What do you need to know about humanitarian and compassionate immigration?
H&C immigration plays a big role when a person must remain in Canada to overcome special and tough circumstances. It offers people who would otherwise not have a chance to stay in the country through normal immigration procedures an opportunity to do so. Whether you are facing difficulties in your home country or have created a life in Canada, knowing how to go through the H&C application process is essential. In this blog, we will discuss what you need to know about eligibility, how to apply, and key things to consider.
What is the main purpose of H&C consideration?
The main goal of humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) consideration is to offer flexibility when approving cases that don’t fit under current laws. It helps people who deserve to stay in Canada but can’t apply for permanent residency through other regular programs. This option is for those who have made Canada their home but don’t qualify for other ways to become permanent residents.
Find out if you are eligible to get in Canada →
How do I apply for H&C consideration?
If you want to apply for humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) consideration, you must explain why you should be allowed to stay in Canada. This could include:
- How long you’ve been living in Canada and how settled you are:
- If you have your family in Canada
- What’s best for any children involved
- What kind of problems you might face if you had to go back to your home country (this is not the same as a refugee claim)?
These are just a few examples, and your personal story will also be important.
Who can apply for H&C consideration?
You can apply for permanent residence through the Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) program if:
- You are presently living in Canada as a foreigner.
- You need a special exception to some of the usual immigration rules.
- You believe your situation is serious and deserves special attention for humanitarian reasons.
- You don’t qualify to apply under other programs, like:
Who can’t apply for H&C consideration?
You are not eligible to apply if:
- You are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
- You already applied for H&C, and the decision is still pending.
- You have a refugee claim that hasn’t been decided yet.
- You were labeled a foreign national within the last five years.
Are refugee claims part of the H&C program?
No, the H&C program does not relate to the refugee matters. Decision-makers will not care about factors such as fear of persecution, risk of torture, or ill-treatment. These concerns are addressed through refugee claims.
However, decision-makers can still think about how you would suffer if the decision is made to send you back to your home country when evaluating your H&C application.
Can a previous unfavorable H&C decision be reconsidered?
Yes, a past H&C decision can be reconsidered if the applicant shows good reasons for it. To support this, they should provide all important information about their situation.
For instance, if the applicant has other documents that are likely to influence the outcome if considered, then the decision-maker might consider reviewing the case afresh. They shall also look at whether this new evidence fits better with another application.
How to apply for H&C consideration?
In the following, we’ll discuss the application steps for the H&C considerations
- Fill out the forms: Fill in all the required application forms.
- Gather required documents: Gather all the required documents as a part of an application process.
- Pay the Fees: Make sure to pay the required fees; if you don’t, your application will be sent back. Processing will only start once the full payment is received.
- Send Your Application: Mail in your completed application.
Do I need to provide biometric information?
Indeed, biometric information is required from you and every one of your family members. Applicants in Canada are mandatory to provide biometrics from the 3rd of December 2019; for other countries, mandatory biometrics were from the 18th of November 2018.
To do this, you need to pay the biometric fees and submit the application initially. Then you will get the Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL). It is important to note that you should go to the collection service point after getting an appointment.
How long does it take to process H&C applications?
Normally, it takes about 22 to 36 months to process humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) applications. If your application is incomplete, it may take longer and could even be sent back.
To sum up, humanitarian and compassionate is an essential opportunity for all those, who want to live in Canada even though they have to face a lot of problems. From the information given here, you will be able to understand who is qualified for it, what you ought to do, and how long such a process might take you so that you can prepare yourself well for this process. It may look complex now, but knowing what is happening and being organized helps when undertaking applications. If you or anyone close to you is considering this, every tale has value, and H&C immigration will open an opportunity in Canada for a new beginning.
