US Applicants

[resilientflora]

Hi all,

I’ve been picking up from the forums and IRCC language that study permits won’t be approved until travel is opened up - but I know the US faces a unique situation where those with study permits issued after March 18 are still allowed to travel to Canada for essential purposes (including study.)

I’m guessing no one here knows more about this situation, but wanted to hear thoughts on what may happen now - since the IRCC has promised to prioritize study permits before Fall 2020, does that just mean AIPs, or can that be full approvals for applicants in the US?

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

Hi all,

I’ve been picking up from the forums and IRCC language that study permits won’t be approved until travel is opened up - but I know the US faces a unique situation where those with study permits issued after March 18 are still allowed to travel to Canada for essential purposes (including study.)

I’m guessing no one here knows more about this situation, but wanted to hear thoughts on what may happen now - since the IRCC has promised to prioritize study permits before Fall 2020, does that just mean AIPs, or can that be full approvals for applicants in the US?

There has been no indication that US applicant with be given full approvals. The after March 18 rule is for people who have already received their visas most likely for May intake or if they applied early for Fall intake

 

[JodyA]

I talked to the CBSA today and was told that US citizens can enter with just that Phase 1 approval (AIP some are calling it). Though I'm guessing you're really at the mercy of whatever border guard you get.

 

[yxjason]

I talked to the CBSA today and was told that US citizens can enter with just that Phase 1 approval (AIP some are calling it). Though I'm guessing you're really at the mercy of whatever border guard you get.

How about other nationals coming from USA.

 

[JodyA]

No, they specifically said just Americans.

 

[Matt173]

There is no way this is correct. There zero legal grounds where a CBSA agent can possibly let a prospective student in without the approval letter. Phase 1 is not an approval letter. CIC and CBSA makes that very clear on their websites. So, no, no CBSA agent, regardless of how lenient, is authorized to let a prospective student in without approve study permit. I also contacted CBSA and they specifically re-iterated that and they made sure that I have my study permit approve when I asked about my specific case.

I am a foreign, non-US, national, and plan to enter Canada through the US end of September. My study permit was approved in early April for the Fall 2020 semester. My travel is deemed essential in writing by certain faculty members as I conduct graduate research. But that interpretation of being essential obviously has to pass the muster of the CBSA agent who will handle my case.

I talked to the CBSA today and was told that US citizens can enter with just that Phase 1 approval (AIP some are calling it). Though I'm guessing you're really at the mercy of whatever border guard you get.

 

[Matt173]

You are wrong again. No, first of all only those approved for a study permit (I am focusing on students here) can enter Canada from the US, INCLUDING foreign nationals, given their travel is deemed essential.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/covid/non-canadians-canadiens-eng.html#er1

You are irresponsible passing on such factually wrong information!!!

No, they specifically said just Americans.

 

[hjkojima]

You are wrong again. No, first of all only those approved for a study permit (I am focusing on students here) can enter Canada from the US, INCLUDING foreign nationals, given their travel is deemed essential.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/covid/non-canadians-canadiens-eng.html#er1

You are irresponsible passing on such factually wrong information!!!

I don't think JodyA is wrong. Americans are allowed to apply for study permit at the port of entry. Non-US citizens cannot do that. The CBSA agent might be right as JodyA can apply for study permit at POE and AIP might accelerate the processing.

 

[hjkojima]

I am aware that CBSA is saying that study permits won't be issue at POE but apparently some US-citizens were able to get study permit at the POE.
Here is a reddit thread about it:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ImmigrationCanada/comments/i9msaz

 

[resilientflora]

You are wrong again. No, first of all only those approved for a study permit (I am focusing on students here) can enter Canada from the US, INCLUDING foreign nationals, given their travel is deemed essential.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/covid/non-canadians-canadiens-eng.html#er1

You are irresponsible passing on such factually wrong information!!!

Thanks for sharing. As it seems, both of you encountered convincing information and they are, as is now common in relation to traveling to Canada in general, very different things. I appreciate both responses - I’m about to speak with someone myself to confirm what’s available to me. Unfortunately many people are hearing different things which makes it all the more confusing.

I spoke with an immigration lawyer and he told me I’d have to reapply for a study permit at the border (even though I have a permit currently processing and received a letter that I’ve moved into the next stage,) so it seems it really always comes down to who the border officer is.

 

[Matt173]

No student gets in with AIP, only. That was Jody's exact wording. It is simply not true and nowhere is this reflected in any publication by Canada immigration or border security. Now, whether Americans can apply for a study permit at the border or not I don't know and can't comment on. I would very highly doubt that during this COVID situation, though. But absolutely not is a student allowed into Canada without an approved study permit.

Accuracy and exact wording counts.

I don't think JodyA is wrong. Americans are allowed to apply for study permit at the port of entry. Non-US citizens cannot do that. The CBSA agent might be right as JodyA can apply for study permit at POE and AIP might accelerate the processing.

 

[JodyA]

Simply passing along what I was told. I am not "wrong" nor spreading false information. It's up to the individual border guard at the time.

 

[Matt173]

As mentioned whether one can apply at the border for a study permit or enter Canada with only AIP are two different, unrelated, things. What I said is stated word by word in publications both by CIC and CBSA. One cannot enter Canada unless approved for a study permit. About whether US citizens can apply for a study permit in person right at the border I would love to see any such information posted online by either CIC or CBSA. Do you have such link? I am quite curious myself.

Thanks for sharing. As it seems, both of you encountered convincing information and they are, as is now common in relation to traveling to Canada in general, very different things. I appreciate both responses - I’m about to speak with someone myself to confirm what’s available to me. Unfortunately many people are hearing different things which makes it all the more confusing.

I spoke with an immigration lawyer and he told me I’d have to reapply for a study permit at the border (even though I have a permit currently processing and received a letter that I’ve moved into the next stage,) so it seems it really always comes down to who the border officer is.

 

[Matt173]

Where does CIC or CBSA say that in writing? If it's not stated explicitly in writing then it's not true what you heard. What I shared is available in writing and I linked to it. A CBSA agent is strictly not allowed nor authorized in any manner imaginable to let a student in without approved study permit (whether an unapproved student can apply for approval of student permit right at the border is an entirely different topic) .

If such border agent existed then he committed a gross offense of law and instructions and his days as border agent would be numbered. Do individuals exist who take the law into their own hands? Sure, but it has nothing to do with what is possible nor allowed.

Simply passing along what I was told. I am not "wrong" nor spreading false information. It's up to the individual border guard at the time.

 

[resilientflora]

As mentioned whether one can apply at the border for a study permit or enter Canada with only AIP are two different, unrelated, things. What I said is stated word by word in publications both by CIC and CBSA. One cannot enter Canada unless approved for a study permit. About whether US citizens can apply for a study permit in person right at the border I would love to see any such information posted online by either CIC or CBSA. Do you have such link? I am quite curious myself.

I am also looking for a link - I had an immigration lawyer tell me today that POE applicants from the US have been successful, but it’s still up to the officer and therefore risky. Unfortunately I can’t find anything online about it - but as hjkojima mentioned, it’s probably kept on the down low.