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Immigration to Canada |
International Students |
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Study in Canada
In a bid to assist international students, Canada is considering possibly easing travel restrictions for international students. This is according to an undated letter signed by Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marco Mendicino and the Minister of Health, Patty Hajdu.
Due to the global pandemic, international students have been blocked from entering Canada since March 18 except for those whose study permits were approved before or as at this date.
Conversely, foreign students from the USA are one of the few groups exempted from these travel restrictions. Foreign students from the USA with valid permits before or after March 18 can enter Canada. They must, however, comply with federal and provincial safety protocols such as self-quarantining for fourteen days.
The undated letter provides a dialogue of how both ministers plan to work with the territories, provincial governments as well as designated learning institutions (DLIs) to potentially ease travel restrictions for international students while limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Unlike other countries, education in Canada is governed by provinces and territories and not the federal government. On the other hand, the federal government is responsible for public health and thus have the constitutional right to restrict international travel.
In the letter, both ministers acknowledge the importance of foreign students, recognizing their social, cultural and economic contribution to Canada. They also want to respect the sovereignty of the provinces and territories in their governance of education. Foreign students contribute approximately $22 billion annually to economic growth as workers and consumers as well as sustain over 170,000 jobs.
Because of the seismic annual contribution of international students to Canada, they both agree to work with the provinces and territories to safely welcome international students to designated learning institutions while enforcing measures implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Ministers want Provinces, Territories & DLIs to be ready
Both ministers are asking the territories and provinces for the following information as a way to indicate their readiness:
List of designated learning institutions that can be considered ready to accept international students and their families;
Protocols and mechanisms that will be used to enforce the mandatory federal 14-day quarantine by the learning institution while ensuring that students have:
Appropriate transportation to the campuses
A suitable place for quarantine
Support for international students relating to physical and mental health and any other support needed.
Each jurisdiction is responsible for being ready, ensuring compliance with any requirements of provincial and local public health authorities;
A strong risk mitigation plan with the capacity to test, trace and isolate COVID-19 and prevent its potential spread;
Active outreach and communications with learning institutions and respective communities on expectations, roles and responsibilities to maintain the safety of the public from COVID-19;
A commitment to collaboration and information sharing between and among various levels of provincial, territorial and federal governments to monitor and trace the risks of the possible outbreak for the academic stay of international students.
Impact on International Students
While the letter is a glimmer of hope for many international students, these students have to be cautious in terms of wanting to travel to Canada anytime soon. The easing of travel restrictions for foreign students, as the letter indicates, is dependent on the readiness of the provinces, territories and the DLIs.
In addition to foreign students, many people are hoping that travel restrictions will be lifted by July 31. This would be welcoming news for these students who help make Canada what it is today.
Last year alone, Canada welcomed approximately 642,000 international students.
Even though international students cannot currently enter Canada, IRCC has established certain policies that are favourable to these students. Students, for example, can do 50% of their studies online in their home country without this affecting their later application for postgraduate work permits and permanent residency.
Located in the world-class city of Toronto, Gradbound Education & Immigration Solutions is a tailor-made solutions company that provides support for those who wish to live the Canadian dream. Since 2017, it has successfully processed over 3000 clients to come to Canada as Permanent Residents, Students, Visitors and Business Owners.
Robin Clarke is a marketing assistant at Gradbound Education & Immigration Solutions. He can be reached at 1-647-873-4103.