Quick answer
Legal fees for business immigration in Canada typically range from $6,000 for a single intra-company transfer work permit to $20,000 for a C11 entrepreneur work permit with a business plan, with provincial entrepreneur nominations at $12,000–$18,000. Government fees are extra: usually a few hundred dollars per person, or about $1,240 when an LMIA is needed. The biggest cost drivers are the program, whether you need a business plan, how many people are applying, and any past refusals.
Legal fees by program
These are typical flat legal fees for the most common business immigration files. Government fees are listed separately because the government sets them and they change from time to time.
| Program | Typical legal fee (CAD) | Government fees (CAD) | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| C11 entrepreneur work permit | $20,000 ($15,000 legal + $5,000 business plan) | $470: $155 work permit, $230 employer compliance fee, $85 biometrics | Work permit application and business plan |
| Intra-company transfer work permit | $6,000 per employee | $470 per employee: $155 work permit, $230 employer compliance fee, $85 biometrics | Work permit application for one employee |
| LMIA + work permit (employer) | $10,000 ($5,000 + $5,000) | $1,240: $1,000 LMIA processing fee per position, $155 work permit, $85 biometrics | LMIA application and the work permit application |
| PNP entrepreneur stream | $12,000–$18,000 | Provincial fees vary by province. Federal PR stage (separate): $1,590 per adult ($990 processing + $600 right of PR fee), plus biometrics | Expression of interest to provincial nomination. Federal PR stage not included |
| Business visitor visa (TRV) | $1,800–$2,400 | $100 visa fee + $85 biometrics per person | Visitor visa application for a business trip |
| Refusal review + reapplication | $3,000–$4,200 for the review; reapplication at the original service fee | Government fees are paid again on the new application | Review of the refusal and a strategy. For C11, the reapplication is $15,000 plus any business plan update |
| Judicial review (leave stage) | $3,600–$7,200 | $50 Federal Court filing fee | Application for leave and judicial review, up to the leave decision |
| Strategy consultation | $240–$600 | None | Advice on your options before you commit to an application |
Biometrics are capped at $170 for a family applying together. Fees are in Canadian dollars; HST is added to legal fees for Canadian residents.
Sources for government fees: IRCC fee list, ESDC LMIA program requirements and the Federal Court.
What makes a business immigration case cost more?
Two files under the same program can be priced differently. These factors usually add work, and therefore cost.
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Business plan complexity
A C11 or PNP file rests on the business plan. A new venture with projections, market research and a hiring plan takes more work than buying a business with a track record.
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Number of applicants and family members
Each spouse, partner and child needs their own forms, documents and government fees.
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Prior refusals
A refusal has to be addressed directly: getting the officer’s notes, understanding the reasons and fixing the gaps before reapplying.
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Multi-country documents and translations
Records from several countries take longer to collect, and anything not in English or French needs a certified translation.
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Urgency
A tight deadline compresses the timeline and needs more coordination with you, your accountant and your company.
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Number of employees (corporate files)
ICT and LMIA files are priced per employee or per position, so moving a team costs more than a single transfer.
Flat fee or hourly: how lawyers bill
Most business immigration lawyers charge a flat fee per service: one price for a defined piece of work, such as preparing and filing a C11 work permit. Hourly billing is more common for open-ended work like litigation or ongoing corporate advice.
Many firms let you pay a flat fee in instalments tied to milestones, such as signing, filing and decision. A retainer is the written agreement that hires the lawyer; the word can also mean a deposit held in trust and drawn down as the work is done.
Whatever the model, get it in writing. A clear written retainer should state:
- Scope: exactly which applications and steps are covered, and what is not.
- Fees: the legal fee and when each payment is due.
- Disbursements: government fees, translations, courier and other out-of-pocket costs.
- Taxes: whether HST applies to you.
- Refund terms: what happens to your money if the file is withdrawn, refused or ends early.
At Sobirovs, we charge a flat fee per service and quote it all-in, covering legal and government fees, with HST added for Canadian residents. Before you hire anyone, confirm they are licensed and know the red flags. Our guide on how to choose and verify an immigration lawyer in Canada walks you through it.
Lawyer vs consultant fees
Only certain people can legally charge you for Canadian immigration advice: lawyers and Quebec notaries who are members of a provincial or territorial law society or the Chambre des notaires du Québec, paralegals licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, and regulated Canadian immigration consultants (RCICs) licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (IRCC). Ontario paralegals can act only within the limited scope of their licence, and only lawyers can represent you in Federal Court. Fees vary widely within each group, so the lowest quote is not always the better deal. Compare who will actually do the work, what the retainer covers and their experience with files like yours.
Hidden costs people miss
Legal and government fees are only part of the budget. These costs are easy to overlook.
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Translations
Any document not in English or French needs a certified translation. Business files often include corporate records, financial statements and diplomas.
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Medical exams
Some applicants need an immigration medical exam by an IRCC-approved panel physician, paid directly to the doctor.
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Police certificates
You may need police certificates from countries where you have lived, each with its own fee and processing time.
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Travel for biometrics
If there is no visa application centre near you, budget for travel and time away to give fingerprints and a photo.
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Proof of funds
Some programs require you to show settlement or investment funds. Moving and holding that money has its own costs, such as currency exchange and bank fees.
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Business set-up costs
For C11 and provincial entrepreneur streams, you will incorporate, lease premises, hire staff and invest in the business before or soon after you arrive.
Read more about business set-up requirements in our guides to the C11 work permit and provincial nominee entrepreneur streams.
Estimate your own cost
Every file is different. Use our cost estimator to get a starting figure for your own situation before you book a consultation.
Business immigration lawyer fees: frequently asked questions
Typical legal fees run from $6,000 for an intra-company transfer work permit (per employee) to $20,000 for a C11 entrepreneur work permit with a business plan. Provincial entrepreneur nominations typically cost $12,000–$18,000, and an LMIA with a work permit about $10,000. Smaller matters cost less: a business visitor visa is typically $1,800–$2,400 and a strategy consultation $240–$600. Government fees are extra.
Not in the legal fee itself. Government fees are paid to IRCC, ESDC, the province or the Federal Court, and the government sets them. Some firms, including ours, quote an all-in price that shows legal and government fees together, so you see the full cost up front. Always ask which fees a quote includes.
Often, yes. Many firms split a flat fee into payments tied to milestones, such as signing, filing and decision. Whatever the schedule, it should be written into your retainer before work starts.
It can tell you whether a program is worth exploring, but it is rarely enough to decide. A short free call usually doesn’t include a review of your documents, your business plan or any past refusals. A paid strategy consultation, typically $240–$600, should give you a clear recommendation based on your actual situation.
Mostly because the scope differs. One quote may include a business plan, family members and follow-up with IRCC; another may cover only the forms. The lawyer’s experience, how much senior lawyer time goes into the file, and whether government fees are bundled in also move the price. Compare what each retainer covers, not just the total.
