05/25/2026
Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) Grounds
Section A25(1) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) allows certain individuals, even if they are inadmissible or not eligible to apply under a regular immigration class, to request permanent residence or an exemption from certain immigration requirements based on Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) considerations.
H&C applications are entirely discretionary, and each case is assessed individually based on its own circumstances, supporting evidence, potential hardship, establishment in Canada, the best interests of any affected child, and other relevant humanitarian factors. To have your Humanitarian & Compassionate application considered for an exemption from the usual requirements of IRPA, you must:
• clearly identify in your application exactly which exemption or exemptions you are requesting.
• provide all relevant details, circumstances, and reasons explaining why you believe an exemption should be granted on Humanitarian & Compassionate grounds.
• demonstrate that there are sufficient, compelling, and persuasive reasons that justify allowing you to apply for permanent residence from within Canada.
It is important to understand that the cost, difficulty, inconvenience, or emotional distress associated with returning to your country of origin to apply for permanent residence, on their own and without other significant factors, are generally not enough for a successful H&C application.
