How to Work and Immigrate to Canada as a Lawyer?

How to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer?

The process you must follow to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer could vary by your conditions and nationality. The type of degree you have is also a determining factor. But these are the general steps that you must follow:

Step 1. Determine whether you are eligible

The first step you’d better pass is to determine whether you are eligible. It takes a long time and effort to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer. So you’d better look before you leap to know you can fulfill the requirements and are qualified.

You can read the section above to know the requirements and go through this part to know the whole process you must follow.

Step 2. Fulfill the requirements

You must determine the requirements with the province you want to move to and fulfill them language fluency is one of them it might take you time to get your IELTS certificate.

You should read the above section to know the requirements to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer.

Step 3. Get a certificate from NCA

If you get your degree in a foreign country, you must get a certificate from the NCA. You have to send them your degree and supporting documents, pass an exam, and register to get your certificate.

Step 4. Pick an immigration program to enter Canada

You should pick an immigration program that lets you enter Canada. If you get a job offer from a Canadian employer, you can apply for an open work permit.

Also, you can use Express Entry. It’s a comprehensive immigration program that has different subcategories, like Federal Skilled Worker Program. You must be qualified, then create an account in Express Entry and register for it.

Eligible applicants will get picked by the scores they get. The higher score you have, the better chance of getting accepted to apply for PR.

Step 5. Become a member of a law society in Canada

You must be a member of the Canadian law society to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer. Each province has its law society, and you must register with them. You should find out how to register with the law society in the province you want to move to.

This is the last step you must pass to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer. You should review the requirements and process you must follow with this province. After registration, the licensing process begins, and you have permission to work as a lawyer.

You might have to pass an exam before registration with the law society. For instance, the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP) is the official bar admission program for the law societies of:

• Alberta,
• Manitoba,
• Nova Scotia
• Saskatchewan,

Canada immigration programs to enter Canada as a lawyer

There are different work visas and immigration programs that let you immigrate to Canada as a lawyer. You should determine the requirements and eligibility principles for each one of them and find out if you can apply through them or not:

Canada Federal skilled worker program

This is one of the subcategories of the Express Entry to bring skilled workers to Canada. It’s a point-based system and assesses applicants by:

•  age,
• education,
• language proficiency,
• work experience,
• adaptability.

Each of the above factors gives you a score in the CRS calculator system. If you get enough scores, you will be invited to apply for PR or Permanent Residency.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Each Canadian province has its PNP to bring skilled workers to the province. They can bring skilled workers who have the skills, education, and work experience needed to meet specific economic and labor market needs within their region.

Except for Quebec, with its immigration program, each Canadian province has its PNP.

Each PNP has its requirements and eligibility principles. They might change over time, so you should check them with the province you want to move to. You can visit the official website of the province or territory’s PNP to get the latest and most updated information.

You can learn more about the Provincial Nominee Programs from the Visa Library article.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

Canada has four Atlantic provinces, and AIP is to bring skilled workers to these provinces:

• Newfoundland and Labrador,
• Prince Edward Island,
• Nova Scotia,
• New Brunswick.

There are three main streams with the AIP:

• Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
• Atlantic High-Skilled Program
• Atlantic International Graduate Program

You need a job offer from an employer in these provinces to qualify for the programs. Once you get the job offer and fulfill the other requirements, you can apply through the official platform and wait for the results.

The eligibility and requirements for each AIP are different. You can learn more about Atlantic Immigration Program from the Visa Library article.

Can I work in Canada as a foreign lawyer?

Yes, you can immigrate to Canada as a layer and work there as a foreign person. But you must be eligible and qualified. If you get your degree in a foreign country, you must get a Certificate of Qualification from NCA. The process can take time, but you must complete it with them.

Then you must pick an immigration method and fulfill the requirements. After you enter Canada, you must register with the local bar society and become a member of the law society.

You can learn more about the requirements and process in the above section. Also, you might have to go through one or two other steps by your nationality and degree type.

Are lawyers needed and in demand in Canada?

Yes, Canada needs skilled workers and lawyers. Canada aims to bring 110,000 new immigrants through Express Entry by 2024. The demand for skilled workers has risen up after the Covid-19 pandemic. Businesses are expanding and working hard and need skilled workers.

Canada has passed a law that international students do not have a limit to work outside of campus. They can work as much as they can. Also, they have introduced a law for Iranians who have a tourist visa that can apply for a work permit and a study permit.

Additionally, if you have a work permit, you can apply for a full-time study program and pass it. All of these measures are to ease the entrance of skilled workers and people who are willing to enter Canada.

Lawyers in Canada handle a wide range of legal matters, including but not limited to:

• Legal Advice and Representation
• Corporate and Commercial Law
• Real Estate Law
• Family Law
• Employment and Labor Law
• Immigration Law
• Criminal Law

As Canada is made by immigrants, it might take time for people to adapt to the new law and regulations. Also, people need a lawyer for consultation and advice on law matters.

Law is respected strictly in Canada, and the federal government is severe for people to follow and obey them.

Can I become a lawyer in Canada as a non-Canadian?

Canada is built on immigration, and more than 8.3 million people, or one-quarter of its population, are made of immigrants. Yes, you can become a lawyer in Canada as a non-Canadian. But if you get your degree in a foreign country, you must pass the required steps to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer.

You must get a Certificate of Qualification from NCA. Then you must choose one of the immigration programs that lets you work in Canada as a foreign person. You can find a list of them in the above section.

You should also register with the local law association in the province you want to work for. It’s your responsibility to determine the requirements and process with them. After you register and become a member of the law society, you can work as a non-Canadian lawyer in Canada.

How much money do lawyers make in Canada?

A lawyer’s salary in Canada is up to various factors:

• Education
• Work experience
• The province and city you work in
• The company you work with
• Tasks and responsibilities
• Position
• Etc.

According to Indeed, the average salary of a lawyer in Canada is about $99,587 per year. According to Jobbankl, the lowest salary of a lawyer in Canada is about $37,347 per year; it says while the average income is about $116,000, the highest salary is about 294,000 per year.

The province you work in is a determining factor. JobBank says the lowest salary a lawyer in Alberta earns is about $46,078m, while the average is about $140,808, and the highest is about $423,922.

Glassdoor says that the average salary is about $120,695 per year.

According to Salary Explorer, the average is about 238,000 CAD. It says the salaries range starts from 128,000 CAD (lowest) and goes up to 359,000 CAD (highest).

This is while PayScale says the average is about C$80,655 per year.

Is it worth to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer?

The decision is with you whether it’s worth it to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer. You should determine your preferences and purpose of becoming a lawyer in Canada, then determine whether it’s worth it or not. Also, you should figure out the pros and cons of immigration to Canada as a lawyer.

Canada offers you a brilliant opportunity to develop your career and work in a wide range of legal professions. They need skilled lawyers, and you can work in different sections:

• Private practice,
• Corporate law,
• Government,
• Non-profit organizations,
• Academia.
• Etc

Canada is famous for its high quality of life, education, and healthcare system. It’s a diverse country with more than 8.3 million immigrants, and the government aims to welcome more of them. Its safety, strong economy, freedom, and opportunity for growth attract every immigrant who seeks a new life.

If you are worried about the ways to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer, you should know that there are about 80 immigration programs there. You can choose the appropriate one that suits your conditions and move to Canada.

There is a demand for skilled workers, and it is increasing. IRCC is easing the ways to welcome immigrants. For instance, international students do not have a limit to work during their studies and can work as much as they can. Also, if you have a work permit, you register for a full-time program and get a Canadian degree to qualify for PR.

Canada is a multicultural country with immigrants from every corner of the world. French and English are the official languages, and learning one of them helps you to live and work there.

All in all, the decision is with you. But you should consider the disadvantages of immigration for yourself, like homesickness, cultural shock, etc.

Can I work in Canada as a lawyer with an LLB?

Yes, you can immigrate to Canada as a lawyer if you have a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). But you must pass the process explained in the above section. It’s necessary to get a Certificate of Qualification from NCA from the National Committee on Accreditation.

Then you must fulfill the eligibility principles of an immigration pathway and enter Canada. The processing could take time, but you have to put in the work and time to overcome it.

Then you must register with the local law regulation association and officials in the province you move to.

You should determine the eligibility principles, requirements, and the process you must follow. Then set a plan to follow it step by step.

Best cities for lawyers in Canada

It’s up to you to find the best cities for lawyers in Canada. You can find a job position in various places, and the demand is up to some luck as well. But where you can find a job is up to various factors:

• Education
• Work experience
• Skills
• Job title
• The demand
• Etc.

There are always more job opportunities in large cities. This is true with large cities in Canada. Toronto, the largest city in Canada, has better job positions than a city like Windsor on the US border.

This is the list of large cities in Canada:

1. Toronto
2. Montreal
3. Calgary
4. Ottawa
5. Edmonton
6. Mississauga

You should keep looking and try to find a job in each city you can. After you settle and get your PR, you can pick to live and work in the city you want.

There is another list that you’d better know about. It’s one of the most famous and popular cities in Canada. Some of the items in this list might overlap with the above list. People like to live in or visit these places for a reason. They might not be that large, but you can find a job in them the more people visit them, the larger number of services and the need for skilled workers. You might be able to find a job as a lawyer in them.

1. Toronto
2. Vancouver
3. Montreal
4. Victoria
5. Halifax

You might not have a chance for the beginning as the competition is tough. So many people want to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer. So you might have to take a job in the city that doesn’t match your conditions. But after some time, gathering work experience, and improving your conditions, you can find a job in the city you like and want.

Is law a good career option in Canada?

You have asked yourself whether it’s good or not before to know how to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer. The answer is up to your conditions, preferences, and purpose in life. But in general, Canada is one of the first options for immigration due to its many benefits.

Canada needs skilled workers, and they introduce new plans and programs to welcome them. You will have job security and stability as the rules and regulations are in favor of employees. Employers can not discriminate or abuse workers, and you can use them easily. The independent law system gives the right to the right person.

Also, Canada is a great place to get international work experience. Canadian companies work with so many international and foreign companies, and so many of them have a subsidiary there. So you can get great work experience.

Getting a work-life balance can be hard for lawyers, but you can achieve it in Canada. No matter where you live, Canadians respect free time and spend enough time with family and friends. You can enjoy a few hobbies and things you enjoy in the city you live.

Whether the law is a good career in Canada is up to your perspective and mindset. But you can list the pros of Canada, then list the cons of immigration and determine if it’s worth it or not.

Do lawyers make more in Canada or USA?

Your salary as a lawyer in the US and Canada is up to various items. There are always exceptions. But in general, lawyers in the US earn a higher salary than Canadian lawyers. The reason could be the following items:

• Larger economy,
• Higher population,
• Major global financial centers like New York City
• Higher GDP
• Etc.

According to BLS, the average salary of a lawyer in the US is about $126,930 USD, but it’s about $100,000 CAD per year for Canadian lawyers. The average income is different in each city, and there are always exceptions.

Additionally, you should know that while lawyers in the US earn higher than Canadian lawyers, it’s worth mentioning that the US has a higher cost of living. This is particularly true in metropolitan areas.

Also, there is a better work-life balance in Canada and a few other factors that you should consider before making up your mind. You’d better consider the following options before just thinking about salary:

• career opportunities,
• work-life balance,
• quality of life,
• personal preferences.

Are lawyers in demand in Toronto?

The answer is yes, lawyers are needed in Toronto, and this city needs more skilled workers than other Canadian cities. It’s the largest financial hub in the country. Toronto is home to so many law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and other legal organizations. This has created a vibrant legal market and a high demand for lawyers. It’s more likely to find a job as a lawyer in Toronto.

But the demand can change over time, and it’s up to various factors:

• Business and Commercial Activity
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution
• Corporate Law
• Immigration Law
• Real Estate Law
• Regulatory and Compliance

You should remember that as the demand is high, the competition is tough. You have to compete with the best lawyers with high work experience, education, expertise, and skills. If you want a job in Toronto, you should improve your skills, abilities, and resume to get it.

How hard is it to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer?

If you are determined and want to get a purpose, you will do it no matter the odds and costs. It doesn’t matter how hard it is; you strive and pass all of the stages to get it. The same is true with immigration to Canada as a lawyer. If you want it from deep down in your heart, you do not ask this question.

But everyone who wants to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer should know how hard it is and what obstacles you must pass.

First, you should know that you do not qualify if you get your degree from a foreign country. So you must apply for Credential Assessment. You will likely need to have your credentials assessed by a designated organization in Canada. The assessment determines whether you can immigrate to Canada as a lawyer or not.

Then you must get a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA). You must gather the supporting documents and send them everything.

Then you must find an immigration program or work visa that lets you work in Canada as a foreign person. You can read the above section to become familiar with them. Also, you must fulfill its requirements. For instance, a language fluency certificate and the required supporting documents. Getting IELTS could take up to one year and is up to your language skills.

Then you must register with the local officials in the province you work in. They have their requirements and procedure.

You should remember that immigration requirements change over time. The process could take a long as you have studied and got your degree in a foreign country.

So read the whole requirements and process then you can get a rough estimate of the duration it takes and how hard it is.

What province in Canada is best for lawyers?

You should consider a few factors before deciding the best province in Canada for lawyers:

• Personal preferences,
• Career goals,
• Market demand,
• Lifestyle
• Immigration pathway
• The demand
• Weather preferences

Deciding on the above factors helps you make a better decision and land in the province you want. Before you decide t immigrate to Canada as a lawyer, you should decide on your weak and positive features.

People like to live and stay in these provinces for several reasons. So there are higher job positions and better lawyers.

• Ontario,
• British Columbia,
• Quebec
• Nova Scotia

When you want to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer, the above provinces are preferred for foreigners. So you can find more information about them.

How long does it take to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer?

There is no definite time frame to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer. But it could take from 1 to 5 years. Your conditions determine the required time to immigrate and work in Canada as a lawyer.

First, you must apply for an assessment of your degree and then for the Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA). It could take up to one year to complete the procedure with them.

Then you must apply through one of the immigration programs like:

• Federal Skilled workers program
• Atlantic immigration program
• Quebec Skilled Workers program
• Etc.

You must fulfill the requirements and apply for them, then wait for the processing, which could take a few months. You should consider the preparation time for each stage. For instance, finding a job or getting a language fluency certificate could take from a few months to a year. No one knows how long it takes you to find a job and which employer is convinced to offer you a position as a lawyer.

Also, there might be changes to the law or unexpected issues. For instance, the Covid-19 pandemic. It prolonged the express entry process to 2 years, and applicants abroad had to wait a lot.

All in all, you can expect to wait from one year to five years.

Related jobs for lawyers in Canada

A lawyer can work in various positions and job titles. Which one you will work in is up to a few factors;

• Education
• Work experience
• The job market demand
• Hard/soft skills
• Qualifications
• Certificates
•  Province or city you work in
• The job offer
• Employer’s demand
• Etc.

The types of companies and employers are diverse and different in Canada. If you have made up your mind to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer, you have a wide range of options. But the competition is tough, and you should improve your qualification, work experience, skills, resume, language fluency, etc.,

These are some of the related positions for a lawyer in Canada:

• Mediator/Arbitrator
• Legal Academia
• Compliance Officer
• Legal Analyst
• Policy Analyst/Advisor
• Legal Academia
• Government Lawyer
• Arbitrator or Mediator
• Legal Consultant
• Corporate Counsel
• Legal Researcher/Writer

You are not limited to the above titles and can work in other positions. It’s up to your hard work to find a job in Canada.

Where can you work as a lawyer in Canada?

This section brings you some of the places or company types where you can work in Canada. They are samples to know where you might end up working.

One of the ways to find a job in Canada as a lawyer is to reach companies that need your skills. If you know what companies need you as a lawyer, then you can search effectively for a position.

Also, you can expand your network and find people who work in that company and improve your chance of acceptance. The more you work and find information about the position or job, the higher your chance of getting accepted.

• Law Firms
• Corporate Legal Departments
• Government Agencies
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Judiciary and Legal Aid
• Academia and Research
• Self-Employment

How to find a job in Canada as a lawyer?

You can use different ways to find a job in Canada as a lawyer. When you decide to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer, finding a job is an essential step.

If you apply for the Express Entry or NPP, one of the ways to improve your score is to get a job offer from a Canadian employer. It increases your score to a large extent.

Also, you pass the stages and do the hard work to work in Canada. So you must find a job.

The first way to find a job as a lawyer in Canada is to look for one through the website that advertises job positions there. This is a list of them:

• Monster.ca
• Ziprecruiter.ca
• Eluta.ca
• Jobbank.gc.ca
• Careerbuilder.ca
• Ca.indeed.com
• Hotjobscanada.ca
• Simplyhired.ca
• Jobs.ca
• Indeed.com

You need a strong resume and cover letter to apply for the available positions. If your resume is good and you have the required qualifications, employers contact you and offer you the position, and negotiate terms and conditions.

The other way is to ask for help from recruiters or employment agencies. These are the companies that match employers and employees. They can inform you of the available job positions. This is a list of them:

• Refer HR
• Insight Global
• Prometeo Talent
• Canada Mentors
• his equity
• DevTalent

You can also search for large law firms in Canada and find out if they have a vacancy or not.

Canada visa types of lawyers

There are different work visas and immigration programs that you can immigrate to Canada as a lawyer. You should know the difference between immigration pathways and work visas.

For instance, Canada’s open work permit lets you work as a foreign person, but the employer must apply for LMIA. Express Entry is an immigration program with different subcategories that let you apply for PR directly.

• Open work permit 
• Atlantic Immigration Pilot program
• Federal skilled worker program 
• Quebec Skilled Worker program 
• Provincial nominee program

Let’s sum up…

This Visa Library article explained how to immigrate to Canada as a lawyer. You learned the requirements, eligibility principles, immigration programs, salary, places to work, and answers to so many of your FAQs.

This is your guideline to immigrate and work in Canada as a lawyer. If you have questions, write them down in the comment section, and the Visa Library team will answer them.

Frequently asked questions about immigration to Canada as a lawyer