Legal aid immigration and refugee lawyers in BC
If you live in British Columbia and qualify for Legal Aid BC, you can have a lawyer for your refugee claim, refugee appeal, pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA), humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) application, or Federal Court judicial review. We take Legal Aid BC files for all of these.
- Legal Aid BC files for refugee claims, refugee appeals, PRRA, H&C and judicial review
- Offices in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, helping clients anywhere in BC
- Lawyers, not consultants, at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court
Ask about a legal aid file
Check that your matter is covered by legal aid, then tell us about your case. A lawyer will contact you about next steps.
The lawyers who will handle your case
You deal directly with a lawyer who knows your file, from the first call to the decision.
Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha
Barrister & Solicitor
Prabhpreet focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases. She has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference, and is a former board member of the South Asian Bar Association of BC. She speaks English, Punjabi and Hindi.
Sundeep S. Grewal
Barrister & Solicitor · Founder
Sundeep founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada. Having studied abroad and navigated another country's immigration system himself, he explains every option in plain language and gives you an honest assessment of your chances.
Pardeep S. Grewal
Barrister & Solicitor
Pardeep is an immigration and estates lawyer with an Honours degree in Psychology. He is known for clear communication, practical strategy and compassionate service, so clients feel informed and heard at every stage.
Offices in Abbotsford, Surrey and Vancouver (#1300, 1500 West Georgia Street). Meetings in person, by phone or by video.
What Legal Aid BC covers in immigration and refugee cases
Legal Aid BC funds lawyers for people living in BC in these matters. Coverage depends on the risk you would face if you returned to your country of origin.
Refugee claims
Claims for refugee protection (IRPA s. 96) or as a person in need of protection (s. 97): help with your forms, preparing for your hearing, and representation at the Refugee Protection Division.
Refugee appeals
Appeals of refused claims to the Refugee Appeal Division. The notice of appeal is due 15 days after you receive the written reasons.
Pre-removal risk assessments
PRRA applications, including for people whose refugee claim was found ineligible and who are now being offered a PRRA.
Humanitarian and compassionate applications
Permanent residence on H&C grounds (s. 25) for people facing unusual and undeserved hardship. Legal Aid BC decides these case by case.
Federal Court judicial review
Judicial review of refugee and immigration decisions, including applications challenging ineligibility decisions under Bill C-12.
Do you qualify for legal aid?
You live in BC
Legal Aid BC funds immigration and refugee cases only for people living in British Columbia. We take legal aid files on the same basis.
Your income and assets
Your net monthly household income and assets must be at or below Legal Aid BC's guidelines. For a one-person household in an immigration case, the income limit is $2,320 a month, and it rises with household size.
Your case
Coverage depends on your matter and the risk you would face if you returned. Only a Legal Aid BC intake worker can decide whether you qualify.
How to get a legal aid immigration lawyer
1. Check your matter is covered
Make sure your case is one Legal Aid BC funds: a refugee claim, refugee appeal, PRRA, H&C application or Federal Court judicial review. See what Legal Aid BC covers.
2. Send us your details
Use the form on this page and tell us which legal aid service you have been approved for, or are seeking approval for.
3. Apply in person at Legal Aid BC
Go to Legal Aid BC's downtown Vancouver office with your financial statements. Explain your immigration problem and show your financial need.
- 425 – 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver (4th floor, at Pender)
- Walk-in: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8:30 am to 3:00 pm; Wed 8:30 am to 1:30 pm
- Appointments: 604-408-2172
4. Ask for Sundeep S. Grewal
Tell Legal Aid BC you would like Sundeep S. Grewal of Lawgical Law Corporation to be your legal aid lawyer.
5. We accept the contract
If you are approved, Legal Aid BC contacts us and we accept the contract. Then we start work on your case.
If you have a deadline or a hearing date coming up, call us right away so nothing is missed while your application is processed.
Refugee claim found ineligible under Bill C-12?
Since March 26, 2026, refugee claims made more than one year after entering Canada, and claims made more than 14 days after entering between ports of entry, are not referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Legal Aid BC has said that:
- people found ineligible will usually be given an exclusion order and offered a PRRA, which it funds
- it considers H&C applications case by case, especially for people from countries where removals are paused
- it funds short contracts to file Federal Court applications challenging ineligibility decisions
If you received a letter from IRCC about Bill C-12, contact Legal Aid BC or us as soon as possible.
Real reviews from real clients
Questions about legal aid immigration lawyers
Do you accept legal aid?
Yes. We take Legal Aid BC files for refugee claims, refugee appeals (RAD), pre-removal risk assessments (PRRA), humanitarian and compassionate applications, and Federal Court judicial review of these decisions. You must live in British Columbia and be approved by Legal Aid BC.
Do you take legal aid files from outside BC?
No. We take legal aid files only for people living in British Columbia. If you live elsewhere, you can still hire us privately: book a consultation and we will tell you what it would involve.
Who decides if I get legal aid?
Legal Aid BC. It looks at whether you live in BC, your household income and assets, and the risk you would face if you returned to your country. Only a Legal Aid BC intake worker can decide whether you qualify.
Can I ask for Sundeep S. Grewal as my legal aid lawyer?
Yes. When you apply in person at Legal Aid BC, tell them you would like Sundeep S. Grewal of Lawgical Law Corporation to be your legal aid lawyer. If you are approved, Legal Aid BC contacts us and we accept the contract.
Does legal aid cover deportation cases?
Legal Aid BC can provide a lawyer if you are facing an immigration proceeding that may lead to your removal from Canada, or if you want to claim refugee status. If you are in immigration detention, you can ask for duty counsel.
Can asylum seekers get legal aid in BC?
Yes. An asylum claim in Canada is a refugee claim, and Legal Aid BC funds refugee claims for people living in BC, including help with the forms, preparing for the hearing and representation at the hearing.
My refugee claim was found ineligible under Bill C-12. Can legal aid still help?
Often, yes. Legal Aid BC has said that people found ineligible will usually be offered a PRRA, and it funds PRRAs. It considers H&C applications case by case, and it funds short contracts to file Federal Court applications challenging ineligibility decisions. Contact Legal Aid BC or us as soon as you get the letter.
Is there a deadline for a refugee appeal?
Yes. The notice of appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division is due 15 days after you receive the written reasons for the refusal, and the appeal must be perfected within 45 days. Apply for legal aid right away so the deadline is not missed.
Based on Legal Aid BC's published information as of November 2026. Legal Aid BC decides every application, and its rules can change.
Live in BC and need a legal aid immigration lawyer?
Talk to us about your refugee claim, appeal, PRRA, H&C application or judicial review.