Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

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LSLAP Manual: Immigration Law

Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter on Canadian immigration law is from the manual used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It explains the roles of key organizations like IRCC and CBSA, and the different immigration statuses such as permanent residents and foreign nationals.
Last reviewed September 2024
Logo features a scale of justice and a book with the acronym "LSLAP" in white on a blue gradient background.

LSLAP Manual: Citizenship

Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter is from the manual used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It’s a basic overview of the legal regime and process involved in getting a citizenship grant. See also chapter 18, “Immigration Law.”
Last reviewed September 2024
Logo features a curved design in rainbow colours, including pink, blue, brown, and black, and the organization name, with a red maple leaf after the name.

LGBTQI+ Refugees in Canada — Making a Refugee Claim: Basic Steps

Rainbow Refugee
This resource explains the steps for making a refugee claim for people who have already arrived in BC. It includes links to the forms you need, and explains how to prepare for your hearing.
Last reviewed July 2024
Logo features a curved design in rainbow colours, including pink, blue, brown, and black, and the organization name, with a red maple leaf after the name.

LGBTQ+ Refugees Outside Canada — Steps for Asylum Seekers

Rainbow Refugee
This resource explains the steps for asylum seekers experiencing persecution due to their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, and/or HIV status. It outlines the process for seeking refugee protection overseas and then applying for resettlement to Canada.
Last reviewed July 2024
Logo features a line drawing of a house in blue and black, with three stick figures in yellow, green, and red. The organization name is below.

BC CHARMS (for refugee claimants)

MOSAIC
Offers important resources and services for refugee claimants in British Columbia. It helps connect refugees with settlement workers who provide information about settling into their new lives and accessing support services.
Last reviewed June 2024
Thumbnail of the booklet cover with a photo of the top half of a woman wearing a large scarf.

Sponsorship Breakdown

Legal Aid BC
A 57-page booklet written for permanent residents who need help when the person sponsoring them in Canada is no longer supporting them. Explains what happens when a sponsorship breaks down, and how to apply for welfare.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo is a book out of which pixels are flying, and the organization name.

Canadian Citizenship Practice Test

Richmond Public Library
An online practice test for Canadian citizenship. Has multiple choice questions from the book on which the test is based.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features a green square with white curved lines, and the organization name to the right. Below are the words “The Library Link For Newcomers.”

Settlement Information for Newcomers: Useful Immigrant Settlement Guides and Websites

NewToBC
NewToBC has compiled over 45 guides, videos, and websites on a range of topics that would be of interest to immigrants.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features two rainbow-coloured arcs forming a left-pointing arrow, and the organization name.

Know Your Rights: A Toolkit for 2SLGBTQIA+ Folks in Navigating Youth, Healthcare and Criminal Justice Issues

Kamloops Pride
This online toolkit is a compilation of questions and answers around issues affecting 2SLGBTQIA+ folks. The content is divided into sections on criminal justice, health care, youth health care, and youth. The appendixes include definitions, resources, human right complaints, BC Corrections, and forms.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with the word "Canada" and a small Canadian flag above the last "a."

Sponsor Your Family

Government of Canada
Explains how if you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, you can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, dependent child (including adopted child), or other eligible relative (such as a parent or grandparent) to become a permanent resident.
Last reviewed March 2024