Study Permit Before March 18th - Does it apply to U.S. Citizens?

[mmhien]

Hello everyone, I am a student from the U.S. who was accepted into a Master's program at the University of Toronto for Fall 2020. I haven't been approved for a study permit yet. However, if my permit is initially approved, I am wondering if I should attempt to travel to Canada? I am very confused by the exemption which states that only students who had their permits approved before or on March 18th can travel to Canada. On this page, it says

"Foreign nationals seeking to travel to Canada from the United States while the travel restrictions are in place need to satisfy government officials that they are travelling for a non-optional and non-discretionary purpose."

Is this all I must do? Convince the border officer that my travel essential? My program is doing a hybrid flex system. We can start the program completely online, but there will also be in-person courses and workshops. My program has informed us that we will be able to switch from online to in-person courses easily once we are able to travel to Canada. My concern is that the border officer could tell me that since I can start my program at home, my travel is not essential. I guess I could call the border services, but I know officers sometimes have different answers. I am just wondering if anyone has any insight on this?

 

[primaprime]

Hello everyone, I am a student from the U.S. who was accepted into a Master's program at the University of Toronto for Fall 2020. I haven't been approved for a study permit yet. However, if my permit is initially approved, I am wondering if I should attempt to travel to Canada? I am very confused by the exemption which states that only students who had their permits approved before or on March 18th can travel to Canada. On this page, it says

Is this all I must do? Convince the border officer that my travel essential? My program is doing a hybrid flex system. We can start the program completely online, but there will also be in-person courses and workshops. My program has informed us that we will be able to switch from online to in-person courses easily once we are able to travel to Canada. My concern is that the border officer could tell me that since I can start my program at home, my travel is not essential. I guess I could call the border services, but I know officers sometimes have different answers. I am just wondering if anyone has any insight on this?

There are no special rules for Americans. As of now a study permit issued after March 18 does not allow you to enter, especially with online classes and you not having an apartment already established in Toronto.

 

[Matt173]

Not true, read the following link:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/students.html#exemptions

If you come from the US, including foreign nationals, you can enter Canada if you can convince the agent at the border that your travel is essential.

There are no special rules for Americans. As of now a study permit issued after March 18 does not allow you to enter, especially with online classes and you not having an apartment already established in Toronto.