International students
If you’re an international student who has a valid study permit or were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, you are exempt from the travel restrictions
If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check conducted by airlines before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
When you arrive in Canada, we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must have a plan to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada. This is mandatory, even if you have no symptoms. If you don’t have a plan, you’ll be quarantined in a facility designated by the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada.
Online Classes
If your in-class courses are being moved to an online-only format because of COVID-19, your eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program won’t be affected.
This includes students who have a study permit or who have been approved for a study permit for a program starting in May or June but who are unable to travel to Canada at this time due to travel restrictions.
International students in this situation may begin their classes while outside Canada and may complete up to 50% of their program while outside Canada if they cannot travel to Canada sooner.
If you’re a worker or student, you have 2 options:
- If you’re no longer working or studying, you can apply to change your status to visitor, as long as your study or work permit has not expired
- If you want to continue working or studying, you may be able to extend your work permit or study permit if you’re eligible.
When you apply, make sure you include a note explaining why you need to extend your stay in Canada.
Biometrics collection outside Canada
If you can’t give your biometrics due to a location closure near you or a service disruption, don’t go to another biometrics collection service,
When biometrics collection resumes, you’ll have to make a new appointment at a VAC or ASC when they start collecting biometrics again. You won’t need a new BIL.
Close-up of a digital fingerprint scanner as a person is being assisted in getting their fingerprint recorded.
