Richmond School District: các thông tin du học sinh cần biết

Important Update from Richmond

This newsletter will provide important information on COVID-19 in British Columbia and expectations for September. 

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW BRITISH COLUMBIA

COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic in March, and since that time British Columbians have worked hard to abide by all recommendations from our Public Health Officer.  We have been rewarded with positive results.

The vast majority of British Columbians have followed all Public Health Officer and governmental guidelines, and managed to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases dramatically over the last few weeks. Therefore, we moved into a new stage of our BC Restart Plan that included reasonably sized gatherings, a resumption of in-class instruction, and being able to enjoy a meal in some restaurants. 

According to our Public Health Officer, Richmond in particular has done well during these difficult times and reported the lowest percentage of cases in Metro Vancouver with no new cases in the area since May 18. As a result of this positive news, 30% of students across the district have returned the class.  More are expected to attend classes this week and moving forward to the end of June. The lessons learned from the last few months, and the reopening of schools, means that as long as we continue to maintain physical distance, employ appropriate hand hygiene and cough etiquette, stay home when ill, and ‘be kind, be calm, and be safe’, we will be ready to welcome students back into the classroom for the new school year in September. 

PLANS MOVING FORWARD

• Summer

Over the summer, we will be providing timely updates on visa requirements or changes to IRCC policies that will affect students.  If students are planning on leaving Canada over the summer, it is very important to communicate with our office as they may be required to meet certain criteria before being allowed back into the country in September. 

• September

The provincial government has stated they expect students to be back in school in September. Current guidelines around physical distancing mean students will still get a quality education inside a physical classroom and will be able to make, and hang out with new friends. 

Updates on new student orientation will be provided in the coming months. 

STUDY PERMIT AND ENTRY VISA UPDATES

We have been in contact with IRCC throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. Many Visa Application Centres (VAC) are still open and processing study and entry visas.  The current travel restrictions will be reviewed, and potentially updated, at the end of June. 

In the meantime, students and can apply for visas. Accommodations will be made for biometrics and custodian documents.

Current status of VACs can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc/offices/find-visa-application-centre.html 

Biometric Extensions – Because most biometric locations are still closed, study permit visa applicants will be given an extension to submit biometrics to IRCC.  As stated on the IRCC website “If the site closest to you is closed, we’ll automatically extend your deadline to give your biometrics.  You don’t have to give your biometrics until the sites reopen. This applies to you, even if your biometrics instruction letter (BIL) says you have 30 or 90 days.”

Check the IRCC website regularly to see if the biometric collection location closest to you reopens.

Biometric Collection Locations – https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/where-to-give-biometrics.asp

Custodian Declarations – IRCC understands that it can be difficult for parents to get custodial documents notarized during lock-downs or shortened business hours in their countries.  Student visa applications will not be refused if custodian documents are missing from the application at this time.  IRCC is requesting that students upload a document in place of the custodian declaration that explains why the custodian document is not available at the time of application.  When the document is notarized, students and upload it to their application to finalize the process.

TRAVEL AND SELF-ISOLATION

In these unprecedented times, travellers to British Columbia have to isolate for 14 days after arrival.  The current travel restrictions and exemptions with self-isolation may still be in place in September when the new academic year begins. It important to keep this information in mind if you are planning on travelling outside of BC between now and September.

We are reviewing a number of safe options for students to meet this self-isolation requirement and will be sending a very important email to all students, parents and agents this week.  Please ensure to review the email carefully and respond as requested.