# Can I enroll them in School? Cost? Study Permit?

**URL:** <https://discourse.settlement.org/t/can-i-enroll-them-in-school-cost-study-permit/3709>\
**Category:** Elementary and Secondary School\
**Created:** [September 30, 2015, 9:39am UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/can-i-enroll-them-in-school-cost-study-permit/3709 "2015-09-30T09:39:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rafaelcxc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@rafaelcxc](https://discourse.settlement.org/u/rafaelcxc)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2015, 9:39am UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/can-i-enroll-them-in-school-cost-study-permit/3709/1 "2015-09-30T09:39:43Z")

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Hello,  
I am planing to move to Canada, already having a Employment Offer.

I have a wife and 2 stepdaughters.  
My wife would be as a visitor in Canada, I know the girls must apply for a study VISA.  
I’m concerned if I have to pay for the girls study in Canada, or they can study in public schools for free.  
They are in high school and middle school.

In addition, I believe I would need a letter from the school before the girls apply for the VISA, am I right?

As I am not the girls’ father, I could apply to become the legal guardian of them? If it help us…

If someone could help me, I would be grateful.  
Thank you!

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**Author:** ![SettlementOrgMod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SettlementOrgMod](https://discourse.settlement.org/u/SettlementOrgMod)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2015, 2:38pm UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/can-i-enroll-them-in-school-cost-study-permit/3709/2 "2015-10-01T14:38:38Z")

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Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

You can find some information related to study permits and who requires one on the [CIC Website](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/minors-documents.asp) in the [Find out if your child needs a study permit](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/minors-documents.asp) section.

Here is an excerpt,

> [@](#):
>
> Minor children who are already in Canada accompanying a parent who is permitted to study or work may study in Canada without a study permit at the pre-school, primary and secondary levels.
> 
> A minor child of a parent who is not authorized to work or study in Canada (for example, their parent is authorized as a visitor) is not eligible to study in Canada without a study permit. These minor children must apply for a study permit from their country of last permanent residence.
> 
> Study permits for primary school students are issued for a period of one year and can be renewed, while study permits for students enrolled in secondary school (grades 9 to 12 in all provinces and territories except Quebec, and grades 9 to 11 in Quebec) can be issued for the full length of the intended period of study at a secondary school in Canada (maximum of four years).
> 
> Minor children at the pre-school and kindergarten levels are not required to hold a valid study permit.

We are not sure where in Canada you are moving to. The Education Act also prescribes when a non-resident student must be charged tuition fees.

Based on the [Toronto District School Board (TDSB)](http://www2.tdsb.on.ca/ppf/uploads/files/live/98/1635.pdf) requirements, individuals and dependents who come to Canada on a Visitor Record and Dependents of a non-resident parent with a Study Permit who is enrolled in a post secondary institution are not eligible to attend school without payment of fees.

We suggest that you confirm this information by looking at this sample [Toronto District School Board (TDSB)](http://www2.tdsb.on.ca/ppf/uploads/files/live/98/1635.pdf) requirements chart and that you contact the [School Board](http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/sbinfo/boardList.html) in the area where you will be moving to.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====  
Anna  
[Settlement.Org](http://Settlement.Org) Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS  
[Settlement.Org](http://Settlement.Org)

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**Author:** ![rafaelcxc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@rafaelcxc](https://discourse.settlement.org/u/rafaelcxc)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 8:02am UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/can-i-enroll-them-in-school-cost-study-permit/3709/3 "2015-10-02T08:02:14Z")

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It was very helpful.  
Thank you!