Studying In Canada Just Got A Whole Lot Easier

The federal government is making it easier for international students to study in Canada during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The new measures will allow students in countries that have been hard hit by the pandemic to still pursue their dreams of studying in Canada while also keeping them safe. 

These new measures, which apply to anyone applying for a student permit before September 15, 2020, are in addition to the already relaxed requirements for candidates who wish to study in Canada. 

Easing of post-graduate work permit requirements

Students will be allowed to count their online studies abroad towards an open post-graduate work permit (PGWP) if at least 50% of their studies were in Canada.

Two-stage student permit applications

For students wishing to start their Canadian studies in the fall of 2020, IRCC is allowing a two-stage student permit application. Applicants that are unable to submit a complete student permit application, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, will receive an “approval-in-principle” of a student permit. This approval will allow students to start their program studying in Canada while studying online and in their home country. 

To receive approval-in-principle, students need to demonstrate that they have been accepted by a designated learning institute in Canada and have the means to pay for it. 

Students will need to provide a complete application including biometrics, a medical examination, and police background checks before they will be allowed to enter the country for in-person classes.

Priority support for applicants who have submitted complete applications

IRCC is providing priority study-permit processing for students who have submitted a complete application online, to ensure that permits are processed as quickly as possible

Studying in Canada quick facts

• In 2019, Canada hosted over 650,000 international students at the post-secondary education level.
• More than 58,000 former international students have become Canadian permanent residents.
• Studying in Canada opens a lot of doors to immigrating to Canada permanently, whether they be through a provincial nominee program or through a federal immigration program.