Why Choose the Automotive Training Centre?

As COVID-19 continues, Automotive Training Centre (ATC) is committed to guide and support International students in starting their program of study. Once International students receive their approval to come to Canada, there are a few things to prepare before their travels.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Government of Canada has implemented travel restrictions that limit the ability of foreign nationals to enter Canada and has mandated that travelers entering the country for quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

As of February 21, 2021 the Government of Canada has put in place an Emergency Order on Quarantine, Isolation, and Other obligations under the Quarantine Act. It applies to all travelers arriving in Canada. Federal quarantine applies for travelers entering Canada. Once you arrive in Canada you will be required to: Reserve a Government-authorized hotel for 3 nights prior to departure to Canada and stay in the authorized hotel while awaiting the results of the COVID-19 test taken on arrival. You will be responsible for the cost of the hotel stay as well as all associated costs including food and transportation. Once you have completed the 3 nights in the hotel you will be required to quarantine for an additional 14 days. You must be able to produce a quarantine plan prior to your arrival in Canada.

• Create a successful plan to travel to Canada
• Quarantine for 14 days upon arrival
• Follow the ATC Covid-19 Safety Plan when attending the campus.

• Submit to ATC Travel and Self-Isolation Plan
• Acknowledge reviewing the government regulations on Self-Quarantine on return to BC
• Agree to follow the ATC Covid-19 Safety Plan while attending the program of study

Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) with COVID-19 readiness plan approved by their province or territory are able to reopen to international students who are currently outside of Canada

If you plan to come to Canada as an international student after October 20, 2020:

• Your DLI must be on the list of DLIs with approved COVID-19 readiness plans before you travel to Canada.
• You must have a valid study permit or have been approved for a study permit.

This applies to all international students, whether you’re travelling from the United States or from any other country. This change doesn’t affect study permit holders already in Canada.

If you’re already in Canada, you can continue studying at any DLI. If you leave Canada, you may not be able to return if your DLI doesn’t have a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by the province or territory in which you live.

Find out more information at the Government of Canada’s Update on travel restriction exemptions for international students.

You may contact the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) directly for more information. A border services officer will make a final decision on your eligibility to enter Canada when you arrive.

Please review the following information for guidance as you create your quarantine plan.

• Quarantine Accommodation

  To better understand what kind of accommodation may be acceptable for your required 14-day quarantine read through IRCC-For travelers without symptoms of COVID-19 returning to Canada.

  You may be able to complete your quarantine at a private residence or a hotel as long as the accommodation has space for you to be completely separated at all times an allows you to meet all government quarantine requirements.

• Transportation from the airport

  You must travel directly to your quarantine accommodation from the airport by personal car, taxi, limousine, or rideshare service. A mask or other face covering should be work during this entire trip.

  Taxis are available  at the taxi stand located outside the International Arrivals area at Vancouver International Airport. Ridesharing services or premium limousine services are also available.

  If you plan to stay at a hotel that operates a complimentary airport courtesy shuttle, you may be able to use that service (check with the hotel in advance). Do NOT use public transportation from the airport to your quarantine accommodation.

• Food and other necessities

  Since you are not allowed to go out to shop during quarantine, you must have a plan for making sure you can access food and any other items that you may need. If you have family or friends in the area that are willing to support you, then you may be able to depend on them to deliver these items to you.

  If you are planning to quarantine at a hotel, check if the offer meals by room service.

  If you are ordering meal or groceries from delivery services it is important to have access to a credit card that you can use in Canada. Many businesses are not accepting cash at all due to the COVID-19 risk.

  Companies that deliver groceries or prepared meal include: Instacart, UberEats, Skip the Dishes and DoorDash.

• A valid passport or travel document
• A valid Visitor Visa (not required for US citizens)
• The Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction the visa office sent you when they approved your study permit (if this letter is dated after March 18, 2020, your are NOT exempt from Canada’s travel restrictions, unless you are traveling directly from the United States)
• A copy of a valid letter of acceptance from Automotive Training Centre
• Proof of Financial Support for yourself and any other family members who may come with you to Canada.
• Your medical insurance information
• Letters of reference or any other documents the visa office told you to bring
• Proof that you are traveling for an essential (non-discretionary) reason

In addition to the federal ArriveCAN application, travelers arriving in BC are encouraged to complete a self-quarantine plan. Completing the plan will help you prepare to self-quarantine successfully. It’s important to consider:

• The location of your 14-day self-quarantine
• How you will travel to your quarantine location
• Arranging the necessary supports:
  • Food
  • Medications
  • Child Care
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Pet Care
  • Social of family support

Here is the link to the plan:  https://travelscreening.gov.bc.ca/

When you arrive at a Canadian port of entry, you will meet a Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer who will verify your documents and ask you questions about the purpose of your visit to Canada. See “When you travel to Canada” for more details.

If you are issued a study permit by the CBSA officer, quickly double-check that your personal information and validity are correct and that there are remarks about working eligibility if that is important to you.

It is much simpler to correct any errors on your study permit while you are still with the CBSA officer. Otherwise, you may have to submit a request to amend your Study Permit later, which may take several months to process.

Carefully review IRCC – How to quarantine (self-isolate) at home when you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and have no symptoms to understand how to successfully complete your quarantine.

It is important to understand that failure to comply with the federal Quarantine Act could result in serious punishments including a maximum fine of $1,000,000.00 and up to 3 years in prison.

A staff member from Automotive Training Centre will be your point of contact and will check in on you and provide support throughout your 14-day quarantine.

You can expect to receive an email from them by the time you arrive in Canada.

Please make sure to read this important message and to reply as soon as possible to let them know that you have arrived safely.

You should be in touch with your point of contact at the school immediately if during your quarantine you have any:

• Difficulty accessing food or other necessary items
• Possible symptoms of COVID-19
• Questions about the ATC, resources for students, or the local area.

If it is determined that you do not remain in quarantine for 14 days, ATC will contact the provincial health authority and you will be subject to the penalties for not complying with the Quarantine Act.

Travelling to begin a study program, especially during this challenging time, can make you more anxious and/or vulnerable than usual.

Here2Talk: This is a free and confidential 24/7 mental health support service available for BC post-secondary students.

Canadian Mental Health Association and Crisis Centre of BC: This association provides information on mental health resources as well as information on stigma and prejudice.

Please remember your Admissions Advisor and Student Services at Automotive Training Centre is also available for connection, to welcome you into the community, to share the ATC culture and provide resources during your Self-quarantine period.

After you successfully complete your 14 day quarantine we encourage you to continue to take all precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when around other people.

International students will need to apply for British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) once they arrive in BC, but will also need to have temporary basic private medical coverage during their MSP waiting period.

It is very important that international students understand:

• That BC MSP coverage is required by law for residents of BC who stay for over six months, including international students
• That new arrivals to BC must apply for BC MSP as soon as they arrive in BC with a resident status
• When private basic medical insurance coverage would be necessary, such as during your MSP waiting period
• What the difference is between basic and extended medical insurance coverage

It is essential that all international students review and agree to follow the ATC Covid-19 Safety Plan. Automotive Training Centre follows all Covid-19 requirements issued by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and the Provincial Health Authority.

In the event of a robust outbreak of Covid-19, the Centre will follow all directives as issued here: Updated: Public Health management of cases and contact associated with COVID-19 – Canada.ca

We look forward to welcoming you to Automotive Training Centre.