Study Permit for Minor Children

Study Permit for Minor Children

Minor children already in Canada are authorized to study without a study permit at the pre-school, primary or secondary level if

• they are either accompanying parents claiming refugee status or are claimants themselves;
• one of their parents (biological or adoptive) is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
• one of their parents (biological or adoptive) is authorized to work or study in Canada; this includes temporary residents who are
• work permit holders,
• study permit holders,
• visitor status holders (e.g., visitor record holders) who are either authorized to work without a permit, as per section 186 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations(IRPR), or authorized to study without a permit, as per section R188; or

• neither parent is physically in Canada.

Minor children intending to study are required to apply for a study permit before entering Canada.

It should be noted that minor children of a temporary resident (visitor) who is not authorized to work or study require a study permit to study in Canada.

Who is a Minor Child?

In Canada, each province and territory decides the age when a person is considered to be an adult. This is known as the age of majority. A person under the age of majority is considered to be a “minor child.”

What Documents to Bring to Study in Canada?

The documents a minor child needs to enter Canada depend on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone.

If a minor child is travelling alone

The child should present:

• his own passport
• a parent’s passport, even if the child’s details are included in it, cannot be used
• a copy of his birth certificate, and
• a letter of authorization, in English or French if possible, and signed by both parents or by their legal guardian which lists:
• the parents’ (or legal guardian’s) address and telephone number, and
• the name, address and telephone number of the adult who will look after the child in Canada.

If a minor child is travelling with one parent only

The parent should present:

• the child’s passport
• a copy of the child’s birth certificate, and
• a letter of authorization, in English or French if possible, which is signed by the parent who is not travelling with them and lists:
• the address and telephone number of the parent who is not travelling, and
• A photocopy of that parent’s signed passport or national identity card.

If the parents are separated or divorced, and share custody of the child:

• The parent travelling with the child should carry copies of the legal custody documents.
• It is also best to have a letter of authorization from the other parent who has custody to take the child on a trip out of the country.

If the parents are separated or divorced and one of them has sole custody of the child:

• The letter of authorization may be signed by that parent only and they should bring a copy of the custody decree.

If one of the child’s parents is deceased:

• The travelling parent should bring a copy of the death certificate.

If a minor child is travelling with a legal guardian or adoptive parents

The child should have a copy of the guardianship papers or the adoption papers (whichever one applies).

If a minor child is travelling with a person other than their parents or legal guardian

The adult who is not the parent or legal guardian of the child should have written permission from the parents or guardians to supervise the child. The permission letter should include addresses and telephone numbers where the parents or legal guardian can be reached.

The letter does not need to be certified. A photocopy of the parents’ or legal guardians signed passports or national identity cards should be attached to the letter.

Note: The border services officer may not ask to see these documents when the child enters Canada. However, it is strongly recommended you bring them, in case that you are. The minor child will not be admitted to Canada if the officer is not convinced that the parents or legal guardian have authorized his stay.

In addition to that, a minor will need additional documents if he is less than 17 years of age and comes to Canada to study without a parent or legal guardian. The minor must be cared for by a responsible adult in Canada. This person is known as a custodian. In some cases, a custodian may also be needed for minor children between 17 years of age and the age of majority in the province or territory of the educational institution where they intend to study. This will be at the discretion of an immigration officer.

A minor will need two notarized documents to study in Canada. A notarized document is a document that has been certified by a notary.

• The first notarized document must be signed by the parents or legal guardians of the minor child in the child’s country of origin.
• The second notarized document must be signed by the custodian in Canada.

Custodianship requires that legal arrangements be made to give the custodian in Canada permission to act in place of a parent. Complete the Custodian Declaration Form (PDF, 1.02 MB)

An immigration officer must be satisfied that adequate arrangements have been made for the care and support of minor children who travel to Canada to study.

Length of Time a Study Permit is Valid

For minor children in grades 1 through 8: the study permit is normally valid for one year.

For minor children in grades 9 through 12, or attending a post-secondary institution: the study permit is normally valid for the length of time of studies, plus 90 days.

For minor children attending a post-secondary institution: the study permit is normally valid for the length of time of studies, plus 90 days

For minor children studying in Quebec: the study permit is valid for the same length of time as their CAQ.

Note: In Quebec, minors travelling alone need a Certificatd’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) to study.

If a minor child is with parents who have long-term study or work permits, the child’s study permit should be valid for the same length of time as:

• the parents’ permits;
• the child’s passport if it expires before the parents’ permits; or
• the CAQ, if studying in Quebec.

Exceptions: Studying Without a Study Permit

In some cases, minor children do not need a study permit to study in Canada. These cases include:

• minor children attending kindergarten;
• minor children who are refugees or refugee claimants, or whose parents are refugees or refugee claimants; and
• minor children who are already in Canada with parents who are allowed to work or study in Canada, and who want to attend pre-school, primary or secondary school.

When minor children studying in Canada without a permit reach the age of majority (turn 18 or 19 depending on the province or territory), they must apply for a permit if they want to continue studying.