Canada Opens Doors for International Students from October 20

Things are really looking up for international students seeking to study (or continue their studies) in Canada. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced that all international students will be allowed to go to Canada from October 20 onwards. This comes as a huge relief to students who had returned home in March/April this year over coronavirus fears and were continuing their classes online.

Students will now be able to fly to Canada and continue their studies in-person in their DLI(Designated Learning Institute). The main caveat is that the DLI must have “COVID-19 readiness plan approved by the province or territory in which you[sic] live”. Students must, of course, get their medical tests done and be under quarantine for 14 days after traveling. According to IRCC, by late September, 56,000 study permits had been issued.

For the sizeable population eyeing at jobs and PR in Canada, it may be noted that a new rule was introduced with respect to Post Graduation Work Permit. According to IRCC:

“If you apply for your study permit before starting your programme, any time spent studying online from outside Canada since spring 2020 now counts toward the length of a post-graduation work permit. You won’t have time deducted from the length of your post-graduation work permit for studies you complete outside Canada until April 30, 2021.”

What this means is that more international students will be eligible for PGWP. This includes students with a valid study permit and even those who will apply for a study permit before starting their coursework in January 2021. Students can conditionally complete their entire course online in their home country and still apply for PGWP.

Earlier, online students and students who were not enrolled in full-time programs for at least 8 months, were not eligible for the Canadian work permit.

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Canada Opens Doors for International Students from October 20