Covid19 Update

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Latest Study Abroad Updates (COVID-19)

  1. International Students and new immigrants will be crucial in filling labour shortages across Canada post-pandemic. (As on Dec 27th, 2020)
  2. Canada has updated its list of approved Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), that are currently permitted to welcome international students during the COVID-19 pandemic.(As on Dec 20th, 2020)
  3. Ontario PNP invites 668 immigration candidates in new Tech Draw (As on Dec 15th, 2020)
  4. Canada eases eligibility requirements for Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.(As on Dec 15th, 2020)
  5. Canada can now confirm permanent resident status without in-person interviews through a new portal, for most cases. (As on Dec 5, 2020)
  6. Starting Monday November 30, 2020, the Service Canada appointment system for scheduling biometrics appointments will resume service. (As on Nov 28, 2020)
  7. Canada’s easternmost province, Newfoundland and Labrador introduce new immigration pathways. (As on Nov 24, 2020)
  8. The Canadian government just announced that its Visa Application Centres (VACs) in India will resume services tomorrow, on November 20, 2020.
    (As on Nov 19, 2020)
  9. IRCC is now processing more spousal immigration applications following a slowdown at the beginning of the pandemic. (As on Nov 19, 2020)
  10. Canada is looking at offering more permanent residence pathways to foreign nationals who are already in the country. ( As on November 12, 2020 )
  11. Canada’s federal government released a guide for international students who are coming to Canada, and navigating travel restrictions. ( As on November 15, 2020 )
  12. IRCC will once again use a randomized selection process i.e. lottery selection, for parents and grandparents sponsorship in 2021. (As on Nov 06,2020)
  13. Canada announced 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan. Will target the highest level of immigration in its history. (As on October 30, 2020)
  14. Alberta has two new PNPs for international student graduates who want to start a business in the province. (As on October 26,2020)
  15. Canada’s ministers for immigration, health, and public safety announced new travel measures for families and students on Friday, October 2nd. They are now allowed to travel to Canada.
    (As on 2nd October’20)
  16. Ontario opened and closed applications to the Masters Graduate stream on the same day, as registration to apply to this stream currently operates in a rush-seating format. (As on 30th Sep’20)
  17. An Ontario-based organization called the Newcomer Health and Wellness Program, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to the tune of $2.2 million, is a new initiative designed to focus on improving mental health & well-being outcomes for immigrants and refugees aged 12 years and older. (As on 7th September’20)
  18. Immigrants experiencing financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic can benefit from support provided by the Canadian government- a temporary support program called Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The program provides $2,000 per month to those affected. (As on 6th September’20)
  19. Canada adds more details to Entry/Exit program delivery, procedures, and policy. Canada’s Entry/Exit Program allows the border to collect basic traveler information and share it with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (As on 31st August’20)
  20. “We will continue the discussion of the impacts of Covid-19 on international students”, Canada’s federal government on “considering” letting international students return to the country for September as long as they can be safely accommodated.The letter dated July 29 was sent by deputy minister of Ontario’s Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Laurie LeBlanc, to Ontario’s designated learning institutions.According to the letter, IRCC is trying to assess whether post secondary institutions are ready to accept international students and meet a draft list of federal guidelines for their safe return – if the government decides to let international students back into the country.
  21. Canada issued a new Order in Council announcing its travel restrictions will be extended by another month, until August 31. (As on 24th July,2020).
  22. Citizenship, Refugees and Immigration Canada now says border officers will accept a “port of entry letter of introduction” that shows the student was approved for a study permit, in lieu of a permit approved before March 18. The exception, however, only applies to students from the United States. (As on July 27, 2020)
  23. IRCC will provide priority study permit processing for international students who have submitted a completed application online, to ensure that permits are processed as quickly as possible. (As on July 14, 2020).
  24. IRCC is allowing students to count the time spent pursuing their studies online abroad toward their eligibility for a post-graduation work permit, if they have submitted a study permit application and if at least 50% of their program is completed in Canada. (As on July 14,2020).
  25. IRCC shall implement a temporary 2-stage approval process, to provide reassurances to international students who cannot submit all of the documentation needed to complete processing of their applications, and who choose to pursue programs through distance learning. (As on July 14,2020).
  26. On travelling to Canada, the Canadian Government has enforced a mandatory 14-day quarantine plan for all passengers. For this, they will be referred to a public health agency staff member. They can be sent to a government-approved facility to fulfil the quarantine requirement to obtain the permission to cross the border. (As on July 12,2020).
  27. As per the announcement of the Ontario government, return to on-campus instruction across a range of college programs will begin in July. For now, online learning sessions will continue for programs without hands-on components. (As on June 10, 2020).
  28. The IRCC website stated that applications would not be rejected or closed due to lack of sufficient documents. Applicants would be given 90 days’ extra time to complete the documentation, they should include an explanatory note specifying circumstances beyond control, letters of support by DLIs and/or any accompanying documentation. Candidates will also be given 90 days’ extra time to complete the biometrics. Even though the IRCC letter might say 30 days, applicants would be given 90 days to do the same. There is no need for a new letter from IRCC stating the same. (As on June 5,2020).
  29. IRCC continues to process study permit applications but at limited capacity, also incomplete applications might lead to delay in processing. (As on June 5; Source: IRCC)
  30. Canada is taking special measures to accommodate visa applicants from countries like China, South Korea and Iran affected by Coronavirus. Candidates from these countries who had applied for Canadian Visas would be given more time to complete the necessary procedures. Since these countries are the worst affected by Coronavirus, candidates from these countries may not be able to fulfil all requirements.IRCC had first extended these special measures to China on 7th February and then extended it to include Iran and South Korea on 29th February. (As on June 5,2020)
  31. International students whose study permit is approved after March 18 will not be able to enter Canada and obtain their study permit at a Port of Entry as they are not exempt from the current travel restrictions related to COVID-19. (As on June 5,2020)
  32. The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) eligibility will not affect international students who are approved for a study permit and taking online classes to begin their spring, summer or fall session 2020. (As on June 5,2020)
  33. International students can complete up to 50% of their program via distance learning. Also, this time will not be deducted from the length of a future post-graduation work permit for studies completed outside of Canada, up to December 31, 2020. (As on June 5,2020)
  34. The following foreign nationals who are currently outside Canada are exempt from travel restrictions i.e., can travel if the purpose is non-optional or non-discretionary:a. Who hold a valid Canadian study permit as defined in section 2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
    b. Who has received a letter of introduction from IRCC dated on or before March 18, 2020.
  35. Due to Covid-19, the Canadian government has imposed travel restrictions on people who are not from Canadian origin and will continue till June 30. (As on Mar 25, 2020)
  36. People who can travel are the ones who have received their visas on or before May 18. (As on Mar 25, 2020)
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