I think IRCC guidance does not take into account specific case for students. There are not all colleges or universities that have online courses for students. For instance, a medical student definitely is not able to do intake for this semester because courses in medicine require lab & practical in-person component. And my case is very similar: I am a grad student and I am supposed to start my research & thesis as long as I get to Canada. What needs to be in my research components and studies: TA/RA duties (require to be present in Canada); accessing to lab component & database; taking grad courses. Except for the last one I can take remote courses, the first two are not possible. Does that mean IRCC make obstacle to students in similar conditions that I am experiencing? I understand that Canada wants to control the number of people coming in, but a more specific guidance should be implemented. Also, not many grad student as far as I know from my school have got their study permit & visa =.= so they are depressed about their future as I do.
Completely understand your situation, but i feel like the university is abdicating responsibility by not issuing a letter of support if they and you both know that you can't complete your course requirements without being physically present in Canada.
IRCC can't issue guidance for each and every type of student, this is not really possible. They have stated what the type of reasons you can provide to prove that your travel is non-discretionary.
I wish it was that simple. It's definitely not possible to complete everything online.
Students have actually entered (I know real accounts, not from social media/online sources), without a compelling reason to enter (i.e., with fully online classes). It is not that only those with an absolutely essential reason to enter are entering. Others are too. Though the website says otherwise. This makes me question what I should do, even though I have in-person lab work.
This means it's not a level-playing field. There was also a news piece posted here which said there's massive confusion right now. While those with other genuine reasons aren't getting the support letter required to prove that their presence is "essential", though the student's effort is to obtain such a document. There is indeed uncertainty and confusion right now.
The article posted even mentioned that the uncertainty and confusion is somehow making it seem as though things are okay, when looked at from the outside. It just "seems" flexible, but it's all only confusing and unclear.
I understand what you mean though. At the end of the day, we need to assess the situation & do what what we think is best / correct given the rules. However, I still wish there was more information and clarity from IRCC.
You see, but you're not being confused by the guidance, you're being confused by what you perceive as inconsistencies from other people's experiences.
Again, it's up to the immigration officer's discretion whether or not they admit someone into the country. Some people gamble and get in and some people gamble and don't.
But the guidance is clear, you shouldn't point to other people's experiences as a reason to undermine the guidance. This is why i addressed this as well, the idea of comparing your situation to someone else's.
That's why the first thing i said was, it's really up to them whether they let you in or not. The only thing you can control is whether you have gathered enough evidence to show you really, legitimately need to travel to Canada for your coursework.
I understand how this can seem unfair, but this is always the case. You can get a visitor visa and do everything right, if an immigration officer decides to refuse you entry to the country, there's not much you can do about it. They will still have to justify it in some way, but they have very wide discretion on doing this.
But that's not just the case in Canada, that's pretty much everywhere in the world. But i understand the frustration.
