Changes To Study Permit Approval Process

Changes To Study Permit Approval Process

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada has made major improvements to help international students seeking to study in Canada to start a new program online beginning this fall. On Tuesday, July 14, Canada announced updates to the study permit application process and how time spent studying online contributes towards a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

These represent a number of other steps by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to help foreign students after the pandemic took effect in March.

“We value the contribution of young people seeking a high-quality education in Canada, and we’re making every effort to minimize how current challenges affect their plans and dreams for the future,” Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino stated.

The changes include the introduction of a new two-stage study permit process to assist applicants who are unable to send the necessary documentation due to COVID-19 closures. This option is available to students beginning a fall semester program who maks a submission for a study permit prior to 15 September 2020.

“This measure will reassure students that they can enroll and begin their studies this fall online, even when they are not able to submit all required documentation due to pandemic-related closures,” an IRCC statement continued.

Candidates will first receive the approval-in-principle, enabling them to continue their studies online before gaining final approval at a later date when they can send the necessary documentation.

According to the changes, once they submit a study permit application and at least 50 percent of their study program is done in Canada, the time spent studying abroad online will be calculated towards their PGWP.

Canada has committed to prioritizing study-permit processing for students who completed a full application online. The step means that all permits are issued in the shortest available time.

Mendicino said: “The pandemic affected international students and the Canadian universities and societies that accommodate them. For this cause, we have initiated a series of steps to help them.”

Temporary Stages for Study Permit Approval

Approval-in-principle stage: Applicants must prove that they are admitted at a Canadian learning institution, also have money available, and are otherwise qualified for the study permit.

If the permission-in-principle has been given, applicants can start studying abroad online and have that time counted towards their PGWP, providing they fulfill other conditions and eventually obtain complete study permit approval.

At the final approval, stage candidates must satisfy both qualifications and eligibility criteria, including submission of biometrics and required documentation such as an immigration medical examination and a police certificate.

The candidate may not be allowed to fly to Canada until final approval is obtained.

IRCC has made it clear that an applicant who is approved in principle is not guaranteed full approval. This is also possible for an applicant to get a negative final decision on his study permit based on certain considerations such as inadmissibility for criminal or security reasons and the difficulty to foresee how the COVID-19 situation and the associated travel restrictions will develop.

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