We write on behalf of Indian Students who have not been able to travel directly to Canada to attend their Classes due to UNJUST restrictions imposed by the Canadian Authorities. 

‘India alone contributes 34.5% of Canada’s total foreign student's. According to official statistics from the Canadian High Commission in Delhi, for the first four months of 2021, nearly 100,000 study permits were issued to international students, up from about 66,000 in the first four months of 2020 and from about 96,000 in the first four months of 2019.

This year, there is a strong pent-up demand after many students deferred their international study plans by several months due to the pandemic, and the proactive stand taken by universities in Canada as well as the Canadian government in easing the path for Indian students.

"The Canadian government has implemented several policy changes to make Higher Education more attractive for international students. One example is the creation of the PGWP, which allows international students who have graduated with a qualification from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to work in Canada for three years after Graduation. The PGWP also allows students to gain work experience to make them eligible for immigration through various pathways, such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)."

 

In February 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) extended the PGWP rules to online study. International students completing their entire Canadian higher education program online will also be eligible for Post-Graduation work permits.

In April 2021, The Government of Canada had suspended flights from India until August 21, 2021. https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/india#flights 

As per the present directives of the Canadian authorities, travelers including students who wish travel to Canada from India via an indirect route will need to obtain a pre-departure negative COVID-19 molecular test result from a third country before continuing their journey to Canada.

Travelers who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 must provide proof of a positive COVID-19 molecular test conducted between 14 and 90 days prior to departure, instead of a negative COVID-19 molecular test. This proof must be obtained in a third country before the continuation of the journey to Canada. You might need to seek entry and stay in a third country for at least 14 days.

Keep in mind:

certain countries do not allow entry or transit from passengers arriving from India or from passengers who have previously tested positive to COVID-19
COVID-19 testing for passengers in transit might not be available in all international airports or third countries
if you test positive during transit, you may be quarantined or sent back to your point of departure
Carefully consider your itinerary, transit options and entry requirements for third countries.

But there is now a new cause for concern among Indian students about the Suspension of flights from India, which has been imposed in the wake of the heavy second wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic in India. "This extended Suspension of flights from India is hitting Indian students hard. Direct flights are not permitted yet and they have to find long and expensive routes to reach Canada to join their classes which start in August-September.

Students have to pay pay Rs.150000 to Rs.250000 for one way Travel to Canada via Mexico, Albania, Russia & Maldives including RTPCR Testing & Stay etc.

PRAY & APPEAL - Indian Government should restart Air India Flight with Air Canada tie-ups & Set up the RTPCR testing facility, Stay in any convenient third country acceptable to both India and Canada at economical costs.

Restart Air Transport Bubbles, Vande Bharat Mission FLIGHTS with mutual discussions with Canadian Authorities OR Special Flights for fully vaccinated Indian Students to CANADA at least in August and September 2021