Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that the time spent by international students currently studying remotely will be counted towards the length of their PGWP, starting from their date of application. The previous rule only took into account the time spent studying online from the date of approval of the permit.
Earlier in August, the IRCC notified that students could study online while overseas without affecting the length of their Post-Graduation Work Permit, provided they finish 50% of their studies in Canada. This is to come into force until April 30, 2020.
The new measure will now allow more international students who cannot travel to Canadato become eligible for the PGWP. This shall include any student who has a valid study permit, approved or applied for, before any 2020 semester. The permit will also consider students who want to apply for a study permit before starting their programme in January 2021.
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Such students will be able to start their programme while overseas and complete it 100% remotely/online and still apply for the study permit later. This is for those whohave registered for an 8 to 12 month-long programme commencing from May to September 2020 to complete the entire programme abroad and yet be eligible for a PGWP. In addition, students who have signed up for a programme commencing from May to September 2020 can study online until April 30, 2021, and those who graduate from more than one such programme may combine the length of their programmes when they apply for a PGWP, as long as 50% of the studies iscompleted in Canada.
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Many international students have not been able to enter Canada due to the current travel restrictions of Canada in view of the global pandemic. These restrictions will be relaxed on the basis of Canada's progress in containing the spread of the novel Coronavirus.
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