Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Considerations for Immigration

What Are H&C Grounds?

Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) considerations provide a pathway for individuals to apply for permanent residence in Canada when they don’t qualify through standard immigration programs but face exceptional circumstances that warrant special consideration.

Who Might Qualify for H&C?

H&C applications may be considered for individuals who:

• Have established deep roots in Canada

• Would experience excessive hardship if required to leave

• Face exceptional circumstances in their home country

• Have children whose best interests would be severely affected by removal

• Have serious medical conditions that can’t be properly treated in their home country

Application Requirements

To apply on H&C grounds, applicants must:

1. Demonstrate they would face unusual, undeserved or disproportionate hardship if required to apply from outside Canada

2. Provide substantial evidence supporting their claims

3. Show that their situation warrants an exception to normal immigration requirements

Common Supporting Documents

• Proof of establishment in Canada (employment, volunteer work, community ties)

• Evidence of hardship if removed (medical reports, country condition documents)

• Documentation of family relationships in Canada

• Letters of support from community members or organizations

• Evidence of best interests of any affected children

Processing Information

• Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis

• Processing times vary depending on individual circumstances

• There is no guarantee of approval

• Negative decisions may be appealed to the Federal Court