Canada Student Visa Under 18 | Requirements and the Process

Does your child need a study permit at the primary and secondary levels? Canada Student Visa under 18 has an easy application process. Here is the guide.

This guide will answer all the questions, such as: 

• What is the minimum age requirement for a Canadian student visa?
• Does your child need a student permit?
• What are the requirements for the application process for minors under 18?
• How to convert a visitor’s visa to a student visa?
• What is the minimum bank balance needed for the student visa?
• Can the parents go with a child on a student visa?

So, let’s get started with an in-depth overview of Canadian student visas for those under 18.

Overview: Canada Student Visa under 18

Canada is the best host for the international students. Canada issues the student visa through IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) to students who want to study in Canada. Tese students must complete the requirements to study at the DLIs (Designated Learning Institutions) in Canada. 

Thus, students who are at the primary or secondary levels also apply for a student permit in Canada. There are different requirements for minors in Canada for studying in the school. According to the statistics of last year, 

‘Canada has approved 57% of visas for the capped study levels, and Indian students secured a high number of seats.’

However, there are the following countries whose students successfully got approved student visas for winter 2024.

Countries	Approval rates of study permit
Indian students	90%
Filpino	80%
Nepali students	75%

Canada student visa under 18 require an early application before traveling to Canada. The early application of visa processing saves a lot of time. So, whatever the visa type, make sure to always apply early.

2. What Is the Minimum Age for a Student Visa in Canada?

Do you think that you child  is too young or old to get a student visa? Then there is nothing to worry about. There is no age limit or requirement for a Canadian student visa. 

However, students with age 18 years can apply for a student visa as they are young. Thus, students who are under 18 or 17 years old need to apply for a work permit. So, very young students need a guardian or custodian who should be a permanent Canadian citizen.

So, hurry up and apply for the student permit for your minor and become a satisfied parent.

3. Does My Child Need a Study Permit in Canada?

A child under 18 needs a student permit in Canada. The student permit is a kind of approval document for minors. So they can easily study in Canadian schools. Therefore, elementary and secondary students in Canada have to submit a student permit. 

In some cases, minor students don’t need to apply for study permits. Minor students who come to Canada for short-term courses (six months) don’t need a permit. So, you can reunite with your child on vacation. Thus, you’ll not have to worry about the student permit if they get into any recreational course.

Requirements: Canada Student Visa Under 18

1. Letter of Acceptance (LOA)

When applying for a student permit, an LOA (Letter of Acceptance) needs to be obtained from a school in Canada. The immigration officers will check and confirm the validity of the letter from the school.

Moreover, if the school doesn’t confirm the validity, you’ll get your application fee back. Thus, this letter is mandatory for student visas.

2. Custodianship Declaration

Canada has different rules when it comes to child protection. So, the Canada visa for those under 18 needs the custodianship declaration form along with the application. This form is proof that the guardian will take full responsibility for the child in Canada.

3. Proof of Financial Support

Proof of financial support is an important part of applying for a student visa. This proof states that the visa holder has enough money to survive in Canada. Also, if there is another family member with the student, his financial expenses will be added. 

There are many options for proof of financial support, such as :

• Proof of Canadian bank account with evidence of money transfer.
• A document of the student loan from a bank.
• The bank statement with the record of the past four years.
• The proof document of the Canadian scholarship or any funded educational program.
• GIC (guaranteed investment certificates).

Therefore, it is very important to prove that the applicant has enough funds. Also, these funds will cover the tuition fees and other expenses of the student.

4. Valid Passport

The student and the guardian must have a valid passport. Moreover, it is very important to check the validity of a passport. Thus, the validity period of the passport should be equal to the student’s course duration.

5. Proof of Medical Exam

Not all applicants need to give proof of medical exam. The applicants will need to provide proof of medical exam in the following situations:

• The stay duration in Canada is more than six months.
• The applicant has been traveling to different countries before coming to Canada.
• Occupation in Canada will be linked to public health, such as nursing, agricultural role, etc.

Thus, minors may need to take a medical examination depending on their country of residence.

4. How to Get a Student Visa in Canada for Minors- Application Process

Here is the complete guide to Canada student visa under 18.

Application to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

DLI is the designated learning institution that has the approval of the Canadian government. Thus, the school will provide the letter of acceptance. This letter is an important part of the application process.

Canadian student visas for those under 18 are easy for you because all the schools are DLI. So you don’t need to search for hours.

However, the situation is different for those students who want to study in colleges or universities. They need to do proper research.

Collect Documents

Collection of all the documents will save you from any kind of stress. There is a need of the following documents:

• LOA,
• Proof of financial support
• Passport
• Any additional documents specific to your case, such as a custodianship declaration
• Medical exam results.

Submit the Application

Fill out the application form from our website and upload all the necessary documents. Then, pay the fee of CAD 150 according to the visa. Now, you will get the confirmation email soon after applying.

Attend a Visa Interview (If Required)

In some cases, Canadian immigration authorities may require an interview to assess the student visa application further.

5. Canada Student Visa Under 18- Processing Time

Canada promises to complete the application process for minors in 20 days. But for this much faster process, the biometric and eligibility requirements should be completed.

The Canada approves the study visa for the students under 18 approximately in 4 to 12 weeks. However, the process may be delayed due to incomplete documents.

The processing time for a minor’s study permit can vary by region.

Minimum Bank Balance for a Canadian Student Visa

There must be sufficient funds to cover tuition, living expenses, and return transportation. For minors under 18, the financial requirements are generally as shown in the table:

Number of family members (including the applicant)	Funds per year (without tuition)
1	CAN$20,635
2	CAN$25,690
3	CAN$31,583
4	CAN$38,346
5	CAN$43,492
6	CAN$49,051
7	CAN$54,611
If more than seven people, each additional family member	CAN$5,559

How to Convert a Visitor Visa to a Student Visa in Canada

If your child is already in Canada on a visitor visa, you may be wondering if it’s possible to convert it to a student visa. The good news is that this is possible. You can apply for a study permit while your child is in Canada, provided they have a Letter of Acceptance from a DLI and meet the requirements.

Final Verdict

Obtaining a student visa for a child under 18 in Canada may seem overwhelming. But it is easy when you have the right information and preparation. Thus, the process becomes manageable. Start by securing a spot in a designated school, and gathering the necessary documents. Canada student visa under 18 is easy if you follow the right steps of the application process. If your child meets the requirements, they can soon begin their educational journey in Canada.

So, hurry up and secure the future of your child in Canada. Thus fill out the application form from our website.

FAQS

Can a 17-Year-Old Get a Student Visa for Canada?

Yes, a 17-year-old can get a student visa for Canada. As long as they have an LOA from a DLI and meet the financial and other requirements, they are eligible for a study permit. In some cases, they may need a custodian depending on their specific circumstances.

Can I Bring My Parents to Canada on a Student Visa?

Students themselves cannot bring their parents on a student visa, but parents can apply for a visitor visa or TRV (a temporary resident visa) to accompany their child. If the parent plans to stay in Canada for an extended period, they may need to apply for a different type of visa, such as a super visa.

How Much Does a Student Visa Cost in Canada?

The Canadian student visa will cost the applicant CAD 150. This fee applies to all students, regardless of their age. Additionally, you may need to pay for a medical exam or biometrics, which can add to the total cost.