“Can a minor child apply for a school visa in Canada with their parents?
Canada is home to some of the most renowned educational institutions in the world. It has many world-renowned colleges and universities that prepare young adults to join the Canadian workforce. However, the country also has many excellent quality nursery and primary schools for minors.
If you want your minor child to study at one of these Canadian schools, you may be wondering if there is a special visa that will allow you to come to Canada and stay with your child while they study.
What is a school visa for Canada?
“School visa“is not an official term, various consultants and local immigration officials use it to promote study permits for minors. It is also known as K-1 visa in some places, but constitutes a study permit for minor students.
The truth is that there is no special school visa to Canada with parents included in the application. However, you may be able to put a combination of arrangements in place that allows you to be present in Canada while your child studies there. This guide will look at the different arrangements needed to make this possible.
Before discussing the different education arrangements for non-Canadian minors, it is important to understand what exactly the term “minor” refers to. A minor is simply someone who is not legally considered an adult because of their age. This age limit varies from province to province.
Provinces that consider people under the age of 18 to be minors include:
- Alberta
- Manitoba
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
Provinces that consider people under the age of 19 to be minors include:
- British Columbia
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- New Scotland
- Nunavut
- Yukon
Your minor child can study in a Canadian school if they meet specific requirements. The main requirement is that they hold a study permit. However, this requirement may not be present in particular circumstances.
A minor child will need a study permit if the parents benefit from a temporary visitor visa to Canada. One parent can accompany their minor child to Canada to care for the child.
It is essential to understand that the parent obtain a work permit but will hold visitor status in Canada. The duration of the parent’s visitor visa will be the same as that of the minor child’s study permit/schooling visa.
A parent accompanying a minor child may request a visitor separately or with the child when applying for a school visa.
Before discussing the different education arrangements for non-Canadian minors, it is important to understand what exactly the term “minor” refers to. A minor is simply someone who is not legally considered an adult because of their age. This age limit varies from province to province.
Your minor child will not need a study permit if:
- They are Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- One or both parents are Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- One of the parents holds a Canadian work permit or a Canadian study permit
- Neither parent is physically present in Canada
- They will follow a training program lasting less than six months.
Acceptance letter: Minors applying for a study permit must present the acceptance letter from the school where they will study. This requirement is not necessary if one or both parents have a work permit or study permit.
Minors who are not accompanied by their parents during their studies in Canada must be placed in the custody of a Canadian Depositary. This may be a family friend or relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada and who has agreed to care for the minor while they complete their studies in the country.
To designate a guardian for your minor child, you must send the Custody declaration form with the minor child’s study permit/education visa application. This will be a 2-page form in which:
- The 1st page must be signed by the depositary and notarized (certified by a lawyer or notary) in Canada
- The 2nd page must be signed by the parents or legal guardians of the minor child and notarized in their country of origin.
The visa officer must be satisfied that sufficient arrangements are in place for the care and support of minor children who are unable to support themselves.
You must provide the following documents for a minor study permit application.
- The child’s passport. A parent’s passport will not be accepted for application, even if it contains the child’s details
- A copy of the child’s birth certificate
- A letter of authorization that lists:
- Parents’ legal address and telephone number
- The name, telephone number and address of the person who will care for the child in Canada
- A notarized document signed by the child’s parents or guardians in their country of origin
- A notarized document signed by the child’s guardian in Canada, if applicable
- Acceptance letter from school, if applicable
- Proof of financial support from parents or guardian
A school visa or study permit for minors is recommended for those who have enough money to finance their child’s education expenses in Canada. These expenses can be three to four times higher than regular study permit applicants, depending on the number of years a minor will study in Canada.
You must demonstrate sufficient funds to support the parent and child in Canada. A school visa is not an ideal option for those with low funds. Please consult an experienced immigration professional and evaluate your family’s profile before making a decision.
Related topic: The Ultimate Guide to GIC for Canadian Student Visa
The process for applying for a Canada study permit or schooling visa for minors is the same as the standard study permit application process, except for the additional documents described above. The steps are summarized as follows:
- Gather the required documents
- Download the study permit application form from the Immigration and Citizenship website.
- Pay the required fees.
- Carry out the medical examination with a doctor recognized in the minor child’s country of origin.
- Receive the application decision.
The validity of the study permit for minors will vary depending on their level of education.
- Minor children studying from 1st to 8th grade: 1 year
- Minor children studying in grades 9 through 12, or at a college or university: valid for the duration of their studies plus ninety days
If you are planning to apply for a Canada education visa with or without parents, you can contact our experts here. Our specialized team of regulated Canadian immigration consultants are familiar with Canadian school visa requirements. They have assisted many applicants with these applications, including those applying for a Canada education visa with Indian parents.