What all is there to know when a ‘’Minor” child is traveling to Canada as a ‘’Visitor”?

Children under the age of 18 i.e. minors in Canada will have to follow the same rules as any other visitors traveling to enter Canada. Minors who are accompanying with adults (other than their legal guardians or biological parents) will need to show proof that they have permission from their parents or legal guardians to travel to Canada. If a minor child or children need a visa, they should carry and submit the evidence of documents needed for their situation with their visa application each time they travel. However, if the situation by any chance is to change after getting a visa, a proper check should be done to bring the updated documents.

The documents a minor child needs to enter Canada depends on whether the child is traveling alone or is accompanied by someone.

If a minor child is traveling alone then the child should possess his/ her own passport, a copy of birth certificate, and a letter of authorization (in English or French if possible) signed by both parents or by their legal guardian (whatever applicable) which includes the parents’ or legal guardian’s name, address and telephone number, including the name, address and telephone number of the adult who will be looking after the child in Canada.

If a minor child is traveling with one parent only then the parent should possess the child’s passport including the copy of the child’s birth certificate, as well a letter of authorization (in English or French if possible), signed by the parent who is not traveling with them and includes the name, address and telephone number of the parent who is not traveling, and a photocopy of that parent’s signed passport or national identity card.

If the parents are separated or divorced and share custody of the child then the parent traveling with the child should carry copies of the legal custody documents. In addition, a letter of authorization from the other parent who has custody to take the child on a trip out of the country should also be present.

If the parents are separated or divorced and one of them has sole custody of the child, then a letter of authorization may be signed by that parent only, and they should bring a copy of the custody decree.

If one of the child’s parents is deceased then the traveling parent should bring a copy of the death certificate.

If a minor child is traveling with a legal guardian or adoptive parents then the child should have a copy of the guardianship papers or the adoption papers (whichever one applies).

Now if a minor child is traveling with a person other than their parents or legal guardians then the relevant person (who is not the parent or the legal guardian) should have a written permission from the parents or the legal guardians to act on behalf of them to supervise the child. The permission should be in the form of letter and should include correct address and telephone numbers where the actual parents or legal guardians can be reached. In addition, a copy of the parents’ or legal guardians’ signed passports or national identity cards should be attached along with the permission letter. It is highly recommended that these documents be carried as failure to show them when asked by the border services officer can lead to dismissal of admittance to Canada.