It is rightly said, “If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat, just get on it.” It is right in case you are selecting Canada for your studies in this COVID-19 situation. Applying now for Canada study permit means you are definitely in safe hands as Canada values its international students. In the current challenging situation, the Global Affairs Canada’s International Education Division is taking full measures by modifying a few changes in the educational process as per the situation for the international students.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced measures for supporting the international students who are looking forward to joining a new program.
The new measures include processing Canada student visa as a priority for those students who completed the entire online application process. The students would be allowed to count the time spent on online learning from wherever they are based, which would not affect their post-graduation work permit. The students have to complete at least half of their course in Canada. The measures also include providing reassurance to international students who cannot submit the necessary documentation required for processing the application and who choose to register for online learning by implementing a two-stage approval process.
The current process will permit the applicants to consider the time spent on attending online lectures abroad, which will not affect their post-graduation work permit once they obtain an approval-in-principle (AIP). They have to satisfy all the requirements and obtain the full approval of their Canada student visa at a later date.
To qualify for approval-in-principle (AIP), the applicant must provide the below-listed documents when they apply for a Canada study permit, depending on which the visa officers can do the initial eligibility assessment.
The Study Direct Stream (SDS) applicants must provide –
- Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
- A CAN$10,000 or more Guaranteed Investment Certificate.
- First-year fee receipt.
- IELTS examination results for which the candidate must score 6.0 in each section.
- Most recent educational transcripts.
- CAQ for students applying for Quebec institutes.
Non-SDS applicants must provide –
- LOA from Canadian Designated Learning Institution DLI
- Documents that highlight the applicant has liquid funds to pay for living expenses and first-year tuition fees.
- Evidence of payment for the rest of the tuition fees.
- IELTS, PTE or TOEFL examination results having 6.0 in each section.
- Most recent educational transcripts.
- CAQ for students applying for Quebec institutes.
All students must provide Statement of Purpose (SOP), which must include the reason for selecting the specific program, institute and Canada as an education destination.
The admissibility stage is the last stage in which a final decision is announced for which the visa officers will check the applicant’s medical reports, biometrics and if required, police verification certificate.
The temporary two-stage process of approval permits the students to start their online studies for the fall semester.
The international students who are currently based in Canada are eligible to apply for the renewal of the Canada student visa. With this, they are eligible to continue to take up the course and work simultaneously while their Canada study visa is in the process of renewal.
The international students based in Canada in the pandemic circumstances are eligible to work for 20 hours per week.
WILL ONLINE COURSES AFFECT YOUR PGWP ELIGIBILITY???
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many Canadian universities and institutions to move from traditional in-class education to online classes. Due to this, the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) changed its requirements for international students who apply for Post- Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). The international students taking up these online courses would still be eligible for the Post- Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). Further, they would be eligible for Canada PR.
After finishing the course, international students obtain a PGWP for working in Canada for up to three years. The work experience the international students acquire in Canada benefits them to get Canada PR and ultimately gain Canadian citizenship. Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and such pathways are offered to the international students for gaining immigration status.
BEST TIME FOR CANADA PR
It is a well-known fact that international students are a major source of revenue for Canadian economy and Canadian institutions and to ensure that this sector does not suffer because of the current challenges posed by COVID-19, IRCC has made changes to the Canada study visa approval process for the students who wish to apply for a Canadian educational program. Once the biometric opens, you will obtain your Canada study visa after completing the necessary formalities. It will not have any impact on Post- Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). It makes it clear that it will also not have an effect on Canada PR. Along with this, there are few other advantages of registering for a course in Canada in this pandemic situation.
- You can work and study simultaneously in your respective home country.
- Do not have to pay for travel, house rent and other expenses till you are based in your home country.
- Can start studying in your home country by attending online lectures.
- Can work towards obtaining a Canadian degree, which will help you to obtain Canada PR.
Usually, for the PGWP, IRCC does not consider online learning. Due to the travel restrictions because of COVID-19 are hampering the students education, IRCC is permitting the international students to take up online courses without impacting their Post-Graduation Work Permit.
For instance, Rahul from India is a freelance logo designer. Based in India, he applies for a course in a Canadian university for which he gets letter of acceptance from the university and approval in principle from the respective visa office. He starts attending his online classes, and simultaneously he is continuing to give his freelancing services. Here, for Rahul, it is like having a cherry on the cake. He is gaining the Canadian degree, which will make him eligible for Canada PR while he does not have to spend on travel, rent and other expenses. Also, he is earning by giving his freelance services.
STEPS AS PER THE NEW RULE ANNOUNCED ON 14TH JULY 2020
- Apply for a course in the Canadian institute.
- Pay GIC and tuition fees.
- Undergo medical check-up.
- Apply for Approval in Principle (AIP).
- Get approval in principle (AIP).
- Attend online lectures from abroad.
- Once VFS opens, get your Canada visa stamped.
- Travel to Canada to complete the remaining course.
IN A BOTTLENECK
From the information mentioned above, it is clear that this is the best time to register for a course in Canada as it has numerous advantages. Canada is known as a remarkably considering country when it comes to international students. As the education industry in Canada contributes a large hand in growing the nation’s economic state, the restrictions on international students have been modified to a large extent, which would benefit the students and the Canadian educational sector.
