Becoming a Destitute Student to gain work experience as a caregiver.

[An0tika]

Hello! So I am an international student and there have been some situations that have caused me to have my undergraduate degree extended by two years. The funds my family had for my initial education plan will not cover this new development. I have two part time jobs as a Caregiver for September and beyond and was wondering if I should apply for an open work permit and become a destitute student due to my situation. My goal is to raise enough money for the remaining years of my education and to get my Permanent Residency Card.
What do you think?

 

[Naturgrl]

Hello! So I am an international student and there have been some situations that have caused me to have my undergraduate degree extended by two years. The funds my family had for my initial education plan will not cover this new development. I have two part time jobs as a Caregiver for September and beyond and was wondering if I should apply for an open work permit and become a destitute student due to my situation. My goal is to raise enough money for the remaining years of my education and to get my Permanent Residency Card.
What do you think?

How will becoming a destitute student help you? It doesn't count as experience but is for you to save money to return to school. Plus you need to be approved as a destitute student.

 

[Buletruck]

Hello! So I am an international student and there have been some situations that have caused me to have my undergraduate degree extended by two years. The funds my family had for my initial education plan will not cover this new development. I have two part time jobs as a Caregiver for September and beyond and was wondering if I should apply for an open work permit and become a destitute student due to my situation. My goal is to raise enough money for the remaining years of my education and to get my Permanent Residency Card.
What do you think?

Good god......

 

[mj1997]

How will becoming a destitute student help you? It doesn't count as experience but is for you to save money to return to school. Plus you need to be approved as a destitute student.

I’m an international student in Canada who is facing genuine financial hardship. My situation became difficult after my sister had to prematurely liquidate a Fixed Deposit in India (where I was the nominee) to pay for my mother’s cancer treatment. Those funds were originally meant to support my living expenses in Canada, and after the FD was released for medical emergencies, I no longer have enough money to continue supporting myself.
I also struggle to find stable part-time work.
Can anyone advise whether I’m eligible to apply for a Destitute Student Open Work Permit, and what steps or documents I should prepare for the application? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[canuck78]

I’m an international student in Canada who is facing genuine financial hardship. My situation became difficult after my sister had to prematurely liquidate a Fixed Deposit in India (where I was the nominee) to pay for my mother’s cancer treatment. Those funds were originally meant to support my living expenses in Canada, and after the FD was released for medical emergencies, I no longer have enough money to continue supporting myself.
I also struggle to find stable part-time work.
Can anyone advise whether I’m eligible to apply for a Destitute Student Open Work Permit, and what steps or documents I should prepare for the application? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

When did you start studying and how long do you have left in your studies? Have you been a full-time student throughout your studies? Are you up-to-date on your payments since you would be nearing the end of a semester. Will being able to work full-time actually allow you to return to full-time studies in a year for example? For most it won’t since you still have to live while saving to return back to school. A part-time job is never guaranteed so you can’t count on that income as a student.

 

[mj1997]

When did you start studying and how long do you have left in your studies? Have you been a full-time student throughout your studies? Are you up-to-date on your payments since you would be nearing the end of a semester. Will being able to work full-time actually allow you to return to full-time studies in a year for example? For most it won’t since you still have to live while saving to return back to school. A part-time job is never guaranteed so you can’t count on that income as a student.

I started in January 2025, and until now I’ve always been up to date with my payments. I’ve never had a part-time job, and now I have nothing left to cover my rent or tuition. I have eight more months left in the program. I’ve almost completed all my core courses, and I’ve remained a full-time student throughout.

 

[scylla]

I’m an international student in Canada who is facing genuine financial hardship. My situation became difficult after my sister had to prematurely liquidate a Fixed Deposit in India (where I was the nominee) to pay for my mother’s cancer treatment. Those funds were originally meant to support my living expenses in Canada, and after the FD was released for medical emergencies, I no longer have enough money to continue supporting myself.
I also struggle to find stable part-time work.
Can anyone advise whether I’m eligible to apply for a Destitute Student Open Work Permit, and what steps or documents I should prepare for the application? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

You can certainly try. You will want to include evidence of your mother's illness and I would also include an affidavit from your sibling stating that the money that was supposed to be used for your education had to be used to cover medical expenses. You would also want to provide bank account statements and hospital bills if you can. The more the better.

 

[mj1997]

You can certainly try. You will want to include evidence of your mother's illness and I would also include an affidavit from your sibling stating that the money that was supposed to be used for your education had to be used to cover medical expenses. You would also want to provide bank account statements and hospital bills if you can. The more the better.

How to apply?

 

[mj1997]

How to apply?

Also how long will it take to get this Open Work Permit?

 

[canuck78]

I started in January 2025, and until now I’ve always been up to date with my payments. I’ve never had a part-time job, and now I have nothing left to cover my rent or tuition. I have eight more months left in the program. I’ve almost completed all my core courses, and I’ve remained a full-time student throughout.

You should be working with your school. There is no specific timeline and also no guarantee you’ll be able to find employment.

 

[scylla]

How to apply?

You apply for an open work permit.