Jul 13, 2021
With the additional countries announced today, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is now offering the SDS to students in a total of 14 countries. IRCC is committed to the continued expansion of the SDS in support of Canada’s International Education Strategy (2019–2024) and its goal of welcoming more international students from a broad range of source countries.
International students who are currently abroad and looking to begin or resume their studies in person soon will likely continue facing challenges in travelling to Canada, with ongoing reduced flight availability expected in the weeks and months ahead. Students must follow their designated learning institution’s COVID-19 readiness plan, including planning to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
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COVID-19 has drastically changed education for millions of university students around the world. International students are a vulnerable population group with unique challenges. Away from their home countries or at a distance from their universities, they have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyond concerns about themselves and loved ones due to the virus, international students have worried about things like visa and graduation status, optional practical training opportunities being harder to obtain or cancelled or whether to go home (if that is even an option due to border closures). Some have worried about living far from loved ones, having to find a place to live if dormitories close, self-isolating from roommates if necessary and finances.