Humanitarian and Compassionate

Humanitarian and Compassionate

Normally, foreign nationals who wish to immigrate to Canada must apply for and obtain a permanent resident visa from abroad. Foreign nationals do not have the right to apply for permanent residence from within Canada if they do not meet the requirements of an in-Canada immigration class, or if they are otherwise inadmissible.

However, Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) allows foreign nationals who are inadmissible or who are ineligible to apply in an immigration class, to apply for permanent residence, or for an exemption from a requirement of the Act, based on humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) considerations (For instance- Best Interest of Child, Unusual Hardship, etc.)

H&C applications are highly discretionary and are assessed for extremely deserving cases only. These considerations are meant as exceptional but not alternate measures to applying for Permanent Residency.