Hello Akuoma2020,Thanks for this wonderful piece. But what about people whose visa application have been submitted online and have already paid their 1year tuition fees for the Fall semester 2020 which will likely commence by September 2020? Please what is your advice to me?
Thanks in anticipation for your kind response.
It is a tough decision, and I am not sure what would be the best approach, so look at some hypothetical scenarios, perhaps it could guide us to the best way forward for you.
1. We don't know if your visa will be issued or not.
2. Let's say your visa is approved, then you can start the online course with a view to travel when the borders reopen and flights resume.
3. The IRCC initially stated that students who got their permits on or before February would be allowed to travel. But I know for a fact that they have started to move the goal post. They are asking all students to get a letter or authorization to travel despite having their study permits and trvs approved.
4. Furthermore, if your course can be done online, the chances are that you will not be allowed to travel even if your visa is approved.
5. Let's say your visa is not approved, and you have already registered for online course and have even started, best believe the schools are unwilling to refund your money, they would urge you to continue with the program online.
6. The IRCC also claims that if international students do online study they would still be eligible for PGSW if they fly into Canada by December. Me I don't trust governments of this world especially when it comes to immigration matters.
7. To provide a bit more context, Canada's economy has take a real hit at the moment, jobs have been lost, government has paid billions in unemployed benefits to citizens and PR holders until they get back on their feet, It is my position that they may not be ready to take new people into the country when the economy is not ready to absorb them. On the other hand they need the money from international students to also help the economy get back on its feet, but they really do not want the international students coming in yet, so they are defaulting to online programs.
Based on these issues, your best bet is to ask the school for a deferral to May/June next year, and wait to see what the IRCC and CBSA would do about your visa and opening of borders respectively to international students.
All the best.
Omofar