Studying online from outside Canada
It’s been a tough two years for all of us now, with the pandemic affecting people across the globe. Meanwhile, students who were already pursuing higher studies in Canada were clueless since the pandemic resulted in terminating regular classes in colleges/universities.
Now that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a temporary policy for studying online, which has brought hope to international students.
Let’s understand the policy on distance learning from outside Canada and learn who is eligible.
What IRCC says?
On November 27, IRCC has announced that they are extending the time students can study online from outside Canada and have it count towards PGWP eligibility.
They also highlighted the following:
- Must have studied online between March 2020 to August 31, 2022,
- Complete up to 100% of your studies online and be eligible for a PGWP
Eligibility criteria
This temporary policy applies to a student who meets the following criteria:
- Must have enrolled in a PGWP-eligible program.
- You were outside Canada and was unable to travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic but was still able to take online courses.
- The student began a program in any semester from spring 2020 to summer 2022, or the program was already in progress in March 2020.
- You must have obtained a study permit or approval for a study permit or applied for a study permit for starting the program.
- You meet all other PGWP eligibility criteria.
Having said that, let’s know what a PGWP is.
What is a PGWP?
Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) allows international students who have completed their study program in Canada and wish to work there. The duration of the PGWP is usually the same as the duration of the study program plus an additional 90 days. These additional 90 days, allow students to prepare themselves to leave Canada or extend their stay. An one-year course will offer you a work permit of 1 year plus 90 days.
Completing two study programs
Students are still eligible for this policy if they’re completing two study programs that were ongoing or started between March 2020 and summer 2022. These study programs can be two 1-year programs.
What doesn’t count towards the length of the PGWP
- Time spent studying outside Canada
The duration of pursuing higher studies outside Canada after August 31st, 2022 will not be counted. As of now, the time duration is strictly fixed between summer 2020 to August 2022.
- Time spent before applying for a study permit
Since, obtaining a study permit letter might take a few months, this waiting time is not counted for the policy.
Distance learning from inside Canada
Due to the pandemic, many courses continued to be online. The time duration you had spent studying online from within Canada will count towards the length of your PGWP. This is a great relief to international students because a majority of the students study with high hopes of getting a PGWP.
Studying in Canada
Now is a great opportunity for students who would like to study online living outside Canada. If you had already received a letter of acceptance from a DLI accredited college for the January or May intake, you are fortunate to study your courses online. However, you must verify with your college/university whether your courses fall under this policy. Notably, you’re still eligible to earn a PGWP even if you stay outside Canada
Have you missed the opportunity to pursue studies in Canada? Do you wish to experience your academic life in Canada? It’s high time you look for a college/university now.
For better guidance in choosing courses and colleges/universities in Canada, talk to our overseas education consultants at CanApprove. Being veterans in overseas education and immigration, the team will make your dreams of studying in Canada come true. You’re just a click away!
