<6 Month English Course, Essential Travel?

[MattFS218]

a friend has a tourist visa.

If she signs up for an english course, will she be allowed entry into canada under essential travel on a flight from Seattle to Vancouver?

courses under 6 month don't require a study permit, and studies is specified as an essential reason.

she was originally scheduled to fly on March 18 from Santiago to Vancouver, but was denied...and has been in limbo every since. please advise.

 

[scylla]

a friend has a tourist visa.

If she signs up for an english course, will she be allowed entry into canada under essential travel on a flight from Seattle to Vancouver?

courses under 6 month don't require a study permit, and studies is specified as an essential reason.

she was originally scheduled to fly on March 18 from Santiago to Vancouver, but was denied...and has been in limbo every since. please advise.

Hard to say.

Generally speaking, taking an English course is regarded as a weak reason for coming to Canada. It's often used as a reason / excuse by people who actually have plans to remain in Canada long term so hard to say if CBSA will take this as a serious reason for coming here or be suspicous of the real motives.

Additionally, most programs have moved online and are largely remaining online in the fall. So it may be difficult to convince CBSA that someone actually needs to be here in person to take a course. If she's already in Seattle, why can't she just take an English course there?

Again, hard to say. Certainly not guaranteed.