Sending a child abroad to study is one of the biggest decisions a family makes. And when that child is a minor, the study permit application asks for something an adult’s never does: proof that, thousands of kilometres from home, someone responsible will be looking after your child.
As an immigration lawyer — and an immigrant myself — I walk families through this every step of the way. This guide explains what makes a minor’s study permit different, the documents that trip families up most (custodianship and parental consent), and the one piece of good news for younger students in 2026: they are exempt from the PAL requirement.
Key takeaways
- To attend a Canadian school for more than six months, your child generally needs a study permit.
- Kindergarten-to-Grade-12 (K-12) students are exempt from the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) in 2026 — a major simplification that applies to most minor school students.
- A minor’s application usually needs four things an adult’s does not: custodianship (if no parent will be in Canada), consent from non-accompanying parents, proof of funds (often from a parent or relative), and an age-appropriate study plan.
- Custodianship is declared on form IMM 5646 — a two-part, notarized document: one page signed by the custodian in Canada, one page signed by the parents abroad.
- A custodian must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, at least 19, and should live near where your child will study.
Does my child need a study permit to attend school in Canada?
Generally, yes. Any foreign national coming to Canada for a program of study longer than six months needs a study permit, and that includes elementary and high school students. There are narrow exceptions (for example, some minors already in Canada whose parent is a worker or student), but a child coming to Canada to attend school will normally need a permit.
Do minors need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?
No — K-12 students are exempt. Since Canada introduced study permit caps, most college and undergraduate applicants must include a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL). But kindergarten-to-Grade-12 students are exempt from the PAL requirement in 2026, as confirmed on canada.ca.
This is genuinely good news for families sending a child to a Canadian elementary or secondary school: one of the hardest documents to obtain simply does not apply. If your child is heading into Grade 12 or younger, you do not need to chase a PAL — but you should make sure the application itself clearly shows the child is a secondary-school student, so an officer applies the exemption correctly.
What makes a minor’s study permit different: four extra pieces
Beyond the usual acceptance letter and application forms, a minor’s study permit typically needs:
- Custodianship — if your child will live in Canada without a parent or legal guardian.
- Consent from any non-accompanying parent or guardian.
- Proof of funds — usually provided by a parent or a relative acting as sponsor.
- A study plan that fits the child’s age and level of schooling.
Let’s take the two that families find hardest.
Custodianship: what it is and how the form works
A custodian is a responsible adult in Canada who takes care of your child while they study. IRCC requires a custodian when a child 17 or under comes to Canada without a parent or legal guardian. For a child who is 17 up to the age of majority (18 in Ontario), an officer may still require one after reviewing the living arrangements and the child’s maturity.
Your custodian must be:
- a Canadian citizen or permanent resident,
- at least 19 years old, and
- ideally living near where your child will study.
Custodianship is declared on form IMM 5646, and it is a two-part document that catches many families off guard:
- Page 1 is signed by the custodian in Canada and notarized in Canada.
- Page 2 is signed by the parents (or legal guardians) abroad and notarized in the home country.
Because the two pages are notarized in two different countries, custodianship takes time to arrange. Start early — see the official IMM 5646 page.
When a parent is not coming: consent and care
If one or both parents will not accompany the child, the application should include a signed declaration of consent from each non-accompanying parent or guardian (IMM 5604). This shows IRCC that everyone with legal responsibility for the child agrees to the plan — and it protects the child.
Be ready to show where and with whom your child will live, and how they will be cared for day to day. Officers want to see that a young person will be safe and supported.
Proof of funds for a minor
The financial rules are the same as for any study permit: for 2026, a single applicant outside Quebec generally needs to show CAD $22,895 for a year of living costs, plus the first year of tuition and travel. For a minor, this money almost always comes from a parent or a relative acting as sponsor.
When a relative funds the studies, document both their financial capacity and their relationship to the child — ideally with a sworn affidavit of financial support exhibiting income, bank records, and assets. Weak or unexplained funds are the single most common reason study permits are refused. (We cover this in detail in Study Permit Refused for “Insufficient Funds”? How to Reapply.)
A study plan for a young student
Even a teenager benefits from a short, honest study plan: why a Canadian education, why this particular school, how it fits the child’s path, who will care for them, and the family’s intentions. For a minor, the plan is really a reassurance to the officer that this is a genuine, well-thought-out arrangement — not a shortcut.
What this looks like in practice
In one recent matter, our firm helped a family send their teenage child to a district school board in Ontario. We assembled the full picture: a custodianship declaration, consent from the non-accompanying parents, a sworn affidavit of financial support from a relative in Canada, and an age-appropriate study plan. An earlier attempt had been refused over funds; the reapplication addressed that head-on and succeeded.
Every family’s situation is different, and no lawyer can promise a result. But minors’ applications reward one thing above all: an organized, complete package that leaves no obvious question unanswered.
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need a study permit for high school in Canada?
Generally yes. A child coming to Canada to attend school for longer than six months normally needs a study permit, including at the elementary and secondary levels.
Do minors need a PAL (Provincial Attestation Letter) in 2026?
No. Kindergarten-to-Grade-12 students are exempt from the PAL requirement in 2026. The exemption applies to most minor school students; confirm the current rule on canada.ca before applying.
Who can be a custodian for my child in Canada?
A custodian must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, at least 19 years old, and should live near where your child studies. Custodianship is declared on form IMM 5646, which is signed and notarized by the custodian in Canada and by the parents in their home country.
Do both parents need to consent to a minor’s study permit?
Where a parent is not accompanying the child, the application should include a signed declaration of consent from that non-accompanying parent or guardian, so IRCC can see that everyone with legal responsibility agrees to the arrangement.
Can a relative pay for my child’s education in Canada?
Yes. A parent or another relative can fund a minor’s studies. You should document the sponsor’s financial capacity and their relationship to the child, ideally through a sworn affidavit of financial support with supporting evidence.
About the author
Natalie (Ningjing) Zhang is the founder of BridgePoint Law Professional Corporation, an Ontario immigration and refugee law firm. An immigration lawyer licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, and an immigrant herself, she helps families arrange study permits for their children — including custodianship, parental consent, proof of funds, and refusals. BridgePoint Law serves clients in English and Mandarin.
Planning to send your child to a Canadian school? Book a consultation at bridgepointlaw.ca.
Related reading: Study Permit Refused for “Insufficient Funds”? How to Reapply · What International Students Need to Know in 2026
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and reflects the rules in effect when it was written. Immigration requirements change; confirm the current rules on canada.ca or with a licensed immigration lawyer before you act.
