Important Information Regarding
Program Delivery for Fall 2020
Dear Matt,
We hope that you are keeping well and staying safe.
As you are getting ready for your program to begin in September 2020, we wanted to ensure that you are up-to-date with all the communications from the college regarding your Fall 2020 term.
As you may be aware, your program at George Brown College for Fall 2020 term will take place through remote, online delivery.
Fall 2020 semester questions
1. I am new to Remote Learning. Where can I find Support?
The college has developed an Online Learning microsite to provide you with the tools and resources you'll need to be a successful online learner. Please check the webpage. In addition, some of the other college support services are offering virtual support:
- Tutoring and Learning Centre (TLC) is offering online academic support, including real-time chat support with TLC advisors.
- Library Learning Commons staff are available online to help students with research questions.
- Career Centre is offering online support for all career related questions & resources.
- Student Association of George Brown College provides student support around Health insurance; academic issues or concern and legal issues.
2. What about program with Work Integrated Learning components (co-op, externship, internship, field placements etc.)?
We are waiting for further direction from the government about timing, but we anticipate that all aspects of programs will be fulfilled before graduation. Please note that the timing of when certain components are completed may shift depending on guidelines from public health officials.
Students should contact their field placement coordinator to confirm the status of their placement. Students may make arrangements to work remotely, if possible and agreed by student, employer, and coordinator/officer.
3. How will remote learning schedules work for students in different time zones?
Whether course delivery is synchronous (in real-time) or asynchronous (completed in student’s own time) is determined by your academic program coordinator.
There will be more details about this question posted soon to our COVID-19 webpage
4. Does the college residence still have spaces available for the Fall 2020 semester?
In order to promote health standards and practices, the residence will be open at a reduced capacity for Fall 2020 term. However, the residence is still accepting applications for Fall 2020 term. If you are interested in applying, please email info@georgebrownresidence.ca
Immigration questions
1. I just received my offer letter for Fall 2020 term. Should I apply for my study permit and visa now?
Yes, you should apply online for an initial study permit with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as soon as possible to ensure that your application is approved-in-principle. IRCC recently announced announced a new measure for international students starting a program in the fall semester who submit a study permit application before September 15, 2020.
The new measures include:
- providing priority study-permit processing for students who have submitted a complete application online, to ensure that permits are processed as quickly as possible.
- allowing students to count the time spent pursuing their studies online abroad toward their eligibility for a post-graduation work permit, if they have submitted a study permit application and if at least 50% of their program is completed in Canada
- providing reassurances to international students who cannot submit all of the documentation needed to complete processing of their applications, and who choose to pursue programs through distance learning, by implementing a temporary 2-stage approval process.
The temporary process will allow applicants to count the time spent studying online abroad towards their post-graduation work permit once they receive an approval-in-principle, as long as they are able to satisfy all requirements and receive the full approval of their study permit application at a later date. As services begin to reopen, applicants will be required to submit remaining documents and receive an approved study permit before being allowed to travel to Canada.
2. What about biometrics?
Once you submit your application for a study permit, you may be asked to submit biometrics. However, given that most of the biometrics collection centres are closed, if the site closest to you is closed, IRCC will automatically extend your deadline to give your biometrics. You are not required to give your biometrics until the site collection offices reopen. This applies to you, even if your biometrics instruction letter (BIL) says you have 30 or 90 days.
IRCC will NOT issue a new BIL, however, you are required to take your original BIL to your new appointment to show proof of payment.
NOTE: Your application will not be refused or closed if you cannot give your biometrics due to COVID-19 closures.
3. Can I begin my studies online program from my home country without a valid study permit or study permit approval- in-principle? How will this affect my eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permit Programme (PGWPP)?
Yes, you can begin your online program outside of Canada without a valid study permit or study permit approval-in-principle. However, in order to count the time spent studying online abroad towards the PGWPP eligibility, international students require one of the following:
- a valid study permit or,
- a study permit approval- in- principle or,
- be under implied status for study permit.
If students begin their program online without a valid study permit/ study permit approval-in-principle/ implied status for study permit, this time will NOT be counted towards PGWPP eligibility.
In addition, international students are solely responsible for ensuring that they have a valid study permit once future semesters for their program is moved to in-person delivery in Canada.
4. I have been approved for a study permit from my home country, however I am unable to travel to Canada due to travel restrictions. Can I begin my program online for Fall 2020 term? If so, how will this affect my eligibility for PGWPP?
For students with valid study permit/study permit approval, IRCC has announced the following:
- Eligibility for the PGWPP will not be affected for students who begin their studies in Fall 2020, and whose in-class courses are moved to an online-only format as a result of COVID-19.
- International students in this situation may begin their classes while outside Canada, and may complete up to 50 per cent of their program while outside Canada if they cannot travel to Canada sooner.
- These students will not have time deducted from the length of their work permit for any period of study completed outside of Canada up to December 31, 2020.
- For more information, please see the IRCC website.
5. Can I travel to Canada at this time?
International students are exempted from travel restrictions to Canada if they have a valid study permit, or were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020 and are travelling for non-optional or non-discretionary purpose.
If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check conducted by an airline before you’ll be allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
In addition: When you arrive in Canada, your health will be assessed before you leave the port of entry. You must have a plan to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada. This is mandatory, even if you have no symptoms.
6. Should I make arrangements to travel to Canada if I am exempt from travel restrictions even though my program has been suspended/cancelled for Fall 2020 term?
Recently the government of Canada announced that foreign nationals who are exempted from travel restrictions and travelling for non-optional or non-discretionary purpose will only be allowed to enter Canada. If your program has been suspended/cancelled for the Fall 2020 term, the Canada Border Security Agency (CBSA) officer at the Port of Entry (airport or land border) may consider your travel to Canada as optional or discretionary and therefore deny you entry.
In addition, you will not have health insurance coverage from the college for the period that you are not registered in your program and you will legally NOT be allowed to work off-campus in Canada before your new program begins.
7. My program for Fall 2020 term has been suspended/cancelled, however, since I am in Canada with a valid study permit, can I work off-campus between Sept 2020 to Dec. 2020?
NO, you cannot work off-campus if you are not currently studying in your academic program. One of the requirements for the off-campus work eligibility criteria states you must have started studying. Therefore, you are only eligible once your program begins/starts.
We also encourage all students to visit our COVID-19 webpage to review the frequently asked questions and the latest updates on our pandemic response. If you have any further questions, please contact us.
Thank you and stay safe.
John Porter
Director, College Admissions & International Student Services
Office of the Registrar
