Legal Resources

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If Your Sponsor Abuses You

Legal Aid BC
If you’re an immigrant in Canada sponsored by your partner and they are abusing you, find out how to protect yourself or your children.
Last reviewed January 2025
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British Columbia Newcomers’ Guide to Resources and Services

WelcomeBC (Government of BC)
Moving to a new country can be challenging. You probably have a number of questions that need to be answered right away. This guide has information on getting a job, finding a place to live, health services, banking, getting a driver’s licence, the legal system, and much more.
Last reviewed December 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 scale of justice and a book with the acronym "LSLAP" in white on a blue gradient background.

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
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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 August 2024
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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
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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
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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
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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