On February 15, 2022, the Government of Canada announced a series of adjustments to current border measures, representing the beginning of a phased easing of travel restrictions. These will be effective February 28, 2022, at 12:01 a.m. EST, and include: Easing the on-arrival testing for fully-vaccinated travellers. This means that travellers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, will be randomly selected for arrival testing. Travellers selected will also no longer be required to quarantine while awaiting their test result. Children under 12 years old, travelling with fully vaccinated adults, will continue to be exempt from quarantine,... Read more

Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) has been advocating for a number of measures to facilitate the entry of international students to and within Canada. We’re pleased to share the following adjustments to Canada’s border and travel measures: Effective November 30th, 2021, Canada will expand the list of COVID-19 vaccines that travellers can receive to be considered fully vaccinated for the purpose of travel to Canada. The list will include Sinopharm, Sinovac and COVAXIN, matching the World Health Organization Emergency Use Listing. The expanded list of COVID-19 vaccines will also apply to the national vaccination requirement for domestic travel in the... Read more

We’ve received written confirmation from officials at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that, effective November 3rd, 2021, international students may be able to enter Canada more than 4 weeks prior to the start of their program provided they meet all other entry requirements and the time between their arrival and the start of their program of study is considered reasonable as determined by a CBSA official at the port of entry. This information is being communicated to all front-line CBSA staff in Canada and abroad and also with airlines. Please note that International students who are not fully vaccinated... Read more

Postgraduate Work Permit Eligibility and Online Study from Within Canada Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is pleased to share that, according to officials at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) international students in Canada who engage in distance learning will remain eligible for the Post-Graduate Work Permit if courses were moved online due to the pandemic. This temporary flexibility is not tied to December 31st, 2021 and will continue until further notice. They recommend, however, that students be in class when possible. We continue to work with IRCC to ensure that policies reflect the evolving nature of program delivery and... Read more

On September 24, 2021, the Government of Canada announced the ban on direct flights from Morocco to Canada has been extended to Thursday, October 28, 2021, 23:59. Passengers originating from Morocco who choose to travel to Canada from Morocco via an indirect route will need to obtain a pre-departure negative COVID-19 molecular test result from a third country before continuing their journey to Canada. Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) continues to engage with various federal departments towards solutions that would facilitate the resumption of direct air travel from Morocco to Canada. For important information related to current travel, testing and... Read more

As of September 7, 2021, Canada has allowed entry of travellers from any country for discretionary reasons if they have been fully vaccinated with Government of Canada-accepted vaccines, at least 14 days prior to entering Canada, and if they also meet specific entry requirements. PHAC has developed a Digital Engagement Kit to support the changes in the Sept. 7 border measures and modified travel requirements. The kit was developed for partners and stakeholders to deepen their understanding and communicate up to date border and travel requirements for entering Canada during COVID-19. Important clarifications contained in the kit and available on... Read more

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