Where does it state that even in normal times Americans can apply for a study permit right at the border without any prior approval at all? Then at least there is something to start with. Applying at the border is one thing (and I made no claim about that but am curious to learn more) and entering without approval is another.
US Applicants
- Thread starter resilientflora
- Start date
OK, so Americans and US PRs can apply at PoE during normal times. I did not know nor did I claim anything about this. But for sure no upcoming students, including Americans, can enter Canada without approval, simply with AIP/phase 1. Perhaps it was the incorrect wording some used.
But yes, apparently one can apply for a study permit at PoE if one is American citizen or permanent resident per exception R214. Whether this applies during this time of COVID I don't know. I just chimed in because how two posts were worded by Jody was simply factually incorrect.
I will as foreign national try to enter Canada through the US next month. My study permit was already approved early April, so, it's a different case than what OP asked about. I am also an upcoming grad student conducting research in BC.
But yes, apparently one can apply for a study permit at PoE if one is American citizen or permanent resident per exception R214. Whether this applies during this time of COVID I don't know. I just chimed in because how two posts were worded by Jody was simply factually incorrect.
I will as foreign national try to enter Canada through the US next month. My study permit was already approved early April, so, it's a different case than what OP asked about. I am also an upcoming grad student conducting research in BC.
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That’s exactly what I’m trying to find out as well. It seems like it’s one of those things that you can take a chance on (by you I mean US citizens) but it’s a big risk. The lawyer mentioned that many people were trying to do it this way, though.
Well many people do all sorts of things, get turned down, and never speak of it or share. It's usually the extraordinary cases that make it into public realm. I would be careful what lawyers say on this. Lawyers are like used car salesmen or property agents, in that they have a vested interests and are trained to skirt the rules and say all sorts of things all day if it fits with their financial interest. For this procedure no lawyer would ever be needed and hence how would a lawyer know. It's not like they undergo the actual experience of applying in person. How would they know? If lawyers stated that they got a lot of inquiries then that's a different issue and they can comment as far as inquiries are concerned . But they most definitely don't have any sort of secret antenna or back channel to CBSA. If you can read then you know the exact same than those lawyers on this particular issue. Canada immigration made sure that even someone with an IQ of 50 understands and can fill out immigration (temporary or permanent) documents him or herself.
Certainly can you take a chance, but as it's not well documented and the only stories out there on this issue are pure hearsay and stories by some with obscure vested interests, so, it's nonetheless a risk. But if you are currently in the US then it's not like a world trip for you. I am European with approved study permit, living in Hong Kong and look to enter Canada through the US because in this case the approval date is irrelevant. I only need to convince the agent my travel is essential in nature. However, despite there being written guidelines that support my plans and intents there is not much evidence it works at all. It's a significant risk to try. But the difference is your travel might be significantly less costly than mine.
Certainly can you take a chance, but as it's not well documented and the only stories out there on this issue are pure hearsay and stories by some with obscure vested interests, so, it's nonetheless a risk. But if you are currently in the US then it's not like a world trip for you. I am European with approved study permit, living in Hong Kong and look to enter Canada through the US because in this case the approval date is irrelevant. I only need to convince the agent my travel is essential in nature. However, despite there being written guidelines that support my plans and intents there is not much evidence it works at all. It's a significant risk to try. But the difference is your travel might be significantly less costly than mine.
Totally. Thankfully the lawyer told me “you can do this yourself” and then told me the “key element” which is a letter from my school stating in-person courses/program. That made me trust the lawyer a bit more because he wasn’t telling me I needed a lawyer, and even said “not even a lawyer can guarantee this.” It’s just up to the officer.
Hope your trip works out and you’re able to get through and study. You’re right - my risk is lower than yours. Unfortunately the US has been doing the exact opposite of what might give me a better chance, but somehow I may have a way to start my studies there if the officer deems my travel non-discretionary.
Just my own personal understanding of many dozen cases of those who crossed into Canada is that if one is graduate student and performs research and has a letter from the advisor or university is in most cases accepted as being essential. Then grad students with in person classes and a letter stating such. Then undergrads with in person classes with a letter. All else appears higher risk. All just my sense of how things are taken at the border. Good luck to you, too.
Yes, that’s my hope since that’s my situation - however, not having the full study permit approval is the riskiest part for me. Hopefully once I’m there things will start making more sense and they can take my new application into consideration.
Is your attendence in person necessary? Will you have proof from your school that your schooling is not only online? That is the second part of the equation. Being able to get a permit is only onw factor.
I respect your opinions & advice here @canuck78
But isn't it ironic that Canadians are concerned about all other students from different parts of the world bringing Covid into their country, but they're fine with students from the US bringing the same Covid inside?
That's exactly what double standards mean.
Hi Matt,
Americans do not (in normal times) require a visa to enter Canada. We just need a passport. We can also (before COVID) apply for study and work permits at the border.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/apply.html
Americans can enter Canada with a passport, only, for tourist purposes. That does not apply to studies, though. To study Americans need, like everyone else, a valid study permit. That, during normal times, Americans seem to be able to get at the border. I never claimed otherwise, by the way... I was perhaps being overly pedantic on wording when I said that not even Americans can enter Canada to study with just the AIP. They still need to apply for the study permit, albeit conveniently at the border (during normal times). God knows whether such can be done these days.