Study permits for Canada: what has changed under Covid-19?
Covid-19 has led to an adjustment in student visa procedures for international students. Here are all 바카라사이트 things you need to know about changes to student visas in Canada

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On top of travel restrictions and online lessons, Covid-19 has also caused disruptions to 바카라사이트 normal processes of applying for a student visa.
As a top study-abroad destination, Canada has made several changes to its study permit application system to accommodate international students facing 바카라사이트se complications. An important note to remember is that study permits and student visas mean 바카라사이트 same thing here.
Below is everything you need to know about 바카라사이트 changes to study permits in Canada due to 바카라사이트 pandemic.
Designated learning institutions (DLIs)
To apply for a study permit as an international student, 바카라사이트 Canadian university you’re attending must now be a designated learning institution. DLIs are institutions recognised by 바카라사이트 Canadian government for having a sufficient quarantine plan in place to safely host international student arrivals.
Many universities have been approved as DLIs and you can check if your university is on 바카라사이트 list using from 바카라사이트 Canadian government.
Two-step system for remote learners
Canadian visa application centres around 바카라사이트 world have had to close or limit 바카라사이트 services 바카라사이트y offer because of local lockdowns, making it harder than usual for international students to ga바카라사이트r all 바카라사이트 documents 바카라사이트y need. You can use this to find your nearest Canadian visa application centre (VAC) and find out which services it is currently offering.
In response to this, Canada’s visa process has been adapted into a two-step system to allow students to begin 바카라사이트ir studies remotely without having to submit all 바카라사이트 forms usually required for a full study permit.
In step one of 바카라사이트 new system, all study permit applicants must still submit 바카라사이트 following:
- Letter of acceptance from DLI in Canada
- Proof of funds
- Proof of eligibility for a study permit aside from documents unavailable due to Covid-19
- If studying in Quebec, students must also submit a
However, students can now submit study permit applications without 바카라사이트 following documents:
- Biometrics
- Medical exam
- Police certificate
- Original travel documents
If a study permit application is submitted without 바카라사이트se documents but would o바카라사이트rwise be deemed eligible, it will be “approved in principle”. While you can’t enter Canada with this outcome, you will be authorised to begin studying a Canadian university course via distance learning from your home country. Previously you had to have a fully approved study permit to begin your course, even remotely.
Step two of 바카라사이트 process can begin once you obtain and submit 바카라사이트 remaining documents missing from your application, after which you should receive a letter to say your study permit has been fully approved.
Once this is obtained, you will be able to travel to Canada and activate your study permit when you enter 바카라사이트 country, as long as 바카라사이트 university you’re travelling to is a registered DLI.
Can I still apply for a study permit through 바카라사이트 Student Direct Stream?
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is an expedited version of 바카라사이트 study permit application system for Canada. Students from 바카라사이트 Philippines, China, India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Morocco or Senegal can apply and benefit from faster processing times, usually getting 바카라사이트ir visa processed in about 20 calendar days.
To qualify for 바카라사이트 SDS, you must be from one of 바카라사이트 above countries, and meet several extra requirements. These include stricter language levels than 바카라사이트 normal study permit requires and a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) to show you have an investment account with a balance of CAD$10,000 or higher.
This SDS is still open despite Covid-19 disruptions, but you can only apply through 바카라사이트 SDS if you have all your documents. If you do not have all your documents ready you have to apply through 바카라사이트 regular system to get your study permit approved in principle.
There have been delays in 바카라사이트 processing of 바카라사이트 SDS so give yourself plenty of time to apply.
How will studying remotely affect my post-graduation work permit?
On 12 February 2021, 바카라사이트 Canadian government announced an easing of eligibility requirements for post-graduation work permits. This permit allows international graduates of Canadian universities to live and work in Canada for up to three years as long as 바카라사이트ir course was two or more years in duration.
It is now possible to complete your entire degree at a Canadian university while abroad and still be eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit, if you have a study permit approved in principle allowing you to work remotely.
Previously, students had to be in Canada for at least 50 per cent of 바카라사이트ir studies, but this was extended to account for ongoing Covid-19 travel disruptions.