International students are considered
very important to Canada’s economy and society. An estimated number of 640,000
international students in Canada are vital for creating a spirited learning
environment in Universities across the country. On top of that, they also bring
revenues of almost $22 billion to the Canadian economy every year, which is
instrumental in supporting around 200,000 jobs in the country.
Identifying the impact of coronavirus
disruptions on international students, the Canadian government has decided to
put a number of special measures in place, not only for the international
students already living in the country, but also the ones who will be coming to
Canada in future.
Implied status
Current and former international
students who now hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit and in need to extend their
stay in Canada during the ongoing coronavirus crisis, may be eligible for
implied status.
Such students may benefit from the
implied status while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
reviews their work/study permit extension applications. As a direct benefit,
they can continue to study or work in Canada as per the conditions of their
original permit while IRCC takes a decision on their pending application.
Working hours
International students are often
restricted to working hours of no more than 20 a week when their class is in
session. However, IRCC recently removed this restriction, which will allow
international students working in 10 priority sectors, helping to fight
COVID-19, to work more than 20 hours a week until August 31st. Following are the 10 sectors:
- Energy
and utilities
- Finance
- Food
- Government
- Health
- Information
and Communication Technologies
- Manufacturing
- Safety
- Transportation
- Water
CERB
The federal government’s Canada
Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will provide income support to those in
Canada who have been negatively affected by coronavirus. CERB has a provision
of $500 a week for up to 16 weeks for eligible workers. Even International
students who meet the CERB’s eligibility criteria may also receive such income
support under CERB.
PR pathways
In the recent years, an increasing
number of international students have been able to secure permanent residence.
International students have the important human capital characteristics that
federal and provincial governments look for while selecting immigrants. Such
students are not only young with high levels of education and English/French
proficiency, but also possess Canadian experience. Since the coronavirus crisis
started, both federal and provincial governments have shown an inclination to
issue more invitations to apply (ITA) for permanent residence to those
who have Canadian experience.
Extra time for submitting immigration
applications
IRCC has also adopted an easy
approach towards immigration applicants, with an understanding that the current
situation will likely impact their ability to submit a complete application.
IRCC have assured that it will not refuse incomplete applications affected by
COVID-19, instead they will provide additional 90 days to applicants for
completing any missing documents or information.
PGWP
The Post-Graduation Work Permit is
vital for helping former international students get Canadian work
experience that will help them become permanent residents. In early April, IRCC
declared that international students who were approved for a study permit for a
program beginning in May or June, will be able to begin their program online
without affecting their eligibility to ultimately apply for a PGWP. The PGWP
eligibility of international students already in Canada will also not be
affected by the online courses they are taking in the absence of in-class
instructions.
More support for international
students
Canada’s response to the coronavirus
crisis has been great, which has responded well in accommodating immigrants,
international students and temporary foreign workers. Canada’s efforts to
accommodate foreign nationals emphasises the great differences between its
policies and that of other countries, such as the USA.
Since the beginning of the
coronavirus crisis, Canada has continuously been introducing new reforms to
accommodate foreign nationals. Several such measures have been announced
gradually as IRCC and other Canadian government authorities considered how they
could assist foreign nationals in need.
In such an atmosphere, we can
anticipate the Canadian government to introduce more such helpful measures for
the international students, when necessary.
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