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Areena Shrestha shares her emotional journey to Canadian permanent residency, highlighting uncertainty, sacrifices, and eventual approval through a health-care draw.
Areena Shrestha arrived in Canada as an international student from Nepal at age 18, with two suitcases and a dream to study, build a career, and call Canada home. She later earned permanent residency in 2025, but the path was marked by uncertainty and emotional exhaustion.
Early Years and Building a Life in Canada
Shrestha studied psychology and international relations at the University of British Columbia. During her studies, she interned at the Canadian Cancer Society and worked as a research assistant. After graduating, she built a career in social services, supporting vulnerable communities as a program assistant, crisis responder, and youth worker. Today, she works as a case manager at a rent bank, helping people facing housing insecurity.
She applied for permanent residency in December 2023 and often checked her application status late at night, calculated points for Canada's comprehensive ranking system, and refreshed draw pages repeatedly. The uncertainty took a toll, especially in the six months before her work permit was due to expire.
Emotional Toll and Sacrifices
As time passed, Shrestha's closest friends began to leave Canada. One friend received an invitation to apply for permanent residency but was rejected over a small mistake: uploading the wrong document. They had to leave Canada within 60 days. Watching this happen deepened Shrestha's anxiety.
With her work permit expiration approaching, she experienced panic attacks and hopelessness. Every phone call with her parents ended in tears. She felt she had done everything right: paid international tuition fees, built a non-profit career, and contributed to her community. Yet she felt it might not be enough.
Returning to Nepal didn't feel like an option. Her father's job had taken him to various countries, so her parents no longer lived in Nepal. She also felt disconnected, having grown up speaking Nepali but unable to read or write it.
Desperate Measures and Eventual Approval
Out of desperation, Shrestha started relearning French to increase her chances of getting an invitation to apply. After two years and eight months, she received her permanent residency approval through the health-care and social services occupations draw, a specific express entry draw for individuals working in those fields.
Her story reflects the challenges many international students face in Canada, balancing dreams with the harsh realities of immigration policies. It underscores the emotional and psychological costs of pursuing permanent residency.
Canadian Permanent Residency Areena Shrestha International Student University Of British Columbia Express Entry Immigration Challenges Nepal
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