Covid_19-Fall'20 students who got their visa approved

[vhptanh@97]

Did you get any response back from CBSA?

I did. But it's not helpful. Copied below:

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is committed to limiting the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Canada, while facilitating travel and trade.



Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is responsible for establishing policies regarding the admissibility of foreign nationals to Canada. The CBSA is responsible for administering and enforcing IRCC policies as they apply at the border.



You may refer to the special measures to help clients affected by COVID-19 which includes information for study permit holders on the following website:

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



Note that there are several factors that border services officers (BSOs) must take into account before determining whether a person is admissible into Canada, and each person will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. The burden of proof rests with the foreign national seeking entry to Canada to satisfy the BSO they are admissible in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. Complying with documentary requirements does not guarantee entry into Canada. The following page on the CBSA website provides additional information on this:

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ivc-rnc-eng.html



Should you require additional assistance with your inquiry, we recommend that you contact IRCC. From within Canada you may contact IRCC at 1-888-242-2100.



If you are located outside of Canada, please contact your nearest Canadian visa office. A list of offices can be found at:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/index.asp



Additional contact information for IRCC is available at:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/contacts/index.asp



For the most up to date information on COVID-19:



· Visit www.canada.ca/coronavirus

· Contact the COVID-19 telephone information line: 1-833-784-4397

o Interpretation services are available in multiple languages for those who do not speak English or French.

· Email: phac.covid19.aspc@canada.ca



Thank you for contacting the Canada Border Services Agency.

 

[vhptanh@97]

Its okay. I am also stuck in a limbo. I actually came across someone who got denied boarding by Air India who had a student visa. Do you have online classes only? Or a both in person and online?

Maybe the student had symptoms? You're not allowed to board or exempt if you have symptoms and the airline conducts the health assessment themselves.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/temporary-residence/study-permit.html

This page also says that you need to present the letter or the study permit to the air carriers

 

[Dafaqisgoingon]

Hi

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/temporary-residence/study-permit.html

If you go to this page, it does not say anything besides having a valid study permit or a letter of introduction dated on or before March 18

Actually it does say something in the beginning about optional/essential travel which is the whole topic of confusion here.

Students are definitely 'exempt' but they can only come for 'essential' purpose which might include having in person classes and not exclusively online classes. Which mode of delivery will you have BTW?

 

[Dafaqisgoingon]

Maybe the student had symptoms? You're not allowed to board or exempt if you have symptoms and the airline conducts the health assessment themselves.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/temporary-residence/study-permit.html

This page also says that you need to present the letter or the study permit to the air carriers

The airlines officials did take the students LOI and VISA, but denied saying your purpose isn't essential. And the student didn't have any symptoms.

 

[GradStudent18]

Its okay. I am also stuck in a limbo. I actually came across someone who got denied boarding by Air India who had a student visa. Do you have online classes only? Or a both in person and online?

Thanks for the kind words, mate! I guess all of us are in the same uncertain boat.

Oh I see...but why does Air India do that if the person has a valid visa? That means that person is exempted, right? Weird rules of Air India - not allowing people even if Canada allows them!

Online for the fall term, but with accompanying notice that they'll resume graduate research activities face-to-face in a slow manner. I'm not sure what that means but it's only going to be online for the fall

 

[Dafaqisgoingon]

I did. But it's not helpful. Copied below:

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is committed to limiting the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Canada, while facilitating travel and trade.



Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is responsible for establishing policies regarding the admissibility of foreign nationals to Canada. The CBSA is responsible for administering and enforcing IRCC policies as they apply at the border.



You may refer to the special measures to help clients affected by COVID-19 which includes information for study permit holders on the following website:

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



Note that there are several factors that border services officers (BSOs) must take into account before determining whether a person is admissible into Canada, and each person will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. The burden of proof rests with the foreign national seeking entry to Canada to satisfy the BSO they are admissible in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. Complying with documentary requirements does not guarantee entry into Canada. The following page on the CBSA website provides additional information on this:

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ivc-rnc-eng.html



Should you require additional assistance with your inquiry, we recommend that you contact IRCC. From within Canada you may contact IRCC at 1-888-242-2100.



If you are located outside of Canada, please contact your nearest Canadian visa office. A list of offices can be found at:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/index.asp



Additional contact information for IRCC is available at:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/contacts/index.asp



For the most up to date information on COVID-19:



· Visit www.canada.ca/coronavirus

· Contact the COVID-19 telephone information line: 1-833-784-4397

o Interpretation services are available in multiple languages for those who do not speak English or French.

· Email: phac.covid19.aspc@canada.ca



Thank you for contacting the Canada Border Services Agency.

I got the same reply. Only option is to call them and talk to an agent.

 

[vhptanh@97]

Hi




Actually it does say something in the beginning about optional/essential travel which is the whole topic of confusion here.

Students are definitely 'exempt' but they can only come for 'essential' purpose which might include having in person classes and not exclusively online classes. Which mode of delivery will you have BTW?

My school says that it will likely be a hybrid model of online classes, and some may have an in-class component when possible. Yet, Manitoba's situation is very good now, only 5 active cases as of today. Since my school is not yet confirmed it until July, it's possible that courses may all be delivered online, that's why I still worry about it tbh.

 

[Dafaqisgoingon]

Thanks for the kind words, mate! I guess all of us are in the same uncertain boat.

Oh I see...but why does Air India do that if the person has a valid visa? That means that person is exempted, right? Weird rules of Air India - not allowing people even if Canada allows them!

Online for the fall term, but with accompanying notice that they'll resume graduate research activities face-to-face in a slow manner. I'm not sure what that means but it's only going to be online for the fall

Apparently, being exempt and coming for an essential purpose are two different things from what i can understand. I could go wrong (i hope i am). Better to wait for updated instructions by IRCC or if someone can get ahold of a CBSA officer on the phone, that will be a sure shot way of knowing about it.

 

[GradStudent18]

The airlines officials did take the students LOI and VISA, but denied saying your purpose isn't essential. And the student didn't have any symptoms.

But why are the AIRLINE officials checking whether the purpose is essential or not? That's done only by CBSA, right?


And even then, I was thinking that students come under the "essential" category? That's what has been put up right?

 

[GradStudent18]

Apparently, being exempt and coming for an essential purpose are two different things from what i can understand. I could go wrong (i hope i am). Better to wait for updated instructions by IRCC or if someone can get ahold of a CBSA officer on the phone, that will be a sure shot way of knowing about it.

Hmm...I see

I get what you're saying now...

 

[Dafaqisgoingon]

My school says that it will likely be a hybrid model of online classes, and some may have an in-class component when possible. Yet, Manitoba's situation is very good now, only 5 active cases as of today. Since my school is not yet confirmed it until July, it's possible that courses may all be delivered online, that's why I still worry about it tbh.

With a hybrid model for Fall, you will probably be allowed. Only doubt is for students who will have only online classes.

 

[GradStudent18]

My school says that it will likely be a hybrid model of online classes, and some may have an in-class component when possible. Yet, Manitoba's situation is very good now, only 5 active cases as of today. Since my school is not yet confirmed it until July, it's possible that courses may all be delivered online, that's why I still worry about it tbh.

Yeah same...something similar to this with gradual resumption of face to face is being planned.

But it may well be planning for the January term - that's why I think fall may be online.

 

[Dafaqisgoingon]

But why are the AIRLINE officials checking whether the purpose is essential or not? That's done only by CBSA, right?


And even then, I was thinking that students come under the "essential" category? That's what has been put up right?

Yes, Work and Study are essential purposes as per the government.

But,I read on this forum(under foreign workers section) about someone getting denied entry with open work permit in April and back then the website wasn't updated about having a work contract for workers. And in her case, Airlines checked in with CBSA who presumably denied her boarding.

Again, i don't know what actually happened because i wasn't on the ground situation.

I heard colleges in Ontario were sending students who had a compulsory in person session in their portion of studies 'Arrival Support Letter'.

 

[GradStudent18]

Yes, Work and Study are essential purposes as per the government.

But,I read on this forum(under foreign workers section) about someone getting denied entry with open work permit in April and back then the website wasn't updated about having a work contract for workers. And in her case, Airlines checked in with CBSA who presumably denied her boarding.

Again, i don't know what actually happened because i wasn't on the ground situation.

I heard colleges in Ontario were sending students who had a compulsory in person session in their portion of studies 'Arrival Support Letter'.

I understand what you're saying - you're raising a valid point based on past experiences and given this situation I think it's really totally up to the officer / airline / whichever checkpoint the screening occurs.

All this seems to change without notice, inducing additional uncertainty as even those who seem to fulfill all the exemption criteria are getting denied entry.

Well, now the only thing in control is to hope for the best; hope that in 2 months' time things settle down and there's not too hassle...

 

[vhptanh@97]

Yeah same...something similar to this with gradual resumption of face to face is being planned.

But it may well be planning for the January term - that's why I think fall may be online.

With a hybrid model for Fall, you will probably be allowed. Only doubt is for students who will have only online classes.

Here is what I got from my school in its May newsletter: "September will likely be a hybrid model of online classes, and some may have an in-class component when possible. We suspect the majority of September to December classes will be online. Students will know the final course schedule before they register for courses in July"

Actually the situation is better in Winnipeg now, so I hope it should be fine. The province is on phase 2 of the reopening and the prov. gov. actually is drafting a phase 3 plan as of right now. Just afraid that fully online courses in Fall and that would be considered non-essential. Yet, as I'm staying as an international student in the U.S. right now, I'm doing on OPT and it requires me to work at least 20 hours/week. This would actually take over my time for studying. I also have a sister who is studying in Winnipeg right now, and we do have to pay for rentals. It would be better if I can go to Canada to stay wit her