A recent press conference conducted by Canadian ministers responsible for health, immigration, and safety, announced that travel restrictions for international students entering Canada would be eased.
Effective October 20, international students with valid study permits will be able to enter Canada, provided that their designated learning institution (DLI), has an approved COVID-19 readiness plan in place.
Last September, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) would be working closely with Health Canada and with provincial and territorial governments, as well as DLIs, to ensure the health and safety of Canadian students and international students who wished to return to their campuses to attend physical classes.
Historically, the federal government has worked closely with provinces and territories to attract and accommodate international students. With many international students caught up in the disruptions caused by the pandemic, they have resolved to work together to develop COVID-19 readiness plans that will allow international students to safely resume classes.
Currently, only international students whose DLIs are on the list of institutions with approved COVID-19 readiness plans may be exempt from travel restrictions. The IRCC strictly emphasizes that students check the list to ensure their DLI has been approved, prior to making plans to travel to Canada.
The full list will be available on the IRCC’s webpage for international students, and will be updated accordingly as provinces and territories work with their DLIs to ensure their institutions are equipped with the right measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
International students with no symptoms, with the appropriate documents to enter Canada, and whose DLI is among the list of those with approved COVID-19 readiness are exempt from travel restrictions. However, restrictions may also vary depending on what country the international student is travelling from.
If you are an international student planning to enter Canada for classes, it is best to double-check your eligibility for travel exemptions prior to booking your travel to Canada.
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