Justice, Experience, and Hope: The Rise of Immigration Lawyer Farah Issa

Farah Issa knows the immigration system from both sides of the desk.More than seven years into a career devoted to Immigration and Refugee Law, Farah has built a reputation as a thoughtful, relentless advocate for people seeking safety and a future in Canada. But long before he became a lawyer, he was a newcomer himself—arriving in Canada as a refugee at a young age, learning firsthand how daunting, confusing, and deeply personal the immigration process can be.

In a profession that demands both resilience and compassion, Farah Issa embodies a rare balance of the two. His work is informed by experience, strengthened by expertise, and guided by a simple but powerful principle: that everyone deserves to be heard, and everyone deserves a fair chance to belong.

That lived experience continues to shape his practice.

Before launching his own firm, Farah worked at a boutique immigration and refugee law office in downtown Toronto, where he assisted clients with a wide range of applications, including refugee claims, Humanitarian and Compassionate applications, Express Entry files, and permanent residence pathways. His work demanded precision, empathy, and persistence—qualities that now define his approach to every case he takes on.

Farah’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his results. He has successfully represented more than 800 refugees from countries around the world before the Immigration and Refugee Board’s Refugee Protection Division, achieving a near-perfect success rate in refugee claims. He has also represented clients at the Immigration Appeal Division and worked on numerous Judicial Review applications before the Federal Court of Canada, with a high percentage of those cases resolving favorably.

Adding a rare insider perspective, Farah has also worked within the Citizenship Branch of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), where he interviewed applicants and assessed their eligibility for Canadian citizenship. This experience gives him a nuanced understanding of how decisions are made—and how to prepare applications that stand up to scrutiny.

Beyond his own practice, Farah collaborates closely with some of the country’s leading immigration and refugee lawyers, continually sharpening his craft and staying at the forefront of a rapidly evolving field. He is equally committed to giving back, mentoring junior lawyers and helping shape the next generation of advocates.

For Farah Issa, immigration law is more than a profession. It is personal. Every file represents a human story, a family’s future, and the chance to turn uncertainty into stability. And it is that sense of purpose—grounded in experience, skill, and compassion—that defines his work.