Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C)

Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) Applications 

in Canada

Explore Your Options for Permanent Residence — even if you don't have status

Who Can Apply Under H&C Grounds?

If you are in Canada without status, or facing difficult circumstances that prevent you from applying through regular immigration pathways, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence on Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds.

You may be eligible if:

• You are in Canada without valid immigration status

• You have lived here for several years

• You have strong ties to your community

• You have children in Canada who are thriving in school

H&C applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The law allows flexibility to consider your personal story, but you must still meet certain standards.

Note: This is not a refugee application. H&C is for people inside Canada who cannot apply through other immigration categories.

We assess every case carefully. After reviewing your situation, we will recommend one of three approaches:

• Proceed now with an H&C application

• Wait and build your case (for example, by strengthening community ties or gathering documents)

• Do not apply unless specific circumstances change (such as changes in family situation, medical issues, or other hardship factors)

What Factors Are Considered?

Immigration officers reviewing an H&C application will consider:

• Establishment in Canada: Are you working, studying, volunteering, or otherwise contributing?

• Best interests of any children: Especially for minor children who are Canadian citizens or have been in school here for several years

• Hardship if forced to leave Canada: Medical, safety, economic, or personal hardship

• Family and community support: Are there people here who rely on you or support you?

• Unique or compelling circumstances: This may include trauma, domestic violence, or other sensitive issues

Applications must be well-prepared. Officers are not required to approve an H&C application unless strong reasons are demonstrated.

Common Situations We See

• You overstayed your visitor visa or work permit

• You have Canadian-born children or children in school in Canada

• You’ve been working without authorization, often to support your family

• You’re caring for a sick or elderly family member in Canada

• You left a difficult or abusive situation in your home country

Your situation doesn’t have to be perfect, but it must be honestly presented, supported by evidence, and clearly show why your case deserves special consideration.

Can You Work While Waiting?

Not automatically. But in many cases, once an H&C application is submitted, we can also apply for a temporary resident permit (TRP) or work permit based on your situation. This depends on the strength of your application and your current circumstances.

We will discuss your options during the consultation.

Why Legal Help Matters

H&C decisions are discretionary. That means success often depends on how well your story is told and supported. We help by:

• Identifying your strongest factors

• Providing guidance on how to develop your personal statement

• Reviewing and suggesting edits to strengthen your draft

• Offering clear advice on gathering support letters and documentation

• Refining and organizing the final package for submission

• Weaving the facts of your case with immigration policies and legal principles to present the strongest possible case for approval

We also do not offer false hope. If we believe your case is not yet ready to succeed, we will tell you what steps you can take first.

Book a Consultation

We offer private consultations to help you understand if an H&C application is right for you.

• Clear, honest advice

• We’ll explain the process and your chances of success

• If appropriate, we can begin preparing your application immediately