H&C Approval Rate in Canada: What Are My Chances?

The short answer: According to IRCC's briefing to the House of Commons immigration committee (November 2024), from January 2020 to October 31, 2024, over 27,500 individuals in Canada were approved on H&C grounds and almost 21,300 were refused, an approval rate of 56%. That's an average across very different cases. Your own chances depend on how strong your humanitarian factors are and how well your evidence proves them.

Where does the 56% figure come from?

IRCC prepared briefing material for the House of Commons immigration committee in November 2024. It reported that, from January 2020 to October 31, 2024:

• Over 27,500 individuals in Canada were approved on H&C grounds

• Almost 21,300 were refused

That works out to roughly 56 approvals for every 100 decisions. You may see much lower figures quoted online, often from older guides. The 56% figure, from IRCC's November 2024 committee briefing, is the most recent official approval rate we've found. IRCC's December 2025 briefing did not update it.

Why an average can be misleading

The approval rate mixes together every kind of H&C case, from very strong files to applications with almost no evidence. A few things to keep in mind:

• Weak applications pull the average down. Applications filed without key evidence are more likely to be refused.

• Strong cases may do better than average, and weak ones worse.

• The rate doesn't show withdrawn or returned files, such as applications returned because a bar applied.

• Approval is only Stage 1. You still need to pass medical, criminal and security checks at Stage 2.

What makes an H&C case stronger?

Officers look at your whole situation. Cases tend to be stronger when they show:

• Clear hardship if you had to leave, backed by evidence, not just statements

• Children's interests that are directly affected, explained in detail

• Real establishment in Canada: years of work, community ties, a home, relationships

• Health needs and proof that care isn't available or accessible at home

• No family support left in the home country, common for elderly or widowed parents

• Professional evidence, such as medical reports, letters of support and sometimes a psychological assessment

What weakens an H&C case?

• General statements without proof, such as "life is hard there"

• Missing evidence for key claims

• Relying only on time in Canada, without showing deeper ties

• Inconsistencies with earlier immigration applications

• Using H&C mainly to avoid applying from abroad. IRCC says the cost and inconvenience of applying from home isn't enough on its own.

• Criminal history or past misrepresentation

Who does this affect?

• Anyone deciding whether to file an H&C application

• Families who have been told "H&C chances are slim"

• Applicants refiling after a refusal

What should you do?

1. Get an honest assessment before you file. With 10+ year processing, a weak application costs years.

2. List your strongest factors and the evidence that proves each one.

3. Fill the gaps before filing, not after.

4. Keep your evidence current while you wait.

Related guides

• Best Interests of the Child in H&C Applications: What Officers Look For

• Establishment in Canada for H&C: What Counts and How to Prove It

• H&C for elderly and widowed parents

• H&C Letters of Support: Who Should Write Them and What to Include

• H&C Application Refused? Your Options in 2026: Judicial Review, Reapplying and What Comes Next

• H&C Processing Time 2026: Why It's Now 10+ Years and What Families Can Do

Frequently asked questions

What is the approval rate for H&C applications in Canada?

IRCC reported a 56% approval rate for in-Canada H&C decisions from January 2020 to October 31, 2024: over 27,500 individuals approved and almost 21,300 refused.

Are H&C applications hard to get approved?

They're discretionary and depend heavily on evidence. Close to half of decided in-Canada applications were refused, so a well-prepared case matters.

Does hiring a consultant guarantee approval?

No. No one can guarantee an H&C outcome. A professional can help you present your strongest evidence and avoid common mistakes.

Does approval in principle mean I'm a permanent resident?

No. Approval in principle is Stage 1. You become a permanent resident only after passing Stage 2 checks and landing.

Key takeaways

• IRCC data: about 56% of in-Canada H&C decisions from 2020 to October 2024 were approvals.

• The average hides big differences between strong and weak files.

• Evidence is what moves a case from "maybe" to "approved".

• Approval in principle is only Stage 1.

• Get an honest assessment before filing.

The bottom line

H&C isn't a long shot for everyone, and it isn't a sure thing for anyone. The families who succeed usually have real humanitarian factors and evidence that proves them clearly.

E-Pathway Immigration gives honest case assessments for H&C, especially for elderly parents and children with special needs. We work in English, Chinese and Vietnamese. Book a case review.

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About the author

Domonic Cheung is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, licence R711344) with E-Pathway Immigration in Vancouver. He focuses on humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) applications and complex family sponsorships, and works with clients in English, Chinese and Vietnamese.

Sources

IRCC, CIMM briefing – Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other Category (November 25, 2024, canada.ca); IRCC, CIMM briefing on humanitarian and compassionate immigration (December 4, 2025); IRCC, Humanitarian and compassionate considerations application guide; Kanthasamy v. Canada, 2015 SCC 61

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer for your specific situation.