Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick,Homestay and Acco

Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick: A Complete Guide for International Families

New Brunswick, one of Canada’s eastern provinces, is increasingly recognized as a destination for international students seeking quality education in a safe and welcoming environment. With its strong public education system, friendly communities, and lower cost of living, New Brunswick offers an attractive alternative to larger provinces like Ontario or British Columbia.

For international students under the age of 18 who wish to study in New Brunswick, Canadian law requires that they have a legal custodian—an adult responsible for their care and supervision during their stay in Canada. This article will explore everything families need to know about custodianship in New Brunswick, including legal requirements, responsibilities, documentation, and tips for choosing the right custodian.

1. What is Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick?

A custodian is a responsible adult or organization who is authorized to act in place of a parent, especially in emergency situations or when consent is needed for legal, educational, or medical matters.

The custodian provides:

Supervision
Emotional support
Communication with schools and authorities
Consent for medical treatment
Emergency contact and crisis management

In New Brunswick, like the rest of Canada, international students under 18 must have a custodian unless they are living with a parent or legal guardian.

2. Legal Age of Majority in New Brunswick: Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick

In New Brunswick, the age of majority is 19. However, the federal government of Canada considers individuals under 18 to be minors for immigration and study permit purposes.

This means:

Students 18 or older are considered legal adults and are not required to have a custodian.

However, in some circumstances, schools or school districts may require custodianship even for students who are 18 or older, especially if they are in high school.

3. Who Can Be a Custodian?

A custodian in New Brunswick must meet the following criteria:

Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Be over the age of 19
Be capable of taking on full legal responsibility for the student’s well-being

Custodians are typically: Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick

Relatives living in Canada
Close family friends
Approved host parents in a homestay arrangement
Professional custodianship service providers

Custodians must be willing to act as a substitute parent in the eyes of Canadian authorities.

4. Responsibilities of Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick

The role of a custodian goes far beyond signing a piece of paper. It carries real responsibility for the student's welfare and compliance with school and immigration regulations.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Emergency Medical Care: Taking the student to a clinic or hospital and consenting to treatment if needed.
Monitoring Academic Progress: Ensuring that the student is attending classes and performing well academically.
Behavioral Oversight: Ensuring the student follows the school and homestay rules and Canadian laws.
Attendance at Parent-Teacher Meetings: Representing the student’s family at school events or consultations.
Immigration Documentation: Helping with study permit renewals or legal compliance.

It’s essential that custodians are available and willing to act quickly if an issue arises—whether that’s a medical emergency, behavioral incident, or school-related matter.

5. The Custodianship Declaration Form (IMM 5646)

To officially appoint a custodian, the Canadian government requires a Custodianship Declaration Form (IMM 5646). This form must be notarized and submitted as part of the student’s study permit application.

The Form Contains Two Pages:

Page 1 – Declaration by the Custodian: The custodian confirms their acceptance of the role and outlines their responsibilities.
Page 2 – Declaration by the Parents or Legal Guardians: The student’s parents affirm their consent and appointment of the custodian.

Notarization:

Both pages must be notarized by a notary public in the respective countries:
- Page 1 in Canada
- Page 2 in the student’s home country

The notarized document proves to Canadian immigration officials that the student will be under proper care while studying in New Brunswick.

6. Custodianship for Public and Private School Students: Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick

Public Schools

Public school districts in New Brunswick, such as the Anglophone and Francophone School Districts, often have their own policies regarding custodianship. Most school districts:

Require custodian contact information at the time of registration
May verify the custodian’s identity and address
Require that custodians attend school meetings

Some school districts offer custodianship services as part of their international student program, especially if students are staying in approved homestay families.

Private Schools

Private high schools and boarding schools often have their own custodianship services included in tuition or homestay fees. However, some still require notarized custodian declarations for immigration purposes.

Always confirm with the specific school to determine whether you need to provide your own custodian.

7. Homestay vs. Independent Living: Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick

Homestay Arrangement

Many international students in New Brunswick stay with homestay families—carefully screened Canadian families who provide room, board, and supervision.

In many cases, the homestay parent acts as the legal custodian as part of the arrangement. Schools and third-party homestay providers ensure that the host meets all the legal requirements.

Independent Living

Students living alone in rented apartments or with friends must appoint a separate custodian who lives nearby. This custodian must be able to assist them in person and take action in emergencies.

Most schools in New Brunswick do not allow minors to live alone, so independent living is rare and usually limited to older students.

8. Choosing the Right Custodian: Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick

Factors to Consider:

Proximity to the student’s school or residence
Reliability and availability
Ability to communicate with both school and parents
Cultural sensitivity and understanding
Legal understanding of custodianship responsibilities

Parents should interview and vet any potential custodian carefully, especially if they are hiring a third-party provider.

9. Professional Custodianship Services: Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick

Several companies and organizations in New Brunswick specialize in professional custodianship services. These providers offer:

Legal custodianship
Homestay placement
Airport pickup
24/7 emergency support
Progress reports to parents

Families who do not have relatives or friends in New Brunswick often use these services to meet legal requirements and ensure their child’s safety.

While this comes with additional cost, it often brings peace of mind and simplifies logistics.

10. Cost of Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick

Costs vary depending on the type of custodian:

Relative or Family Friend:

Usually free or symbolic costs
Expenses might include meals or gifts

Professional Service Providers:

Annual fees range from $1,000 to $3,000 CAD
Some include homestay placement and monitoring services
Extra services like airport pickup may cost more

Always ask for a detailed breakdown of services included in the custodianship fee.

11. Renewal and Updates

Custodianship is typically valid for the duration of the study permit or for one academic year. It must be renewed or updated in cases such as:

Change of custodian
Change of school or city
Study permit renewal

Parents must submit new notarized forms if there is any change to the custodian arrangement.

12. Risks of Not Having a Proper Custodian: Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick

Failing to appoint a custodian, or appointing an unqualified person, can result in serious consequences:

Rejection of the study permit
School refusing to admit the student
Inability to access medical care
Legal complications in case of emergencies
Emotional distress and lack of support for the student

Canadian immigration authorities take custodianship very seriously as part of their duty to protect minors.

13. Cultural Transition and Support: Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick

Custodians often play a key role in helping students adjust to Canadian life. This includes:

Explaining school expectations
Helping with transportation
Offering emotional support
Encouraging participation in community events

Having a kind, understanding custodian can make a huge difference in the student’s well-being, grades, and overall experience in Canada.

14. Custodianship and Post-Secondary Study

While custodianship is usually required for K–12 students, younger international students attending college or university in New Brunswick may still benefit from having a custodian or guardian, especially if under 18.

Post-secondary institutions may not require a legal custodian, but parents might still want a responsible adult nearby.

15. Summary and Conclusion

Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick is a vital part of the international student journey. It ensures that minor students are safe, supported, and able to succeed in a new environment.

Key points to remember: Custodianship for Students in New Brunswick

It’s legally required for students under 18
A custodian must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Custodianship Declaration Forms must be notarized
Schools may require additional documentation or verification
Choosing the right custodian is critical to a student’s success

Whether through a relative, host family, or professional service, families must plan early and thoroughly. By doing so, they not only meet Canadian legal requirements but also ensure that their children thrive in their academic and personal lives while studying in New Brunswick.

In case, if you need help with Custodianship and Homestay for Students in New Brunswick or other provinces in Canada, please fill in application below or contact us directly.

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