The global pandemic situation remains uncertain, and studying abroad is truly challenging. The U.S. epidemic situation has not been well controlled recently, and the Trump administration's repeated disruptions have left many international students in a dilemma.
Turning our gaze to Canada, the neighbor to the north, there is less drama and more reassurance in both pandemic control and study-abroad policies.
Today, we provide a comprehensive interpretation of the recent Canadian study-abroad policies.
Canada's Latest International Student Report
Despite the global pandemic outbreak, Canada still welcomed 67,000 students from 156 countries between January and April 2020. The largest number came from India, followed by China.
Due to the pandemic, the number of new international students in Canada dropped by 30% compared to last year. Since March 18, Canada has also implemented a travel ban.
Compared to the start of the pandemic, the situation has greatly improved.
Canada's Recent Travel Policies
A few days ago, to prevent a second wave of COVID-19, the Canada Border Services Agency announced that travel restrictions are extended until July 31.
Although the travel restrictions have been extended again, Canada's current entry exemption policy is very considerate.
For international students, holders of study permits approved before March 18 are exempt from entry restrictions. Students who have returned home but still have a valid study permit can certainly go back to Canada in the near future or for the fall semester.
However, it's important to note that all travelers covered by the entry exemption policy must provide a necessary reason for their travel and have a 14-day self-isolation plan upon arrival in Canada.
Canada Visa Processing Update
For students whose visas have expired or who have received offers but not yet visas, the top concern is visa processing.
Recently, Canada reopened visa application centers in 24 countries, and may soon further relax or lift travel restrictions.
In China, visa centers have reopened in Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Jinan, Kunming, Nanjing, Shanghai, and Shenyang.
According to the latest update on the IRCC website, the study permit processing time in China has been reduced to 8 weeks.
IRCC also stated that they are doing their utmost to process study permits, and international students can expect to enter Canada in 2020.
York University recently announced additional support for international students who are refused a visa (only for new students entering in fall 2020).
If your first study permit application is refused, you can book an appointment with a visa expert at York University's international student office for free guidance. Schulich new students can book through the Schulich website.
If the second attempt is also refused, students can apply for a full refund of their undergraduate tuition before the deadline, even if they have already started online classes.
Get a Post-Graduation Work Permit Even with Online Classes
During the pandemic, Canadian institutions are offering online courses, and IRCC has announced that students who complete their studies online will still be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
The PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) allows international students to work legally in Canada after completing their program.
In light of this year's special circumstances, IRCC has made corresponding adjustments to the work permit policy.
In addition to students who already have a study permit, new international students originally admitted for spring/summer can complete up to 50% of their program online from abroad this fall and still be eligible for a PGWP.
IRCC stated that international students' PGWP duration will not be reduced even if they study from overseas, and this policy is in effect until December 31 of this year.
Back-to-School Plans of Canadian Institutions
Currently, most Canadian institutions are planning for hybrid or fully online teaching this fall. Here are the latest plans from institutions in some provinces:
Ontario
Hybrid teaching: University of Toronto, Western University, Ryerson University, University of Waterloo, York University, University of Guelph, University of Ottawa, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Windsor, Conestoga College, Fanshawe College, Fleming College, King's University College, St. Lawrence College
Online teaching: Carleton University (will offer some optional on-campus activities if conditions are safe), Huron University College
Quebec
Hybrid teaching: McGill University, Université de Montréal, Concordia University, Dawson College, Université Laval will offer in-person classes for courses that cannot be taught online.
Online teaching: Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Université du Québec à Montréal
British Columbia
Hybrid teaching: UBC (large classes online, some small classes in-person), British Columbia Institute of Technology, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, North Island College, Simon Fraser University, Trinity Western University, Vancouver Island University
Online teaching: University of Victoria, University of Northern British Columbia, Royal Roads University, University of the Fraser Valley, Camosun College
Alberta
Hybrid teaching: University of Alberta, Mount Royal University, University of Calgary, Concordia University of Edmonton, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge College, etc.
Online teaching: Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Red Deer College
Official Q&A on Study and Work Permit Issues
CheersYou（清柚教育） has also compiled official answers to the study and work permit questions that concern most Canadian international students.
Q: I have deferred my acceptance from May to September. Do I need a new letter of acceptance?
A: If you deferred from within Canada, you must begin your studies within 150 days from the date of deferral, or at the start of the next semester, whichever comes first.
If you cannot start your studies, you must change your status (e.g., to visitor) or leave Canada.
Q: If my program switches to online delivery and online courses exceed 50% of the total program, will this affect my PGWP application?
A: If you are already in Canada and your courses have moved online due to the pandemic, you can still apply for a PGWP even if online courses account for more than 50% of your total study time.
Q: Will my study permit application take longer than usual due to the pandemic?
A: IRCC is still accepting and processing study permit applications, though there may be delays.
Q: Can I start online courses from outside Canada without a study permit?
A: Yes, you can start online courses from outside Canada even without a study permit. However, to apply for a PGWP, you will still need a study permit or study permit approval to be eligible.
Q: If I start online courses, do I need to be a full-time student to be eligible for a PGWP?
A: Yes, you must be a full-time student, unless your school or educational institution cannot currently offer full-time courses.
Q: If I start online courses from outside Canada before getting a study permit, will this time count toward my PGWP application?
A: No. Time spent studying online from outside Canada without a valid study permit or approval will not count toward your PGWP eligibility.
Q: I am an international student and I applied for and received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) during the pandemic. Am I still eligible to apply for a PGWP or permanent residence in Canada?
A: Applying for and receiving CERB does not affect your eligibility for a PGWP or permanent residence.
Q: If I take a leave this semester, can I work full-time?
A: A leave semester is not considered a regularly scheduled break. Therefore, you must still work within the hours allowed by your study permit.
Q: My study/work permit is about to expire, but I cannot get a new passport or the required documents. Will I get an extension?
A: If you are an international student in Canada with an expiring study permit, you should apply online to renew it immediately. If you have already submitted an online application, you can continue to stay in Canada and study or work while your application is being processed.
Additionally, applicants who cannot obtain required documents or biometrics must include a detailed explanation.
If the application is incomplete, IRCC will not immediately reject it; they will give the applicant 90 days to submit the missing documents.
Q: I am a recent graduate waiting for my PGWP approval. But I already have a job offer. Can I be allowed to enter Canada?
A: If your study permit has expired, you need a Letter of Introduction to be exempt from the travel ban.
The Letter of Introduction is the letter IRCC sends you after your PGWP is approved.
With active pandemic control measures, the COVID-19 situation in Canada has been easing recently. Reopening plans are progressing steadily in various provinces, and institutions are updating their back-to-school plans accordingly.
So far, Canadian universities and colleges are issuing offers to international students as usual. IRCC also stated that more new policy measures will be introduced to ensure that international students can start their studies smoothly in the second half of 2020.
CheersYou（清柚教育） will continue to bring you the latest policy updates and interpretations.
Main news sources: cic news, fresh daily
Scan the QR code below to start a one-on-one study abroad consultation~
.jpg?x-oss-process=style/opt-webp)
