Does the school or the agency provide custodianship support?

Often yes, but it depends on the school: many programs arrange or provide a custodian, and others ask the family to appoint one.

• School districts: Practice varies by district. Some act as custodian or arrange one through their homestay program, sometimes for a fee. CAPS-I standards require members to set clear expectations for the custodian's role.
• Boarding schools: Boarding schools commonly have their own arrangements for students in residence. Ask who signs the declaration and who is responsible during school holidays.
• Family or friends: A relative or family friend can serve if they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. IRCC guidance expects the custodian to live within a reasonable distance of the student's home and school.
• Paperwork: Whoever acts as custodian signs and notarizes page one of the IMM 5646 declaration in Canada. Parents complete and notarize page two at home.
• Next step: Ask each school in writing which custodian arrangement it accepts and which documents it needs before you apply.

Please note: Confirm the custodianship arrangement with the school in writing before submitting the study permit application.

Official sources: IRCC: Studying in Canada as a minor · IRCC: Study permits, guidelines on minor children · CAPS-I: Standards of Practice

More questions on this topic

• Where do international students live: homestay or boarding school residence?
• How is homestay supervised, and how is my child's safety protected?
• How many meals a day does a homestay student receive?
• Can my child change host families if there is a problem?
• What is custodianship, and why is it required for younger students?
• Can a parent come to Canada and stay with the student?
• What are the curfew and sign-out rules for students living in a boarding residence?
• Can the host family be matched to my child's religious or dietary needs, such as halal or vegetarian?

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