Studying in Canada as a Minor: 2025 Guide for Parents

Navigate Canadian school enrollment for your minor child with confidence

On This Page You Will Find:

• Instant eligibility check - discover if your child needs a study permit or can attend school for free
• Step-by-step application process - avoid the costly mistakes that delay 40% of minor applications
• Money-saving strategies - learn which children qualify for free tuition (potentially saving $15,000+ annually)
• Age requirements by province - critical details that vary across Canada's 13 provinces and territories
• Custodian requirements - essential legal protections for unaccompanied minors

Summary:

Every year, over 25,000 minor children arrive in Canada with their families, but many parents discover too late that their child's education isn't automatically guaranteed. Whether your 8-year-old needs the same study permit as a university student, or your teenager can attend high school for free, depends on your family's specific immigration status and province of residence. This comprehensive guide reveals the exact requirements, hidden costs, and application strategies that determine your child's educational future in Canada. From understanding why the age of majority varies between 18 and 19 across provinces, to navigating the complex study permit process that trips up thousands of families annually, you'll discover everything needed to secure your child's Canadian education.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Children of work permit or study permit holders can attend Canadian schools without their own study permit
• Age of majority varies by province: 18 in six provinces, 19 in seven provinces and territories
• Study permit applications for minors should typically be submitted from outside Canada to avoid refusal
• Children exempt from study permits are usually exempt from tuition fees (saving $12,000-$20,000 annually)
• Unaccompanied minors must have a Canadian citizen or permanent resident serve as their custodian

Maria Rodriguez stared at the enrollment forms spread across her kitchen table in Hamilton, Ontario. Her 10-year-old daughter Sofia had been excited about starting Grade 5 at the local elementary school, but now Maria wondered if she'd made a terrible mistake. Her husband held a work permit, she was studying at McMaster University on a student visa, but nobody had explained whether Sofia actually had the legal right to attend Canadian schools.

If you're facing a similar situation, you're not alone. Thousands of families arrive in Canada each year assuming their children can simply walk into the nearest school and start learning. The reality? It depends entirely on your family's immigration status, your child's age, and even which province you've chosen to call home.

Understanding Minor Children in Canada's Education System

The first thing you need to understand is that Canada doesn't have a universal definition of "minor child." Instead, the age of majority varies significantly across the country, creating confusion for newcomer families.

Here's how it breaks down:

Age 18 (Six Provinces):

• Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island

Age 19 (Seven Provinces and Territories):

• British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador

While this might seem like a minor detail, it affects everything from legal guardianship requirements to certain educational benefits. Immigration experts typically recommend treating 18 as the cutoff across all provinces to avoid complications.

Who Can Study Without a Study Permit?

Here's where many families get their first pleasant surprise. A significant number of minor children can attend Canadian schools completely free, without needing their own study permit. You'll save months of paperwork and potentially thousands of dollars in tuition fees if your child falls into these categories:

Automatic School Access (No Study Permit Required):

Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents: Obviously, these children have full access to Canada's public education system.

Children of Canadian Citizens/Permanent Residents: Even if your child was born outside Canada, having at least one Canadian parent typically grants school access.

Refugee Claimants and Protected Persons: Canada prioritizes education for refugee children, whether they're accompanied by parents or not.

Children of Work Permit or Study Permit Holders: This is the big one that affects most newcomer families. If you're in Canada on a valid work permit or study permit, your minor children can attend school without their own study permit.

Short-Term Students: Children taking courses shorter than six months that will finish before their authorized stay expires.

The catch? If your child isn't a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, they'll need a visitor record once their initial authorized stay ends to maintain legal status. This is a detail that catches many families off-guard when their initial visitor status expires after six months.

When Your Child DOES Need a Study Permit

Not every child gets the free pass. Minor children whose parents are in Canada without work or study authorization must obtain their own study permit. This includes children of:

• Visitors who've overstayed their authorized period
• Parents whose work or study permits have expired
• Individuals in Canada without legal status

The application process for minor study permits follows the same rigorous standards as adult applications, including proof of financial support, medical exams (if required), and demonstration of ties to their home country.

The Study Permit Application Process for Minors

If your child needs a study permit, here's what most immigration consultants won't tell you upfront: apply from outside Canada whenever possible.

While Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations technically allow minor children to apply for study permits from within Canada, immigration officers frequently refuse these applications and direct families to reapply from their home country. This creates a frustrating cycle of delays and additional expenses.

Required Documents Typically Include:

• Letter of acceptance from a Canadian school (though not always required if applying concurrent with parent's permit)
• Proof of financial support ($10,000-$15,000 annually depending on location)
• Medical examination results (if from certain countries)
• Police certificates (for children 18+ in some provinces)
• Custodianship declaration (if parents won't accompany the child)

Processing Times: Currently averaging 4-8 weeks for most countries, though this can extend to 12+ weeks during peak application periods (typically January-March and June-August).

School Admission Requirements

Here's a relief for many parents: minor children applying for study permits concurrent with their parent's application often don't need a letter of acceptance from a specific school. Immigration officers understand that families need flexibility in choosing schools once they arrive and settle in their new community.

However, if you're applying for a standalone study permit for your child, you'll typically need that school acceptance letter. All primary, secondary, and pre-schools in Canada are automatically designated learning institutions, so you won't need to verify this status like you would for colleges or universities.

Pro tip: Even when not required, having a school acceptance letter strengthens your application and demonstrates genuine intent to study.

The Money Question: Tuition Fees

This is where the exemptions really matter financially. Children who don't need study permits are typically exempt from tuition fees, translating to savings of $12,000-$20,000 annually depending on your province and school district.

Free Tuition Typically Applies To:

• Children of work permit holders
• Children of study permit holders
• Refugee claimants and protected persons
• Short-term students (under six months)

Must Pay Tuition:

• Children with their own study permits
• Children whose parents lack legal status in Canada

Always double-check with your local school board, as policies can vary. Some districts have additional fees for materials, activities, or specialized programs even when tuition is waived.

Unfortunately, scholarships and bursaries are rarely available for minor children, unlike post-secondary students who have numerous funding options.

Custodian Requirements: When Parents Can't Stay

If you're considering sending your minor child to Canada without accompanying them, the custodian requirement becomes critical. This isn't optional – it's a legal requirement that protects your child and satisfies immigration authorities.

Custodian Must Be:

• Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• 18+ years old (19+ in provinces where that's the age of majority)
• Willing to accept legal responsibility for the child's welfare
• Available for emergencies and decision-making

Most families arrange homestay accommodations, where children live with Canadian families who often serve as custodians. Costs typically range from $800-$1,500 monthly depending on location and services included.

The custodianship declaration requires notarization both in Canada (by the custodian) and in your home country (by the parents), adding time and expense to the process.

Extending Your Child's Study Permit

Study permits for minors don't automatically renew, and the extension process requires careful timing. Apply for renewal at least 90 days before expiry to avoid gaps in authorization.

Important Transition Point: When your child finishes secondary school and wants to pursue post-secondary education, they need a completely new study permit regardless of their current permit's validity. The requirements change significantly, including higher financial support thresholds and more stringent academic requirements.

Provincial Variations That Matter

While immigration law is federal, education is provincial jurisdiction. This creates important variations:

Quebec: Has additional requirements including a Certificate of Acceptance from Quebec (CAQ) for study permits.

Ontario: Offers the most diverse range of schools and programs but also has the highest living costs.

British Columbia: Popular for its mild climate and strong education system, particularly in Vancouver and Victoria.

Alberta: No provincial sales tax makes it economically attractive for families.

Each province also has different policies regarding international student fees, transportation, and additional services.

Common Mistakes That Delay Applications

Applying from within Canada unnecessarily: Unless you're certain it's appropriate for your situation, apply from outside Canada.

Assuming visitor status lasts indefinitely: Most visitors get six months initially. Plan for extensions or status changes.

Forgetting about expiry dates: Both study permits and visitor records have expiry dates that require attention.

Misunderstanding tuition exemptions: Don't assume – verify with your specific school district.

Inadequate custodian arrangements: Rushed custodian arrangements often fail immigration scrutiny.

Planning Your Child's Educational Journey

Start planning at least 6-12 months before your intended arrival in Canada. This timeline allows for:

• Researching school districts and specific schools
• Understanding local housing markets near good schools
• Completing any required applications or assessments
• Arranging temporary accommodations while you settle
• Building relationships with potential custodians if needed

Remember that school years in Canada typically run from September to June, with registration often occurring in the spring for the following fall. Missing these windows can mean waiting months for the next enrollment period.

Your Child's Path Forward

Every child's situation is unique, but understanding these fundamental requirements puts you ahead of thousands of families who arrive unprepared. Whether your 6-year-old will walk into a Canadian classroom next month or your teenager needs a formal study permit, the key is matching your family's immigration status with the right educational pathway.

The investment in your child's Canadian education – whether measured in paperwork, time, or money – opens doors to one of the world's most respected education systems. From bilingual programs in New Brunswick to technology-focused curricula in British Columbia, Canadian schools prepare students for global opportunities while fostering the values of diversity and inclusion that make Canada unique.

Don't let bureaucratic complexity delay your child's educational dreams. With proper planning and accurate information, you can navigate these requirements successfully and give your child the Canadian education they deserve.