What Changed in IRCC's H&C Instructions in June 2026? A Plain-English Guide
The short answer: IRCC revised its H&C officer instructions on June 11, June 25 and August 27, 2026, according to its update pages. They list which pages were updated, added or deleted but do not say what changed on each page. The pages do not mention any change to the law.
What did IRCC actually publish in June 2026?
IRCC posts changes to its internal H&C guidance as "program delivery updates". These pages are described as a courtesy to stakeholders. They list which instruction pages changed, but they do not explain the changes line by line. Here is what the pages we read show.
June 11, 2026 (Part 2): According to IRCC, "program delivery instructions (PDIs) have been adjusted to include minor updates." Six instruction pages were updated:
Best interests of a child
Former Canadian citizens or permanent residents
Dealing with family relationships
Establishment in Canada
Ability to establish in Canada (the overseas context)
Reconsideration of an H&C decision
IRCC also deleted one page, "De facto family members". No new instructions were listed.
June 25, 2026 (Part 3): IRCC updated eleven instruction pages on processing H&C applications made in Canada. They cover processing in-Canada applications, Stage 1 processing (for all applicants, applicants with family relationships, applicants under a removal order, and consecutive or concurrent H&C applications), a positive Stage 1 assessment (approval in principle), a negative Stage 1 assessment, the Quebec selection certificate request, and Stage 2 permanent residence processing, including the negative Stage 2 assessment. Two pages were deleted: one on interim documentation after a positive Stage 1 assessment, and one on a positive Stage 1 assessment where the applicant has left Canada.
Is there a "June 11, 2026" update that changed Stage 1 decisions?
Some websites describe one June 11 update that covers everything, including a revisit of Stage 1 decisions. On the official pages we read, the June 11 update lists best interests of a child, establishment, family relationships and reconsideration, and the Stage 1 pages appear in the separate June 25 update. IRCC's update pages do not describe any change to how Stage 1 decisions are handled. The reconsideration instruction page, last modified June 11, 2026, discusses revisiting a positive Stage 1 decision if significant new information arises. Read the page itself. IRCC's own pages show the dates.
Did the law or the H&C test change?
Nothing on the update pages says so. IRCC's current H&C processing page still states that officers "must substantively consider and weigh all the relevant factors before them" and that individual factors "should not be considered in isolation." The same page says the best interests standard comes from subsection 25(1) of the IRPA, which refers to "the best interests of a child directly affected." IRCC's Guide 5291 says applying for H&C consideration is an exceptional measure, and that the best interests of a child "do not outweigh all other factors in a case."
What does this mean for applicants?
IRCC does not say how any instruction changed, so we cannot tell you what is different in practice. What the pages do tell you:
The factors remain part of IRCC's current instructions. IRCC does not state what changed within them. Best interests of a child, establishment, family relationships and hardship are areas officers are told to assess. See best interests of the child and establishment in Canada.
Guidance changes over time. Officers work from these instructions, so applicants benefit from checking IRCC's current pages before filing.
Reconsideration has its own instruction page. If you received a negative decision, see requesting reconsideration and what to do after a refusal.
No outcome can be predicted from an update. An instruction revision is not a promise of a different result for any file.
Who does this affect?
People preparing a new H&C application
People with an H&C application already in process
People who received a negative decision and are considering reconsideration
Families with children in Canada
What should you do?
Read IRCC's current H&C pages, and note the "date modified" shown on each.
Make sure your evidence matches the factors in IRCC's current guidance. See the documents checklist.
If your file is already submitted, do not assume the update applies to you. Ask a regulated professional to review your situation.
Keep records of your dates, decisions and letters from IRCC.
Not sure how the update fits your file? E-Pathway Immigration, led by Domonic Cheung, RCIC (R711344) in Vancouver, can review your situation and your options. Book a case review.
Frequently asked questions
Did IRCC change H&C instructions in June 2026?
Yes. IRCC's program delivery update pages show revisions dated June 11, 2026 (Part 2) and June 25, 2026 (Part 3). For June 11, IRCC describes the changes as minor updates.
What did the June 11, 2026 update cover?
IRCC lists best interests of a child, former Canadian citizens or permanent residents, family relationships, establishment, ability to establish and reconsideration. It deleted the "De facto family members" page.
Did IRCC say it will revisit Stage 1 decisions?
Not on the pages we read. IRCC listed revised Stage 1 instruction pages on June 25, 2026, but its update page does not describe the changes.
Does this change who can apply for H&C?
IRCC's update pages do not say so. The legal authority remains subsection 25(1) of the IRPA. Check who can apply.
Does the update make approval more likely or less likely?
No one can say. IRCC has not published the effect of the changes, and each file is decided on its own facts.
Is my pending application affected?
IRCC does not say. Ask a regulated professional to review your file rather than assuming either way.
Where can I read the instructions myself?
IRCC publishes them under its H&C operational instructions on canada.ca, and the program delivery update pages list the dates.
Have there been later updates?
Yes. IRCC's August 27, 2026 update lists six updated pages (including the main H&C page, intake, assessment and processing, hardship and inadmissibility), two new pages (initial assessment and referral procedures) and three deleted pages (balance between discretion and consistency, onus on applicant, threshold of proof). Check IRCC's page for anything newer. For the wider picture, see our H&C guide hub.
Key takeaways
IRCC updated H&C officer instructions on June 11, June 25 and August 27, 2026. For June 11 it described the changes as minor updates.
The June 11 update lists best interests of a child, establishment, family relationships and reconsideration.
IRCC does not publish a line-by-line summary, so any claim about the impact is interpretation.
The update pages do not mention any change to the law.
The bottom line
The update pages tell you which instructions changed and when. They do not tell you what the change means for your file. Use IRCC's current pages, document the factors well, and have your own situation reviewed.
Questions about your situation? E-Pathway Immigration, led by Domonic Cheung, RCIC (R711344) in Vancouver, can review your situation. Book a case review.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Sources: IRCC, Program delivery update: Updates to H&C consideration pages, Part 2 (June 11, 2026); IRCC, Part 3 (June 25, 2026); IRCC, update of August 27, 2026; IRCC, H&C considerations: processing; IRCC, Guide 5291.
This article provides general information only. It is not legal advice and does not create a client relationship. Immigration options and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified representative for advice about your situation.
About the author
Domonic Cheung is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), licence R711344, with E-Pathway Immigration in Vancouver, BC. You can verify his licence on the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) public register.
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