People who would not normally be eligible to become permanent residents of Canada might be able to apply on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. Humanitarian and compassionate grounds apply to people with exceptional cases. These applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Keep in mind: In order to decide to move on with an application for a client based on H&C, our TFA consultants need to first have a consultation with the applicants, to better understand their life history and thus evaluate each case individually.
SELECTION CRITERIA
- how established the person is in Canada
- general family ties to Canada
- the best interests of any children involved
- what could happen to the applicant if he/she is not granted the request.
REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY
- You may only ask for humanitarian and compassionate grounds if you are applying for permanent resident status in Canada, or for a permanent resident visa abroad. H&C requests from temporary resident applicants will not be considered.
- An applicant cannot have more than one humanitarian and compassionate grounds application at the same time.
- Risk factors such as persecution, risk to life, cruel and unusual treatment or punishment will not be assessed.
- You cannot apply for humanitarian and compassionate grounds if you have a pending refugee claim. If you want to apply, you must withdraw your refugee claim before your Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) hearing.
- You cannot apply for humanitarian and compassionate grounds if you had a negative decision from the IRB within the last 12 months. This is called the “one year bar.” (If the IRB decides your refugee claim is abandoned or withdrawn, that counts as a negative decision.) The bar does not apply if:
- you have children under 18 who would be adversely affected if you were removed from Canada, or
- you have proof that you or one of your dependents suffers from a life-threatening medical condition that cannot be treated in your home country.
ABOUT DESIGNATED FOREIGN NATIONALS
A group of people who enter or try to enter Canada in a way that is against the law can be considered an “irregular arrival.” This means certain rules and restrictions apply to them.
If you got here as part of an irregular arrival, you are a “designated foreign national.” The Minister of Public Safety will tell you in writing if you are one.
You cannot apply for humanitarian and compassionate grounds until five years have passed since:
- the day you became a designated foreign national and/or
- the IRB made a final negative decision on your refugee claim and/or
- you got a negative decision on a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment.
If you applied for humanitarian and compassionate grounds and then became a designated foreign national, your humanitarian and compassionate grounds application will be suspended for five years from the date:
- you were designated, or
- of a negative decision from the IRB, or
- of a negative Pre-Removal Risk Assessment decision.
STILL GOT QUESTION?
- Book an appointment with us to assess your chances of immigrating through the Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds
- Follow our youtube channel and our social networks, where we post daily content about immigration, with tips, clarifications and news from the government of Canada.
- Check here other paths to conquer the permanent residence
Main content source : IRCC – www.canada.ca
