Guidance on entry and isolation for international students in Canada

 Guidance on entry and isolation for international students in Canada

Nguyen Dang Anh Thi, who settled in Canada by studying abroad, shares the latest information to help international students not be surprised when they enter this country in the fall.

Over the past time, policies on travel restrictions in Canada have been issued and continuously updated by the government depending on the evolution of the disease and the situation of Covid-19 vaccination. By July 19, 69.6% of the Canadian population had received at least one dose of the vaccine and 50% of the population had completed the vaccination. The average number of infections in the past two weeks was 158 people per million people, down 95% from the peak of the epidemic three months ago. On July 18, the total number of new infections in the country was only 303.

Restrictions on Covid-19 are gradually being lifted, life in Canada is vibrant again and provincial governments are hoping to be able to fully reopen schools in September.

Because of those positive results, the Canadian government has gradually adjusted its entry policy towards more openness and convenience for those eligible to enter.

Nguyen Dang Anh Thi (left) and his family on the graduation day of his son's high school. Photo: Character provided.

Nguyen Dang Anh Thi (left) and his family on the graduation day of his son's high school. Photo: Character provided.

As of August 9, Canada lifted the 3-day isolation requirement at hotels

On July 19, the Government of Canada announced that it would lift the mandatory 3-day isolation requirement at the hotel for all passengers allowed to enter, effective from 12:01 am, Ottawa time on August 9.

The 3-day mandatory quarantine requirement at one of the hotels on the approved list has been applied since February 22 as a solution to prevent incoming travelers from contracting nCoV. International students under the age of 18 traveling alone or with someone who has had enough vaccinations do not need to be isolated for 3 days at a hotel.

That means international students entering Canada from 12:01 am Ottawa time on August 9, will only have to isolate for 14 days at their accommodation. Due to this change, those who have missed booking and paying for the hotel in advance should contact the hotel directly to request a refund.

In principle, as required by the Government of Canada, hotel rooms for 3-day quarantine are non-refundable. However, this change comes from the government and is beyond the control of the tenant, so asking for a refund has good cause. Furthermore, when the government previously lifted the 3-day quarantine requirement at the hotel for those who have had enough vaccines, effective from July 5, refunds were mentioned.

From August 9, there are 5 more airports to welcome international visitors to Canada, including: Halifax, Quebec City, Ottawa, Edmonton and Winnipeg. Currently, only 4 airports can welcome international passengers: Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Calgary.

Also according to the announcement on July 19, the Government of Canada began to apply vaccine passports to US travelers from August 9, and to citizens of other countries from September 7. As a rule, a fully vaccinated person is understood to be someone who has received 2 doses of AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson at least 14 days before arriving in Canada. All other vaccines such as Sinopharm, Sinovac, Sputnik V... have not been recognized in Canada.

General conditions for international students to enter Canada

International students must satisfy 2 conditions. The first is to have a valid study permit for international students returning to Canada; or have a letter of approval for international students coming to Canada for the first time. The second is to study at one of the training institutions on the list of Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) and have an approved Covid-19 prevention plan (Covid-19 readiness plan). ).

Currently, except for Yukon, Navanut and Northwest Territories, which are not accepting high school students, for post-secondary students, most schools with DLI codes have approved Covid-19 prevention plans. -19 to welcome international students. However, international students need to contact the school to confirm or check on IRCC's website about the DLI and the school's Covid-19 prevention plan.

In addition, the most important requirement of Canada during the epidemic is that people who are positive for nCoV cannot board a plane to Canada. Immediate family members of international students can also come to Canada with them if they can prove that the trip is necessary, for example to support settling into Canada. In this case, immediate family members include the international student's spouse and children. If the international student is under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian may accompany them.

Entry and isolation steps

These are the steps for entry and isolation for international students who have not had enough Covid-19 vaccine and arrived in Canada before August 9.

Step 1: Prepare documents

1. Documents related to studying abroad: First-time international students need to print out and bring the school's acceptance letter, tuition fee receipt, study permit approval letter. letter), study plan