Humanitarian/Compassionate Cases

People who want to live in Canada as permanent residents must normally apply for and receive a permanent resident visa prior to their arrival. However, applicants that are already in Canada and facing exceptional circumstances may qualify for an exemption on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. In this case, applicants must prove that these circumstances are indeed exceptional, unusual, excessive, or undeserved. Moreover, they must prove that these circumstances are beyond their control.

The length of the time spent in Canada, economic self-sufficiency, good conduct, sufficient ties with Canada, etc., are some of the other determining factors in success of the humanitarian and compassionate applications.