PGWP UPDATE WITH ORIGINAL POST

[GradStudent18]

Just curious, is your passport stamped and/or do you have the Letter of Introduction with you?

I'm just curious too, about your question: what difference does that make? There are so many with a full approval before March 18th, and aren't being allowed to enter.

There is no "exemption" in practice. This confusion is what I've been asking more information about.

While they go on announcing measures for PGWP eligibility for those who have just applied now, without even submitting a complete application.

I hope they clear out the situation for those with an approval too, instead of updates only for those with an in-process application. It's less about PGWP & more about critical on-campus lab work for some people at the graduate level who need to be there for the program.

 

[meister]

Why would you enrol for an online program? Just defer your studies till you're allowed to travel.

 

[phuongdong]

I'm just curious too, about your question: what difference does that make? There are so many with a full approval before March 18th, and aren't being allowed to enter.

There is no "exemption" in practice. This confusion is what I've been asking more information about.

While they go on announcing measures for PGWP eligibility for those who have just applied now, without even submitting a complete application.

I hope they clear out the situation for those with an approval too, instead of updates only for those with an in-process application. It's less about PGWP & more about critical on-campus lab work for some people at the graduate level who need to be there for the program.

_ Well actually, if you have your visa stamped and study permit received with valid date before 18 March, then you are good to travel to Canada. To be certain, you can request a letter from your school stating ur reason coming to Canada is essential and necessary.


_ For the new announcing measures for PGWP eligibility, I feel that they do not state directly that students could not come to Canada until April next year. So I think all people here should patiently wait for a few days to see if they will lift/make changes traveling restrictions regarding for specific case. Because traveling restriction is in effect until the end of this month 31 August.

Why would you enrol for an online program? Just defer your studies till you're allowed to travel.

Not many people here want to enrol online program and so do I. They enrol just for this temporary reason this year & also their tuition fee has already paid. It sucks that the defer deadline for most schools has already passed, and IRCC makes announcement for PGWP eligibility that a lot of people here are worried about. Also, they are hoping to not only get their study permit approved, but also they could come to Canada as soon as possible to start their studies there.

 

[GradStudent18]

Why would you enrol for an online program? Just defer your studies till you're allowed to travel.

2 classes are online. Other things are lab, grad research, thesis work ! Not entirely online. Still supposedly "non-essential".

Deferring is not as easy for those going into very selective university-level graduate programs that have only one entry per year - the September entry.

 

[GradStudent18]

_ Well actually, if you have your visa stamped and study permit received with valid date before 18 March, then you are good to travel to Canada. To be certain, you can request a letter from your school stating ur reason coming to Canada is essential and necessary.


_ For the new announcing measures for PGWP eligibility, I feel that they do not state directly that students could not come to Canada until April next year. So I think all people here should patiently wait for a few days to see if they will lift/make changes traveling restrictions regarding for specific case. Because traveling restriction is in effect until the end of this month 31 August.



Not many people here want to enrol online program and so do I. They enrol just for this temporary reason this year & also their tuition fee has already paid. It sucks that the defer deadline for most schools has already passed, and IRCC makes announcement for PGWP eligibility that a lot of people here are worried about. Also, they are hoping to not only get their study permit approved, but also they could come to Canada as soon as possible to start their studies there.

My realistic mind says travel restrictions are not going to be lifted till at least the end of 2022. I realize why - it's because nobody wants Covid cases to spike out of control in their country. All that's understandable. The latest update today also says at the end that removing the restrictions will depend on how Covid situation evolves both in Canada and around the world. We know, obviously, that covid isn't going to end at all on its own. It will just continue to exist. The situation will get better only when a vaccine is disseminated to all 8 billion people on earth - this will take at least till the end of 2022.

 

[phuongdong]

My realistic mind says travel restrictions are not going to be lifted till at least the end of 2022. I realize why - it's because nobody wants Covid cases to spike out of control in their country. All that's understandable. The latest update today also says at the end that removing the restrictions will depend on how Covid situation evolves both in Canada and around the world. We know, obviously, that covid isn't going to end at all on its own. It will just continue to exist. The situation will get better only when a vaccine is disseminated to all 8 billion people on earth - this will take at least till the end of 2022.

Yeah it is true that country does not want to have a spike: Canada had a spike in April/May, and it controls the number & in progress of containing the virus. But I think if there are travel restrictions for long term, they could not handle the economy. If they do not let students coming in, then a portion of students will drop out their program & choose different options. For instance, UK & Europe countries have reopened back and let students come in.

 

[jigzyy]

I'm just curious too, about your question: what difference does that make? There are so many with a full approval before March 18th, and aren't being allowed to enter.

There is no "exemption" in practice. This confusion is what I've been asking more information about.

While they go on announcing measures for PGWP eligibility for those who have just applied now, without even submitting a complete application.

I hope they clear out the situation for those with an approval too, instead of updates only for those with an in-process application. It's less about PGWP & more about critical on-campus lab work for some people at the graduate level who need to be there for the program.

The reason I asked for, if you have all the necessary documents to travel to Canada including Letter of Introduction AND Visa, why don't you fly and try your luck at border? If your visa is approved before March 18th and your presence is necessary, I don't see any reason for denial of entry by CBSA.

 

[GradStudent18]

Have you refused entry before? It doesnt make sense not to be able to enter with labs when you have permit approved before March 18, 2020.

Why will I be refused entry? I have legitimate reasons for being present for graduate lab work on campus. I need a support letter from the University, which is not as easy to get from universities.

 

[GradStudent18]

The reason I asked for, if you have all the necessary documents to travel to Canada including Letter of Introduction AND Visa, why don't you fly and try your luck at border? If your visa is approved before March 18th and your presence is necessary, I don't see any reason for denial of entry by CBSA.

Yes I know, I have to try my luck But i need the support letter from the University, which is what I am trying to get.

 

[computerscience23]

The reason I asked for, if you have all the necessary documents to travel to Canada including Letter of Introduction AND Visa, why don't you fly and try your luck at border? If your visa is approved before March 18th and your presence is necessary, I don't see any reason for denial of entry by CBSA.

I definitely disagree with trying luck at border. Some people might have to take 14-16 hours flights to reach Canada and it would be a nightmare if their entry get denied. Imo, better approach would be to call CBSA officers multiple times and see if you get positive response consistently. Then only plan your travel.

 

[jigzyy]

Yes I know, I have to try my luck But i need the support letter from the University, which is what I am trying to get.

If you can't get support letter from your university, then try to print your registration or whatever courses you have. It must have allocated lab timings somewhere. Use that as the proof. But you should also have a solid quarantine plan in order to get thru border.

 

[jigzyy]

I definitely disagree with trying luck at border. Some people might have to take 14-16 hours flights to reach Canada and it would be a nightmare if their entry get denied. Imo, better approach would be to call CBSA officers multiple times and see if you get positive response consistently. Then only plan your travel.

No. No use to call and ask CBSA over phone. Everyone will answer differently based on the experience they have. Honestly, without looking at the case physically presented in front of CBSA officer at entry, it is hard to know if the entry will be granted or denied.

EDIT: Risking 14-16 hours of flight time is nothing. You can either keep torturing yourself for next few months over this or try your luck at entry (IF visa is approved before March 18th).

 

[GradStudent18]

If you can't get support letter from your university, then try to print your registration or whatever courses you have. It must have allocated lab timings somewhere. Use that as the proof. But you should also have a solid quarantine plan in order to get thru border.

Thanks a lot for the advice! I'll print that from the portal. But I have to travel nearly 24 hours by flight : wish they can give out some clear guidelines for graduate-level research students...

 

[computerscience23]

No. No use to call and ask CBSA over phone. Everyone will answer differently based on the experience they have. Honestly, without looking at the case physically presented in front of CBSA officer at entry, it is hard to know if the entry will be granted or denied.

Yes, you're right. But if majority of CBSA officers on call say you will be allowed entry then most likely, you will be allowed entry.

 

[computerscience23]

It takes 9 hours direct flight from where I am. I heard they really push hard initially before boarding but easier with Canadian officer once land. I think my reasons will be convincing, wish me luck.

All the best buddy. I hope they allow you