Custodianship Service for Minor International Students
For international students under the age of 18 applying for a Canadian Study Permit, the Canadian government mandates the designation of a legal guardian, or Custodian, who resides in Canada. Toronto High School offers an official Custodianship Service to ensure full compliance with these federal regulations, providing peace of mind to parents and governmental authorities. This service is critical for the welfare and supervision of all minor students matriculating into our OSSD programs.
The Custodianship Service designates a responsible adult in Canada who is legally required to care for the student in the same capacity as a parent. This service ensures that the minor student has local representation and support for all legal, medical, and emergency matters during their academic tenure in Canada. The fee for this comprehensive service is $2,000 per year. While this service is listed as ‘Optional’ in the institutional fee schedule, it is legally mandatory for all international students under the age of majority in Ontario (18 years old) who do not have a biological parent residing with them in Canada.
Key responsibilities covered under our Custodianship Service include:
- Legal Representation: Serving as the official, federally recognized custodian for the purpose of the Study Permit application.
- Emergency Contact: Providing 24/7 support and acting as the primary emergency contact in critical situations.
- Parental Proxy: Liaising with the school and homestay providers on behalf of the natural parents regarding the student’s academic progress and general welfare.
Parents are required to complete the necessary consent forms, which must be notarized in both the student’s home country and by the designated custodian in Canada, to formalize this legal arrangement. Our administrative team assists in coordinating the necessary paperwork to ensure the student’s Study Permit application is complete and approved without delay.