People who would not normally be eligible to become permanent residents of Canada may be able to apply to become one on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

Humanitarian and compassionate grounds (H&C) apply to people with exceptional cases. IRCC assesses these applications on a case-by-case basis. Factors they look at include:

- how settled the person is in Canada (employment in Canada (even volunteering), education in Canada, property and savings in Canada, etc);

- social ties to Canada within their community;

- general family ties to Canada;

- the best interests of any children involved, and

- what could happen to a person if IRCC does not grant the request.

If you have an order to leave Canada (removal order), you may be able to apply to stay in Canada on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds, unless any of the H&C  restrictions apply to you.

The decision on an H&C application is "discretionary". This means that immigration officers have a lot of freedom when they decide about these applications.

Because they usually don't interview an applicant, it's important to make a strong application that explains why they should let an applicant stay in Canada and include the best possible and available evidence to support the application. Contact me if you are considering applying under this Program. 

10,0000 immigrants will receive PR through Humanitarian and Compassionate Program in 2021-22