Some Certainty for International Students in Canada

In Covid-19 times, certainty has become a defining winning hand— whoever has it tend to come out stronger and better from the pandemic.

Are you an international student in Canada? You have a bit of luxury —some certainty. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has devised a set of temporary policy changes to support international students. Their message is loud and clear:

1. You can come back

As Canada closes her border to all nations, international students who already have valid study permits (approved before March 18th, 2020) have travel exemptions at the border. Students will have to show documentation, reasons for entering, legitimate plans for lodging and self-isolation to ensure safety for both themselves and their communities.

2. You can stay

The Neighbouring United States has threatened (and failed) to deport international students who do not take in-person classes while suspending temporary work and immigration visas until the end of the year. Luckily, international students in Canada do not have to be worried about suddenly losing their legal status. Students can stay in the country if they continue to satisfy their visa/permit requirements, and go about their activities under implied status if they cannot renew documents due to pandemic disruptions.

3. You can start your studies online

Many new students could not complete their study permit application because key materials like a medical exam, biometrics, and police certificates are delayed because of disruption in service. On July 14, a new policy called the two-stage approval process, or the approval-in-principle was announced. Before this, if you do not have a valid study permit, you cannot register and enroll in courses. Now, new students who submit their study permit application before Sept 15, 2020, can begin their studies online. The full study permit application will be assessed as they are completed.

Note that the approval-in-principle is not a guarantee for full approval of a study permit application, nor authorization for entering Canada. Students may still be denied a permit on health/criminal record related issues or other concerns.

4. You are prioritized

While many VACs and embassies remain closed to routine visa processing, study permit processing is prioritized. This means that your request to study is prioritized alongside those needing immediate medical help or urgent diplomatic/business travel —quite significant indeed.

5. You can work and support yourself

Most of us obtain higher education to get better job prospects, and the Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit Permit (PGWPP) plays an important part in enabling that. The temporary policies ensure that:

• for existing students, your online learning will count towards the PGWPP;
• for new students, under the two-stage approval process, your online learning while waiting for the full permit approval will count towards the PGWPP.

In addition, in essential services lacking workers, students can now work more than 20 hours per work even if they are not on a scheduled break. This temporary policy will be in place until Aug 31, 2020.

This article describes, in general, the publicly announced measures by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. For more up-to-date details on any of the policies, always refer to the official IRCC website.

Visit Zept.co for tools to explore study institutions and keep track of your applications.