We want to ensure you have the latest changes and updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada that may impact you.

IRCC has announced some new temporary policy changes:

• Eligibility for the PGWP will not be affected for students who begin their studies in Fall 2020 and whose in-person courses are moved to an online-only format as a result of COVID-19.
• International students who have a valid study permit or a study permit approval for a program starting in the spring, summer, or fall, may begin their classes while outside Canada. Students may complete up to 50% of their program while outside Canada if they cannot travel to Canada sooner and still be eligible for PGWP.
• Students starting in Fall 2020 will not have time deducted from the length of their work permit for any period of study completed outside of Canada up to December 31, 2020.

For more information, please visit the IRCC website.

You can begin your studies while outside Canada without a study permit, however, we strongly encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you have not already.  Applications continue to be processed online, even if the Visa Application Centre in your country has closed.

York International continues to be available to you for any immigration or international student questions. You can book a virtual advising appointment or email your question to iadvisor@yorku.ca.

For International Student FAQs related to COVID-19, visit York International’s website.

For the latest York information and updates related to COVID-19, visit York’s COVID-19 website.

For all of York’s communications to students related to COVID-19, visit the Students page on the COVID-19 website.

Sincerely,

Vinitha Gengatharan
Executive Director, York International