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International Education FAQs
Last updated: April 24, 2020, 10:20 AM
The novel coronavirus pandemic has hit student mobility hard. International students from all over the world are impacted by the travel restrictions implemented by many countries to contain its spread.
Centennial College continues to develop solutions for international students to pursue their post-secondary studies. This global health crisis doesn’t have to stop your study abroad plans.
International students who held a valid study permit, or had been approved for a study permit, when the travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020 will be exempted from the current travel restrictions. Keep in mind, all individuals entering from abroad must isolate for 14 days upon their arrival in Canada.
Canada, Ontario, and the City of Toronto have put comprehensive plans in place for public health and safety. By closing all non-essential business to allow the public to stay at home, we have been able to significantly control the spread of the virus across the country. Learn more about the response to COVID-19 at the national, provincial, and municipal level:
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Travel Restrictions and Exemptions
- Ontario Ministry of Health
- Toronto Public Health
International students who cannot travel to Canada in the coming months can still get started with their studies at Centennial College. In our continued efforts to support prospective students, both locally and globally, Centennial has developed a series of world-class, virtual learning experiences launching this summer semester. To learn more about how international students can get a virtual jump start on their education with this suite of 23 programs, visit Online Programs - Start Fall 2021.
You are required to have a valid study permit throughout the duration of your program while you are in Canada, even if your courses are delivered online due to COVID-19. You must also ensure that you continue to comply with your study permit conditions.
You are considered to be on scheduled break in between two semesters. Therefore, you may work full-time hours as long as you meet all the requirements to work on or off campus.
On April 22, the Canadian government announced that effective immediately and until August 31, 2020, international students are permitted to work more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session if they work in an essential service or function such as health care, supply of food, etc.
To determine if your work falls under an essential service or function, please consult Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada's Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada during the COVID-19 Outbreak.
Since March 23, Centennial College faculty have been "teaching at a distance" with online courses and will continue to do so until further notice from our government and public health officials. Centennial staff are providing teleworking operations and virtual student services such as tutoring, success advising, counseling, accessibility services, admissions, and immigration advising, as well as loaner Chromebooks with no access to sufficient technology at home.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has stated, "Courses of study being delivered online on an exceptional basis due to COVID-19 will not affect Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program eligibility. Time spent in distance learning due to the current situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic will be counted towards PGWP." Check IRCC for updates and more information.
We know that challenges like these can be stressful for members of our community. The International Student Advising team is providing virtual services to students while the college is offering classes online. Current international students can contact sage@centennialcollege.ca for individual assistance. Students experiencing distress have the following 24/7 resources available to them:
Good2Talk Helpline: 1-866-925-5454
International Student Helpline: 1-844-451-9700
International Student Online Support
Under the March 14, 2020 Travel Health Advisory issued by the government of Canada, all travellers from outside Canada must be prepared to self-isolate for 14 days upon arriving here. However, starting online studies upon arrival or from your home country may be an alternate option to consider.
Centennial College is preparing online program offerings for both the Summer and Fall 2020 semesters and will be announcing available programs in the near future. This will allow students who are unable to travel in the coming months to start their studies through Centennial College or Suzhou Centennial College while in their home country. After the online semester, if they obtain a visa, students can transfer to Centennial College campuses in Toronto once the borders reopen, or continue studies online.
If the Canadian border remains closed, an alternate study abroad plan may involve distance education that allows you to start your academic progress and get a head start during the pandemic. Virtual student services such as success advising, tutoring, counselling, and immigration advising will also be available.
Students who prefer to wait to start their studies or whose programs are not available through online offerings may defer their start date to the next available intake for their program. International students who pay their first-semester tuition fees will automatically secure a seat in the next intake, but all accepted students are welcome to request a deferred offer letter for September 2020.
As difficult as it may be to think about the future right now, it is important that you hold onto your dreams and ambitions. Centennial College is still accepting applications and processing offer letters for May 2021 and September 2021 intakes. Apply online. We will be with you every step of the way!
Students who can meet Centennial’s English proficiency requirements are invited to apply for a direct offer as usual. Regular test score requirements will apply. Since English testing services have been suspended in some regions, Centennial College is offering an additional testing option.
To support students and reduce barriers to studying abroad during the pandemic, Centennial College’s English Assessment Test is now available as an admissions test for the May 2020 and September 2020 intakes. Students unable to meet regular English proficiency requirements can apply for a conditional offer, and we will provide instructions on how to book your online English Assessment test.
We want you to know that Centennial College is deeply committed to helping you achieve your learning and career goals. We will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves, to help provide clarity and guidance as you strive to keep planning your education during this challenging time.
Stay safe and help fight the spread of COVID-19.
Check the Centennial College COVID-19 Information Centre for updates.
The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in widespread English Proficiency test center closures in impacted regions. In response to this, Centennial College is offering new ways for students to meet the English proficiency requirements for their program.
Centennial College's English Assessment Test is accepted as an admissions test for the May 2020 and September 2020 intakes. Students unable to meet regular English proficiency requirements can apply for a conditional offer, and we will provide instructions on how to book your online English Assessment test.
At this time, Assessment testing is suspended. However, Centennial College will also accept the Duolingo English Test for summer and fall 2020 applicants. Certify your English proficiency today!
The Duolingo English Test is an English proficiency test that can be taken online, anytime. No traveling to a test center or appointment needed. The test is taken via a computer with a camera and costs $49 USD. It includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample, which are shared with Centennial College when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session.
Centennial College students who meet the English proficiency requirements using the Duolingual test will need to take Centennial’s English Skills Assessment (Accuplacer) for placement purposes. A skills assessment for placement purposes may be required by your program for math, science or English.
Fast Track, Graduate Certificate Programs: 125+
Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma Programs starting at COMM170: 115-124
Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma Programs starting at COMM160: 105-114
Note: Some programs may require a successful score in the College Language Skills Assessment in addition to a grade 12 English grade or equivalent for admission consideration.
Online and In-person Skills Assessment are currently suspended
Centennial College has been informed that our virtual proctoring partner has temporarily suspended its live remote proctoring services due to COVID-19 impacts. They are closely monitoring this situation and are investigating other solutions to allow the College to continue testing.
For students with a test voucher, we will provide updates as they become available. Students requesting a refund should send a message to assessmentcentre@centennialcollege.ca. Please include your full name, student ID number, and voucher. Learn more about Skills Assessments.
As difficult as it may be to think about the future right now, it is important that you hold onto your dreams and ambitions. Centennial College is still accepting applications and processing offer letters for May 2021 and September 2021 intakes. Apply online. We will be with you every step of the way!
Whether you are seeking immigration advice or information on working in Canada, an international student advisor can help. If your study permit is due to expire before you complete your program, you will need to apply for an extension to be able to continue studying in Canada.
International students can apply to extend their Study Permit online. If your study permit expires before April 6, 2020, email sage@centennialcollege.ca to connect with an international student advisor for guidance. To apply online for a study permit extension, you need to prepare required documents in an acceptable format (PDF, WORD or JPEG) and upload them from your MyCIC account. The Student Hub provides step-by-step guides to help you prepare your applications before getting them checked by an International Student Advisor.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has stated, "If your in-class courses are being moved to an online-only format because of COVID-19, your eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program won’t be affected. This includes students who have a study permit or who have been approved for a study permit for a program starting in May or June but who are unable to travel to Canada at this time due to travel restrictions. International students in this situation may begin their classes while outside Canada and may complete up to 50% of their program while outside Canada if they cannot travel to Canada sooner."
We have received numerous questions regarding guard.me policies and coverage for illnesses related to COVID-19. You can find helpful COVID-19 resources from guard.me such as a Quick Reference Guide, Travelling to Canada FAQ, and useful links on the following webpage: www.guard.me/centennial
All registered international students at Centennial College are covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan offered through guard.me. The health insurance policy provides coverage for emergency medical services that is valid all over the world, except your country of origin.
If a student is diagnosed with an illness when they are in Canada, including COVID-19, they are eligible for medically necessary treatment as per the normal terms and conditions of their policy.
Learn more about guard.me health insurance for international students at Centennial.
On March 20, 2020, the Canadian Government announced that international students who held a valid study permit, or had been approved for a study permit, when the travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020 will be exempted from the current travel restrictions.
However, since individual circumstances vary and things are changing rapidly, we advise that you connect with your International Student Advisor to discuss potential implications of leaving Canada. It may not be possible to get a return flight due to travel restrictions, and all travellers must self-isolate for 14 days once they return from travel outside the country. Keep in mind, your international student health insurance is valid everywhere in the world, except your country of origin.
Travelers who become ill may not have access to timely and appropriate health care or may face movement restrictions if local authorities impose control measures suddenly.
All registered international students at Centennial College are covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan offered through guard.me. If a student is diagnosed with an illness when they are in Canada, including COVID-19, they are eligible for medically necessary treatment as per the normal terms and conditions of their policy. Read more about your guard.me insurance.
Based on well-researched pandemic models, now is the time to contribute to socially responsible health practices of social distancing. The Government of Canada advises that you avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada. Click here for more travel advice.
Still thinking about travelling? If you do need to go abroad, be sure to first visit the Government of Canada's Travel Advice and Advisories webpage.
You need to extend your study permit and co-op work permit prior to their expiry, if your placement will go beyond the validity of your current permits. If you have questions about how to extend your permits, you can book a phone advising session with one of our International Student Advisors (ISAs) or send your questions to sage@centennialcollege.ca and an ISA will follow up with you.
To be eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), you must reside in Canada and have a valid Social Insurance Number. Workers who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents – including temporary foreign workers and international students – may be eligible to receive the Benefit if they meet the other eligibility requirements.
If you have lost income because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. The CERB may provide you with $500 a week for up to 16 weeks. Learn more about the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.