Custodianship
A custodian is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident designated by parents to provide care and be responsible for their minor child while he/she studies in Canada.
The ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø requires that a custodian must be:
- 25 years of age or older
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
- Living within the school catchment area (forÌýGr. K-8Ìýstudents), or reasonable distance from school in the Greater Toronto Area (for G9-12 students)
All applicants under the age of 18 to ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø International Student Programs (TISP) must provide a notarized declaration, one signed by the parent or legal guardians in the country of origin, as well as one signed by the custodian in Canada, stating that arrangements have been made for the custodian to act in place of parent.
The must be signed and notarized by a lawyer or notary public. A photocopy of each document should be uploaded to the online application portal or emailed to the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø international Students and Admissions Office by the required deadline. The originals will be required when applying for a study permit with IRCC ( for further information).
Roles and Responsibilities of Custodians
The custodian, on behalf of the parents, is responsible for making the necessary arrangements for the care and support for the student while she/he studies at the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø. The custodian should:
- Be the official contact for the Toronto International Student Programs (TISP) and the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø school with regards to all matters involving the international student
- Make sure that the student renews with the International Students and Admissions Office and make the tuition fee payment on time
- Make sure that the student complete English and Math assessment before reporting to the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø
- Bring the student to school with required documentation for school registration and to complete /sign all appropriate documents required by school
- Assist the student with settlement needs such as opening a bank account, buying a cell phone, how to use public transit, etc.
- Provide consent as needed by the school for academic programs and activities after communicating with parents and receiving their consent
- Attend parent-teacher interviews and communicate with parents afterwards
- Maintain correct custodian contact information with the school and the International Students and Admissions Office
- Inform the school and the International Students and Admissions Office immediately if any change is made to the student’s homestay or custodianship arrangement
- If temporarily away from the City of Toronto, for example travelling, arrange for an emergency contact person and provide the emergency contact information to the school and the International Students and Admissions Office
- Monitor the student’s attendance record, report student absences to the school following school procedures, and communicate student’s absences to parents in a timely manner
- Send student’s preliminary, midterm and final reports to parents and communicate among the school, the International Students and Admissions Office and parents/students regarding any related concerns and/or follow-up
- Assist the student with solving any behavioral, social, emotional, and medical concerns and communicate with the school, student, parents and the International Students and Admissions Office
- Assist the student with solving homestay issues and communicate with parents, schools, and the International Education Office
- Respond in a timely fashion to requests/phone calls from the school and the International Students and Admissions Office in order to best ensure the student’s safety
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