Every country will have their own border protection measures for COVID-19. It is recommended you visit the respective countries travel restrictions before you plan your travel.
This will depend on your country of study. You can visit the respective country’s visa and travel updates before you plan your travel.
The number of hours you are entitled to work as an international student remains unchanged during the time in-person classes are cancelled. If you are enrolled as a full-time student in the current term and your study permit allows you to work on- or off-campus or both, you can work up to 20 hours per week off campus. There is no limit on the maximum number of hours you are permitted to work on campus.
Due to service disruptions, IRCC is experiencing difficulties receiving and processing applications submitted by mail or in person at a VAC. At this time, if you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or permanent residence, apply online.
Disruptions due to COVID-19 may affect processing times. You can check the current processing times to find out how long it will take to process your application.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, many biometrics collection locations, including Service Canada Offices have suspended collection. The biometric instruction letter cannot be amended, but 90-day extensions are being granted for those unable to book an appointment.
See Where to give your fingerprints and photos (biometrics) for locations where you can give your biometrics and specific instructions for your location.
Effective March 26, 2020, international students who had been approved for a study permit, on or before March 18, 2020, may enter Canada by air or land, with a letter of introduction (LOI) as well as a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
If your visa was approved after March 18, 2020, you are not exempt from the air travel restrictions and you should not travel to Canada until further notice from the Canadian government.
In addition to health screening protocols before travel, all individuals entering from abroad must wear a mask to enter Canada and have a concrete plan to isolate for 14 days upon their arrival in Canada.
Yes, you can. A study permit is not required for enrolling in school or taking online courses from outside Canada (if you have already paid for your tuition fee) However, courses are moved online as a temporary measure to COVID-19 and there’s no guarantee that you can complete your program entirely online via long distance (Nevertheless you should consult your college/university once for refund procedure in case your study permit application is refused after COVID 19 situation is over).
You should apply for a new study permit online, but it may be possible to apply at your local Canadian visa office/embassy if they are open. To apply online, please click here to register for an IRCC account, and follow the steps as instructed. To apply with a paper application, you may find and download the instruction and the entire application package here, and click here for the specific visa office you should send your application to.
If you are concerned that you cannot join your college/university by your admission deadline, you may be able to request to defer your admission. Check with your local Visa Application Centre for details on your application and make sure to keep up to date on COVID-19 updates in your country and in Canada.
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 (PGWP) 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.
Most of the university and colleges have cancelled all in-person exams and further information on these concerns, the student must contact their college/universities for all in-person exams. Please make sure to check your email regularly over the term.
Currently, public health officials are recommending we take social distancing measures. They recommend that everyone stay home when possible. You may want to connect with friends and family online or over the phone more frequently.
If you need support for mental health or would like to talk to a counsellor, you can access a variety of supports online and over the phone:
- Good2Talk: Call 1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868
- Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 416-863-0511
- Burlington Distress Centre: 905-681-1488
- Distress Centers of Greater Toronto: 416-408-HELP (4357)
- Durham Crisis and Mental Health Line: 905-666-0483
- Gerstein Centre Crisis Line: 416-929-5200
- Oakville Distress Centre: 905-849-4541
Scarborough Health Network Community Crisis Line: 416-495-2891 - Spectra Distress Line: 905-459-7777
York Community Crisis Response Services: 1-855-310-COPE (2673)
24/7 Crisis Support Peel Dufferin: 905-278-9036
For more information, please refer to the IRCC website.
