A few things that the Canada government has done to ensure international students are welcome to our country during the Pandemic?

Since the end of March, the Ontario government has closed for more than two months. Many bans are still in effect today. It has left so many people wondering if Canada welcomes international students during the Pandemic.

The answer is yes. The government has announced significant flexibility for international students, including preserving their ability to work after graduation. “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a considerable impact on international students,” said Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in a statement. “In response to the health and travel restrictions that are in place, many designated learning institutions (DLIs) are offering their courses online. Post-secondary institutions and prospective students alike are considering their approach to the fall semester. Both have sought guidance from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada regarding eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) for students starting at an eligible DLI this fall.”

“Under normal circumstances, criteria for the PGWPP limit an international student’s ability to pursue a program via distance learning, from inside or outside Canada, and time spent studying outside Canada is deducted from the length of the work permit for which they are eligible,” continued the statement. “Post-Graduation Work Permit Program eligibility will not be affected for international students whose fall 2020 courses will be online due to COVID-19. This is in line with the guidance provided to students already studying in Canada or whose program had a spring or summer start date.” (Emphasis added.)

Canada is welcoming international students regardless of whether you sign up an online course or physically attend the class in our homeland.

“Students in this situation may begin their classes while outside Canada and complete up to 50% of their program via distance learning if they cannot travel to Canada sooner. Besides, they will not have time deducted from the length of a future post-graduation work permit for studies completed outside of Canada, up to December 31, 2020.” This is a big news for people who cannot physically attend to school in Canada. Their marks and time contributing to the courses will be recognized.

International students are allowed to enter Canada if they have “a valid study permit, or were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020.” A student would still need to pass a health check by the airline before boarding a flight to Canada and “must have a plan to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada . . . even if you have no symptoms.”

The Canadian government has made clear it values international students. “International education represents a significant economic benefit to Canada, with international students contributing $21.6 billion to Canada’s GDP and supporting nearly 170,000 jobs in 2018,” said the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada statement. “International students are also often excellent candidates to apply to remain in Canada permanently, with nearly 54,000 former students becoming permanent residents in Canada in 2018.”