Should I leave Canada For the Time-Being Due to the Outbreak?

[throwawaystudy]

Hi all,

I'm a European in Toronto on a student visa. All my classes have moved online and the campus is pretty much shut down indefinitely, so my parents are telling me to come home before the outbreak gets much worse in Canada and the rest of the world.

I'm pretty confused as I'm in my early 20s and don't statistically have any significant risk, and I'm still trying to be extremely cautious (mostly for other people) by living by myself and putting into self-isolation. However, my dad is a doctor and he thinks that I can get a much better care in my home country if things go south, especially since it's only my first semester here as a Master's student and I don't really know anyone who can help me out in case of a crisis. They are also scared that I wouldn't be treated as well as Canadian citizens here, and that my parents wouldn't be able to check in with me in person like they could in my home country.

I'm staying in a friend's place and pay him on a month basis, so I can move out without having to pay rent and if I leave it would also help me save money. I'm a Master's student though and my goal is working in Canada after I graduate from my program (1 year), so I don't want to jeopardize my visa status if I leave Canada and cannot come back in the foreseeable future.

I think my parents are in a panic mode as things are getting more serious in Europe, but I also wanna make sure I make the right decision since they really want me to consider this. They are afraid that eventually I won't even be able to leave if things get really bad and I won't get as much of a good care here, but I want to think as logically as possible since I love Canada and I'm grateful for my life here.

To unpack, my questions are:

1. Should I leave Canada due to the outbreak until things get better? My dad is a doctor in my home country (developed European country that hasn't been hit badly by the virus so far) and my entire family is there, so in case I get sick I'd get better care there and be with people.
2. I'm on UHIP as an international student. If I need medical care due to the outbreak, my UHIP insurance would cover me right?
3. If I leave, would that jeopardize my visa status? Can I still come back once the situation gets better and switch to a work visa upon the completion of my program?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot for advice in advance!

 

[VinnitArora123]

Yes

Hi all,

I'm a European in Toronto on a student visa. All my classes have moved online and the campus is pretty much shut down indefinitely, so my parents are telling me to come home before the outbreak gets much worse in Canada and the rest of the world.

I'm pretty confused as I'm in my early 20s and don't statistically have any significant risk, and I'm still trying to be extremely cautious (mostly for other people) by living by myself and putting into self-isolation. However, my dad is a doctor and he thinks that I can get a much better care in my home country if things go south, especially since it's only my first semester here as a Master's student and I don't really know anyone who can help me out in case of a crisis. They are also scared that I wouldn't be treated as well as Canadian citizens here, and that my parents wouldn't be able to check in with me in person like they could in my home country.

I'm staying in a friend's place and pay him on a month basis, so I can move out without having to pay rent and if I leave it would also help me save money. I'm a Master's student though and my goal is working in Canada after I graduate from my program (1 year), so I don't want to jeopardize my visa status if I leave Canada and cannot come back in the foreseeable future.

I think my parents are in a panic mode as things are getting more serious in Europe, but I also wanna make sure I make the right decision since they really want me to consider this. They are afraid that eventually I won't even be able to leave if things get really bad and I won't get as much of a good care here, but I want to think as logically as possible since I love Canada and I'm grateful for my life here.

To unpack, my questions are:

1. Should I leave Canada due to the outbreak until things get better? My dad is a doctor in my home country (developed European country that hasn't been hit badly by the virus so far) and my entire family is there, so in case I get sick I'd get better care there and be with people.
2. I'm on UHIP as an international student. If I need medical care due to the outbreak, my UHIP insurance would cover me right?
3. If I leave, would that jeopardize my visa status? Can I still come back once the situation gets better and switch to a work visa upon the completion of my program?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot for advice in advance!

Yes for all except 2nd

 

[bongoman]

You know there is a travel ban right? It is unknown when you will be able to come back.
Our school is asking us to upload our travel plans on school system not sure what this will be used for.

Everything is unknown at this point how anything you do will affect your pgwp if thats what you want to do after graduation, they have already waved the no online learning requirements but not sure about learning from abroad.

 

[Bs65]

As above everything is speculation at the moment and whether leaving the country , assuming can get a flight even given the EU has all but shut down, would be considered a personal choice affecting any future applications nobody knows.

Would hope that IRCC is flexible especially given a lot of student part time jobs will also likely disappear whilst the situation continues so regardless health considerations students with no money would not be good so temporarily relocating home may be the only choice for some.

 

[canuck78]

Have you actually checked if you can purchase a flight?

 

[throwawaystudy]

Have you actually checked if you can purchase a flight?

Yes I can still buy a flight back to my home country. It's not in the EU and -fortunately- it hasn't been as infected by the outbreak like some of the EU countries such as Italy, Spain, or France.

 

[bellaluna]

Difficult decision for sure. Your parents have some good points, and I think leaving Canada right now won't exactly jeopardize your future plans should you wish to return here. Your risk factor in contracting the virus in either Canada or your home country is low as long as you do practice good hygiene, healthy habits, and social distancing, and are not immunocompromised.

Just for the sake of making the decision simple, I would say the con in you staying in Canada would be being able to afford staying here until this blows over, without being able to work or study.

In the end, it's just a personal preference, IMO.

 

[canuck78]

Up to you to decide. Would decide ASAP and book a flight ASAP because flights are going to start to wind down and your home country may start to be affected. Assume you know that you will have to self-quarantine.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi all,

I'm a European in Toronto on a student visa. All my classes have moved online and the campus is pretty much shut down indefinitely, so my parents are telling me to come home before the outbreak gets much worse in Canada and the rest of the world.

I'm pretty confused as I'm in my early 20s and don't statistically have any significant risk, and I'm still trying to be extremely cautious (mostly for other people) by living by myself and putting into self-isolation. However, my dad is a doctor and he thinks that I can get a much better care in my home country if things go south, especially since it's only my first semester here as a Master's student and I don't really know anyone who can help me out in case of a crisis. They are also scared that I wouldn't be treated as well as Canadian citizens here, and that my parents wouldn't be able to check in with me in person like they could in my home country.

I'm staying in a friend's place and pay him on a month basis, so I can move out without having to pay rent and if I leave it would also help me save money. I'm a Master's student though and my goal is working in Canada after I graduate from my program (1 year), so I don't want to jeopardize my visa status if I leave Canada and cannot come back in the foreseeable future.

I think my parents are in a panic mode as things are getting more serious in Europe, but I also wanna make sure I make the right decision since they really want me to consider this. They are afraid that eventually I won't even be able to leave if things get really bad and I won't get as much of a good care here, but I want to think as logically as possible since I love Canada and I'm grateful for my life here.

To unpack, my questions are:

1. Should I leave Canada due to the outbreak until things get better? My dad is a doctor in my home country (developed European country that hasn't been hit badly by the virus so far) and my entire family is there, so in case I get sick I'd get better care there and be with people.
2. I'm on UHIP as an international student. If I need medical care due to the outbreak, my UHIP insurance would cover me right?
3. If I leave, would that jeopardize my visa status? Can I still come back once the situation gets better and switch to a work visa upon the completion of my program?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot for advice in advance!

Really a personal choice. If you contract the virus here and did need care (which is highly unlikely given your demographic), you would certainly not be treated any less than Canadians.

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

I would stay in Canada if I were you. You never know when this is going to blow over and would you really want to risk not being able to continue your program?

 

[meister]

Stay back in Canada if you can afford it financially. There's no knowing when or if you will be allowed to re-enter.