Coronavirus (COVID-19) Informationfor International Students
Whether you are a first-year student, a soon-to-be graduating student, an exchange student or a visiting researcher, here you will find up-to-date Government of Canada information on study permit-related issues, travel restrictions and exemptions, as well as Government of Canada programs for which international students may be eligible. We encourage you to consult this page regularly for the latest updates relevant to your situation. For international students specifically consult the following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada(IRCC) news release announcing the introduction of new processes to support the safe and gradual entry of international students (2020/10/02):
Specifically, these processes will provide for the entry, as of October 20, of international students, if they will be attending a designated learning institution that has been identified by their provincial or territorial government as having a COVID-19 readiness plan in place.
For more information, consult the IRCC page Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Designated learning institutions reopening to international students. Students will continue to be required to provide the necessary documents to study and travel in Canada.
Detailed information on the process and requirements to be eligible to travel to and enter Canada are available on the IRCC website. Before traveling, it is essential to read the following IRCC resources to ensure you meet the necessary criteria for entry into Canada:
Non-optional and non-discretionary purpose of travel
Travel restrictions and exemptions, as well as details on exemptions for international students of January 7, 2021 passengers traveling by air, will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding their flight. For more information, visit Travel.gc.ca. The situation is being monitored closely. Travel restrictions may change with little warning.
Immigration status and related travel
IRCC has published detailed information on how the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)is affecting immigration, refugees, citizenship, and passport services. This includes specific information, questions, and answers related to, among others:
Workers, students, and visitors Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibilities and changes (2020/08/26)
International students providing essential services Guidance in situations where an international student’s status has expired, oris about to expire
IRCC offices and visa application centers
Applying for a study permit from outside Canada Biometrics collection
To know when IRCC will resume services and to get up-to-date information, see ICC's special measures to help clients affected by COVID-19
Consult the following IRCC resources about their new temporary study permit process:
IRCC’s Backgrounder: Facilitative measures to support international students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
If you can’t submit a complete application with all the required documents, for more information, please read about the new two-stage approval process announced July 15, 2020Eligibility for Government of Canada-funded benefits
The Government of Canada has introduced a range of measures and programs under its COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, including supports for that who have lost income due to COVID-19, as well as measures targeting youth,post-secondary students, and recent graduates.
International students are invited to consult the Plan’s section on Support for individuals, to review measures for which they may be eligible. This could include the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, removal of restrictions on hours worked for students working in essential services, and access for youth to mental health support, among others. Note that some student-focused measures in the plan may not be available to international students.
Information for Government of Canada-fundedscholarship students
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is in close contact with its scholarship programadministrators to identify guidance and support required by scholarship recipients. Individuals with concerns should reach out to their host institutions inCanada as a first point of contact.
International students that are currently in Canada under one of the StudentExchange Programs, including the inbound portion of the Canada-ChinaScholars’ Exchange Program (CCSEP), have the option to return to their homecountries and finish their studies online (if their school offers that option). Therewill be no penalties for doing so. If a student wishes to withdraw completely fromthe program, they will still receive a prorated amount of the scholarship.
To stay up-to-date with the latest information on Government of Canada fundedscholarships, please subscribe to the EduCanada RSS feed and visit ourFacebook page @EduCanada.Official.
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Health care, including mental health
The Government of Canada is giving $7.5 million in funding to Kids Help Phone,a 24/7, national support service, offering professional counseling, information and referrals to young people in both English and French. The service is completely confidential and provides much-needed mental health support to youth during this difficult time. You can reach out by phone, text or live chat ordial 1-800-668-6868 to speak with a Kids Help Phone counselor at any time.
International students are encouraged to reach out to and remain in contact with their host institutions in Canada, in particular the international students’ office,and their health care coverage providers to receive information on measures and supports in place for international students at this time.
GAC is in regular contact with Canadian education associations, representing Canadian education institutions across the country. It is our understanding that Canadian institutions are proactively providing psychological and mental health support related to the pandemic to their national and international students.
Students are also encouraged to regularly consult municipal and provincial/territorial public health resources for information on guidelines and supports that apply to their host communities.
