On August 28, the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada (IRCC) updated the official guidelines for the readmission of international students after leaving Canada. An important concept for students returning from summer vacations, short-term travel or a new semester to return to Canada is: Possession of valid Study Permit does not constitute a guarantee of readmission to Canada.
IRCC states that international students with valid Study Permit, or who have been granted a Study Permit/extension application, may be re-entering the country, but must also meet other entry requirements.
Which documents should be identified before returning to Canada?
According to the latest IRCC guidelines, international students should confirm that:
- Possession of a valid passport or travel document;
- Studying at designated Canadian learning institutions (Designated Learning Institute, DLI);
- (a) Holds valid Visitor Visa or electronic travel authorization eTA by nationality and status;
- Other entry requirements for Canada are met.
Therefore, Stuart Permit is a different concept from Visa/eTA, which is required for entry. Students who only check the end of the Study Permit period and ignore the validity of their passport or entry documents may still have an impact on the return journey.
Studi Permit, what if the extension's not approved?
IRCC reminds in particular that if the student's application for an extension of his/her term of office has not been approved, even if he/she may be admitted to the country subject to other conditions, he/she is not allowed to enter the country. You may not be able to continue school until the extension is formally approved. 。
Therefore, if a student is planning to leave Canada with the result of an extension, he or she should first assess the post-repatriation status and the impact of school attendance, and it is not appropriate to interpret the term "referral application" directly as allowing for regular entry and exit and attendance.
Border officials will still conduct final review.
The eligibility for entry into Canada remains ultimately determined by border officials on a case-by-case basis. In addition to travel and student documentation, applicants must still meet general entry requirements, such as sufficient funds for stay and health, safety and immigration-related requirements.
This is why international students, before returning home, are better able to identify, rather than simply carry, the student permit documents with Study Permit, relevant school documents, passports and Visa/eTA.
A reminder for Taiwan students
Every year, the end of August to September is the peak of Canada's fall semester return to school. Before embarking on a flight, students in Taiwan recommended that the passport validity period, Stuart Permit, entry documents and school registration be re-checked; In the event of a recent change of passport, application for an extension or change of identity, the latest IRCC regulations should be consulted earlier.
Canada has continuously adapted its international student system in recent years, ranging from the Studi Permit quota, PAL/TAL and financial evidence to school compliance requirements. Back-to-school students need to include immigration documentation in the necessary pre-departure check-ups, in addition to focusing on the school start date.
