A custodian is a responsible adult in Canada who acts in place of the parents of a minor student. They sign page 1 of the IMM 5646, are the school's local contact, can be reached in an emergency at any hour, and make sure the student has safe housing and support while the parents are abroad.
Key facts
- Who can be one: a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, usually 19 or older
- Where they live: within a reasonable distance of the student's home and school
- Paperwork: page 1 of the IMM 5646, notarized in Canada
- Duration: until the student reaches the age of majority or leaves Canada
The role in one sentence
A custodian is the adult in Canada who steps in for the parents when the parents are not here. IRCC asks for one so that every minor studying without a parent has someone responsible, nearby and reachable.
What IRCC expects
- The custodian is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and an adult.
- They live close enough to the student to help quickly.
- They agree in writing, on the IMM 5646, to act in place of the parents.
- The parents agree in writing, on page 2 of the same form, to the arrangement.
What schools expect
School boards treat the custodian as the local contact. Many ask for the custodian's details at registration, call the custodian first if the student is sick or absent, and may ask the custodian to attend meetings if a problem comes up. Some boards set their own rules, such as a minimum age for custodians.
What a good custodian does during the year
- Answers the phone at any hour in an emergency, including medical consent
- Knows where the student lives and checks that the housing is safe
- Keeps in touch with the parents
- Is the person the school can reach in Canada
- Helps when plans change, for example a homestay move or a flight home
What a custodian is not
A custodian is not a legal guardian, does not take over parental rights, and is not automatically the student's homestay host. Those are separate roles, although one family or company can provide more than one of them.
How we help
Our custodianship is $100 per month with no set-up fee and a $500 minimum. It includes the notarized custodian page, a 24/7 emergency contact, a confirmation letter for the school and support for parents by email and WhatsApp. School meetings, regular check-ins and homestay monitoring can be added.
Sources: IRCC, Study permits: Guidelines on minor children. This article is general information and not legal advice. For your situation, talk to our team.
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