56,000 Study Permits Approved For International Students, Says Canada’s Immigration Minister
Immigration minister Marco Mendicino provided an international student update during a webinar held yesterday. He affirmed Canada has already rolled out 56,000 study permits in first-stage approvals.
Secondly, Mr. Mendicino also confirmed that the Canadian government, led by Health Canada, continues to work with post-secondary institutions to know how they can physically welcome foreign students onto their campuses during the COVID-19.
According to Mendicino, Minister Patty Hajdu is working to ensure each post-secondary institution has met the public health requirement of the province and territory they are located in. This approach will protect the health and safety of Canadian students and international students.
Distance learning institutions (DLIs) are colleges, universities, and other educational institutions that have obtained approval from the federal and provincial governments to welcome international students.
Some DLIs have shown interest in welcoming international students during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, due to Canada’s travel restrictions, most international students are presently not able to travel to the country.
The discussions between Health Canada, provinces, and higher learning institutions are aimed at identifying whether the higher institution can safely form quarantine and socially distancing rules that would enable them to potentially welcome students in the coming weeks.
Under the federal law of Canada, most travelers must quarantine for fourteen (14) days immediately upon arriving in Canada.
Moreover, some provinces across Canada have strict social distancing measures in place to help curb the spread of coronavirus, although Canada’s coronavirus case tally has been increasing seriously in recent weeks.
In the meantime, Canada has announced a number of major reforms to allow foreign students to pursue their Canadian studies amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the reforms, Canada announced a two-step study permit process in the summer to give international students certainty so they can begin their studies while abroad.
In addition, international students staying abroad can study online and still be able to work in Canada under a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) once the coronavirus pandemic is over.
Mr. Mendicino announced that 56,000 international students have been granted a study permit approval under stage one so far.
This means that Canada’s immigration authorities have provided international students with approval after reviewing each applicant’s letter of acceptance from designate Higher institutions, proof of funds that they can adequately support themselves and their studies financially, among other requirements.
Once international students are able to travel to Canada, they need to complete a criminal background check, medical exam, and biometrics in order to obtain stage two study permit approval.
The minister of immigration, Mendicino delivered the remarks during a webinar conducted by the Canadian International Council, which is an organisation that brings Canadians together to explore matters relating to foreign affairs.
Mendicino also affirmed that Canada is still committed to welcoming more immigrants, international students, and global talent in general.
“I steadfastly believe that immigration will play a crucial role in the recovery of our economy , as it has in recent years.”
