A study permit for a minor is not required if the time of study is less than six months.

Minors who don’t have a study permit need a valid visitor status or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), during their stay in Canada.

Minor children wanting to study in Canada for six months or more are required to apply for a study permit before they arrive in Canada. The study permit is required even if the parent already has a previously approved study or work permit. 

If the minor will be arriving into Canada along with their parents who are holders of a valid study or work permit, a letter of acceptance from the minor’s school is not required. 

Minor children already in Canada are permitted to study without a permit if they meet the following criteria:

• are in kindergarten, no matter what their parents’ status is in Canada
• want to go to preschool, primary or secondary school and have a parent who is allowed to work or study in Canada
• are refugees or refugee claimants
• have parents who are refugees or refugee claimants
• came to Canada as a visitor for a course or program of studies of six months or less
• will study in a course or program of six months or less
• are in Canada by themselves

Canadian provinces have different ages of majority. Please refer to the below noted table in order to determine if the individual is considered a minor in the province your are considering:

Minor children under the age of 17 must come with their parent or legal guardian.  Alternatively, the minor may have a responsible adult, known as a custodian, who will be responsible for caring and supporting the child, while in Canada.  If the child is 17 years of age or older, a custodian is optional, but a CBSA border officer may request that the child have one.