Maple News reports that international students will be permitted to enter Canada beginning October 20, provided they are enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that has a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by the relevant provincial or territorial government.
In collaboration with health and education authorities across Canada, the federal government is rolling out a phased approach to welcome foreign students while prioritizing public health. Institutions must present detailed readiness strategies outlining protocols for informing students about travel and health guidelines, supporting quarantine arrangements, and helping access essentials like groceries and medications during isolation. These plans must also include procedures for responding to COVID-19 cases within the student population.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will publish a list of approved DLIs as the review process moves forward. This list will be maintained on the IRCC official website, enabling students to verify their eligibility before arranging travel.
This exemption applies to all international students, regardless of when their study permit was issued or their country of origin. However, the Canadian government advises students not to finalize travel plans until they have received all required authorizations and gathered necessary documentation.
To enter Canada, students must show no symptoms of COVID-19 and have valid documentation proving their enrollment at an approved institution. Border officials will consider student arrivals as essential travel, so long as there is no indication their purpose is discretionary, such as tourism.
Immediate family members of students — including spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, and, in the case of minors, a parent or legal guardian — may also be allowed to accompany the student, provided their presence in Canada is essential to the student’s settlement and academic success.
Upon arrival, all students and accompanying family members must observe Canada’s stringent public health regulations, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
The announcement follows several months of coordination between Canadian ministers of health and immigration and regional governments. Minister of Immigration Marco Mendicino and Minister of Health Patty Hajdu confirmed the policy on October 2, citing persistent calls from students abroad, many of whom lack the resources to access online learning effectively due to internet restrictions or time zone challenges.
This carefully planned reopening marks a significant step forward for Canada’s global education strategy, balancing safety with its commitment to being a world leader in attracting international talent.