International students and travel to Canada

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The fall semester is approaching, and Canada wants to remind international students what they need to do to come to this country.

So far IRCC has introduced a variety of temporary policy changes, including measures to study online from abroad and other temporary policy changes. However, the health and safety of Canadians and those who wish to study here remain a priority. That is why the Government shared a guide for international students who are travelling to Canada.

• Who can enter Canada to study?
• What do you need to enter Canada?
• Fully vaccinated travellers
• Upcoming changes
• How to keep up to date?
• Interested in travelling to Canada?

Who can enter Canada to study?

According to IRCC, If you are coming as an international student, you need to:

• Have a valid study permit.

You can also have a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit.

• Be attending a designated learning institution (DLI) with a COVID-19 readiness plan.

It is also important to check if restrictions are in place for your country. For example, Canada suspended flights from India until August 21, 2021. Restrictions like this one can affect your ability to travel.

What do you need to enter Canada?

• You must have a quarantine plan

International students must have a 14-day quarantine plan in case they don’t meet all of the conditions to be exempt from quarantine. So, even if you believe you meet the criteria, you still need a plan.

Remember! The final decision on who gets to enter Canada rests with the border official.

You should be in contact with your designated learning institution for assistance in developing quarantine plans.

Be aware that DLIs have a COVID-19 readiness plan. The plan should indicate how they will manage the quarantine period for international students. This includes arrangements for transportation to the students’ quarantine location and for access to food and medications during their quarantine.

• You must use ArriveCAN 

Also, you need to submit information in ArriveCAN before entering Canada. This information might include contact & travel information, 14-day travel history, quarantine plan, confirmation of a negative pre-entry test (or positive test taken 14-90 days prior to travel), proof of vaccination, and COVID-19 symptom self-assessment.

Fully vaccinated travellers

To be considered fully vaccinated, you need to have the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine—or combination of vaccines—, at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Currently, the vaccines approved by Health Canada are Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Johnson & Johnson.

The list of accepted vaccines may expand in the future as evidence becomes available. But, for now, Canada is only accepting the vaccines mentioned.

Also, you must still meet the pre-entry and on-arrival testing requirements, including being tested within 72 hours pre-departure.

Upcoming changes

• On August 9th (after 12:01 a.m. EDT): fully vaccinated U.S. tourists can enter Canada. That same day, Canada will also be getting rid of the 3-night hotel stay requirement for all air travellers.
• New measures for unvaccinated children.
• On September 7th: fully vaccinated tourists from all countries can enter Canada.
• Until August 21st: the travel ban from India will be extended.
• Other new policies: select airports.

You can find all this information here: Everything about Canada’s Borders Opening.

If you are not an international student but would like to know the general steps to travel to Canada, please read this guide for travellers entering Canada during COVID-19

Stay up to date

International students should monitor Canada’s website for the latest developments and follow their school’s guidance. You can also subscribe to our immigration news section to receive updated content about the world of immigration in Canada.

Interested in travelling to Canada?

If you have general questions about how to travel to Canada, fill out the following form. Otherwise, please book a consultation session or fill out our assessment form.

Fill our Free Canada Immigration Assessment Form in your language!

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