“Can a minor child apply for a schooling visa in Canada with parents?”
Canada is renowned for its exceptional educational system, offering world-class institutions at all levels, from kindergarten to university. As a parent, you may be considering sending your minor child to study in Canada, and you’re likely wondering about the visa requirements.
The good news is that Canada does have provisions for minors to study in the country, accompanied by their parents. This is known as the “study permit for minors” or the “schooling visa.” By obtaining this visa, your child can enroll in a Canadian educational institution, and you, as the parent, can stay with them throughout their studies.
What is a Schooling Visa for Canada?
Although “Schooling Visa” is not an official term, various consultants and local immigration agents use it to promote Study Permits for Minors. In some places, it is also known as a K-1 Visa, but it is a study permit for underage students.
The truth is that there is no special schooling visa in Canada that includes parents in the application. However, you may be able to set up a combination of arrangements that allow you to be present in Canada while your child studies there. This guide will examine the different arrangements required to make this possible.
- Schooling Visa in Canada: Canada offers a “schooling visa” for parents accompanying minor children studying in the country.
- Minor Definition: In Canada, a minor is someone below the legal adult age, which varies by province.
- Study Permit for Minors: Minors need a study permit if their parents are on a temporary visitor visa. No study permit is needed if parents are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or hold work or study permits.
- Arrangements for Minors: Parents can accompany the minor with a visitor visa. Minors not accompanied by parents need a Canadian custodian.
- Documents for Schooling Visa: Required documents include the child’s passport, birth certificate, authorization letter, notarized documents, letter of acceptance, and proof of financial support.
- Proof of Funds: Adequate funds are required to support the child’s education expenses, considering three to four times regular study permit expenses.
- Application Process: The process includes gathering documents, downloading the application package, paying the fee, undergoing a medical checkup, and awaiting a decision.
- Validity of Schooling Visa: The validity varies based on the child’s education level, ranging from 1 year for Grade 1 to Grade 8 students to the study period plus ninety days for Grade 9 to Grade 12, College, or University students.
Canada Schooling Visa Application Process
The application process for a study permit or schooling visa in Canada for minors is the same as the application process for a standard study permit, except for the extra documents described above. The steps are summarized as follows:
- Gather the required documents
- Download the study permit application package from the Immigration and Citizenship website.
- Pay the required fee.
- Complete the medical checkup from a recognized physician in the minor child’s home country.
- Receive the application decision.