How to Write an H&C Letter (Personal Statement): What to Include
Updated: Oct 26
The short answer: A personal statement is your own account of why you are asking IRCC for an exception. IRCC does not publish a required template, but its guide says you must name each exemption you want, explain your reasons, show sufficient and compelling grounds and support every statement with evidence. A good statement is clear, honest and consistent with your documents. It cannot guarantee a result. IRCC treats H&C as an exceptional measure, and the decision is discretionary.
This article is part of our humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) application guide.
What is the personal statement for?
The H&C forms collect facts. A personal statement lets you explain your story in your own words: how you came to Canada, what your life here looks like and what would change if you had to leave. It should help an officer understand the evidence, not replace it.
IRCC's guide says you must name the specific exemptions you are requesting and give your reasons. It also says to include supporting documents that explain your hardship.
What should I include?
Cover the factors that apply to you. IRCC's guide lists these:
establishment in Canada;
ties to Canada;
the best interests of any child affected;
health;
family violence;
separation from relatives; and
conditions in your home country.
You do not need to write about every factor. Choose the ones that are true for you and can be proven.
A useful structure:
Who you are. Immigration history in Canada, and who is in your household.
What you are asking for. The exemption or exemptions you request.
Your life in Canada. Work, school, community, housing, family, with dates.
What return would mean. Specific, not general. For example, a named medical need, school support, or a particular risk in your home area, each tied to a document.
Children. If a child is affected, describe the child's situation and needs. See best interests of the child in H&C.
IRCC says the cost and inconvenience of applying from abroad are not enough alone, so do not build the statement around those.
What tone works well?
Plain and factual. Short sentences and clear dates help.
Respectful. Avoid blame, anger or threats.
Specific. "My son attends school with an education assistant" is stronger than "my son needs a lot of help", if you can show it.
Personal. It is your account, in your voice. A statement that reads like a copied template is less useful.
How do I keep the statement consistent with the evidence?
IRCC says you must provide evidence to support any statement you make. For each important claim, ask: which document proves this? Then check:
Dates, names and addresses match your forms and documents.
Work and study history lines up with tax records and letters.
Medical or school claims match the letters from professionals.
Anything on your forms about family abroad, travel and past applications matches what you wrote.
Letters from others can add weight when they are detailed. See H&C letters of support and psychological assessments for H&C. Documents not in English or French need a translation with the original. IRCC says you and close family cannot translate documents.
Truthfulness and misrepresentation
IRCC says it is your responsibility to make sure your information is correct and up to date, and that giving false or misleading information on the forms is a serious offence. IRCC's guide also lists misrepresentation as a ground of inadmissibility, so an inaccurate statement can put your application at risk. Do not exaggerate, guess at dates or leave out facts that matter, including past refusals or criminal history. If you do not remember something exactly, say so and give your best information, or find the record. If your situation changes after you apply, IRCC says you must tell it in writing.
Also, IRCC's page says representatives cannot sign your application for you. You type your own name to sign, so read everything before you do.
Common mistakes
Writing a very long life story with little connection to the factors above.
Statements with no document behind them.
Copying wording from an online sample.
Saying the outcome is "certain" or demanding approval.
Not updating the statement when facts change.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official length or template?
We did not find a required template or page limit in IRCC's guide. Check the current forms and checklist on IRCC's site.
Can someone help me write it?
A qualified representative can review your statement and evidence for gaps and consistency. The facts and the words must still be yours and true.
Next steps
A personal statement works best when it is built around your documents. E-Pathway Immigration can help you understand whether H&C considerations may be relevant, identify the evidence and questions that need attention, and review your draft for clarity and consistency. A decision remains with IRCC.
Related guides: H&C complete guide · How to apply for H&C: forms and fees · Establishment in Canada · H&C letters of support · H&C guide index
Last reviewed: October 2026
This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. 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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