published on 29 November 2021 @ 11:53 am · COMMENT

Immigration Update

Travel Ban from the Southern Africa region

Due to the detection of the COVID-19 variant Omicron in the Southern African region, Canada has implemented new travel restrictions for travellers who have been to South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Namibia within 14 days of their arrival to Canada. This measure will remain in place until January 31, 2022.

Any foreign national who has visited one of these countries within the 14 days prior to their arrival to Canada will not be permitted to enter Canada.

Canadian citizens, permanent residents or persons registered under the Indian Act who have visited one of these countries within 14 days of their arrival to Canada may travel to Canada, but will face additional travel measures. These measures include:

• Obtaining a negative COVID-19 test from a third country within 72 hours of their arrival in Canada;

• Mandatory on-arrival testing;

• Travellers arriving by air will be required to quarantine at a designated quarantine facility while they await the results of their on-arrival test;

• Mandatory day 8 testing; and

• Requirement to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, pursuant to a quarantine plan. Quarantine plans will need to be approved by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

These increased measures will apply regardless of vaccination status. No exemptions will apply.

In addition, travellers who have arrived in Canada from one of the listed countries since November 12, 2021 will be directed to take a molecular test and quarantine while awaiting results.

Extension of Policy Allowing Online Studies to Count Toward Post Graduation Work Permit Length

Study permit holders who studied online during COVID-19 may count 100% of their time studying online from outside of Canada toward the length of their post graduation work permit (PGWP). This policy has now been extended to cover any outside of Canada online studies until August 31, 2022.

This policy also allows for individuals who have completed two (2) PGWP-eligible programs to count the time studying online for both programs.

Time spent studying online from outside of Canada prior to applying for a study permit or after August 31, 2022 will not count toward the length of the PGWP.