Matthew Smith

August 5, 2021

For international students: updates on travel to Canada

In recent weeks, member institutions have reported several examples of international students denied boarding due to inconsistencies in how airline staff have interpreted official government of Canada policies and guidelines. As a priority, CICan is engaging directly with relevant federal officials on this issue. As a result, and to minimize issues going forward, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Transport Canada have, within the past 48 hours, reiterated the requirements to airlines, including what documentation is required and that a final determination as to whether a student meets the requirements should be made by a government official at the... Read more

Tags: covid19

July 29, 2021

For international students: travel policy updates

CICan is pleased to provide this update related to recently announced changes to travel requirements. In addition to the news releases of July 5th and July 19th, and backgrounder (specific to international students), federal officials held a virtual news conference announcing upcoming changes. It is expected that the following changes will be confirmed in subsequent updates to existing Orders in Council. As of July 5th, 2021, travelers who are eligible to enter Canada and who are fully vaccinated with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine are not required to quarantine, complete a day-8 test, or stay at a government-authorized accommodation (GAA) to await their on-arrival test result. Beginning on August 9th, American citizens... Read more

Tags: covid19

July 15, 2021

Update: The latest on international students

On quarantine requirements and the fall intake, we continue to stress the effectiveness of government approved COVID-19 readiness plans and are working with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to facilitate the smooth and safe arrival of international students. To reduce pressure on quarantine capacity, we have asked that official guidance be issued that would allow students to arrive in Canada more than four weeks before the start of classes. Federal departments have been receptive to this request, and we expect more information in the coming days. We will provide additional updates... Read more

Tags: covid19

June 18, 2021

Update: International students, Visa Application Centres and quarantine requirements

For institutions welcoming international students, we are pleased to share that Visa Application Centres (VAC) in India will begin collecting biometric information on June 21 with priority given to international students. Students can book appointments as of June 17 and will have exclusive access to appointments until June 30. Along with recent VAC re-openings in France and Mexico, this is encouraging news and will make it possible for a larger number of students to arrive in time to begin their programs as colleges and institutes prepare for a return to face-to-face instruction in the fall. We are also pleased to note that the federal government has indicated its intention to ease... Read more

Tags: covid19

April 30, 2021

Important updates related to international students

On study permit processing, we continue to advocate for a more efficient and predictable processing of study permits. According to updated processing times, international students outside of Canada, regardless of their nationality, will receive a decision no later than August 6, provided that they have submitted a complete application by May 15. More accurate information on application status and processing is also now available for those applying for a study permit from within Canada. Due to a disproportionately higher number of cases detected among individuals arriving on flights originating from Indian and Pakistan, the Government of Canada has suspended flights... Read more

Tags: covid19

February 22, 2021

Further flexibilities to support international students and additional quarantine requirements

We are pleased to share that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has announced further flexibilities to support international students: New measures will allow up to 100% of a student’s program to be completed online from outside of Canada while remaining eligible for the post-graduate work permit (PGWP). Studies completed outside of Canada until December 31, 2021 will count towards the eligibility and length of the PGWP. This announcement reflects the ongoing evolution of the pandemic. It also reflects the impact of our extensive advocacy efforts to demonstrate the value of international students to Canada. Note that additional testing and more stringent quarantine requirements for... Read more

Tags: covid-19

February 12, 2021

Further flexibilities to support international students

We are pleased to share that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has announced further flexibilities to support international students: New measures will allow up to 100% of a student’s program to be completed online from outside of Canada while remaining eligible for the post-graduate work permit. This announcement reflects the ongoing evolution of the pandemic. It also reflects the impact of our extensive advocacy efforts to demonstrate the value of international students to Canada. Colleges and institutes across Canada continue to safely welcome international students according to their approved COVID-19 readiness plans. Note that additional testing and more stringent quarantine requirements... Read more

February 4, 2021

New testing and quarantine requirements for travellers to Canada

Based on recent conversations with officials from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), we understand that the Government of Canada intends to include international students as travellers who would be subject to these recently announced testing and quarantine requirements. At this point, we understand that International students would be tested at the point of entry (Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver) and would be required to book a stay of at least three days at a nearby government-approved hotel. Should they test negative, they can complete the remaining 11 days of their quarantine in... Read more

Tags: covid-19

January 26, 2021

Important updates related to international students

International education remains a major focus of CICan advocacy efforts. Recognizing ongoing challenges related to travel, and that flexible program delivery, including virtual components, will feature prominently throughout 2021, we continue to advocate for the extension of provisions that allow for time spent studying online to count towards a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) to the end of 2021. Further flexibilities with respect to the 50% of requirement are also being sought. To address backlogs and reduce processing times, CICan continues to ask that study permits (including co-op work permits) be processed as a priority and that posted processing times reflect actual... Read more

Tags: covid19

January 18, 2021

COVID-19: the latest updates for post-secondary institutions and international students

For institutions welcoming international students, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to update its list of designated learning institutions (DLIs) with approved COVID-19 readiness plans. The list was most recently updated on January 12. Note that as of January 7, all travellers flying to Canada are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result to the airline prior to boarding. The two-stage study permit assessment process has been extended to include applications submitted on or before December 15, 2020 for study permit applications; and, Beginning January 27, former international students who hold or held a PGWP will have the opportunity to apply for an open work permit. As always, we continue to work... Read more

Tags: covid19, IRCC