The Canadian government recently announced that international students who completed their full 100% of their studies online will be eligible under the PSWP. However, this didn’t give international students the boost that was expected. Instead, students studying in Quebec who were eagerly waiting for some kind of visa news from the government are thinking of something else. They think that there’s no reliable guarantee assuring them of getting permits to come to Canada.
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What Relaxation Did The Canadian Government Offer For PSWP Or Post Graduation Work Permit?
Canada has announced that students who have completed their studies through online means will still get to apply for PSWP. However, this is just applicable to students studying outside of the nation and that too just between the time periods of spring 2020 to 31st December 2021. So if the time spent on online classes exceeds that then it won’t be counted towards the permit length. Neither will the government allow time spent outside of Canada in online classes after 31st December 2021.
But students aren’t swayed. They say:
“This news is to bring trust among international students to start their courses online from their home country, but I personally feel that why, as a student, will we spend thousands of dollars to study in our home country.”
Apart from highlighting the sheer waste of financial resources in attending online classes, many students highlighted another crucial fact:
“What we need is that international exposure which we will lack completely studying online. Even though it makes us eligible for the PSWP still the employer will have a problem to hire us as we have done our studies online.”
As such, many are waiting for updates regarding the visa situation. Many say that there’s has been no reassurance from the government about them being able to enter Canada through permits inspite of attending online classes from outside Canada. So, the only request from the international student community now is to expedite the Visa application process and give them the results they are looking forward to.
Why International Students Aren’t Happy With This PSWP Rule?
The Canadian government has made it clear that students can still apply for PSWP even after completing their studies fully online. But some students can’t find the bright side of this decision. After all, there is the issue of the draining of financial resources as they sit at home. However, there are other issues plaguing foreign students as well, namely internet connectivity issues.
To add to the already depressing burden, students are also having to sit for classes at night due to timezone clashes. Due to these issues, students have a lot of complaints about IRCC. There have been accusations from disgruntled students about the institution playing with their future by not thinking about their condition from home.
Students Facing Depression Due To Reluctance Of The Government
The lack of government updates on the Visa situation has made students depressed. In fact there are many who have resorted to antidepressants as well. After all, some people have been patiently waiting for visas to get processed since that of March 2020. What’s irking most students is the zero communication and updates from IRCC. Some are baffled at no one being held responsible for this issue. Overall, it’s just making students miserable.
There were a batch of students who were allowed to enter Canada on an agreement. But this was just part one of the two-stage IRCC application process that was started to sign up completely for the university courses. But there has been rejection on that front during the second stages as well.
Along with depression, students report having suicidal thoughts as well. After all, many applicants and their families have taken student loans for foreign education, but they aren’t able to take advantage of it. Instead they are having to pay interest on it as well. These issues coupled with time zone differences, poor internet connectivity, and lack of updates is causing people to suffer from poor mental health.
However, IRCC has said that they are:
“making great strides in processing more applications virtually.”
They have also said that they are:
“Rapidly adapting, innovating and evolving” as well to ensure that students who want to come to the nation can do so.
Along with this reassurance, IRCC has also explained the reason for the huge backlog or lack of updates on the Visa situation. It has said that while the nationwide processing centers haven’t been shut down but the VACs or Visa-Application Centers had to close temporarily. As such, this had led to a hugely delayed processing.
What Are The Benefits Of PSWP?
Applying for PSWP will reduce the burden on student’s shoulders. As such, international students will be able to enter Canada without any kind of job requirement and stay there for up to a duration of three years. Along with this, they will also be eligible for Provincial Healthcare.
If you are applying for PSWP then make sure that you don’t submit the transcript saying COPY. Because using that can lead to the cancellation of your transcript. So it’s advised that you use the official printed transcript. If you are applying online then simply scan out a PDF of your printed transcript. Also, do note that you need to apply within 180 days of completion of your studies as well as within 180 days of Study Permit expiration.
For this, students will need a valid passport. Note that with it a valid and current passport is needed too, otherwise, the work permit won’t be granted. Along with these applicants also need to show their immigration status. This can be their study permit or visitor status. However, no matter what papers are showing, applicants need to provide a valid visitor or study permit. Students need to attach their seal their final official transcripts in an envelope. Apart from this, the officials might ask for proof of sufficient funds as well. In the end, applicants will need to pay the fees amounting to around $200 to $250.
Hopefully, students will get the updates they seek and also begin considering the PSWP online studies option given by the government.
