4. Get other free or lower cost legal services if you qualify

Other organizations also help with refugee law matters. For example, they may be able to help if you cannot afford to hire a lawyer and do not qualify for help from Legal Aid Ontario.

Here are some organizations that help with refugee matters. There may also be more organizations that can help.

Newcomer Legal Clinic

Newcomers who have a low income or face other barriers in Thunder Bay, Kenora, and Rainy River Districts may be able to get free help with refugee, immigration, and citizenship law. Apply online or call 807-346-7800.

Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic

In Toronto, this Clinic offers free legal services to women and gender-diverse people who have experienced gender-based violence. They give immigration and refugee law help if you're fleeing gender-based violence, your spousal sponsorship broke down, or you're separating your claim from your abusive partner. Call 416-323-9149 or complete the intake form.

Muslim Legal Support Centre (MLSC)

MLSC gives free immigration law advice to Muslims with low to modest incomes. Complete the intake form, or call 416-350-2914.

The 519 Legal Advice Clinic

2SLGBTQ+ community members can get 30 minutes of free legal advice by phone or online, including about immigration and refugee law with a focus on sexual orientation and gender identity. Complete the intake form, email LegalClinic@The519.org, or book a call.

JusticeNet

JusticeNet helps people with modest incomes find legal professionals who offer reduced fees based on your income and family size. Registration requires a small fee.

ABLE2

If you live in the Ottawa or Champlain region and have a disability, ABLE2 may refer you to a lawyer or paralegal for up to 3 hours of free legal advice in any area of law. They cannot help with urgent matters. Book online, call 613-761-9522 extension 452 or 453, or email reachlegalreferral@able2.org.

Ontario Legal Information Centre

Anyone in Ontario can get a meeting for 30 minutes of free legal information from a lawyer by phone or online, in English or French. Book online or call 1-844-343-7462.

Law Society Referral Service

Fill out the online request form to get the name of a lawyer that you can speak with for free, for up to 30 minutes. You can ask for a lawyer who speaks your language or accepts legal aid certificates.

Childhood Arrivals Support and Advocacy Centre of Canada (CASA)

CASA gives free legal help to Ontario residents under age 25 who came to Canada as children and have no or temporary immigration status and a low income. Email info@casacentre.ca.

Centre for Refugee Children

This Centre provides free services, including legal information, for refugee and newcomer children who are unaccompanied or separated from parents, or whose families have complex needs.

For people in the United States (U.S.)

If you're thinking of seeking safety at the Canada-U.S. border, get legal advice before going to the border. The Canada-US Border Rights Clinic offers free legal advice and referrals. Email info@canadaborderclinic.org, call or text 1-289-273-6466, call toll-free 1-855-621-2060, or use the online form.