Humanitarian and Compassionate Considerations
“Humanitarian and compassionate consideration” exist when unusual, undeserved or disproportionate hardship would be caused to a person seeking consideration. You can ask to be considered for humanitarian and compassionate consideration for anumber of reasons. You can also make a humanitarian &compassionate application from overseas. Generally, you must provide convincing evidence that you would face ‘undue hardship’, meaning unnecessary or excessive suffering, if you were not granted the exception for which you are asking.
You may apply for permanent residence from within Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds (H&C) if you
- are a foreign national currently living in Canada
- need an exemption from one or more requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) or Regulations in order to apply for permanent residence within Canada
- believe you would experience unusual and undeserved or disproportionate hardship if you are not granted the exemption you need
- are not eligible to apply for permanent residence from within Canada in any of these classes:
- Spouse or Common-Law Partner
- Live-in Caregiver
- Protected Person and Convention Refugees
- Temporary Resident Permit Holder
Average Processing Times*
Humanitarian and Compassionate Cases
30-42 monthsProcessing times at the time of publishing this article, contact VisaDay office or CIC for updated processing times