Humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) application for permanent residence from inside Canada
Official name: Permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds (Guide 5291)
People living in Canada who do not fit any other immigration class can ask IRCC to grant permanent residence, or to waive a requirement, on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. IRCC calls it an exceptional measure. It looks at things like ties to Canada, the best interests of any children affected, health, family violence and hardship in the home country, but not risks that belong in a refugee claim. You cannot apply while a refugee claim is pending or, in most cases, within 12 months of a refused, abandoned or withdrawn refugee claim. Applying does not stop a removal.
3 entry rules for Canada based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
If you're not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you've been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, you can't enter Canada, board a flight to Canada or connect through a Canadian airport, unless you fall under an exemption.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada (PHAC, page date 2026-10-08) New Temporary Border Measures in Response to the Ebola Disease Outbreak (PHAC, 19 Jul 2026) Government of Canada extends temporary border measures in response to Ebola disease outbreak (PHAC, Aug 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Quarantine after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're allowed into Canada after being in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you'll get a health check on arrival and must quarantine for 21 days, report to public health within 48 hours and check your temperature every day.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada (PHAC) Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak (PHAC, 26 May 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Visa applications paused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan
If the last country you lived in, as stated on your application, is DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, Canada has suspended visitor visas, eTAs and permanent resident visas and paused new decisions. This depends on where you live, not your nationality.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Temporary measures (IRCC, page date 2026-09-28) Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures (PHAC, 26 May 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Canada
Finance
3
Currency
Canadian Dollar
CAD
Canadian Dollar
Cost of living
90
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
14–33%
Income tax (national)
Federal top rate applies above CAD 258,482 (2026); provinces/territories add their own income tax (roughly 4% to 21% at the top), giving combined top rates of about 44% to 54%.
Living
1
Happiness
#24 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Premium
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals living in Canada who need an exemption from one or more requirements of the immigration law to become permanent residents and who do not fit another in-Canada class.
Eligibility
Living in Canada, no other class fits
Sign in to check this route against your profileFor foreign nationals in Canada who need an exemption from one or more requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or Regulations. People who fit the spouse or common-law partner, economic, protected person or temporary resident permit holder classes should use those instead; a spouse or partner who can sponsor should use the spousal sponsorship application.
Not while a refugee claim is pending
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou cannot apply while a refugee claim is outstanding, and only one H&C application can be considered at a time.
- Only 1 H&C application can be under consideration at a time
Official wording
People with an outstanding refugee claim cannot apply. Only one H&C application can be under consideration at a time.
12-month bar after a refugee claim endsFormer refugee claimants
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou cannot apply if your refugee claim was rejected, abandoned or withdrawn in the last 12 months, apart from two exceptions.
- Exception: children under 18 would be directly and adversely affected
- Exception: life-threatening risk from inadequate health or medical care in your home country
- Home country means country of nationality or former habitual residence
Official wording
People whose refugee claim was rejected, abandoned or withdrawn in the last 12 months cannot apply, unless children under 18 would be directly and adversely affected, or there is a life-threatening risk caused by inadequate health or medical care in the country of nationality or former habitual residence.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
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- 3 more requirements
- 6 documents
- 4 fees
- 6 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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