In the latest Canada news for international students, Canadian educational institutions have been working around the clock to prepare for students’ return to campus. Plans, including prevention and health and safety protocols, which have been accepted by the respective provincial or territorial health authorities, will be permitted to open their doors and attest to how well Canada is handling the pandemic.
International students will also be required to self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to campus classes. Still, the IRCC has recommended against any plans to travel to Canada unless they are confident that they meet all the requisite criteria.
The pandemic caused a small pause in the processing of research permits and is thus not being processed at the average processing time. To ensure that all applications are approved, the IRCC has temporarily modified the application process. Any applications for a study permit will have to be done online.
International students are asked to provide as many documents as necessary, along with a letter of explanation for incomplete documents. It is vital to remember that the full applications will be processed first. It is mandatory that all students apply for a study permit before arriving in Canada.
In other Canada news for international students, all international students will need to fulfil the following conditions to join Canada and start studying at their Coronavirus-ready DLI:
Requirements for International Students Traveling to Canada
You travel for an essential (non-discretionary) purpose; Must be either of the following:
- You must be a foreign student with a valid Study Permit or who was granted a Study Permit on or earlier than March 18, 2020;
- Travelling directly from the USA
What is considered non-discretionary as a student?
- You’re already living in Canada; You need to be in Canada for your curriculum (for laboratory works, workshops, etc.);
- Your school does not offer online learning opportunity;
- You can’t study online from your country because of internet limitations or bandwidth limitations;
- You can’t participate in live online classes in your home country because of the time zone difference.
When you enter, the border services will need to provide evidence that the reasons you are travelling to Canada are not optional or discretionary. You will be asked the following questions:
- What are your motives for moving to Canada?
- Are you able to complete a quarantine period of 14 days as soon as you arrive at your final destination?
- Do you have the time to complete your quarantine before you attend classes, or
- Can you study online during your quarantine period?
What do I need to show as an International Student at Border Services?
- A valid study permit, or
- A port of entry letter of introduction indicating that you have been accepted for a study permit if you are from the United States, or
- A port of entry letter of introduction showing that you have been approved for a study permit on or earlier than March 18 2020, if you are from any other country.
Can your family members accompany you?
If your family members can prove that their travel is necessary, they will be allowed to accompany you on a journey to Canada. i.e. spouses, common-law partners, dependants, parents and legal guardians can all be allowed to come to Canada with you.