What is an H&C application?
An H&C application asks IRCC to allow the applicant to apply for permanent residence based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds when they are already in Canada.
An H&C application has 2 stages of approval:
- The applicant first has to be approved to apply for permanent residence in Canada for humanitarian and compassionate reasons (“approval‑in‑principle”).
- The applicant then has to be approved for permanent resident status in Canada.
At the second stage, they must meet certain conditions, for example, medical, security, and criminal checks. An applicant who is approved at the first stage can still be refused at the second stage, if they do not meet those conditions.
But in some cases, an applicant can ask to be excused from meeting a condition. For example, they can ask to be excused for not being able to support themselves financially, for having a medical condition that will burden the health-care system, or for being convicted of a certain crime.
Because there is usually no hearing or interview, it is important to:
- send the best possible evidence to support the application,
- explain all of the reasons to stay in Canada, and
- keep updating the application with any new evidence and information until IRCC makes a final decision.
If there are mistakes in the application or if the supporting evidence is not strong, the application may be denied.
Previous page Next page