How does IRCC know if classes were done online?

[Chirpy3050]

For PGWP eligibility, more than 50% of the classes have to be in-person and also in Canada. I only have one research class this term as it's my final semester, and the professors have the option to do it online. If I travel to my home country for 2 months and come back at the ending of the term, would it be an issue? How does IRCC determine whether a class was done online or not?

 

[Naturgrl]

For PGWP eligibility, more than 50% of the classes have to be in-person and also in Canada. I only have a few classes this term as it's my final semester, and the professors have the option to do it online. If I travel to my home country for 2 months and come back at the ending of the term, would it be an issue? How does IRCC determine whether a class was done online or not?

Well a) they know you have left the country so not studying in Canada and b) your transcript and completion letter may say that it was online studies for xx courses.

 

[Chirpy3050]

Well a) they know you have left the country so not studying in Canada and b) your transcript and completion letter may say that it was online studies for xx courses.

Well, in my case, since it's the professors themselves who've allowed this, even the university would not know... it's an in-person class that just happens to be done online with permission.

For the point a, do they really check entry and exit dates when applying for a PGWP?

 

[canuck78]

Well, in my case, since it's the professors themselves who've allowed this, even the university would not know... it's an in-person class that just happens to be done online with permission.

For the point a, do they really check entry and exit dates when applying for a PGWP?

Is it worth potentially losing your future in Canada? IRCC and schools are now actively monitoring who is showing up for classes which they were previously not. A professor has zero idea of the immigration implications of you studying online and had they been aware they would have likely refused the request. IRCC is now actively looking for ways to deny people temporary status and even PR so people need to make sure they follow the rules.

 

[Chirpy3050]

Is it worth potentially losing your future in Canada? IRCC and schools are now actively monitoring who is showing up for classes which they were previously not. A professor has zero idea of the immigration implications of you studying online and had they been aware they would have likely refused the request. IRCC is now actively looking for ways to deny people temporary status and even PR so people need to make sure they follow the rules.

How exactly are IRCC and schools monitoring this? There is no record of attendance in my grad classes, the university only sees the enrolment and grades from their end... Logistically, I think @Naturgrl 's point about knowing entry and exit dates is the only way....

 

[canuck78]

How exactly are IRCC and schools monitoring this? There is no record of attendance in my grad classes, the university only sees the enrolment and grades from their end... Logistically, I think @Naturgrl 's point about knowing entry and exit dates is the only way....

They can ask the professor about their international students and whether they are attending in person. IRCC wants to know whether international students are both studying and attending in person. As already pointed out your exit and entries alone would make it clear you were not attending in person.

 

[YVR123]

Well, in my case, since it's the professors themselves who've allowed this, even the university would not know... it's an in-person class that just happens to be done online with permission.

For the point a, do they really check entry and exit dates when applying for a PGWP?

So the professor would allow this with permission. So the professor knows that you requested to attend online (to provide his/her permission)
And if the professor doesn't take attendance (which he/she should), he/she can assumed that you did make use of the special request.
How many students are in your class? Unless it's over a hundred, the professor does know who is who...

 

[Chirpy3050]

So the professor would allow this with permission. So the professor knows that you requested to attend online (to provide his/her permission)
And if the professor doesn't take attendance (which he/she should), he/she can assumed that you did make use of the special request.
How many students are in your class? Unless it's over a hundred, the professor does know who is who...

Maybe I should have been more descriptive, the only course I'm enrolled in is a research course, where I work directly with a professor. I meet him online anyways once per week, and he's completely fine with me travelling cause it makes no difference since all the work related to research is done on the computer.

 

[forevermore76]

Canada does not record exit dates. That said, CBSA will pull you to secondary on return if your study permit is expiring soon and you are flying back at end or mid of a semester. This questioning can lead to potential denying of entry.

Schools only report student compliance once a year (which is a joke), so you should be fine there.

 

[YVR123]

Maybe I should have been more descriptive, the only course I'm enrolled in is a research course, where I work directly with a professor. I meet him online anyways once per week, and he's completely fine with me travelling cause it makes no difference since all the work related to research is done on the computer.

This is important details that you didn't tell us. So that's not really a class based course.

 

[Chirpy3050]

Canada does not record exit dates. That said, CBSA will pull you to secondary on return if your study permit is expiring soon and you are flying back at end or mid of a semester. This questioning can lead to potential denying of entry.

Schools only report student compliance once a year (which is a joke), so you should be fine there.

Did some googling around, and it appears that while the not recording exit dates was true in the past, I'm reading some forum posts that they're actually collected by the CBSA electronically through the airlines now?

This is important details that you didn't tell us. So that's not really a class based course.

Yes, it's more like writing a research project report and submitting it at the end of the term, which I'm mostly finished with anyway.

 

[scylla]

Did some googling around, and it appears that while the not recording exit dates was true in the past, I'm reading some forum posts that they're actually collected by the CBSA electronically through the airlines now?


Yes, it's more like writing a research project report and submitting it at the end of the term, which I'm mostly finished with anyway.

Yes, they have data from airlines and other sources. Canada doesn't have exit controls but this doesn't mean they don't know when you left. Best to assume they do.

 

[forevermore76]

Did some googling around, and it appears that while the not recording exit dates was true in the past, I'm reading some forum posts that they're actually collected by the CBSA electronically through the airlines now?


Yes, it's more like writing a research project report and submitting it at the end of the term, which I'm mostly finished with anyway.

CBSA receives your flight itinerary not IRCC. The information is available for both agencies if they want to find out. Canada doesn't care about exit dates and we don't have exit control. This hasn't changed in years and CBP does the same. It becomes relevant in your case when you try to re-enter. So, if your study permit is expiring soon, you can expect questioning possibly leading to denied entry.

 

[scylla]

CBSA receives your flight itinerary not IRCC. The information is available for both agencies if they want to find out. Canada doesn't care about exit dates and we don't have exit control. This hasn't changed in years and CBP does the same. It becomes relevant in your case when you try to re-enter. So, if your study permit is expiring soon, you can expect questioning possibly leading to denied entry.

Agreed with this.

 

[Chirpy3050]

CBSA receives your flight itinerary not IRCC. The information is available for both agencies if they want to find out. Canada doesn't care about exit dates and we don't have exit control. This hasn't changed in years and CBP does the same. It becomes relevant in your case when you try to re-enter. So, if your study permit is expiring soon, you can expect questioning possibly leading to denied entry.

My study permit expires in August, would it safe for me to return around April in this case?