The PBA Expertise in Canadian Immigration Law
Hiring an immigration lawyer in Montreal when you are preparing an important application means far more than administrative help: it means having your project understood, structured and defended by a team that knows Canadian immigration law down to its finest details.
OUR SERVICES IN IMMIGRATIONSince 1993, our immigration law firm in Montreal has supported every type of applicant through the Canadian immigration process:
- Foreign workers, temporary workers and international students
- Families pursuing sponsorship and family reunification, asylum seekers and foreign nationals
- Foreign physicians and foreign caregivers who wish to practise in Canada
- Business people: entrepreneurs, investors and self-employed workers
- Canadian companies recruiting internationally
We handle cases in Quebec, across the rest of Canada and in the United States.
Temporary or permanent immigration, work permits, study permits, citizenship, travel documents, disputes with the authorities: every immigration application receives a custom-built legal strategy. Our approach combines rigour, plain-language guidance and genuine care. We take the time to listen, to explain each step, and to defend your interests with the diligence your immigration project deserves.
Our support process rests on five steps:
- An initial consultation to understand your situation;
- A preliminary review of your file;
- A personalized strategy;
- Preparation of the complete application;
- Follow-up of your file through to the authorities' final decision.
At every step, our experienced, bilingual immigration lawyers give you the peace of mind of full support in French, English, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin or Russian.
Why choose an immigration lawyer rather than a consultant?
Only a lawyer is authorized to represent you before the Federal Court and the Immigration Appeal Division if your application is refused. Our online consultations by videoconference make this service accessible wherever you are, and our lawyers can also provide a document review service if you are preparing your own application.
Entrust your projects to experts who have proven themselves: immigrating to Canada is our expertise. Our personalized approach and turnkey service have a single objective — the success of your application.
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Sports Law: Representation, Arbitration and Sports Governance
Patrice Brunet Avocats is a leading Canadian sports law firm. We provide high-level legal services to athletes as well as to sports federations and associations: contract review and negotiation, selection disputes, representation before anti-doping authorities, harassment proceedings, governance, mediation and arbitration.
OUR SERVICES IN SPORTS LAWMe Patrice Brunet has been an accredited arbitrator with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) since 1995 and with the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) since 2002.
To reach your goals in the world of sport, aim for excellence with PBA.
Arbitration before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the SDRCC, sports governance, and representation of athletes and federations.
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International Recruitment:
Turnkey Services for Businesses
Our experienced, multidisciplinary immigration team offers Canadian employers turnkey international recruitment services. We cover needs analysis, the professional selection of foreign workers, the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) when one is required, work permit applications and employer compliance.
A first meeting is offered free of charge to businesses that wish to explore a collaboration.
Our Immigration Services — Permits, Permanent Residence and Canadian Citizenship
Our firm supports clients across the full range of provincial and federal immigration programs. Here is an overview of the main applications we handle every day.
Work Permits and the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
Open work permits, closed work permits, LMIA exemptions (categories A75, C10, C41, C61), the Working Holiday Visa and International Experience Canada (IEC) with its Working Holiday, Young Professionals and International Co-op Internship streams, and work permit renewal applications: we support foreign workers and Canadian employers at every stage of the International Mobility Program (IMP) and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, including employer compliance and compliance inspections.
Study Permits and the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)
First application, extension, transition to a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), Working Holiday Program or another transitional permit: we guide international students and recent graduates through the combined requirements of the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and the federal study permit — two distinct but necessary documents. We also support graduates toward the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ) when permanent residence becomes the goal.
Permanent Residence, Express Entry and the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
We build the path best suited to your profile among the main permanent residence programs:
- Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (federal)
- the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), which has replaced the regular PEQ
- the Global Talent stream for highly skilled workers
- family sponsorship, family reunification and humanitarian and compassionate considerations
- the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) and permanent resident status
Once your status is obtained, we also handle the renewal of your permanent resident card, travel documents and the issuance of a new permanent resident card.
Canadian Citizenship and Certificate of Citizenship
Once the residence requirements are met, we prepare and submit your citizenship application, support you through the citizenship interview and test, and handle applications for a Canadian citizenship certificate, travel documents and family reunification for those who are already citizens but lack documentary proof.
Asylum Claims, Family Sponsorship and Visitor Visas
Asylum claims and proceedings for Convention refugees and protected persons, spousal or family member sponsorship, visitor visas, business visas, the Super Visa for parents and grandparents, and the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): we cover the full range of administrative situations. Our lawyers also step in when an application is refused, in removal proceedings, or in administrative appeals before the Immigration Appeal Division.
U.S. Immigration: Work Permits and Green Cards
Through a dedicated U.S. immigration counsel, we also support our clients in obtaining U.S. work permits and green cards. This is a rare expertise within a single firm: a North American immigration file managed entirely under one roof.
The DNA of Patrice Brunet Avocats: Rigour, Innovation and Efficiency
Established in 1993, Patrice Brunet Avocats is a leading firm in immigration and sports law. Our firm is based in Montreal and our lawyers are members of the Quebec Bar. Me Patrice Brunet is an arbitrator with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the SDRCC, and a Certified Corporate Director. His practice combines deep knowledge of Canadian and Quebec immigration legislation, experience before the Federal Court of Canada, and a regular presence in the media as an expert. Thirty years of experience have enabled our team to successfully carry through thousands of immigration applications in a constantly changing environment.
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Our team of immigration lawyers brings together eleven people, including seven rigorous, bilingual and experienced lawyers. We work in six languages (French, English, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin and Russian) to offer a truly multilingual service to an international clientele. We regularly publish immigration news articles, a podcast (“Le Code Brunet”) and a newsletter to share our expertise and keep our clients informed of regulatory changes.
More than thirty years of expertise in immigration law, sports law and international recruitment, across Quebec, Canada and the United States.
850+
clients supported
3000+
immigration files handled
250+
legal consultations per year
30+
years in business
Book an Appointment with Our
Immigration Lawyers Today
Our lawyers are available for you today. Whether your case is simple or complex, whether it is a first
immigration project in Canada, an urgent immigration procedure or a strategic move for your business,
we will be glad to advise and guide you with rigour, clarity and care.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Role of an Immigration Lawyer
Find quick answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding our services and immigration procedures in Canada.
What is the difference between an immigration lawyer and an immigration consultant?
An immigration lawyer is a member of the Bar and is therefore bound by a strict code of ethics, professional liability insurance and a compensation fund. A lawyer can represent you before the Federal Court of Canada and the Immigration Appeal Division. Immigration consultants cannot. This distinction becomes critical in the event of a refused application, an appeal, a compliance inspection, removal proceedings or a complex dispute with IRCC or MIFI authorities.
How much does a consultation with an immigration lawyer in Montreal cost?
Our consultations are offered at a transparent and accessible rate, published directly on the booking page and on our immigration, sports law and recruitment pages. The first consultation includes a preliminary review of your file, an assessment of your situation and the definition of a personalized strategy. You know exactly what to expect before you book an appointment with an immigration lawyer, with no hidden fees or surprises. For businesses, a first exploratory meeting is offered free of charge.
Can an immigration lawyer represent clients anywhere in Quebec?
Yes. Our office is located in Outremont (Montreal), but we systematically offer online consultations by videoconference and we handle cases throughout the province of Quebec, in every Canadian province and in the United States. Geographic distance has no impact on the quality of our support, on the administrative steps, or on your file's processing times. We also present information webinars for immigrants and businesses.
What services does an immigration and citizenship lawyer offer?
An immigration and citizenship lawyer steps in at every stage of your file:
- Assessing your profile and choosing the immigration program best suited to you
- Preparing and fully submitting your application (permit, permanent residence, citizenship)
- Representing you before the administrative authorities, the Immigration Appeal Division and the Federal Court of Canada
- Defending your file in the event of a refusal, an appeal or a complex procedure