Brief on IRCC Temporary Policy Changes as of 14 July 2020

Brief on IRCC Temporary Policy Changes
                as of 14 July 2020

                          Contents
   i. Introduction
   ii. Restrictions and Exemptions for travel to Canada
   iii. English Requirements
   iv. Visa Approvals
   v. Two-stage Study Permit Approval process
   vi. Recommendations for DLIs
   vii. Impact of Online Programs on Post-Graduation Work Permit

Introduction
Following the announcement made by IRCC Minister Marco Mendicino about
the new changes that will enable online learning for International students,
IRCC-Delhi hosted an instructive webinar for students and institutions.
The changes mean that students would have more certainty about being able
to enter Canada once travel and health restrictions are eased in Canada and
their own home countries. As per the announcement, students will be eligible
to work in Canada after graduation, even if they need to begin their studies
online from overseas this fall.
The new measures ensure:
   - Providing priority study permit processing for students who have
     submitted a complete application online, to ensure that permits are
     processed as quickly as possible.
   - Allowing students to count the time spent pursuing their studies online
     in their home countries toward their eligibility for a PGWP, on condition
     that they have submitted a study permit application and if at least 50%
     of their program is completed in Canada.
   - Introducing the temporary 2-stage approval process as a means of
     reassuring international students who cannot submit all of their required
     documentation for application processing, and choose to pursue
     programs through distance learning

       Restrictions and Exemptions for travel to Canada
   - Students with online programs are not allowed to travel
   - Students with blended/hybrid program are allowed to travel if they
     received their visa before 18th March this year, and have a support
     letter that mentions their presence in Canada is absolutely essential.

- Students already residing in and are in the middle of their program
  can travel to Canada with a support letter.
- Students are advised to travel only 3 weeks prior to the start date of
  their program for in-person classes.
- Students must pass a health checkup done by the airline, and those
  with Covid-19 symptoms would not be allowed to board the flight and
  will be denied travel by airline staff
- For comprehensive list of exemptions to the travel restrictions, visit:
  www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-
  citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/travel-restrictions-
  exemptions.html

Implications:
Canada has opened its borders for selective countries. Due to a surge in
COVID-19 cases in the country, India (and other South Asian counties)
may not make it to the list of countries open for travel to Canada. Which
means students with valid study permits won’t be able to travel either.
CBSA and Airlines have discretion powers to stop from boarding or return
from the entry point. CBSA will make random enquiries with DLI about
the students with regards to new start dates and how essential it is for
student to be in Canada for the program.

                      English Requirements
- DUOLINGO or IELTS Indicator are not accepted; only IELTS or TOEFL
  would be acceptable tests since they are in-person tests and can be
  verified.
- Students who have submitted an application file with DUOLINGO test
  should receive an email to submit IELTS or TOEFL scores.
-

Implications:
   Institutions should consider accepting TOEFL- it is the only test students
   can take other than IELTS and apply under non-SDS category.
   Students need to immediately register for IELTS or TOEFL, and for those
   who wish to apply under SDS, IELTS is the only option. British Council and
   IDP are already running a backlog from the month of April. It will be hard
   for students to get dates for IELTS before the September 15 deadline.

                              Visa Approvals
   - The new 2-stage process is introduced for applicants who have
     submitted a new study permit application on or before September 15,
     2020, and whose program of study begins in Fall 2020 (or earlier).
   - Prioritized processing of study permits for those who have submitted a
     complete application online.
   - No change in requirements and assessment criteria for SDS and non-SDS
     categories
   - Visa would not be refused if some documents are missing. Mandatory
     documentation includes: Application form, Application & Biometric fees,
     and LOA. Applications can be submitted without biometrics and
     medicals which can be submitted later.
   - Select students who submitted complete applications before 18th March
     are getting final visa approvals through courier.
   - No further final visa approvals would be issued until VACs reopen.

Implications:
The general sentiment about this policy change is that it has come late for
September 2020 intake and we should not expect major change in numbers. It
is only advantageous for undecided students with complete visa documents.
Institutions should start engaging with students for January 2021 intake and
prepare them to apply for study permits early to avoid delays.

Two-stage Study Permit Approval process
The 2-stage process will only apply to study permit applications submitted on
or before Septembers 15, 2020 and for programs beginning in Spring, Summer
and Fall 2020.
   - AIP (Approval in Principle) applies to study permit applications
     submitted after 18th March 2020. AIP (Stage 1 of application) refers to
     approval of eligibility assessment, implying that:
        • the student is a genuine candidate
        • the student has been accepted in a DLI in Canada
        • the student has enough funds to pay for their studies and
          expenses
        • the student will leave Canada by the end of their authorized stay
          as per R179

   - Stage 2 is the admissibility assessment of the study permit application,
     and comprises of following aspects:
        • Biometrics
        • Instant Medical Exam
        • Authentic Documentation and questions answered truthfully
        • Criminality & Security

   - The final issuance of visa could be denied because of the following
     reasons:
        • Security reasons
        • Issues with the medical report
        • Submission of fraudulent documents
        • Answered questions falsely

   - Issuance of AIP would start by next week
   - There is no exact timeline given for processing of AIP since backlogs are
     being dealt with first

Implications:
It is necessary for institutions to make early decisions on program start dates,
extensions and refund policy. The message needs to go out loud and clear to
Agents and Students for brand positivity.
Students who wish to defer to next intake should not only get priority but
guaranteed seat allocation.
A clear refund policy is a decisive factor for students to register for online
classes. Some institutions have already decided to refund the tuition fee with
minor deductions. Due to this unprecedented situation, it is necessary for
institutions to extend financial/academic drop dates for international students,
since delays because of backlogs are expected in study permit decisions.

                       Recommendations for DLIs
   - LOA should include the program delivery component, as well as the
     percentage of online and in-person class. This will not have an impact on
     the visa decision but it is recommended.
   - Applications are pending for May 2020, so student should submit revised
     LOA with dates for next intake to update their file.

Implications:
In case any May 2020 student has not submitted the revised LOA for next
intake, the file will remain in backlog.
It is highly recommended for institutions to send the list of such students to
IRCC in a excel format for pending applications.

                    Impact of Online Programs on
                Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

   - Online programs will not affect the PGWP for international students

- Students in Canada and
  with in-class programs have moved to an online format due to COVID-
  19
- Students outside Canada with a study permit, or have been approved
  or applied for study permit for a program starting in Spring, Summer
  and Fall 2020 may begin classes outside Canada and complete up to
  50% of their program online in case they cannot travel to Canada.
- For students starting their program online, the deadline to reach
  Canada is by 31st December and maybe extended
- Students who started their programs in May 2020 and have
  completed 50% of their program in India can take a semester break up
  to 150 days.