How is IRCC expecting new international students for fall intake with mandatory in-person labs/classes to start?

[tmoshdorset]

I was accepted for my Chemistry Masters Program and applied for my Study Permit in February and have been given my AIP. The problem is it requires me to attend in-person labs starting this month.

My University has given me a letter that states my classes/labs are mandatory and in-person. I've also told my University that's not going to be possible for me to enter because A. I didn't receive stage 2 approval yet and B. Even if I get the stage 2 approval there is still the travel rule in place where students who are issued a visa after March 18th will not be able to enter Canada.

It's very frustrating and it seems like they need to make some kind of announcement for students with mandatory in-person classes that start in September with either advice to defer or some kind of exception case-per case where starting online is not possible.

 

[21singh]

If you have written authorization from college/university, you can definitely travel, entry subject to CBSA officer.
I have a known who came to Canada on August 30, with written authorization.
Though you need to get the Stage 2 approval, after AIP, to get counterfoil.

Good Luck

 

[tmoshdorset]

If you have written authorization from college/university, you can definitely travel, entry subject to CBSA officer.
I have a known who came to Canada on August 30, with written authorization.
Though you need to get the Stage 2 approval, after AIP, to get counterfoil.

Good Luck

Really? According to the IRCC website, you can't travel to Canada unless:

You must be 1 of the following:

• an international student with a valid study permit or who was approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020
• travelling directly from the US

I am not traveling from the US and my study permit won't be issued before March 18th.

 

[ChemIsr]

I am also a Chemistry PhD student. My university can issue a special letter which will help to enter Canada. I have only AIP as of now.

 

[21singh]

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

See:

http://imgur.com/vJg34Hq

Non-optional and non-discretionary purpose of travel
International students from countries other than the United States who have a valid study permit or were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020 may be exempt from the travel restrictions if they travel for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose. International students from the United States are also exempt from the travel restrictions if they travel for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose.

Travel will be deemed discretionary or non-discretionary depending on individual circumstances. IRCC case processing officers will not assess whether the applicant is exempt from the travel restrictions when processing a study permit application. Prior to boarding, air carriers are instructed to conduct an assessment of foreign nationals’ ability to travel to Canada based on the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) guidance for the travel restrictions. However, the decision to allow entry into Canada will rest with border services officers at a Canadian port of entry.

Border services officers will assess the circumstances surrounding the student and their accompanying family members’ travel and may consider, for example, whether any of the following apply:

• they are established, residing and studying in Canada. If they are established in Canada, their return is non-discretionary
• they expect to begin studying upon arrival after completing their quarantine
• their presence in Canada is necessary for their continued participation in the program (such as in laboratories or workshops)
• pursuing online studies is not a reasonable option for their school or program or is not possible from their home country
• the semester has been cancelled or the person will begin studying later in the year

Good Luck

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

To answer your question bluntly, they are not

 

[tmoshdorset]

I am also a Chemistry PhD student. My university can issue a special letter which will help to enter Canada. I have only AIP as of now.

Are you planning to enter with just this letter? The information on the IRCC website seems to prevent this

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

See:

http://imgur.com/vJg34Hq

Non-optional and non-discretionary purpose of travel
International students from countries other than the United States who have a valid study permit or were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020 may be exempt from the travel restrictions if they travel for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose. International students from the United States are also exempt from the travel restrictions if they travel for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose.

Travel will be deemed discretionary or non-discretionary depending on individual circumstances. IRCC case processing officers will not assess whether the applicant is exempt from the travel restrictions when processing a study permit application. Prior to boarding, air carriers are instructed to conduct an assessment of foreign nationals’ ability to travel to Canada based on the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) guidance for the travel restrictions. However, the decision to allow entry into Canada will rest with border services officers at a Canadian port of entry.

Border services officers will assess the circumstances surrounding the student and their accompanying family members’ travel and may consider, for example, whether any of the following apply:

• they are established, residing and studying in Canada. If they are established in Canada, their return is non-discretionary
• they expect to begin studying upon arrival after completing their quarantine
• their presence in Canada is necessary for their continued participation in the program (such as in laboratories or workshops)
• pursuing online studies is not a reasonable option for their school or program or is not possible from their home country
• the semester has been cancelled or the person will begin studying later in the year

Good Luck

Yes but it says "who have a valid study permit or were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020"

 

[Laguna55]

Aip is only for online study, for in-person programs you need to defer; you cannot travel with just aip, and even if you received a sp there is no time remaining to book flights, 14 day quarantine in Canada etc

 

[computerscience23]

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

See:

http://imgur.com/vJg34Hq

Non-optional and non-discretionary purpose of travel
International students from countries other than the United States who have a valid study permit or were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020 may be exempt from the travel restrictions if they travel for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose. International students from the United States are also exempt from the travel restrictions if they travel for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose.

Travel will be deemed discretionary or non-discretionary depending on individual circumstances. IRCC case processing officers will not assess whether the applicant is exempt from the travel restrictions when processing a study permit application. Prior to boarding, air carriers are instructed to conduct an assessment of foreign nationals’ ability to travel to Canada based on the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) guidance for the travel restrictions. However, the decision to allow entry into Canada will rest with border services officers at a Canadian port of entry.

Border services officers will assess the circumstances surrounding the student and their accompanying family members’ travel and may consider, for example, whether any of the following apply:

• they are established, residing and studying in Canada. If they are established in Canada, their return is non-discretionary
• they expect to begin studying upon arrival after completing their quarantine
• their presence in Canada is necessary for their continued participation in the program (such as in laboratories or workshops)
• pursuing online studies is not a reasonable option for their school or program or is not possible from their home country
• the semester has been cancelled or the person will begin studying later in the year

Good Luck

No, you're wrong. You are eligible only if "International students from countries other than the United States who have a valid study permit or were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020". If you don't fall into either of the categories, then you CANNOT travel.