Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) Applications

When There’s No Path, Compassion Creates One

Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) Applications with Cougar Immigration

Are you in Canada with no legal status, or ineligible to apply for permanent residency under regular immigration programs? You may still have a way forward through a Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) application—Canada’s discretionary pathway for people facing extraordinary hardship.

At Cougar Immigration, we help individuals and families build strong, well-documented H&C applications, emphasizing the human story, legal basis, and compassionate grounds that make your case unique and deserving.

 

What is an H&C Application?

A Humanitarian and Compassionate application allows a person to apply for permanent residence from inside Canada, even if they don’t meet the usual requirements—based on compelling personal circumstances.

This pathway is meant for those who:

• Have no other immigration options
• Are deeply established in Canada
• Would face undue hardship or risk if forced to leave
• Have children’s best interests at stake
• May suffer from medical or safety issues in their country of origin

It is a discretionary program, meaning IRCC assesses each case on its merits and evidence, not set criteria.

 

Who Can Apply Under H&C Grounds?

You may qualify if you:

• Are living in Canada without valid status (e.g., overstayed visa, refused refugee claim)
• Have Canadian-born or school-aged children
• Are caring for a vulnerable person (e.g., senior, disabled relative)
• Face persecution, violence, or serious health risks in your home country
• Have established significant community ties in Canada (employment, volunteering, schooling)
• Cannot leave Canada due to medical, financial, or family hardship

 

What IRCC Considers in an H&C Application

• Length of time in Canada
• Establishment and integration (work history, community support, language, education)
• Impact on children’s lives
• Medical issues or access to care
• Risks or hardships in the home country
• Best interest of the child (BIOC)

 

How Cougar Immigration Supports You

H&C applications are complex and highly emotional. We provide compassionate, strategic legal support:

• Case Evaluation – We assess your eligibility and advise on timing and risks
• Personal Story Development – We help you tell your story powerfully and truthfully
• Document Gathering – Letters of support, school reports, medical records, police reports, and more
• Legal Submissions – We craft a comprehensive H&C cover letter supported by relevant law and facts
• Ongoing Representation – We handle communication with IRCC and prepare responses to procedural fairness letters (if issued)

 

Pricing

Pricing may vary depending on relationship type, complexity, and number of dependents.

 

Why Choose Cougar Immigration?

We understand that H&C applicants often come from challenging, sensitive backgrounds. At Cougar Immigration, we bring not only legal expertise but genuine empathy and advocacy to help you stay in Canada and protect your future.