I'm thrilled to share this holiday immigration success story with you!
Last week, we were retained urgently by a lovely couple who had come to Canada as students. They are a super-smart couple who managed their immigration application on their own, and did everything right.
But unfortunately, after getting their post-graduate work permits, when they filed for their Alberta Immigrant Nominee Permanent Residency, they forgot to apply for a bridging open work permit. The delays as a result of COVID affected processing times, they lost their status, and they were refused restoration.
By the time they came to us, they had COVID. Unfortunately, they had been laid off from their work, and they had no status. This was a really unique situation for us. Most of our clients are corporate or individuals who use us from the beginning of their application process. But we felt such sadness for them after being here for now almost four years that we looked into what we could do, and we basically gave them a very low price, almost pro bono, because we just felt sick for them, given how close they were to becoming permanent residents.
We worked really hard last Friday, over the weekend and on Monday, and we were able to submit an application requesting that the Alberta Immigrant Nominee PR extend their nomination and allow them to get their work permits back reinstated.
And Thursday afternoon, we got the exciting news that this couple, both of them, who are recovering from COVID, will be able to go back to work in the new year. They will be able to get on the path of completing their permanent residence and not being penalized because of the COVID delays and the timing that is taking so much longer than normal.
We're proud to practice #HappyLaw. We just love this work. This is what makes it all worthwhile. We're so grateful. So I was ringing the office success bell, and we were very very excited as a team.
What's At Risk If You DON'T Hire An Immigration Lawyer?
We're doing a lot of interesting pro bono and low bono work going into 2021, and it gives us such great immense satisfaction to be able to help people. And this is one of those stories where sometimes working with an immigration professional really does make a difference. And I didn't know if we would have been able to succeed, but I'm so grateful that we were successful for them.
Sometimes it's not worth the risk of doing it on your own. This was one of those examples and the couple totally understand that. It would have been worth doing a consultation with us or having us do their whole immigration application and making it perfect because your life is on the line.
They're a gay couple; to go back to their home country was very much not a possibility. The risk to them as a married gay couple was immense.
And all I can say is, I'm so grateful that we get to do this work. It makes it all worthwhile. And to me, this is the Christmas present for us and our firm and for our clients. We're just so grateful we can do this work at Ackah Law. I need to celebrate the success and be grateful for those opportunities to help people.
Have an Immigration Lawyer On Your Side
Don't attempt to cross the border into Canada without making sure your paperwork is in order. Immigration law is becoming more complex and challenging every day. Immigration applications can be refused due to minor oversights and omissions that delay or negatively impact your business plans. By not using a lawyer you put your business at risk.
COVID's impact on Canada immigration has affected individuals, families, big corporations and small business owners, and there can be confusion at the border or when trying to board a flight to Canada. An experienced immigration professional can help qualified travelers cross the border into Canada, and help prepare your immigration application.
