A delicate situation

[smartycgs]

A friend of mine could not pass in his first course of PH.D program in a Canadian University and has been given two options by his advisory committee: to be required to discontinue or to resign voluntarily. He has a good academic record but for some reason he did not make it. He has his family here and his two grown-up children are going to schools and are in the middle of school year. He is apparently on study permit and is risking to lose it on the above mentioned options. Can he apply for the work permit in Canada with the study permit?. He is very much confused and is seeking advices and suggestions to get over this desperate situation.

What are the options he would probably have to handle this difficult time?. We would greatly appreciate your guidance and advices on this matter.

 

[vnsk80]

How about enrolling in a masters program at the same university. When I was in school, I know of similar cases where international students who were deemed not competent for PhD were given the option of enrolling in a masters program.

To obtain a work permit he has to find an employer who is willing to sponsor his work permit, which might be difficult in current economic conditions. considering masters might be a better bet. This will buy him some time to find PhD admission at a different university, I guess.

 

[BeShoo]

Maybe he's just not suited for that field and should choose a different field. I had a friend who was studying linguistics at my university and she was asked to leave. She applied for education at a different university and she must be doing okay with that because 2 years later she is still in the program. She is also on a student visa.

 

[Siouxie]

He could apply for a Student work permit but only if he is enrolled on a full time course. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-offcampus.asp

He could also apply for a post graduate work permit - but only once he has graduated. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad.asp

His wife could apply for an open work permit which would be valid for the length of his study permit. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-spouse.asp

According to CIC FAQ, if he can find a different school or program he would be permitted to change without the need to apply for a new permit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/faq/study/study-faq13.asp

"...However, if you are enrolled in a post-secondary program (doing studies after the high school level), you may change your school, level, program and field of studies without applying for a new study permit. You don’t need to apply for a change to the condition of your study permit either. You may continue to use your study permit as long as it is valid."

It would seem his options are a little restricted - I would definitely advise him to try and find a different school or program and then apply for an student work permit.