Documents to submit for children under the age of 17

If you are applying for temporary selection for studies for a child under the age of 17, you must submit additional documents depending on the child’s situation.  

First, check if your minor child is in one of the situations where the Québec Acceptance Certificate for Studies is not required. Note that your child only needs a CAQ for studies as of the first year of elementary school.

Keep the original or certified true copy of the documents you submit. They may be required when reviewing your application. 

If your child is accompanied by both parents and one of you is a temporary foreign worker or foreign student, you must add the following documents to their application for temporary selection for studies:  

A copy of your child’s birth certificate 

The names of both parents must appear on the birth certificate.  

A copy of a document indicating the length of your stay in Québec  

This document allows you to match the validity date of your child’s Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) to the length of your stay in Québec. These documents include:  

• The work permit of one of the two parents; 
• The letter of introduction to the work permit issued by a Canadian visa office abroad; 
• The employment contract specifying the duration of the contract; 
• Letter of admission from one of the two parents as a full-time student in an educational institution in Québec; 
• The study permit of one of the two parents;
• The letter of invitation under the IMP+ with proof that a work permit application has been submitted to the federal government;
• The letter of support of the early entry application as well as proof that an application for a study permit has been submitted to the federal government.

If your child is accompanied by only one of their parents, you must add the following documents to the application for temporary selection for studies: 

A copy of your child’s birth certificate 

The names of their parents must appear on the birth certificate.  

A copy of an identity document of the of non-accompanying parent  

The name and signature of the non-accompanying parent must appear on the identity document. This document can be a passport or a national identity card. 

Declaration of consent  

The Declaration of consent  (PDF 107 Kb)authorizes the child to reside with the accompanying parent. It must be signed by the non-accompanying parent. If you have a divorce decree that grants visitation rights to the other parent, you must still send the Declaration of consent. This obligation applies even if the visitation rights are limited. 

If you cannot provide the last two documents, you must provide a copy of an official document that proves that the accompanying parent has sole custody of the child:  

• A death certificate of the other parent; 
• A certificate of disappearance; 
• A divorce decree granting sole custody to the accompanying parent.

If your child comes to study in Québec without being accompanied by their parents, they must be under the responsibility of an adult in Québec who is a permanent resident or Canadian citizen. 

In this situation, you must add the following documents to your child’s application for temporary selection for studies:  

A copy of your child’s birth certificate 

The names of their parents must appear on the birth certificate.  

A copy of an identity document of the of non-accompanying parent  

The name and signature of the non-accompanying parent must appear on the identity document. This document can be a passport or a national identity card. 

Declaration of parental authority  

The Declaration of parental authority (PDF 124 Kb) must be signed by both parents. 

Declaration of custody of a child under age 17  

The Declaration of custody of a child under age 17 (PDF 106 Kb) (dynamic PDF, 433 KB), must be signed by the person responsible for your child in Québec. 

Copy of proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residence  

This proof must show that the person responsible for your child in Québec has Canadian citizenship or permanent residence. This document can be:  

• Birth certificate;  
• Citizenship card; 
• Permanent resident card. 

Declaration of financial support 

If the person responsible for your child in Québec also assumes financial support, you must send the Declaration of financial support (PDF 110 Kb). The declaration must be signed by the person residing in Québec who undertakes to assume all costs related to the child’s stay in Québec. 

Proof of financial capacity of the responsible person  

If the person responsible for your child in Québec also assumes their financial support, submit one or more of these documents to demonstrate their financial capacity:   

• A letter of employment mentioning the person’s salary; 
• Pay slips; 
• Income tax return;  
• Bank letter (PDF 36 Kb) indicating the balance.

You must submit the documents of an adult student if:  

• You are under 17 years of age and have been granted emancipation by a court. 
• You must also send a copy of the emancipation judgement. 
• You are 16 years of age on the date of your application but will turn 17 at least one month before the start date of your study program. You will turn 17 years of age less than one month before the start date of your study program but will be 17 when you leave for Québec. You can be considered an adult student if you provide proof of your departure date, i.e. a photocopy of your plane ticket.  

If you come to Québec without being accompanied by your parents and you will be 17 years old after your arrival, even if it is a few days later, you must submit for your application the additional documents for a child under the age of 17 not accompanied by their parents.