Can a foreign students land in the US and enter Canada even if their study permit was approved after March 18?

[Matt173]

...apparently yes if the following text is to be taken literally as published by CBSA. Foreign nationals entering Canada from the US seem to have to "only" satisfy the below requirements, whether being a student or not. Any opposing opinions or interpretations?

Arriving from the United States
If you are a foreign national arriving from the United States, to enter Canada, you must prove to the CBSA that you:

• are travelling for a non-discretionary (essential) purpose or are an immediate family member
• are not presenting signs or symptoms of COVID-19
• have a plan to quarantine for 14 days, unless exempted

The Canada-U.S. temporary border restriction continues. All discretionary/optional travel remains prohibited.

(https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/covid/non-canadians-canadiens-eng.html#er1)

 

[renron]

...apparently yes if the following text is to be taken literally as published by CBSA. Foreign nationals entering Canada from the US seem to have to "only" satisfy the below requirements, whether being a student or not. Any opposing opinions or interpretations?

Arriving from the United States
If you are a foreign national arriving from the United States, to enter Canada, you must prove to the CBSA that you:

• are travelling for a non-discretionary (essential) purpose or are an immediate family member
• are not presenting signs or symptoms of COVID-19
• have a plan to quarantine for 14 days, unless exempted

The Canada-U.S. temporary border restriction continues. All discretionary/optional travel remains prohibited.

(https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/covid/non-canadians-canadiens-eng.html#er1)

The above rule is for foreign nationals arriving from the US


while below rule is the general rule for foreign International students
Take note the word "or" means either of the two while "AND" means in addition to the following options

Travel exemptions and restrictions for international students
You’re exempt from the travel restrictions and are able to enter Canada if you’re travelling for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose AND

• you’re an international student who has a valid study permit or
• you were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, or
• you’re coming from the United States

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

 

[renron]

to make it clear and exact :

1. You’re exempt from the travel restrictions and are able to enter Canada if you’re travelling for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose AND (you’re an international student who has a valid study permit or you’re coming from the United States)

2. You’re exempt from the travel restrictions and are able to enter Canada if you’re travelling for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose AND
(you were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, or you’re coming from the United States)

3. You’re exempt from the travel restrictions and are able to enter Canada if you’re travelling for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose AND
(you’re coming from the United States)

 

[Matt173]

You may be misunderstanding the situation perhaps? I do not have a valid study permit. I was approved for a study permit after March 18. But that is aside the point.

My question is specifically about anyone who enters Canada coming from the US. The above government link clearly does not specifically single out current or future students. It simply states that any foreign national (worker, student, retiree, or anyone else) who enters Canada from US soil can do so if the purpose is

Non discretionary
There are no COVID symptoms
And there is a quarantine plan on place

Why would this not apply to students who come, for example from HK, enter the US and proceed by themselves on US soil to the Canadian border?

The above rule is for foreign nationals arriving from the US


while below rule is the general rule for foreign International students
Take note the word "or" means either of the two while "AND" means in addition to the following options

Travel exemptions and restrictions for international students
You’re exempt from the travel restrictions and are able to enter Canada if you’re travelling for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose AND

• you’re an international student who has a valid study permit or
• you were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, or
• you’re coming from the United States

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

 

[Bs65]

Given though most courses are planned to be online at least through to January then would it not be optional travel , that is no need to enter Canada at this time.

If were that easy all students approved post March 18 would take that route and in fact why would Canada even need a rule in first place for foreign students

 

[renron]

You may be misunderstanding the situation perhaps? I do not have a valid study permit. I was approved for a study permit after March 18. But that is aside the point.

My question is specifically about anyone who enters Canada coming from the US. The above government link clearly does not specifically single out current or future students. It simply states that any foreign national (worker, student, retiree, or anyone else) who enters Canada from US soil can do so if the purpose is

Non discretionary
There are no COVID symptoms
And there is a quarantine plan on place

Why would this not apply to students who come, for example from HK, enter the US and proceed by themselves on US soil to the Canadian border?

my reply is exactly about foreign nationals who are coming or arriving outside the US

 

[Matt173]

So, what does "come from the United States" then mean? Can I as German citizen fly from Hongkong via Vancouver (transit only) to Seattle then rent a car and drive to the Canadian border and get my study permit and proceed to my quarantine place? Let's ignore whether I can or cannot enter the US (I can) and the car rental is also irrelevant. I have a letter that shows I am approved for a study permit albeit that letter dates post March 18. My reading of the link I posted is that I can enter Canada with my documents that show I am approved for a study permit (I don't have the study permit yet, I am just approved) and and documents from my university that show that my research in the lab is non discretionary and in person presence is of the essence. And my understanding is that it is not impritant whether or not my study permit was approved before March 18 precisely because I cross the border from the US (vs, for example, landing by plane in Vancouver). Is my understanding correct?

to make it clear and exact :

1. You’re exempt from the travel restrictions and are able to enter Canada if you’re travelling for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose AND (you’re an international student who has a valid study permit or you’re coming from the United States)

2. You’re exempt from the travel restrictions and are able to enter Canada if you’re travelling for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose AND
(you were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, or you’re coming from the United States)

3. You’re exempt from the travel restrictions and are able to enter Canada if you’re travelling for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose AND
(you’re coming from the United States)

 

[Matt173]

So what you are saying is that you believe "coming from the US" refers to Americans or non Americans who have lived in the US and cross into Canada? But then why would the Canadian border services not specifically say that? Instead it just states "foreign nationals coming from the US..."

Given though most courses are planned to be online at least through to January then would it not be optional travel , that is no need to enter Canada at this time.

If were that easy all students approved post March 18 would take that route and in fact why would Canada even need a rule in first place for foreign students

 

[renron]

So, what does "come from the United States" then mean? Can I as German citizen fly from Hongkong via Vancouver (transit only) to Seattle then rent a car and drive to the Canadian border and get my study permit and proceed to my quarantine place? Let's ignore whether I can or cannot enter the US (I can) and the car rental is also irrelevant. I have a letter that shows I am approved for a study permit albeit that letter dates post March 18. My reading of the link I posted is that I can enter Canada with my documents that show I am approved for a study permit (I don't have the study permit yet, I am just approved) and and documents from my university that show that my research in the lab is non discretionary and in person presence is of the essence. And my understanding is that it is not impritant whether or not my study permit was approved before March 18 precisely because I cross the border from the US (vs, for example, landing by plane in Vancouver). Is my understanding correct?

yes you can enter canada as long as you satisfy at least 2 requirements:

1. a proof your program of study is essential/non-discretionary
2. approved study permit or (before March18)

and of course don't forget to provide them your 14-day quarantine plans or place to stay

just show to Border Services your documents if ask...if not they will stamp your passport (",)
check also other threads, some students already able to enter canada not coming from US

 

[Th3_Future]

So, what does "come from the United States" then mean? Can I as German citizen fly from Hongkong via Vancouver (transit only) to Seattle then rent a car and drive to the Canadian border and get my study permit and proceed to my quarantine place? Let's ignore whether I can or cannot enter the US (I can) and the car rental is also irrelevant. I have a letter that shows I am approved for a study permit albeit that letter dates post March 18. My reading of the link I posted is that I can enter Canada with my documents that show I am approved for a study permit (I don't have the study permit yet, I am just approved) and and documents from my university that show that my research in the lab is non discretionary and in person presence is of the essence. And my understanding is that it is not impritant whether or not my study permit was approved before March 18 precisely because I cross the border from the US (vs, for example, landing by plane in Vancouver). Is my understanding correct?

Congrats!
My opinion would be, wait till you get your study permit first. Then if you have cash to burn, you can proceed with your plan and try if you will get an entry in Canada at the US - Canada port. If not, you can fly back. No problemo!

 

[Matt173]

That's not how it works. To get the study permit one must first enter Canada with the study permit approval letter. Only then one will be handed the study permit. I try to avoid flying around the globe only to find out that my entry is COVID restricted. Hence my question about entering from the US as I meet those requirements on a technical level.

Congrats!
My opinion would be, wait till you get your study permit first. Then if you have cash to burn, you can proceed with your plan and try if you will get an entry in Canada at the US - Canada port. If not, you can fly back. No problemo!

 

[Th3_Future]

That's not how it works. To get the study permit one must first enter Canada with the study permit approval letter. Only then one will be handed the study permit. I try to avoid flying around the globe only to find out that my entry is COVID restricted. Hence my question about entering from the US as I meet those requirements on a technical level.

Okay, have you obtained the Visa stamp on your passport?
If yes, technically there is no other person that will provide you a better answer than you (i.e. even IRCC didn't comment on it). You should know by now, what you want to do, because obviously the CBSA news shows an unintentionally loophole in the imposed restrictions, which you could leverage on. But at your own pocket, if it doesn't go well. Again based on your information, you should know better.

Just an opinion

 

[Matt173]

I am not aware that any international students get a stamp in their passport prior to arrival. International students receive an online document on the CIC online platform which they need to print out and hand in at immigration when they enter Canada. Only then will students receive their study permit. Prior to that there is nothing in the passport because Canada never requested the passport to be sent in the first place.

By the way, I do not intent to abuse any loophole. I simply ask for a second pair of eyes regarding the interpretation of the wording in the official guidelines.

Anyway thanks for your input.

Okay, have you obtained the Visa stamp on your passport?
If yes, technically there is no other person that will provide you a better answer than you (i.e. even IRCC didn't comment on it). You should know by now, what you want to do, because obviously the CBSA news shows an unintentionally loophole in the imposed restrictions, which you could leverage on. But at your own pocket, if it doesn't go well. Again based on your information, you should know better.

Just an opinion

 

[Th3_Future]

I am not aware that any international students get a stamp in their passport prior to arrival. International students receive an online document on the CIC online platform which they need to print out and hand in at immigration when they enter Canada. Only then will students receive their study permit. Prior to that there is nothing in the passport because Canada never requested the passport to be sent in the first place.

By the way, I do not intent to abuse any loophole. I simply ask for a second pair of eyes regarding the interpretation of the wording in the official guidelines.

Anyway thanks for your input.

I believe that they do request for international passport after the approval, so as to stamp the visa. And commonly so, for many nations which is needed when boarding the aircraft, may be with some exceptions (like US port of entry). May be some other person can throw more light on this.
The interpretation is that there is a loophole which they can amend by including the duration in which the person would have been in the States before entry.

Just a suggestion.

 

[Matt173]

Yes the passport gets stamped at the port of entry of course but not prior.

Yes, I thought of this duration minimum term as well though at the moment its strangely missing.

I believe that they do request for international passport after the approval, so as to stamp the visa. And commonly so, for many nations which is needed when boarding the aircraft, may be with some exceptions (like US port of entry). May be some other person can throw more light on this.
The interpretation is that there is a loophole which they can amend by including the duration in which the person would have been in the States before entry.

Just a suggestion.