Humanitarian & Compassionate
If you are in Canada without status and you cannot go back to your home country for serious reasons, you could apply for permanent residence on Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds. At ZF Canada, we help people and their families compile and submit compelling H&C applications designed for their own circumstances.
What Is a Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Application?
An H&C application is an eApplication for discretionary factors to the usual provisions of Canadian immigration legislation. These cases are evaluated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on a case-by-case basis.
This is the type of application for individuals living in Canada who do not have grounds for immigration under the regular immigration streams and have compelling reasons for remaining permanently in Canada.Who Can Apply for H&C Consideration?
You might be able to apply for H&C if:
- You are already inside Canada
- You are considered out of status or at risk of removal
- You cannot apply through the other immigration classes (e.g., economic class or family class)
- You may show that you have extenuating circumstances that should be considered.
Persons whose refugee claim is pending or was failed in the previous 12 months cannot apply under H&C, save and except (with a few exceptions such as risk to life, risk of cruel and unusual treatments, best interest of the child, etc.)
Factors Considered by IRCC
There are several factors IRCC officers look at when deciding an H&C application, such as:
Establishment in Canada
Employment experience, education, community involvement, and family connections.
Best Interests of Children (in any children impacted by the decision, especially if they are Canadian-born or have resided in Canada for a significant period).
Health or hardship concerns
Medical need that cannot be addressed in the country of origin.
Adverse conditions in the home country:
These can include violence, discrimination, or political instability.
Effective on removal from Canada
Emotional, physical, and financial hardship if the applicant and family are removed.
Every application requires documentation, notarization of personal statements and letters from employers, doctors, schools, and community contacts, where available.
How ZF Canada Helps
At ZF Canada, we help clients make clear, strong Humanitarian and Compassionate submissions. Our services include:
- Detailed assessment of your eligibility
- Draft of tailored submissions and cover letters
- Instructions for Documentation Collection and Gathering evidence and documents to support your case
- Preparation of affidavits, statutory declarations, and personal statements
- Filing of the complete H&C application with IRCC
Every aspect of your situation should be laid out transparently so that decision-makers can see who you are and why it is essential to your life in Canada.
Get Started Today
If you think your story might justify making you a permanent resident on humanitarian grounds, don’t wait. It is not an easy process, one where the evidence must be strong and preparation infallible. At ZF Canada, we are here to serve you throughout.
