Applying for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds under the February 4, 2016 Temporary Public Policy for nationals of Haiti and Zimbabwe

Get help to open an application form or to fill one out in the Help Centre.

Reminder: Special immigration measures for eligible citizens from Haiti and Zimbabwe expire soon! You have until August 4, 2016 to apply for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) grounds without risk of being removed from Canada. If you don’t apply, or if you apply after this date, you could be removed and sent back to your home country.

This application package includes:

If you and your dependents are approved, you will be asked at a later date to fill out additional forms in order to complete background checks.

This may include:

Most people who apply for permanent residence in Canada must do so from their home country.

Use this application if you are:

in Canada, and
eligible for the special measures that came into effect on February 4, 2016

Note: The Supplementary Information – Humanitarian and Compassionate Considerations (IMM 5283) form was changed in June 2012 as a result of the changes to the law. You must use the new form to apply.

How to use this application package

Read the Instruction Guide to complete your application forms.

Use the Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008]. You can fill it out and save it using a computer. You will need Adobe Reader 10 or higher. You must also turn JavaScript on.
Filling out the form on a computer is easier than filling it out by hand. It reduces the risk of mistakes that can slow down the application process.
Trouble downloading? Right-click the link and select “Save Target As…”

Fill out, validate, print, sign and date your application forms.

To make sure you submit all the pages, follow these steps.

IMM 0008 form

Click the “Validate” button at the top or bottom of the form.

Note: Validating the form before printing makes sure that you have answered all the questions. This will help you to avoid delays in processing your application.
A last page with barcodes and a signature line will automatically be created.
Print, sign and date the form.
For best results:
- print on white, bond-quality, non-glossy paper and
- use a laser printer.
Place the barcode page on top of your package. If you have more than one package, place a separate barcode page on each one.

Other forms:

Use the Document Checklist to make sure you include all the other forms and documents you need.

Pay the fees

You must include the fee with your application. Find out how to pay your fees.

If you wish to apply for a loan to cover the processing fees of your application, you must:

complete and sign the Notification of Intent (PDF, 50.29KB).
attach all supporting documents.

This will notify IRCC of your intent to apply for an immigration loan.

Send the Notification of Intent and the supporting documents with your application.

For more information about applying for a loan to cover the processing fees of your application, refer to the instruction guide under “Can I apply for a loan to cover the processing fees of my application?”.