Client Resources · Free Checklists, Timelines, Fee Tables
Canadian Immigration Client Resources
Document checklists, processing timelines, IRCC fee tables, and step-by-step guides — all current as of 2026. Maintained by BridgePoint Law’s lead counsel Dr. Ningjing (Natalie) Zhang.
1. Document Checklists by Visa Type
📄 Study Permit Application Checklist
- Valid passport (12+ months remaining + 6 months past intended stay)
- Letter of Acceptance from Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) (mandatory since Jan 2024 cap)
- Proof of financial support: GIC CAD 20,635 + tuition
- Statement of Purpose / Study Plan
- Previous education transcripts + diploma
- IELTS / TOEFL / TEF (if required)
- Police certificate (if age 18+ and lived in country 6+ months)
- Medical exam (if applicable)
- Family information form (IMM 5645)
- IMM 1294 application form
- Application fee CAD 150 + biometrics CAD 85
💼 Work Permit (LMIA-Required) Checklist
- Positive LMIA from ESDC + job offer letter
- Resume + work experience reference letters
- Educational credentials
- Language test (if NOC requires)
- Police certificates from all countries lived in 6+ months since age 18
- Medical exam (depending on country/occupation)
- Proof of funds for initial settlement
- IMM 1295 + IMM 5707 + IMM 5645 forms
- Application fee CAD 155 + open work permit holder fee CAD 100 if applicable + biometrics CAD 85
👨👩👧 Spousal Sponsorship (Inland) Checklist
- Sponsor’s proof of Canadian citizenship/PR + status documents
- Marriage certificate or proof of common-law (12 months cohabitation)
- Relationship history: photos, communication, joint financial records, travel together
- Affidavits from family/friends attesting to genuineness
- Sponsor income proof (Option C printout from CRA) — note: no minimum income required for spouse
- Sponsor undertaking + financial evaluation forms
- Principal applicant: passport, police certs, medical, photos
- IMM 0008 + IMM 1344 (sponsor) + IMM 5532 + IMM 5669
- Fees: sponsorship CAD 85 + principal applicant processing CAD 545 + RPRF CAD 575 = CAD 1,205 + biometrics CAD 85
🇨🇦 Express Entry / PR Checklist (FSW/CEC)
- Express Entry profile (active, in pool)
- Invitation to Apply (ITA) received
- Passport (all pages)
- Language test ≤ 2 years old (IELTS General/CELPIP/TEF Canada)
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) — WES/IQAS/ICAS/MCC
- Work experience letters (employer letterhead, signed, with hours/duties)
- Police certificate from every country lived 6+ months since age 18
- Upfront medical exam (eMedical)
- Proof of funds (NOT required for CEC; required for FSW/FST)
- Personal history form, family information (IMM 5669, IMM 5562, IMM 5645)
- Photos (35x45mm) per IRCC specs
- Fees: PR processing CAD 950 + RPRF CAD 575 + biometrics CAD 85 + dependents
🛂 TRV / Visitor Visa Checklist
- Passport (6+ months valid)
- Proof of ties to home country (employment, property, family)
- Proof of funds for trip duration (3-6 months bank statements)
- Invitation letter (if visiting family) + host’s status documents
- Travel itinerary, hotel bookings, return flight reservation
- IMM 5257 + IMM 5645
- Fee CAD 100 + biometrics CAD 85
2. Processing Timeline Estimator (2026)
| Application Type | Typical IRCC Processing | Variance |
|---|---|---|
| eTA | Minutes to 72 hours | Auto-approval mostly |
| TRV (visitor visa) – typical country | 2-12 weeks | By country |
| Study Permit (with PAL) | 4-15 weeks | By country + intake season |
| Work Permit (LMIA) | 2-6 months (LMIA + WP combined 4-9 months) | High variance |
| Open Work Permit (PGWP, spousal) | 4-16 weeks | Inland faster |
| Express Entry PR (FSW/CEC) | 5-8 months from ITA | Service standard 6 months |
| Spousal Sponsorship (inland) | 12-18 months | + open WP first ~4 months |
| Spousal Sponsorship (overseas) | 12-15 months | By visa office |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | Province 3-18 months + federal PR 6-12 months | Province-specific |
| QIIP (Quebec Investor) | ~71 months total | Multi-stage |
| Citizenship Grant (after PR) | 8-13 months | + Test if 18-54 |
| H&C Application | 18-32 months | + PR processing after if granted |
| Federal Court ALJR | Leave 4-8 months + perfected 6-12 months = total 10-20 months | DOJ consent often shortens |
| IAD Sponsorship Appeal | 12-24 months to hearing | Regional |
Source: IRCC published processing times + BridgePoint Law internal tracking 2024-2026. Times exclude applicant response delays and procedural fairness letters. Not a service standard guarantee.
3. IRCC Fee Table 2026 (Government Fees Only)
| Fee | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Biometrics (per person) | $85 |
| Biometrics (family of 2+) | $170 max |
| eTA | $7 |
| TRV (Visitor Visa) | $100 |
| Super Visa | $100 |
| Study Permit | $150 |
| Work Permit | $155 |
| Open Work Permit Holder Fee | $100 |
| LMIA (employer-paid) | $1,000 |
| Spousal Sponsorship (sponsor) | $85 |
| Sponsored Principal Applicant Processing | $545 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | $575 |
| Express Entry Principal Applicant | $950 |
| Dependent Adult (PR) | $285 |
| Dependent Child (PR) | $175 |
| H&C (with PR) | $627 |
| TRP (Temporary Resident Permit) | $239.75 |
| Criminal Rehabilitation (non-serious) | $239.75 |
| Criminal Rehabilitation (serious) | $1,199 |
| Citizenship (adult) | $630 |
| Citizenship (minor) | $100 |
| PR Card Renewal | $50 |
| Federal Court Leave Filing | $50 |
| ATIP Request (per request) | $5 |
Source: IRCC published fees as of 2026. Subject to change. Does not include legal fees, third-party document costs, medical exam, language tests, ECA, translation, or notarization.
4. BridgePoint Law Legal Fees (2026)
All legal fees flat-fee retainers based on complexity. Plus 13% HST.
- Initial consultation: CAD $450 (50 minutes, applied as credit if retain)
- Prioritized consultation: CAD $650 (50 minutes, same-week scheduling)
- Hourly rate (Dr. Zhang): CAD $450/hour
- Hourly rate (assistant): CAD $200/hour
- Visitor visa / eTA: CAD $1,200-$2,500
- Study permit: CAD $2,500-$4,000
- Work permit (LMIA-required): CAD $4,000-$8,000
- Spousal sponsorship: CAD $4,500-$7,000
- Express Entry PR: CAD $4,500-$6,500
- PNP entrepreneur: CAD $12,000-$20,000
- Procedural fairness letter response: CAD $4,000-$8,000
- H&C application: CAD $6,000-$12,000
- Federal Court leave application: CAD $5,000
- Federal Court perfected application: CAD $10,000 (if leave granted)
- RPD hearing representation: CAD $6,000-$12,000
- RAD appeal: CAD $5,000-$10,000
- IAD appeal: CAD $8,000-$15,000
- ID detention review (per hearing): CAD $3,000-$5,000
- Notary (per signature): CAD $70
5. Step-by-Step Engagement Process
- Book consultation via Clio booking page or call (613) 417-1850
- Pay consultation fee (CAD $450 + HST) to confirm
- 50-minute strategy call via Zoom/Teams or in-person at Kingston/Toronto office
- Strategy memo with recommended pathway, timeline, fees
- Retainer agreement + KYC (conflict check, identity verification)
- Document collection via secure Clio Manage client portal
- Application drafting by Dr. Zhang personally — no associate hand-off
- Submission with tracking through Clio
- Post-submission monitoring: GCMS pulls, PFL response if needed
- Decision + landing/work permit activation guidance