Said It Here

How to pay credit card debt with no job and leaving the country

Strict work permit rules and a lack of employment leave international students unable to pay off credit card balances before leaving the country. This makes it difficult to protect their credit history from long-term damage for future returns.

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

  1. 1
    Waiting for money from family or asking for an advance from parents
  2. 2
    Selling possessions or items purchased with the credit cards
  3. 3
    Letting the credit score drop by not paying before leaving the country
  4. 4
    Applying for gig economy driving apps like Spark Driving and Instacart
  5. 5
    Relying on family for small assistance with bills or car insurance
  6. 6
    Temporarily withholding household rent payments to family
  7. 7
    Contact creditors for hardship programs or lump-sum settlements
  8. 8
    Continue making minimum payments or utilize 0% APR balance transfers
  9. 9
    Use remaining cash savings to pay down or clear the debt
  10. 10
    Stop paying and let the debt eventually fall off the credit report

In their words

Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.

“Hi, I'm from Pennsylvania and due to a lot of mistakes I've made here and there I've gotten myself into a pretty bad pickle and really need advice on what I can do to get myself out of this situation.”source ↗

“I am just now sure what I am meant to do to solve these issues in the short term until I start the new job”source ↗

TheCartBoi · r/personalfinance · 20 upvotes

“I have balances that I am not able to pay because I don't have a job.”source ↗

“I cannot get a job in any field other than my own (STEM) due to the rules of my work permit”source ↗

“Are there any methods to get this debt waived or at least settled? I tried talking with Best Buy (citi bank) and Amex and they weren't able to help me.”source ↗

Illustrious-Top-9222 · r/personalfinance · 7 upvotes

“i don't want to ruin my credit in case I do end up coming back in a few years”source ↗

Illustrious-Top-9222 · r/personalfinance · 1 upvotes

“Due to visa issues, I had to relocate to another country. I’m actively looking for jobs but currently have no income whatsoever.”source ↗

waksim · r/personalfinance · 1 upvotes

“I genuinely cannot afford to pay the remaining $19,200 of credit-card debt in full.”source ↗

waksim · r/personalfinance

Where this came up

r/personalfinancedebtdebt managementpersonal financeunemployment

People with this problem also raised