Lori Meadows
Canada has historically been a welcoming country for international students, with close to 500,000 international students studying in the country in 2017. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border closures raised concerns about the country's ability to continue attracting international students. In March 2020, Canada announced aggressive measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, including denying entry to non-citizens and permanent residents. This led to uncertainty for international students and temporary foreign workers, with some being blocked from returning to Canada. In October 2020, Canada announced it would reopen its borders to international students, provided they attended designated learning institutions with COVID-19 readiness plans. The government proposed strict but acceptable measures for student entry, balancing health and economic safety. As of June 2023, Canada continues to allow entry to international students and foreign workers, with certain exemptions and requirements in place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of announcement | 2 October 2020 |
| Date of implementation | 20 October 2020 |
| Announced by | Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marco Mendicino |
| Who can enter? | International students and temporary foreign workers |
| Conditions | Students must attend a designated learning institution (DLI) with a government-approved COVID-19 readiness plan |
| Other requirements | 14-day quarantine, pre-boarding health check, provision of additional arrival details |
| Concerns | Communication of border decisions to officials, airlines and students; the security of international students and foreign workers |
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What You'll Learn
- Canada's border closure goes against WHO's recommendations
- International students' concerns about their precarious situations
- Canada's status as a welcoming country for international students
- The impact of border closures on the well-being of international students
- The safety measures in place for students entering Canada
Canada's border closure goes against WHO's recommendations
Canada's border closure during the COVID-19 pandemic went against the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations. While Canada closed its borders to international students, it later reversed this decision and allowed international students to enter the country.
Canada's adoption of the WHO's recommendations was inconsistent during the pandemic. Notably, Canada went against the WHO's advice by implementing border closures, mandatory quarantine, and discouraging the mass use of masks by the public.
The WHO's 2019 influenza pandemic recommendations did not advise border closures under any circumstances. Instead, the WHO recommended against measures such as contact tracing, the quarantine of exposed individuals, entry and exit screening, and border closures. Canada's decision to close its borders, therefore, contradicted the WHO's guidelines.
Despite Canada's initial reluctance to follow the WHO's recommendations on border closures, it eventually reopened its borders to international students. On October 2, 2020, Canada's Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister Marco Mendicino announced that international students would be allowed to enter Canada starting October 20, 2020. This decision was made after weeks of lobbying, planning, and preparation by Canada's international educators.
To enter Canada, international students had to attend a designated learning institution (DLI) with a government-approved COVID-19 readiness plan. Additionally, all travellers were required to undergo a 14-day quarantine period and provide additional arrival details, including contact information and self-assessments during quarantine. These measures were implemented to balance health safety and economic stability in the country.
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International students' concerns about their precarious situations
International students have expressed concerns about their precarious situations in Canada. The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent border closures have had a significant impact on their mental and physical health, knowing that if they leave the country, they might not be able to return to continue their studies, research, or work. This has caused anxiety and uncertainty about their future in Canada.
The well-being of international students has been affected by the changing messages and the feeling of living with a precarious legal status. The initial lack of consideration for international students and temporary residents in the border closure announcements seemed insensitive, given Canada's efforts to attract international students. International students were left wondering if their temporary resident status was worthy of protection during the crisis.
In addition to health and wellness concerns, international students are also worried about the financial burden of studying in Canada. The Canadian government has announced stricter financial requirements for study permit applicants starting in September 2025. The revised policy mandates that international students demonstrate sufficient funds to cover not only tuition fees but also higher living expenses and transportation costs without relying on employment in Canada. This has further added to the concerns of international students about their ability to continue their studies in the country.
To address these concerns, some have called for official relief measures or support for international students, such as rent relief. The impact of international students on the Canadian economy is significant, with students spending billions of dollars on tuition, accommodation, and discretionary spending. As such, it is important for Canada to balance health safety and economic safety while also considering the well-being and feelings of belonging among international students.
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Canada's status as a welcoming country for international students
Canada has long been a popular destination for international students, with close to 500,000 international students studying in the country in 2017. The country has also been strengthening its position as a welcoming location for international students since U.S. President Donald Trump's travel ban on citizens of Muslim-majority countries in 2017.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the security of international students in Canada. On March 16, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would deny entry to anyone who was not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, except for Americans. This exemption for American citizens was revoked two days later, but the border closure still contradicted WHO's recommendations to balance health safety with economic and social stability.
Canada's border closure impacted the well-being of international students, leaving them with a sense of precarity and affecting their feelings of belonging and social support. The country's changing border policies and lack of clear communication about who was exempted from the measures also led to confusion and uncertainty for international students and temporary foreign workers.
Despite these challenges, Canada has made efforts to reopen its borders to international students. In October 2020, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced that international students would be permitted to enter Canada if they were attending a designated learning institution with a government-approved COVID-19 readiness plan. This decision was made to balance health and economic safety, with public health staffing at Canadian borders being strengthened. Additionally, in June 2023, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair announced that Canada would continue to allow international students and foreign workers to enter the country, provided they respected the rule to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
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The impact of border closures on the well-being of international students
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education institutions worldwide, with campus closures and social distancing measures negatively impacting students' mental health. International students faced unique challenges due to border closures and travel restrictions. Many international students chose to return to their home countries to seek family support, while others remained in their host countries, isolated from their usual social networks. This disruption to the typical student experience, coupled with the lack of adequate social support, negatively impacted the mental health and well-being of international students.
International students who remained in their host countries due to border closures faced difficulties. They were separated from their families and social networks, which are crucial support structures during challenging times. This isolation may have exacerbated feelings of loneliness and homesickness, negatively impacting their psychological well-being. Moreover, the closure of campuses and the shift to online learning disrupted their academic experiences. The lack of face-to-face interaction with peers and instructors hindered their ability to socialise and build meaningful connections, which are essential for holistic development.
In addition to social and emotional challenges, international students navigated complex immigration and visa issues. The pandemic-induced travel restrictions created uncertainties and complications regarding visa extensions, further contributing to their stress and anxiety. Those who managed to return to their home countries encountered a different set of challenges. They had to adapt to online learning in a different time zone, often without the same access to technology and support services as their peers in the host country.
The impact of border closures on international students' well-being was significant. The disruption to their academic and social routines, coupled with the lack of social support, took a toll on their mental health. This population faced unique challenges, and their specific needs must be considered in future emergency responses to ensure their well-being is protected.
Canada, recognising the importance of international students to its economy and education sector, has reopened its borders to them, with safety measures in place. International students can now enter Canada if they attend a designated learning institution with an approved COVID-19 readiness plan. A mandatory 14-day quarantine period and additional arrival requirements, such as providing contact details and undergoing health checks, are also in place to balance health safety and economic stability.
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The safety measures in place for students entering Canada
Firstly, international students can only enter Canada if they have a valid study permit and if their school is on an approved list of learning institutions capable of receiving students from abroad while adhering to public health measures. This list is provided and maintained by provincial authorities and published by IRCC. Students must also meet any applicable obligations under the Quarantine Act.
Secondly, travellers showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival will not be permitted entry into Canada. Mandatory testing upon arrival was implemented for flights from certain countries, such as India and Pakistan, due to a higher number of detected COVID-19 cases.
Thirdly, all travellers entering Canada, regardless of their vaccination status, must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period. Travellers must also provide additional arrival details, including contact information and self-assessments during quarantine, preferably via the ArriveCan app. Those arriving by air must pass a pre-boarding health check conducted by the airline.
Other safety measures include increased public health staffing at Canadian borders and discussions around mandatory vaccinations and masks for students entering schools or campuses. Overall, Canada is striving to balance health safety and economic stability through these measures, ensuring the well-being of both its citizens and international students.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Canada has opened its borders to international students. On 2 October 2020, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced that international students would be allowed to enter Canada starting 20 October 2020.
International students must attend a designated learning institution (DLI) with a government-approved COVID-19 readiness plan. Students must also follow safety measures at Canadian ports of entry, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine period and a pre-boarding health check for those arriving by air.
Canada's border closure has created a sense of uncertainty and precariousness for international students, who are concerned about their ability to return to the country and their legal status. The closure has also impacted the well-being and feelings of belonging of temporary residents, including international students.
Exemptions for air travel include international students who held a valid study permit or had been approved for one when travel restrictions took effect on 18 March 2020. Students with permanent resident status approved before 16 March 2020 are also exempt.
Key concerns include a lack of clear communication about border decisions to officials, airlines, and students, as well as the impact of the closure on the well-being and legal status of international students. There are also concerns about balancing health safety and economic stability, as the international education sector is crucial to Canada's economy.
