Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC ) has announced several important changes in the rules of study and work permits to help international students pursue their studies in Canada. The country always applies strong methods to attract International students as they offer significant social and economic benefits to the country. Before the coronavirus crisis, Universities in Canada served over 640,000 international students from all over the world.
Major changes announced by IRCC
In the latest news of Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have announced that it will help international students in the following ways to pursue their studies in Canada:
- IRCC will give priority to those who will submit their completed application of study permit online. It will make sure that their permits are processed as speedily as possible.
- IRCC will give priority to those who will submit their completed application of study permit online. It will make sure that their permits are processed as speedily as possible.
- IRCC is on the way to introduce a temporary 2-stage approval process for the application of study visa for international students who will not be able to submit a completed application and wants to start their Canadian educational program online. This temporary 2-stage process is available to the students who want to begin their program this fall as well as those who will be able to submit their study permit application by 15th of September, 2020
- IRCC is also allowing students to begin their Canadian studies online staying in their home country and having that time counted in the calculations for the eligibility of their Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) on a condition that they have submitted a study permit application and have at least completed 50% of their program in Canada.
Why IRCC wants to help international students
- There are a few reasons behind the motive of helping international students. IRCC wants to help international students because :
- IRCC says it is taking these measures to help students begin their programs in time for the fall 2020 academic year.
- IRCC realised that the coronavirus crisis in the whole world is creating uncertainty for the students who want to study abroad and build their career successfully. In addition, the pandemic has also affected IRCC’s ability to process a student visa for Canada.
- However, these new and major changes will help overseas students begin their programs online by being in their home country this fall at a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI).
- IRCC’s new policies changes are meant to help international students achieve their study goals. There are numerous other benefits to international students from these IRCC’s changes. We have mentioned them in detail below.
Benefits to international students
International students will be able to gain the benefit from these major changes. The benefits are:
- International students can start their Canadian program classes online at their own comfort and most importantly it will provide safety to their health and also it will help them to achieve their various study career, as well as immigration goals.
- If they want to start their Canadian studies in the coming fall, IRCC will do its best to complete the process of their study permit as fast as possible. Even if the student is not able to complete the process of the study permit application, IRCC will still pre-approve them if they meet their specific conditions so that they can start their classes online. These conditions are discussed here in the later part.
- Students who want to experience studying in Canada due to its high-quality education can move to the country now. Additionally, they are attracted by the opportunities to work in Canada during as well as after their studies and help them obtain permanent residence to become the Canadian citizens of the future.
Process of a study permit application from pre-approval to the final approval stage.
1. IRCC will pre-approve the study permit application if the international student clears the first stage. To pass through the first stage, the applicants of the study permit must show that:
- They have been accepted at any of the designated learning institutions of Canada.
- Have enough financial support for their education in Canada.
- Complete all other study permit requirements as specified.
2. After clearing the first stage, students will be able to begin their studies online by being at their home country and still have this period count towards their PGWP eligibility. Duration of the PGWP will be the same as the duration of the study permit.
3. To receive final approval for a study permit, students will have to complete the application process by submitting the biometrics and other important documents such as a medical exam and police certificate.
4. After receiving final approval for their student visa, students will be able to enter Canada to pursue their studies.
Online visa application services resumed
This week’s announcement also had an important update. In the IRCC bulletin the ministry announced that some visa processing services will resume. From 1st of July, IRCC has resumed processing of online applications for visitor visas and electronic travel authorisations (eTAs). Processing has also resumed for online applications for work permits and study permits. While paper-based applications are not being accepted right now, IRCC notes that some visa application centres (VACs) have begun to reopen. It is advised that visa applicants should check the website of IRCC for the current status of VACs in their local area.
IRCC cautioned that due to current travel restrictions, applicants should keep in mind that, even if their visa application gets approval, most people will not be able to travel to Canada at this time. Those who are eligible to travel to Canada at this time must have a proper plan to get quarantined for 14 days upon arrival in Canada. This is compulsory, even if they are fit and fine.
Reasons to study abroad in Canada
Increase of international student in the country is not only beneficial to students but also Canada. Here are a few main reasons why most of the international student choose Canada over other countries:
- Students are able to experience and learn from an excellent standard of education in one of the world’s most popular countries.
- It is also less expensive to study in Canada in comparison with countries such as the USA.
- International students can work in the country up to 20 hours a week while studying, which will help them to support their own living expenses in Canada and also help them to gain Canadian work experience.
- After completing their education, they can have the right to gain PGWP to work in Canada for up to a maximum of 3 years.
- By gaining professional work experience in Canada, international students can also apply to get permanent residence and Canadian citizenship in the end. Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and many other routes are available for international students who want immigration status.
According to IRCC, around 60,000 former international students settle in Canada itself every year. International students enhance their learning experience at colleges and universities across Canada and help in the development of Canadian society even further. Their share is $22 billion annually to Canada’s economy which supports 170,000 Canadian jobs.
Categories: Canada