A custodianship declaration helps show who will care for a minor studying in Canada when their parents or legal guardians are not accompanying them. If your child needs a custodian, completing IMM 5646 correctly is part of preparing their study permit application.
The form is only one part of the arrangement. You also need a suitable person who understands the responsibility and can provide practical support.
A child under 17 who comes to Canada to study without a parent or legal guardian generally needs a custodian. For students aged 17 up to the provincial or territorial age of majority, an immigration officer can request one based on their circumstances.
The custodian must live in Canada, be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and be at least 19.
IMM 5646 has two declaration pages. The custodian signs their page before a notary in Canada. The parents or legal guardians sign their page before a notary in their home country. Submit both completed pages where required.
Choosing a school does not answer who will support your child after arrival.
Before agreeing to an arrangement, discuss everyday situations:
Clear answers help you choose someone who can carry out the role, rather than simply provide a signature.
A custodianship declaration records the care arrangement between a minor student’s parents or legal guardians and their custodian in Canada.
The form commonly used for this purpose is IMM 5646. It helps IRCC assess whether appropriate support is in place during the child’s studies.
Completing the form does not give the child permission to study or enter Canada. Check the requirements for your child’s study permit separately.
Custodianship for immigration purposes is also different from a court appointment granting legal guardianship. Do not assume signing IMM 5646 transfers all parental rights to the custodian.
A child under 17 generally needs a custodian if neither a parent nor a legal guardian accompanies them.
For example, a 15-year-old planning to attend a Canadian secondary school while both parents remain abroad will normally need an appropriate custodianship arrangement.
Custodianship is assessed individually for older minors. An officer may consider the student’s independence, level of study, access to family support and other circumstances.
Turning 17 does not mean a custodian can never be requested.
The age of majority is 18 in some provinces and territories and 19 in others. Check the destination rather than assuming the same age applies throughout Canada.
A custodianship declaration is not normally required when at least one parent accompanies the child throughout their studies. For the parent’s separate immigration arrangements, see our guide to travelling with a parent.
IRCC’s study permit guide says the custodian must:
The proposed custodian must also be able to provide the care and support involved. IRCC’s guidance expects them to live within a reasonable distance of the student’s intended home and school.
An eligible relative or family friend may be an option. What matters is whether the person meets the requirements and can perform the role.
Before choosing someone, discuss availability, location, communication and responsibilities. Being a trusted family contact is a useful starting point, but practical arrangements still need attention.
Do not assume that arranging accommodation also appoints a custodian.
Ask the school or accommodation provider exactly what their service includes. If the host will also act as custodian, confirm that they meet the requirements and will complete the necessary declaration.
For example, a school may arrange a room with a host family while a different person provides custodianship support. Everyone should understand their role.
Request written details of any paid service, including what happens during holidays, emergencies or a change of accommodation.
Use the version available through the official Government of Canada website.
Download and save the form to a computer. IRCC recommends opening it in Adobe Acrobat Reader because some forms do not display properly in a browser or on a mobile device.
If a preview only shows a loading message, follow the download instructions before assuming the form is broken.
Confirm who will act as custodian and where the child will live and study.
Check the information with everyone involved before arranging notarisation. Correcting an address or replacing a custodian later can create extra work.
The custodian completes their declaration and arranges to sign it before a notary in Canada.
Contact the notary beforehand to ask what identification and documents to bring. Follow their instructions about when to sign.
The parents or legal guardians complete their declaration and arrange notarisation in their home country.
Include both parents’ information and signatures where applicable. If custody arrangements affect who can sign, prepare the relevant legal evidence rather than leaving the issue unexplained.
Compare the pages carefully. Check names, contact details and other repeated information for consistency.
Make sure every required signature and notarisation is visible. Keep clear copies of the completed documents and follow the application instructions for uploading them.
Your application checklist and visa office instructions determine which supporting documents to provide alongside IMM 5646.
Check whether you need evidence confirming the custodian’s identity, Canadian citizenship or permanent residence, and address. Where custody arrangements affect who can sign the declaration, include the relevant legal documents.
A letter of explanation can clarify unusual arrangements, such as the student living at a different address from the custodian. Explain how the custodian will remain accessible and provide support.
An explanation does not replace a required signature, notarisation or legal document.
Submit both completed and notarised declaration pages with the child’s application when required. Follow the checklist for the wider study permit application.
Allow time to coordinate notarisation in both countries and check that every signature and stamp is legible before uploading.
Budget separately for notarisation and any paid custodianship service.
Costs vary by provider and location. Ask for a written quote explaining whether the charge covers only document preparation or also ongoing support.
Check for additional costs associated with accommodation, emergency assistance or changes to the arrangement. The child’s study permit application fees are separate from these service costs.
Review the arrangement promptly if the custodian moves away, becomes unavailable or can no longer provide support.
Contact the school and follow the applicable IRCC instructions for updating the child’s application or immigration records. Ask whether a new declaration and supporting documents are needed.
Keep the child’s actual care arrangements consistent with the information provided. Do not rely on a declaration naming someone who is no longer performing the role.
Before submitting, have the parents and custodian check the completed package against the same information.
No. It concerns care arrangements for minors. Whether it is needed depends on the child’s age, whether a parent or legal guardian accompanies them and the officer’s assessment.
Yes, if they meet the requirements and can provide suitable care and support. Being related to the child does not remove the need to check their eligibility.
Yes. IRCC instructs the custodian to have their page notarised in Canada and the parents or legal guardians to have their page notarised in their home country.
No. The declaration addresses the child’s care arrangements. IRCC also assesses the other requirements relevant to the application.
No. They address different matters. A child may need parental consent documents as well as a custodianship declaration, depending on the circumstances.
A custodianship declaration helps establish who will care for a minor studying in Canada without an accompanying parent or legal guardian. Choosing a suitable custodian and completing both parts of IMM 5646 are central to preparing the arrangement.
Before applying, check the custodian’s eligibility, the required signatures and notarisation, and any supporting consent or custody documents. Since immigration requirements and procedures can change, always check the latest guidance on the official Government of Canada website.
If you need support checking your child’s custodianship requirements or preparing their Canadian study permit application, book a consultation with Canada GMC.
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