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Straight answers on custodianship, the IMM 5646 and studying in Canada under 18, written and reviewed by our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.

Forms

IMM 5646 explained: how to complete the Custodianship Declaration

Who signs each page of the IMM 5646, where it must be notarized, and the mistakes that delay study permits for minors.

6 min read · Updated October 2026
Rules

Does my child need a custodian in Canada? Age rules by province

When IRCC requires a custodian for a minor student, how the age of majority changes by province, and when you don't need one.

5 min read · Updated October 2026
Rules

Custodian vs homestay vs guardian: what's the difference?

A custodian, a homestay host and a legal guardian are different roles. Here's what each one does for an international student in Canada.

4 min read · Updated October 2026
Travel

Consent-to-travel letter for a minor travelling to Canada

What documents a child needs to travel to Canada alone or with one parent, and what to put in the consent letter.

4 min read · Updated October 2026
Refusals

Study permit refused for a minor? What to do next

Common reasons study permits for minors are refused, how to find the officer's real reasons, and how to reapply with a stronger file.

5 min read · Updated October 2026
Safety

How to choose a safe custodian: 10 questions to ask

The questions every parent should ask before choosing a custodian for their child in Canada.

4 min read · Updated October 2026
Custodianship

What does a custodian do for an international student in Canada?

The custodian's role in plain language: what IRCC expects, what schools expect, and what a good custodian does during the school year.

5 min read · Updated October 2026
Canadian education

How Canadian high school works: a guide for international parents

Grades, credits, semesters, school boards and graduation requirements in Canadian high schools, explained for families abroad.

6 min read · Updated October 2026
Study permits

Study permit for a minor: the document checklist

The documents a parent usually needs for a child's Canadian study permit, from the letter of acceptance to the custodianship declaration.

6 min read · Updated October 2026
Canadian education

Public or private school in Canada? How to choose

Costs, class sizes, homestay, boarding and custodianship rules: what changes between public school boards and private schools for international students.

5 min read · Updated October 2026
Living in Canada

Your child's first week in Canada: a checklist for parents

From the airport to the first day of school: phone, bank, transit, health insurance and the people your child should know in the first week.

5 min read · Updated October 2026
Living in Canada

Health insurance for international students under 18 in Canada

Why coverage depends on the province, what school boards usually require, and what to check before your child arrives.

4 min read · Updated October 2026