Canadian Schooling for Minor Students: Parent and Guardian Guide 2026

Canadian Schooling for Minor Students: Parent and Guardian Guide 2026

Quick answer for students and parents

For a minor applying from outside Canada to study for more than six months, a study permit is generally required. This includes a minor coming with parents whose work or study permits were approved before arrival. Some minors already in Canada can study without a permit in specific situations, so the family’s exact circumstances matter.

What to check before you decide

Before making plans, confirm the school acceptance, the child’s passport, each parent’s Canadian status, and any custody, consent or custodianship documents that may apply.

Last verified: September 2, 2026. This article is written for Canadian education planning and uses current IRCC information where immigration rules affect international students.

Start with the school and family plan

For a minor student, the first questions are educational: province, school board or private school, grade level, language support, start date and who will supervise the student in Canada. Admission requirements vary by school and province.

Radsam never guarantees a 10/10 approval rate, a visa result or a study permit outcome.

Study permit and custodianship

For a minor applying from outside Canada to study for more than six months, a study permit is generally required. A child 17 or younger studying without an accompanying parent or legal guardian must be in the care of a responsible adult custodian in Canada. From age 17 to the provincial or territorial age of majority, which is 18 or 19 depending on the jurisdiction, an immigration officer may require a custodian.

Financial support

For study permit applications filed on or after September 1, 2026, the IRCC living-expense amount outside Quebec is CAD $23,448 for one person and CAD $29,192 for two people, excluding tuition and transportation. The correct family-size amount and the actual source of funds must be documented for the specific application.

A GIC is not a universal guarantee of approval. Financial evidence must be genuine and must fit the family’s actual circumstances.

Services for minors

Radsam provides services for clients under 18 only to a parent or legal guardian, or under their supervision. The education service may include school research, admission support and study-plan coaching as agreed in writing.

Review IRCC’s current minor children studying in Canada guidance.

You can also explore our Canadian education coaching services.

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Explore our Canadian education coaching services.

Radsam scope and responsibility notice

Radsam Education Agency is a Canadian international education consulting agency. Radsam is not a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a law firm, does not provide legal advice, and does not represent clients before IRCC. Paid services are limited to education, admission and coaching work stated in the signed service agreement, such as program research, admission support, study-plan coaching, document organization and client review where included. Visa, study permit, PGWP, admission, employment and immigration decisions are made by the relevant institution, IRCC or other competent Canadian authorities. No outcome is guaranteed. Website information is general and rules can change. For complex immigration or legal matters, consult an authorized Canadian immigration lawyer or licensed immigration consultant. For clients under 18, services are provided to a parent or legal guardian, or under their supervision. Website content does not create an immigration-representative relationship; responsibility for paid services is governed by the signed agreement and applicable law.

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Frequently asked questions

How should students evaluate Quick answer before committing?

For a minor applying from outside Canada to study for more than six months, a study permit is generally required.

How can check before shape better student decisions?

Before making plans, confirm the school acceptance, the child’s passport, each parent’s Canadian status, and any custody, consent or custodianship documents that may apply.

How should students evaluate Start school before committing?

Review Start school against your goals, budget, timing, and eligibility, then verify any changing requirement directly with the relevant official source.

How should school family influence realistic education planning?

Use school family as one decision factor, alongside academic fit, cost, timing, and official requirements that apply to your circumstances.

What permit custodianship mistakes should students avoid today?

Check permit custodianship carefully against the article’s evidence, and confirm time-sensitive details with the institution or government source responsible for them.

What evidence helps students assess custodianship permit properly?

Treat custodianship permit as a practical planning issue, not an assumption, and verify current rules, costs, or eligibility before relying on it.

What Financial support information should students confirm directly?

The correct family-size amount and the actual source of funds must be documented for the specific application.

If you want a practical review of Canadian school options, admission fit and the next education steps for your family, Click Here to complete Radsam’s assessment form.