If you’ve been living in Canada without permanent status and are wondering if there’s still a way to stay, you may have heard about applying on Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds.
This blog will walk you through what H&C really means, why approval rates are dropping, how recent changes will affect future applicants, and why working with an experienced immigration lawyer can make all the difference—especially now.
What Is a Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Application?
An H&C application is a last-resort option to apply for permanent residence if you don’t qualify under any of Canada’s regular immigration programs. It’s designed for people facing serious hardship if they’re forced to leave Canada.
To be successful, you must show compelling reasons why you should be allowed to stay, such as:
- Long-term establishment in Canada
- Children who would suffer if you had to leave
- Medical, personal, or social hardship in your home country
- Other unique, compassionate circumstances
It’s important to know: this is not a general backup plan. It’s for people with truly exceptional situations—and the government is becoming much stricter about who qualifies.
Why Approval Rates Are Dropping
Over the last few years, the number of H&C applications has skyrocketed. Between 2020 and 2024, Canada received nearly 45,000 H&C applications. But as of late 2024, the approval rate had dropped to just 56%—down from around 60% a few years ago.
Why the decline?
- More people are applying, including many who don’t meet the criteria.
- Quotas are shrinking (we’ll explain that below).
- The system is overwhelmed, leading to longer processing times and tougher reviews.
How Long Does an H&C Application Take?
H&C applications aren’t fast. Current processing times are:
- Outside Quebec: Around 20 months
- In Quebec: Up to 49 months
These are averages—and many people wait even longer. If you’re applying, you need to be prepared for a long wait.
What’s Changing: New Quotas Will Limit How Many Get Approved
In 2024, Canada planned to accept 13,750 people through H&C and related discretionary programs.
But starting in 2025, the government is cutting that number dramatically:
- 2025: 10,000
- 2026: 6,900
- 2027: 4,300
That’s a 69% reduction over just three years.
What does this mean for you?
- More people will be competing for fewer spots
- Applications will be reviewed more strictly
- Approval chances will continue to drop
If you’re thinking about applying, time is of the essence.
Other Programs Under the H&C and “Other” Category
Americas – Family-Based Humanitarian Pathway
- Target: 11,000 admissions
- Approved as of Oct 2024: 10,390 individuals
- Admissions to date: 6,995 persons
- PR pathway launched in Nov 2023 for Colombian, Haitian, and Venezuelan nationals with family in Canada.
Sudan – Family-Based Humanitarian Pathway
- Application cap: 3,250
- Expected admissions: 5,000 over three years
- PR pathway launched in Feb 2024
- As of Oct 2024, 1,615 individuals have passed eligibility and security screening.
- Additional 11,000 individuals were processed on a priority basis between April 2023 and Oct 2024 due to conflict.
Ukraine – Family-Based Pathway
- Open from Oct 23, 2023, to Oct 22, 2024
- No cap or specific target
- As of Oct 2024: Over 21,750 persons have applied
- Approved: Over 280 persons
- Refused: Fewer than 20
Hong Kong Pathways
- No cap or target
- Two PR pathways launched in June 2021
- Expanded in 2023
- May 2024: New public policy introduced to extend status and offer open work permits while waiting
- As of Oct 2024: Over 26,500 applied; over 10,500 approved; fewer than 200 refused
Out-of-Status Construction Workers in GTA
- Target: 1,000 principal applicants
- Program began Jan 2020, ends Dec 31, 2024
- As of Oct 2024: Close to 1,350 persons admitted (includes family members)
Permit Holder Class
- Eligible TRP holders may apply for PR after 3–5 years of continuous residence
- From Jan 2020 to Oct 2024: 50 individuals granted PR
A Common Mistake: Being Told to Apply Without a Strong Case
As economic immigration becomes harder to qualify for, many consultants and agents are advising clients to apply under H&C—even when they don’t meet the basic requirements.
That’s risky.
Here’s the reality:
- Not everyone qualifies for H&C. You need strong personal reasons backed by real evidence.
- Bad advice can hurt your future in Canada. If your H&C is refused, you could be removed from the country—and there’s no right to appeal.
- The system is overloaded, and low-quality applications just make it harder for deserving applicants to be approved.
The Next 10 Years: What to Expect
Looking ahead, we expect:
- Fewer spots for H&C applicants
- More refusals due to volume and stricter criteria
- Longer wait times as the system struggles with demand
- Greater need for professional help to make your case stand out
If you’ve built your life in Canada, have family here, or face hardship if you return to your home country, it’s crucial to act before the window narrows even further.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Your H&C Application
H&C applications are one of the most complex and discretionary areas of Canadian immigration law. Officers aren’t following a checklist—they’re looking at your story, your evidence, and your credibility.
If your case isn’t clearly presented or fully supported, it can be refused—even if you have valid grounds.
Here’s how a lawyer can help:
- Assess whether H&C is right for you before you waste time and money
- Build a compelling case with legal arguments and supporting documents
- Prepare you for every step of the process, including responding to fairness letters
- Avoid common mistakes that could delay or destroy your application
- Maximize your chances of success before quotas drop even further
How Titan Law Can Help
At Titan Law, we specialize in complex immigration cases—especially Humanitarian and Compassionate applications.
We don’t file cookie-cutter applications. We take the time to:
- Understand your situation and determine if you qualify
- Collect strong supporting documents and legal submissions
- Create a powerful narrative that aligns with the latest legal standards
- Handle every detail from start to finish
We’re also honest: If we believe you don’t meet the threshold, we’ll tell you upfront—and help you explore other options.
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As of October 31, 2024, the approval rate for H&C applications is approximately 56%, based on over 27,500 approvals and nearly 21,300 refusals between January 2020 and October 2024.
Processing times vary by province:
- Outside Quebec: Approximately 20 months
- Quebec: Approximately 49 months
IRCC has stated it could take 5–7 years to process the current H&C-only inventory and 20+ years when all public policy cases are included.
This category includes standard in-Canada H&C applications and several public policy pathways such as:
- Ukraine Family-Based Pathway
- Sudan Family-Based Humanitarian Pathway
- Americas Pathway (Colombia, Haiti, Venezuela)
- Hong Kong PR Pathways
- Out-of-Status Construction Workers in the GTA
- Permit Holder Class
Yes. The Immigration Levels Plan has capped the H&C and Other admissions as follows:
- 2024: 13,750
- 2025: 10,000
- 2026: 6,900
- 2027: 4,300
This significant reduction makes approvals more competitive.
