Visas & Immigration
In the province of Ontario, anyone under the age of majority, which is 18 years of age in Ontario, is considered to be a "minor child."
Are my children required to have a Study Permit in order to study in Canada?
If you have children who will be attending pre-school or kindergarten, they are NOT required to have a Study Permit.
Minor children who are
already in Canada and are accompanying a parent who is authorized to study or work may study at the pre-school, primary or secondary level without a Study Permit.
Note that it is only once a child is in Canada that the Study Permit exemption applies: minor children outside of Canada must apply for a Study Permit if they are coming to Canada to study.
Minor children who are
outside of Canada who intend to study in Canada at the primary or secondary level must apply for a Study Permit. For example, if a minor child is accompanying a parent who will be in Canada as an international student, then the minor child is required to apply for a Study Permit. If the minor child is accompanying a family member who is coming to Canada to study or work, the minor child
does not have to provide a letter of acceptance from an educational institution when applying for their Study Permit.
The length of a minor child's Study Permit is usually one year, unless they are accompanying their parents who are issued a long-term Study or Work Permits. In this case, the duration will be the same as the parents' Study or Work Permit.
Day Care and Pre-School Children
If you have children 5 years of age or younger, there are a few alternatives for child care: licensed day care centres, licensed family day care in private homes, or unlicensed child care in private homes. Children who will be attending pre-school or kindergarten are NOT required to have a Study Permit.
Education
Note: New legislations was introduced (May 2005) in Ontario by the McGuinty government, that will waive school fees for:
- Children whose parents have applied for permanent residence status to Citizenship and Immigration Canada and plan to stay in the country
- Children whose parents are studying at a publicly funded Ontario university or college
Visit the
Ministry of Education's websitefor more information.
To register your child in school, contact:
http://www.ocdsb.ca/
Health Insurance
All international students and their accompanying dependents must be enrolled in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) (late application in excess of 30 days for dependents costs an additional $500). Eligible dependents include spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children who are under 21 years of age or under age 25 and are registered in full-time studies. For further information on UHIP coverage
International students may also pay an additional fee to include their family members (spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children) in the extended health plans offered by the university.