COVID-19 – International Student Program and travel to Canada

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

October 21, 2020

The following instructions have been updated to provide guidance on the travel exemptions for international students and the additional temporary policy changes made to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP).

Information has been added to clarify the authorization for international students to travel to Canada on or after October 20, 2020 based on the Order in Council (OIC). To be granted entry, students must be travelling for a non-discretionary purpose and must be attending a designated learning institution (DLI) with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by their province or territory as listed on IRCC’s website. International students who enter Canada will undergo the necessary health checks and must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Canada.

The department has extended the PGWPP facilitation measures to April 30, 2021. In addition, temporary changes have been made for short programs (8 to 12 months in length) and for program stacking (when 2 eligible programs of study are completed and combined for post-graduation work permit length).

Updated instructions

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