Founder-led Immigration & refugee law · Toronto

Need a refugee lawyer in Canada?

Pokharel Law provides direct, founder-led representation in refugee and immigration matters — from your first call to the final decision, with the time each case deserves.

100+refugees represented

12languages spoken

1 dayresponse time

Licensed by the Law Society of Ontario Called to the Ontario Bar · LLM, Université de Montréal

Free case assessment

Step 1 of 3

Question 1

What kind of legal help do you need?

File a refugee claim

Appeal a refusal (RAD / Federal Court)

Sponsor a family member

Work / study permit or PR

I'm not sure — I just need advice

Free & confidential · No obligation

Claim approved · Family of 4

14+ languages

Appearing before

Law Society of Ontario Refugee Protection Division Refugee Appeal Division Federal Court of Canada IRCC

How we work

How it works

Founder-led representation, in your language — for refugees and newcomers across Ontario and Canada.

Tell us your situation

Answer a few simple questions about your case and where you live in Canada. Takes about 2 minutes.

~ 2 min · Free & confidential

We review your file personally

Mr. Pokharel and the team read your matter and respond with a private consultation — usually within one business day.

1 business day · No obligation

We build and represent your case

From evidence and forms to your IRB hearing, RAD appeal, or Federal Court review — we carry the file end to end.

End-to-end · Transparent pricing

Client stories

Trusted by newcomers across Canada

Representative experiences from people we've guided through the refugee and immigration process.

Amira M.

4 days ago · Toronto

They prepared us for our hearing in Arabic. When the positive decision came back, our lawyer cried with us. I will never forget that.

Refugee claim approved

José R.

1 week ago · Montréal

After a refusal I thought it was over. They rebuilt my case from the ground up — and won. My children can finally call Canada home. The whole team was so patient with me.

H&C application — PR granted

Hamid K.

2 weeks ago · Vancouver

They sponsored my wife and son so we could finally live together. Every email was answered. Every step was explained.

Spousal sponsorship

Sara M.

3 weeks ago · Ottawa

Quick callback after I submitted my situation. Lawyer was very professional, answered all my questions in Farsi. I felt understood.

PRRA application

Tigist T.

1 month ago · Calgary

The team was amazing through my whole IRB hearing process. They explained everything in Tigrinya and never made me feel like a number. Worth every penny.

Hearing — positive decision

Noor B.

1 month ago · Mississauga

Fast response within a day. The lawyer was clear, kind, and gave honest feedback about my chances. No false promises.

Initial consultation

Daniel L.

2 months ago · Edmonton

RefugeePath helped me file an open work permit while my claim was pending. I was working within weeks. Forever thankful.

Open work permit

Yusuf O.

2 months ago · Winnipeg

The team prepped me carefully for my RAD appeal. Every document was perfect. Result came back in my favour.

RAD appeal — allowed

Linh P.

3 months ago · Halifax

Citizenship application after years of waiting. Fast, organized, and they explained the test in detail. Highly recommend.

Citizenship granted

Rana N.

3 months ago · Toronto

Honestly, I was scared to call any lawyer. Their intake felt human, not bureaucratic. Within a day a real lawyer called me. Excellent service.

First contact

Esther M.

4 months ago · Mississauga

The team prepared my BOC narrative carefully. They listened without judgment. Truly grateful — I have refugee status now.

Refugee status

Priya V.

5 months ago · Brampton

Spousal sponsorship completed in record time. Transparent flat fee. No hidden costs. I would recommend them to anyone in my community.

Sponsorship · approved

Book a consultation

Practice areas

Refugee and immigration work, end to end.

A deliberately narrow scope — areas where our counsel has direct tribunal and Federal Court experience.

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Refugee Claims

Inland and port-of-entry claims, IRB hearings, evidence packages.

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Refugee Appeals

RAD appeals and Federal Court judicial review after a refusal.

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PRRA Applications

Pre-Removal Risk Assessment submissions with new evidence.

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H&C Applications

Humanitarian & compassionate applications rooted in your story.

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Family Sponsorship

Spouse, partner, child, and parent / grandparent sponsorships.

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Work & Study Permits

LMIA, open and post-graduate work permits, study permits.

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PR & Citizenship

Permanent residency, citizenship applications and refusals.

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Detention Hearings

CBSA detention reviews and urgent release representation.

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About the firm

A practice rooted in refugee and immigration law.

Pokharel Law was founded in August 2024 to provide direct, founder-led representation in matters that often involve people at the most vulnerable points of their lives. Before founding the firm, Mr. Pokharel practised at one of Toronto's largest refugee law firms, representing clients across a wide range of refugee and immigration cases.

Called to the Ontario Bar in November 2022, he holds an LLB (Hons) from BPP University in the United Kingdom and an LLM in Business Law from the Université de Montréal. He leads a diverse team that serves clients in Nepali, Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and more.

100+

refugees represented

languages across our team

2024

founder-led since

Founder & Principal Lawyer

“Your justice. My mission.” — Rajendra Pokharel

Legal articles

Plain-language guides to Canada's immigration system.

Written by our lawyers. Free to read. Always up to date with the latest IRCC and IRB rules.

All articles →

Refugee Claims 8 min read

How refugee claims work in Canada — start to finish.

From the eligibility interview to your IRB hearing, with realistic timelines.

PRRA 6 min read

PRRA explained: when, why, and how to apply.

If you're facing removal, a PRRA may be your next step. Here's exactly what it is.

Appeals 7 min read

What happens after a refusal — your real options.

RAD appeals, judicial review, H&C, and PRRA — which applies to you.

Hearings 9 min read

The refugee hearing process — what to expect.

Room layout, common questions, and how to prepare emotionally and legally.

Sponsorship 5 min read

The spousal sponsorship guide for newcomers.

Eligibility, documents, processing times, and common mistakes that cause delays.

Citizenship 6 min read

Citizenship timeline: from PR card to oath.

How long it really takes, the residency calculation, and what happens at your ceremony.

Tell us about your matter.

Every engagement begins with a private consultation. We respond within one business day.

Book a consultation Call +1 647-873-0837

Frequently asked

Refugee and immigration questions, answered plainly.

Can't find what you're looking for? Reach out — we respond within one business day.

Office

+1 647-873-0837

How long does a refugee claim take in Canada?

Most claims take 12 to 24 months to reach a decision, though timelines vary by case. We track every stage and make sure your deadlines are met.

What if my claim is refused?

A refusal is not the end. You may appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division or seek judicial review at the Federal Court. We represent clients at both stages.

Can I work or study while my claim is processed?

Yes. Most refugee claimants can apply for a work permit or study permit after their claim is referred to the IRB.

How do I start a refugee claim in Canada?

A claim can be made at a Canadian port of entry or from inside Canada through an online application. We assist with form preparation, evidence gathering, and representation before the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Who qualifies as a Convention Refugee?

A Convention Refugee fears persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. A person in need of protection faces torture, risk to life, or cruel treatment if returned home.

What’s the difference between a refugee claim and an H&C application?

A refugee claim is based on fear of persecution. A humanitarian & compassionate (H&C) application is for people who don't qualify as refugees but have strong personal, family, or community ties in Canada.