviction could eventually fall off your record and you could be deemed rehabilitated and enter Canada after enough time has passed.
Now, if the arrest occurred since December 2018, this is no longer possible and an application must be submitted for criminal rehabilitation to enter Canada for any purpose.
Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
Entering Canada with a DUI or other criminal conviction can be done if you apply for a TRP, which is advance permission to enter Canada despite your criminal inadmissibility.
TRP applications can be made for people who have a valid reason to enter Canada, such as:
- Business Trips
- Visiting family members in Canada
- Working in Canada
- Studying in Canada
- Tourism
Enter Canada Quickly – TRP at the Port of Entry
If you know that you cannot enter Canada due to a criminal conviction, but you have just found out that you have to take an unexpected trip then you do have options.
If you are entering Canada through the land border via the United States, then you may make an application for TRP at the Canadian border if you are an American citizen OR a citizen of a visa-exempt country.
If you are considering making an application for TRP at the Canadian border, it is in your best interest to speak with a professional – you do not want to travel all the way to the Canadian port of entry with an application which was never going to be approved because it lacked vital information.
TRP for Other Crimes
People who have had arrests, charges, or convictions for any crime can apply for a TRP. The circumstances which led to the conviction and what has happened since that time are what the officer will evaluate to determine if the application is approved.
Canadian TRP applications are highly discretionary – not all applications for the same conviction are going to receive the same decision. Because of this, you want to make the best possible arguments for your case.
If you have ever been arrested, charged, or convicted of any crime, contact us to find out how this will effect your entry to Canada.
Our team specializes in Criminal Rehabilitation and Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs) to help you travel for business or pleasure without hassle.
Renew Your Permanent Resident Card – Even If You Have Not Spent Enough Time in Canada
Apply for a PR Travel Document or PR card renewal on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds with Fewer than 730 Days in Canada
All permanent residents are required to spend a minimum of 730 non-consecutive days (2 years total) inside Canada in order to maintain their PR status. If they do not, their PR status can be revoked.
However, there are several exemptions to this requirement, including
- Living outside Canada with a Canadian spouse or partner
- Working outside Canada for a Canadian company or government
- Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds for circumstances outside your control
Even if someone’s PR card has already expired, they have NOT lost their PR status legally. They may need to apply for a PR Travel Document to board a flight to Canada.
However, a PR Travel Document application carries very significant risk – if the application is refused, PR is now lost. The loss of PR can be appealed, however this is not easy to overcome.
Our office specializes in PR Travel Document applications, especially on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds, and we continue to secure approvals even for applicants who have been outside Canada for years. These applications rely heavily on legal argument as the decisions are highly discretionary. It is strongly advised to seek legal guidance before submitting a PRTD application.
Immigration Application Refusals Can Be Overcome
Refusal Rates are increasing for all visa, work permit, and study permit applications, as well as PR
Our office frequently assists applicants whose immigration applications have been previously refused. Study permit, work permit, and visitor visa refusal rates have increased significantly over the past year. Processing time for “security” and background checks have also increased exponentially, especially for applicants from China.
We have successfully overturned refusals, gotten new applications approved with multiple prior refusals, as well as compelled IRCC to decide an application which has been pending in limbo for months through a writ of Mandamus issued by the courts.
Legal representation has never been more important as caps on the number of applications now mean that your first chance may be your only chance.
Get Permanent Residence in Canada
Build Your Life in Canada
Canada offers multiple ways to obtain Permanent Residency (PR), through work, study, or humanitarian pathways. We’ll help you explore all of your options, including Express Entry, which is the Government of Canada’s online application system for permanent residency under the following four economic immigration categories:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) (through an Express Entry-aligned stream)
You may already be eligible to apply for PR in Canada through your work experience, education, and English or French language ability.
You can also work in Canada to access additional options for PR.
Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds
Who Can Apply?
H&C applications are for individuals with compelling reasons to stay in Canada, such as:
- Strong establishment in Canada (employment, education, family ties);
- Facing exceptional hardships if they are forced to return to their home country;
- Best interests of any children involved;
- Significant time spent in Canada as a temporary resident.
Key Factors for Approval on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds
Key factors considered in H&C applications include:
- Establishment in Canada: Evidence of integration into Canadian society such as employment, volunteer work, and community involvement;
- Adverse Conditions in the Home Country: Significant hardships such as a lack of medical care for a health condition;
- Family Ties: Impact on family relationships if required to leave Canada;
- Best Interests of the Child: Whether children would face hardship if the applicant is removed from Canada
This list is not comprehensive – there are dozens of factors taken into consideration by IRCC on humanitarian and compassionate cases. Each case is unique and is evaluated on its own merits by immigration officers.
Who is not Eligible to apply for PR on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds
You may not submit an H&C application if:
- You have a pending refugee claim.
- You had a failed refugee claim within the past 12 months, with certain exceptions.
- You are inadmissible to Canada for certain reasons like serious criminality or national security.
If you feel you are inadmissible or have concerns about previous applications please click below to book for a consultation:
Working Holiday Visas
Work and Travel in Canada – The Adventure of a Lifetime
Australians and New Zealanders between 18–35 years old can apply for Working Holiday Visas, allowing up to two years of open work authorization in Canada.
The International experience Canada offers three separate programs in which to pledge come to Canada, however all three programs are not available to every country. You will need to check to see which programs are available to you based on your nationality.
The three programs are:
Working holiday program
This allows individuals to apply for an open work permit. “open” that you can work for any employer you wish anywhere in Canada, excluding the province of Québec. This program is perfect if you wish to travel and work in Canada, or to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
The duration of the open work permit will be based on the agreement with your country of nationality in Canada.
For example: a citizen of Ireland is eligible to apply for a two year open work permit, whereas a citizen of Italy can apply for 6 months only.
Young professionals program
This program allows individuals to gain professional experience in the occupation. This program requires a job offer from a Canadian employer, however this job offer is LMIA exempt, which means that the employer is not required to obtain a Labour market impact assessment in order to provide this job offer. Duration of this program is dependent on the agreement between the country of nationality in Canada.
International coop program
This program allow students who have a job offer from a Canadian employer, to complete their internship in Canada as part of their educational program from the country of nationality. The duration of the work permit is for 6 months for all countries.
We’ll help you understand your eligibility, set up your application, and prepare for your arrival.
Additional Services You May Need
Other Immigration Solutions We Offer
We assist with:
- Visa Refusals & Appeals: get a professional review of your case
- Maintaining PR Status: avoid losing your residency
- Study & Work Permits – guidance for international opportunities
About Doherty Fultz Immigration
Trusted Immigration Professionals: Celebrating 10 Years in Business
At Doherty Fultz Immigration, we have our own Core Values:
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Competence
- Bravery
- Empathy
Learn more about our core values, and what they mean to us here.
We’re a fully licensed, online immigration firm helping clients worldwide achieve their Canadian immigration goals.
As proud BNI members and trusted Immigration experts for Over 10 Years, we understand business, community, and integrity.
Whether you’re exploring a new life or expanding your international footprint, we’ll help you get there.
