H81 – Work Permit for international students facing force majeure financial hardship

H81 – Work Permit for international students facing unforeseen financial hardship

A category for students who temporarily face a lack of financial support due to circumstances beyond their control.

Eligibility and key conditions

• Hold a valid study permit, be enrolled at a DLI, and remain actively pursuing studies.
• Unable to support yourself without working.
• Hardship arose due to circumstances beyond the control of the student and their financial sponsors.

Required documentation

Study permit, proof of enrollment, financial records before/after the incident, and evidence of unforeseen circumstances.

Points to note

General lack of funds or simply wanting to work extra hours does not automatically qualify you for H81.

LMIA exemption does not remove the requirement to meet work permit issuance conditions. Work permits and permanent residency are assessed separately.

Support process at KeyApply

1. Submit information regarding citizenship, residency status, employment, and relevant documents for assessment.
2. Determine the applicable category, missing documents, and scope of support.
3. Prepare the application with the overseeing RCIC or lawyer; track any requests for additional information.

Apply for an application assessment

Select Apply for an application assessment, priced at 0 CAD, to submit your request. Processing fees and government fees, if applicable, are confirmed separately based on the file. You can call, email, or message us via the website KeyApply.com.

Official source

IRCC – H81 Guidelines

Updated on 10/08/2026.

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