Humanitarian and Compassionate Considerations — Canada

While IRCC reviews your Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) application, you keep certain rights and responsibilities.

You must also stay organized and prepared to prove your identity, eligibility, and ability to support yourself.

Work and support while waiting

You may need to show how you will support yourself and your family while IRCC processes your file.

Officers assess whether you have a realistic plan for housing, food, and basic living costs.

Prepare documents such as:

• Recent pay records or proof of employment
• Bank statements
• Letters from employers
• Evidence of financial help from relatives or community members
• Proof of social or community support

If you do not have status, you may explore other options such as a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).

A TRP does not guarantee approval, but it may address temporary inadmissibility while your H&C application remains in process.

If you also have a Refugee Claim (Asylum) or support through Private Sponsorship of Refugees, keep those records separate and accurate.

IRCC reviews each process on its own facts.

Always report changes in your contact details so IRCC can reach you without delay.

Eligibility while your file is open

You must remain truthful and consistent in all forms and updates.

IRCC reviews the information in Form IMM 0008 (Generic Application Form for Canada) and Form IMM 5669 (Schedule A – Background/Declaration) carefully.

You risk refusal if:

• You provide incomplete background history
• You omit past immigration applications
• You withhold personal details such as previous addresses or work history
• You submit inconsistent information across different applications

If you or a family member may be ineligible for another immigration program, IRCC still assesses your H&C application on its specific humanitarian factors.

However, unresolved admissibility issues can affect the outcome.

Keep copies of everything you submit.

If IRCC requests additional documents, respond within the deadline given in your letter.

What information you should have ready

You must be ready to provide detailed personal and family information at any stage of processing.

IRCC may ask for updated records before making a decision.

Keep the following information organized and current:

Ensure that details in IMM 0008 and IMM 5669 match your supporting documents exactly.

Protect sensitive information such as your SIN, financial records, medical history, and employment details.

Submit documents only through official IRCC channels and keep secure copies for your records.

You must complete the correct IRCC forms, follow the instructions exactly, and submit a signed application with supporting documents.

Accuracy, completeness, and proper signatures determine whether IRCC will accept your package for processing.

Who completes the form

The principal applicant completes the humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) application.

Your family members complete their own forms only if they rely on different humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

If your grounds are the same, they do not submit separate H&C forms.

You must prepare the required IRCC forms in English or French.

Key forms may include:

If you previously submitted a Refugee Claim (Asylum), held a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), or were involved in Private Sponsorship of Refugees, you must disclose that history where the forms ask for past immigration details.

Do not omit prior applications or status.

You remain responsible for ensuring every required section is complete and consistent across all forms.

Step-by-step filing tasks

Follow a structured approach to avoid rejection for incompleteness.

1. Download the current H&C application package from the official IRCC website.

2. Save the forms to your computer.

3. Open them using Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher.

4. Complete the forms in English or French by typing, or print clearly in black or blue ink.

5. Review the instruction guide for your eligibility category before finalizing.

If you need more space for any answer, attach additional sheets.

Each extra page must include:

• Your full name
• Your date of birth
• The form and question number

Complete all required sections of IMM 0008, IMM 5669, and any other mandatory forms in your package.

Missing fields, inconsistent dates, or unsigned declarations can delay processing or lead IRCC to return your application.

Submission and sign-off

Before you submit, review every form line by line.

Confirm that you:

• Answered all required questions
• Included all supporting documents
• Attached extra sheets properly labeled
• Signed and dated each required signature block

You must sign the declaration to confirm that your information is accurate and complete.

An unsigned form is incomplete.

Submit the full application package according to the instructions provided by IRCC in the current guide.

Follow those instructions exactly, including any direction about where and how to send your application.

IRCC processes the application after it receives a complete and properly signed package.

Approval means Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will process your permanent residence application from inside Canada based on the humanitarian and compassionate factors you presented. Your focus shifts from proving hardship to completing permanent residence requirements accurately and on time.

How approval affects PR processing

IRCC continues assessing your permanent residence application using the forms and information you submitted, including Form IMM 0008 (Generic Application Form for Canada) and Form IMM 5669 (Schedule A – Background/Declaration).

All details must remain accurate. If your family situation, address, or contact information changes, update IRCC right away.

Approval on humanitarian and compassionate grounds does not erase other immigration processes you may have started.

IRCC still reviews admissibility and background information already declared in your forms. Respond promptly to any additional document requests.

Delays can happen if you do not provide updated or complete information.

Children and family impacts

IRCC approved your case because of specific humanitarian factors, which may include how your situation affects your children or other close family members in Canada.

If your application included children, IRCC continues assessing their information as part of your permanent residence file.

You remain responsible for ensuring:

• All child-related information is complete and accurate
• Any requested supporting documents are submitted promptly
• Changes in custody, residence, or family composition are reported

If you explained how removal from Canada would negatively affect a child, that was considered in the approval. Permanent residence still requires full processing of each listed family member.

Your spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children must remain properly declared. Omitting a family member can create serious complications later.

Next administrative steps

After approval, your main task is compliance.

You must:

1. Monitor your IRCC account or correspondence.

2. Submit any updated forms or documents requested.

3. Confirm that your IMM 0008 and IMM 5669 remain accurate.

4. Inform IRCC of any changes in marital status, children, or address.

Keep copies of everything you submit.

If you currently hold temporary status, such as a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), maintain valid status in Canada unless IRCC instructs otherwise. Approval under H&C grounds allows processing from within Canada, but it does not automatically cancel other conditions attached to your stay.

IRCC will finalize your permanent residence once all required assessments are complete and your file meets statutory requirements.

IRCC currently lists standard humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) applications at 24 to 48 months. Your timeline depends on where you apply, how complete your forms are, and whether IRCC treats your case as routine or non‑routine.

How processing times are measured

IRCC measures processing time from the date they receive your complete application to the date they make a decision. The clock does not start when you begin preparing forms such as Form IMM 0008 or Form IMM 5669.

IRCC calculates posted times based on applications submitted in a specific month and year. The number shown is an estimate of how long a similar application may take if submitted today.

For permanent residence under H&C, IRCC provides a range rather than a fixed date.

If your file is incomplete, IRCC may delay processing or return it. In that case, the timeline resets when you resubmit a complete package.

Variations by location and case type

Processing times vary by category and processing location. An H&C application filed inside Canada does not move at the same pace as one submitted from outside Canada.

If you apply from outside Canada or the United States, add 3 to 4 months for mailing time. This delay does not reflect decision-making time; it accounts for document transit.

IRCC may take longer if:

• Your case is classified as non-routine
• Application volumes exceed annual immigration targets
• Your situation involves related processes, such as a Refugee Claim (Asylum), Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), or prior Private Sponsorship of Refugees

IRCC cannot always provide accurate timelines during rapidly changing international situations. Posted estimates may not reflect actual wait times in those periods.

Timing tips and exceptions

You control part of the timeline by submitting a complete and organized application.

Focus on:

• Accurate completion of IMM 0008 and IMM 5669
• Clear supporting documents
• Immediate response to IRCC requests

IRCC commits to processing most complete applications within its posted standard. However, complex files may require additional review.

A non-routine designation can extend your case beyond the 24–48 month range. IRCC may also slow intake or final decisions if the number of applicants exceeds the number of permanent residents Canada can admit in a given year.

You must present a complete, consistent, and well-documented application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Errors, missing details, and weak evidence often lead to refusal or long processing delays.

Common mistakes to avoid

Incomplete or incorrect forms cause avoidable delays. Review every page of Form IMM 0008 and Form IMM 5669 before submission.

Use black or blue ink if you print and complete forms by hand. Faint ink or illegible writing can affect readability and lead to processing issues.

Do not leave any question blank. If a question does not apply to you, write “N/A” or “Not applicable.”

Many applicants also fail to clearly explain the hardship that justifies humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) relief. You must describe the specific consequences you or your family would face if IRCC refuses your application.

Use this checklist before filing:

• All required forms completed and signed
• Every question answered or marked “N/A”
• Supporting documents included for each claim
• Hardship explained with specific facts
• Forms reviewed for accuracy and consistency

Submitting a rushed file often creates more delay than taking extra time to review it carefully.

Credibility and documentation risks

IRCC assesses your credibility based on consistency and supporting evidence. If you claim hardship, you must provide documents that support each statement.

If you reference past immigration history, ensure your answers on IMM 5669 match previous applications, including any Refugee Claim (Asylum), Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) request, or involvement in Private Sponsorship of Refugees programs.

Inconsistencies raise concerns. Even small differences in dates, addresses, or prior applications can undermine trust.

Use this comparison to protect your credibility:

Do not assume IRCC will fill gaps or overlook discrepancies. You must prove your case with clear and consistent evidence.

Consequences of incomplete files

An incomplete H&C application can result in processing delays or refusal. Filing does not guarantee approval.

If you fail to provide documents that support your hardship, IRCC may determine that you did not meet the threshold for relief. Missing forms or unanswered questions can also prevent officers from fully assessing your case.

Common consequences include:

1. Delayed processing due to missing information

2. Requests for additional documents

3. Refusal based on insufficient evidence

You control these risks by submitting a complete and organized file. Review the document checklist carefully and confirm that every claim in your application has supporting proof before you send it to IRCC.