Humanitarian and compassionate considerations are an important element of Canada's immigration.  It is a mechanism to overcome problems or deficiencies in application to immigration to Canada or to obtain status in Canada.  Typically, applicants who apply to the H&C consideration class do not meet the requirement for Canada's family reunification, economic, or refugee programs.  Nevertheless they still present compelling cases for permanent residence. 

 

The Humanitarian & Compassionate class has the discretion to exempt foreign nationals from the ordinary requirements of the law and to grant permanent residence to applicants who would otherwise not be able to meet statutory and regulatory criteria.  When a person can demonstrate his or her circumstance is such that he or she would face unusual and undeserved or disproportionate hardship if refused, this will justify granting the application.

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An application for permanent residence on H&C grounds has two stages of assessment:

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• An assessment of whether there are sufficient H&C considerations to warrant the requested exemption(s) from requirements of Immigration laws.

• A final decision to grant permanent residence on H&C grounds.