About
When a minor child studies in Canada without one or both parents living with them, families need to carefully plan who will be responsible for the child, where the child will live, and how the child's day-to-day care and supervision will be managed. Depending on the child's circumstances and the arrangements accepted by the school or applicable authorities, several options may be available.
Close Relatives in Canada
What is it?
A minor child may live with a close relative who resides in Canada, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, adult sibling or another trusted family member. This can provide the child with a familiar family environment while allowing the parent to remain outside Canada or visit the child periodically.
How does it work?
The family first identifies a suitable relative who is willing and able to take responsibility for the child's care. The relative's residence, relationship with the child and ability to provide appropriate supervision can then be considered. Where custodianship documentation is required, the appropriate documents are prepared and signed by the relevant parties.
Best suited for:
Families who already have trusted relatives living in the child's intended Canadian community.
Family Friends / Trusted Adults
What is it?
Families without relatives in Canada may consider a trusted adult or long-standing family friend who is willing to provide accommodation, supervision and support to the minor student.
How does it work?
The family identifies a suitable adult in Canada and establishes a clear arrangement covering where the child will live, who will supervise them and who will be responsible for the child's welfare. The arrangement can then be documented according to the requirements applicable to the child's circumstances and school.
Best suited for:
Families who have established trusted relationships in Canada but do not have close relatives available to care for the child.
Boarding Schools
What is it?
A boarding school provides the child with education and residential accommodation within a structured school environment. Depending on the institution, students may live in school residences and receive supervision, meals, student services and extracurricular support.
How does it work?
The family selects an appropriate boarding school based on the child's age, academic interests, curriculum, location, residential arrangements and budget. Following admission, the school provides information about accommodation, supervision and student-care arrangements. The family then completes the required education and custodianship documentation based on the school's structure.
Best suited for:
Families who want their child to live in a supervised educational environment rather than with a private host or relative.
School-Arranged Custodianship
What is it?
Some Canadian schools, school boards or educational organizations may have established arrangements to assist international minor students with custodianship, accommodation or student support.
How does it work?
After identifying a suitable school, the family can determine whether the school or school board provides, recommends or works with custodianship and accommodation arrangements. Where available, the family follows the institution's procedures for arranging the child's care and completing the necessary documentation.
Best suited for:
Families who prefer to work through the child's educational institution rather than independently arranging a custodian.
Homestay / Host Family
What is it?
A homestay allows a minor student to live with a Canadian host family or an approved accommodation provider while attending school. It can provide the student with a family-style living environment and day-to-day support.
How does it work?
The family explores an appropriate homestay arrangement, usually through the school, school board or an established accommodation provider. The student's accommodation, meals, supervision and house arrangements are established in advance. The custodianship requirements, where applicable, are considered separately from the accommodation arrangement.
Best suited for:
Students who would benefit from living in a family environment and families that do not have relatives in Canada.
Professional / Independent Canadian Custodian
What is it?
A family may engage an individual or organization in Canada that provides custodianship services for international minor students. The custodian's role is generally to act as the responsible adult in Canada and provide or coordinate support for the child as required.
How does it work?
The family identifies an appropriate custodianship provider and reviews the scope of services, responsibilities and fees. The custodian arrangement is then documented according to the applicable requirements. Accommodation may be arranged separately through a homestay, school residence, boarding school or another suitable arrangement.
Best suited for:
Families who do not have relatives or trusted adults in Canada and need an independent custodianship arrangement.
Boarding School + Canadian Custodian
What is it?
A child can potentially combine residential education with a separate Canadian custodianship arrangement. The boarding school provides accommodation and supervision as part of the educational environment, while a designated Canadian custodian may fulfill the applicable custodianship role.
How does it work?
The family first selects a suitable boarding school and confirms its residential and student-support arrangements. The family then determines whether a separate custodian is required and, if so, identifies an appropriate Canadian custodian. The education, accommodation and custodianship arrangements are coordinated before the child's application is finalized.
Best suited for:
Families who want the structure of boarding-school education while also establishing an appropriate Canadian adult responsible for the child.