Contact Fogarty Law Firm

Citizenship Applications for Canada and PR Card Renewals

2016 marks the beginning of new Canadian citizenship laws. Our team at Fogarty Law Firm understands the new rules and is ready to guide you to make a successful citizenship application.

We know what citizenship officials are looking for in an ideal application. We will analyse your situation, help you organize your documents to prove your residency in Canada, assist you with the application forms, and make submissions in support of your case. We can also help you prepare for the citizenship test.

In many instances we may be able to obtain approval of your file even faster than the delay posted on the government website.

Fogarty Law Firm can also assist you to renew your Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) and work to resolve residency status problems. Deciding when to renew your PR Card is an important issue to consider on its own and as part of a successful citizenship application.

Canadian Passport - Become a Citizen

Make your dream a reality

You have made Canada your country of choice for Permanent Residency.  You have worked hard to build your future in this great country.  Becoming a Citizen of Canada is one of the most important steps you will ever take in your life.  Don’t take chances with your future.

Let Fogarty Law Firm help you make it to the final step of your long journey.  Based in Montreal, Quebec, the Fogarty Law Firm was founded by Stephen J. Fogarty, an attorney with many years of experience in Canadian Immigration and Citizenship law.  Together with our team, we are ready to assist you make your dream a reality throughout the entire Canadian Citizenship Application process.

Now here are some important questions to consider:

Why are some Canadian Citizenship Applications refused?

How can I have my Canadian Citizenship Application accepted?

I already started my application.  Is it too late to use your firm?

If I have to travel frequently, can I maintain my PR status and become a Citizen?

Can you help me renew my PR Card (Maple Card)?

Can you help me with my Canadian passport application?

My Citizenship Application was refused.  What can I do now?

Contact Fogarty Law Firm


Why are some Canadian Citizenship Applications refused?

The requirements for Canadian citizenship explained on the official government website may seem very simple.  But many persons encounter difficulties with their Canadian citizenship applications.

Why?  Here are typical reasons for refusal:  they apply for Citizenship before they are yet qualified to do so; they make errors on their applications or fail to provide proper supporting documentation; they do not succeed on the required test; they are called to a special interview or court hearing and are refused due to nervousness or ill-preparation.


How can I have my Canadian Citizenship Application accepted?

Let’s look at how you can succeed with your application.

Be sure you qualify:  Before applying for Canadian Citizenship, it is important to verify if you satisfy all requirements including residency and/or having sufficient ties to Canada.  Fogarty Law Firm can work with you to check every detail to make sure you really do qualify.  In fact, applying too early can sometimes lead to immigration problems, in addition to simple rejection of the Citizenship application.  Don’t take chances.

Sometimes, it may be only a matter of a few weeks or months wait to apply.  In other situations, a longer term approach may be necessary.  Fogarty Law Firm can propose a service to help the client maintain his or her permanent residency or PR status, and then work on the Citizenship application later on when the file is ready for submission.

Canadian Parliament Buildings | CitizenshipIf qualified, apply correctly:  Fogarty Law Firm can assist you to ensure that each and every question on the application forms is answered fully, correctly, and honestly.  We will explain all supporting documents you need to gather together and review everything to make sure your case is properly documented.  Remember that an incomplete application will only cause delays or perhaps even rejection of your file.

If your Citizenship case has unique problems or circumstances, you can choose to have Fogarty Law Firm make detailed legal submissions in support of your application.

To protect our reputation and that of our clients, please be assured that Fogarty Law Firm does not deal in nor do we accept any counterfeit, false or misleading documentation in support of any Citizenship applications.

Take and pass the Citizenship Test:  If you are between the ages of 14 and 64 when you apply for citizenship, you will have to take and pass a Citizenship test, which will be given in writing or orally (in certain circumstances).  The test verifies your knowledge of Canada as well as your ability to communicate at a basic level in English or French.  Why not retain Fogarty Law Firm to help you prepare?  We can help you review the materials and even administer practice tests to make it easier to deal with “exam jitters”.  This can be very useful for persons who have not taken any exams for several years. (Note that when applying for citizenship, you are required to submit certain documents attesting to your abilities in English or in French.)

Prepare for any Interview with an Officer or at Court:  If you are called in for an interview to review your case, such as if you failed your written test, or for other reasons, understand one very important fact:  such an interview is never a simple formality.  There is always a chance of refusal.  You owe it to yourself to prepare with a legal professional. 

Fogarty Law Firm can provide you our professional interview preparation service or “PIPS”.  We will meet with you to review your case in every detail and prepare you so that you may feel comfortable answering any questions the officer or judge will ask.  In addition, you can choose to retain us to attend the interview with you and make legal arguments in support of your case as required by the circumstances.


I already started my application.  Is it too late to use your firm?

Not at all!  Fogarty Law Firm can take over your file at any point you wish, even if you applied on your own.  And if you retained someone to help you, you are not obliged to continue with the same individual.


If I have to travel frequently, can I maintain my PR status and become a Citizen?

You cannot apply for Citizenship if you lose your Permanent Resident (PR) status. Business and family obligations may require you to be outside of Canada, sometimes for long periods of time. There are rules that must be followed to ensure that you do not lose your PR status. Fogarty Law Firm can work with you to provide professional guidance for your particular situation. This can be part of a long-term program, either just to maintain your PR status, or to eventually become a Citizen of Canada. Contact us to learn more.

Renew PR Card - Maple CardCan you help me renew my PR Card (Maple Card)?

If your PR Card, sometimes called the “Maple Card”, will expire soon, Fogarty Law Firm can assist you while your Citizenship Application is pending.  If you are planning to travel outside Canada, in most cases you will need to obtain and then renew a PR Card, as proof of your status as a Permanent Resident of Canada.  Depending on your situation, renewal of your PR Card may be part of a fees package for your Citizenship file.


Can you help me with my Canadian passport application?

Of course!  If you engage our services for your Citizenship Application, we will be pleased to help you fill out your first Canadian passport application at no additional charge.  When we state we are available to help you every step of the way, we mean it.


My Citizenship Application was refused.  What can I do now?

Fogarty Law Firm can analyse your situation in detail and advise you on the best course of action.  It may be best to make a new application at a later date.  Alternatively, it is possible one or more serious errors were made by the Citizenship Court judge in your case.  In such a file, it may be advisable to contest the decision in the Federal Court of Canada.


Contact Fogarty Law Firm

To contact us using your computer's default email program, write to our special Citizenship Applications email address.

Alternatively, you can use the email form provided here.

Please click here to learn more about Fogarty Law Firm.