The covid-19 pandemic has affected people from all walks of life- not to mention international students and foreign workers in Canada. At the beginning of this year, the government of Canada introduced flight caps to stop the spread of the lethal virus. This made it difficult for international students who had already acquired study permit to travel to Canada. After struggling for long, international students in Canada remains hopeful that thing will be better.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released a set of temporary measures in effect for study permits, international students and post-graduation work permits.
Strict travel restrictions have had a detrimental impact on Canada’s immigration programs in the past few months. The restrictions limited entry and exit of international students. However, international students from the US and those who had applied for study permit before march this year are allowed to enter the country.
The government of Canada cannot understate the importance of international students to the economic and social life of the country. That’s why it is not relenting in formulating measures to ensure that international students have a smooth learning process. The government has introduced processing of study permits online and allowed approved students to start their studies online. All the efforts are geared towards enabling new international students to study in Canada amid the pandemic.
Study Permits
The spread of the novel coronavirus has made it daunting for international students to acquire documents they need to study in Canada.
To make the process more seamless, the IRCC has introduced a two-stage approval process. The process made it possible for international students to start their fall semester online, even without having attained a final study permit. Those who haven’t yet provided their results for immigration medical examination, biometric data or other necessary documents, may still be approved for a study permit. Individuals who passed the first stage will have already attained the criterion for a study permit.
IRCC assured applicants that complete study permit applications would be processed as quickly as possible. Students who have managed to pass both stages can travel to Canada once the flight caps are removed.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
After an international student completes a program in a recognized Canadian higher learning institution, he or she can opt to acquire a Post-Graduation Work Permit. The permit allows the student to work in Canada for up to three years.
The duration awarded to a student is dependent on the amount of time the student has studied in Canada.
Before the coronavirus pandemic emerged, a student learning virtually was not eligible for PGWP. Due to the drawbacks presented by the pandemic, the IRCC made it clear that online students should be considered for PGWP eligibility. According to the measures in effect, international students are allowed to study virtually up to April 2021. However, they are required to complete at least 50% of their studies in Canada to qualify for the program.
