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 quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travellers, including international students. We know, however, that most international students will not be fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine by this time.
- We continue to stress the essential nature of international student travel and the effectiveness of government approved COVID-19 readiness plans already in place and are working with federal departments, including the Canada Boarder Services Agency and the Public Health Agency of Canada to ensure a smooth and safe return to campus in the fall. We are asking that official guidance be issued to facilitate student arrivals over a longer period of time thus ensuring that quarantine systems have sufficient capacity to meet the demand.