2. Get free help if you have a low income

You may qualify for a free legal aid certificate from Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) if you have a low income and a legal issue that is covered.

You can use your to hire a lawyer. You cannot use your certificate to hire a paralegal or consultant.

LAO provides certificates for some immigration problems. For example, LAO might be able to help if:

you're detained for immigration reasons
you're appealing to the because there's a against you
you're making a refugee claim or appealing a decision in a refugee claim
you're applying to the Federal Court for of a negative decision in a refugee claim
in certain situations, Canada Border Services Agency is ready to remove you from Canada

LAO might be able to help with other refugee and immigration law problems, but it depends on the situation.

LAO might give a certificate for a humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) application, but not always. You can call LAO to ask if they will give a certificate in your case.

How LAO decides if you qualify

You must give LAO information about any income, property, or savings you have so they can decide if you meet their financial eligibility rules.

LAO also reviews whether your case has merit. This means how strong your case is.

And they look at whether someone who could afford a lawyer would hire one in your situation.

Find a lawyer

If you get a certificate, you must find a lawyer who accepts it as payment. LAO's website lists lawyers approved to accept certificates. You can search by location and language.

Immigration detention

If you're in immigration detention, LAO may provide a lawyer or paralegal to represent you in your detention review hearing through the Immigration Detention Representation Program. Contact one of LAO's refugee law staff offices for help.