Refugees & Protected Persons
Humanitarian & Compassionate (Rest of Canada) Processing Time
About 58,800 people waiting · IRCC data as of October 9, 2026
Humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) applications ask IRCC to grant permanent residence to people who would not otherwise qualify, based on factors like establishment in Canada, the best interests of children, and hardship if removed.
H&C is a discretionary, case-by-case assessment with a small annual admission target, which is why its published processing time is among the longest IRCC reports. This page tracks the trend for applications destined outside Quebec.
Processing Time History
| Date | Processing Time (months) |
|---|---|
| October 9, 2025 | 120 |
| November 6, 2025 | 120 |
| December 9, 2025 | 120 |
| January 14, 2026 | 120 |
| February 12, 2026 | 120 |
| March 9, 2026 | 120 |
| April 7, 2026 | 120 |
| May 12, 2026 | 120 |
| June 8, 2026 | 120 |
| July 7, 2026 | 120 |
| August 10, 2026 | 120 |
| September 3, 2026 | 120 |
| October 9, 2026 | 120 |
People Ahead by Application Month
IRCC also publishes how many applications submitted in each month are still ahead of you in the Humanitarian & Compassionate (Rest of Canada) queue.
| Month | People Ahead |
|---|---|
| 2024/10 | 20000 |
| 2024/11 | 21900 |
| 2024/12 | 24100 |
| 2025/01 | 25900 |
| 2025/02 | 27600 |
| 2025/03 | 29800 |
| 2025/04 | 31700 |
| 2025/05 | 33700 |
| 2025/06 | 35500 |
| 2025/07 | 37500 |
| 2025/08 | 39400 |
| 2025/09 | 41200 |
| 2025/10 | 42900 |
| 2025/11 | 44400 |
| 2025/12 | 45900 |
| 2026/01 | 47200 |
| 2026/02 | 48200 |
| 2026/03 | 49500 |
| 2026/04 | 50800 |
| 2026/05 | 52000 |
| 2026/06 | 53200 |
| 2026/07 | 54700 |
| 2026/08 | 57500 |
| 2026/09 | 58800 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Humanitarian & Compassionate (Rest of Canada) take right now?
As of October 9, 2026, IRCC reports a processing time of more than 10 years for Humanitarian & Compassionate (Rest of Canada) applications, with about 58,800 people waiting.
What do officers consider in an H&C application?
There is no fixed test — officers weigh establishment in Canada, ties and community involvement, the best interests of any children affected, health considerations, and the hardship the applicant would face if required to leave.
Does an H&C application stop removal from Canada?
Not automatically. A pending H&C application does not create a statutory stay of removal, though a positive first-stage decision changes the situation. Anyone facing removal should get legal advice promptly.