Mohanad Moetaz - 17 November, 2020
Canada has released a guide to help international students who wish to come to Canada to navigate the country’s travel restrictions.
Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), provinces, territories and the Canadian federal government have certain responsibilities in supporting international students coming to Canada.
What international students need to know
International students and accompanying immediate family members showing symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to board their flight to Canada. If you show symptoms upon arrival in Canada, a screening officer will perform a health assessment, and you may not be allowed to enter Canada, or, in some cases, you may be transported to a hospital.
At the moment, international students are allowed to travel to Canada to pursue an education at a DLI that has an approved COVID-19 readiness plan. The list of approved institutions can be found on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
Discover your options to study in Canada
International students need two things to travel to Canada: a study permit or study permit approval, and a travel authorization issued by IRCC. Students will be contacted by IRCC when a travel authorization has been granted. It is important to note that this authorization may be cancelled if there are changed circumstances in the DLI or the province or territory, such as a COVID-19 outbreak.
There are other requirements for international students landing in Canada. For example, they must also show the border services officer that they are entering Canada for non-discretionary reasons, and that they are studying at one of the approved DLIs. Failure to meet these requirements may result in a refused entry.
Accompanying Immediate family members of international students may also be allowed to enter Canada, including the students’ spouses and dependent children, as well as their legal parent or guardian if the student is a minor.
They are also required to show the border officers that they are traveling for a non-discretionary and non-optional reason.
Quarantine period
International students and their accompanying immediate family members are required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Canada. They are also required to wear a face mask during travel to their place of quarantine. They will be required to go straight to their place of quarantine without stopping, even for groceries.
Upon arrival in Canada, border officers will consider the student’s quarantine plan. The plan needs to show that students will have individual accommodation, that they monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms and that they avoid public or shared spaces. In addition, they must arrange access to food and medicine.
Students cannot quarantine in places with shared spaces, such as hostels. If a student is planning to stay with other people, they must self-isolate from others. This means that they should have their own bedroom and washroom wherever possible, as well as maintain social distancing from other household members.
International students are also required to confirm their eligibility for healthcare coverage in Canada. If they do not have coverage, they may get private insurance including COVID-19 coverage before coming to Canada.
