<p>"International students under the age of 18 may be asked by Immigration Canada to find a Canadian citizen to act as a guardian. The University of Toronto cannot take responsibility for guardianship, therefore it is up to the student's family to satisfy this requirement."</p>
<p>Is that hard to find for a few months, say if the student won't turn 18 until December of Freshman year. Is this a common issue?</p>
<p>It would seem that Toronto could be a great safety school for an potential ivy caliber student if it weren't for the age issue.</p>
<p>I asked the same question on the McGill board, and it seems that the Dean at McGill acts as guardian. What about Toronto. Is that an Ontario thing or just Toronto.</p>
<p>Thanks spikemom for that number. I called that number. The woman told me that the University of Toronto will NOT act as guardian period, and a guardian is needed. </p>
<p>B407 - Could you ask your friends how they do it?</p>
<p>The web site says that immigration Canada MAY ask for this, i.e., it is not a university requirement, it is a govt requirement, - possibly. You should contact Immigration Canada online - their web site says nothing at all about age. I have a feeling this is a non-issue, maybe intended for the odd 12 year old.</p>
<p>I checked the Immigration Canada website
<a href="http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/minors.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/minors.html</a>
"If a minor child is coming to study in Canada, they will need a custodian in Canada. All minor applicants must supply a notarized declaration — one signed by the parents 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 a parent."</p>
<p>Above that it says that the age of majority is 18 in Ontario. For a lot provinces like British Columbia and Nova Scotia its 19! That hits almost all college freshman.</p>
<p>vin2l>>
Hello, I'm an international student from Japan.
I'm up to the stage where I need to apply(?) for my study permit/student VISA (I know, it's so late) and I'm having the same problem as you. I won't be turning 18 until towards the end of september.
Could you help me by telling me how you solved your problem?</p>
<p>I'm still just researching colleges. Toronto has a lot of great aspects, and could potentially be a great safety. However, without a solution to the underage problem I guess it can't be a safety.</p>
<p>I did investigate this problem, and I did not find a solution. Its funny, I emailed the admissions office twice and they automatically sent me the same boiler plate language on their web site even after I asked more specific questions.</p>
<p>It seems that you need to find a Canadian to be your "custodian" or "guardian". There's all kinds of notarized paperwork involved for your parents. I would think that there would be a market for someone reputable to be your custodian for money but I don't know how you find someone. I guess they would have say over your medical treatment if something happened, but I mean its just for a few months. Its probably not the biggest risk one will ever take. </p>
<p>You need to find a guardian...fast! I had the same problem, and my parents n I had trouble finding someone who lived in Toronto, and was willing to be my guardian...the guardian would need to testify that he/she is willing to be your guardian until you turn 18, and sign a few papers...after that, your parents have to testify that the guardian will be responsible for you until you turn 18 in toronto, and then you take all the paperwork and apply for your canadian visa! Toronto should really handle this guardianship stuff though...they have so many international students entering each year, and I bet we're not the only ones having this problem. At McGill, the dean can act as a legal guardian until 18, which saves much more time and is so much more convenient.</p>