This post is for educational purposes only. PlanSmartFi is not a financial advisor or immigration consultant. Immigration rules, government benefit eligibility, and registered account rules change regularly. Always verify current rules at Canada.ca and IRCC.gc.ca, and consider speaking with a licensed immigration consultant or qualified financial professional before making any decisions that affect your family’s status or finances in Canada.
Moving to Canada on a work permit or study permit is already a big undertaking. Adding children to the picture raises a new set of questions that many families do not get clear answers to until they are already here. Can your child go to school right away? Are you entitled to any government benefits for your kids? Can you start saving in a registered account like an RESP?
The good news is that Canada does have pathways for children of temporary residents to attend school, access certain financial benefits, and even begin building education savings. The less obvious news is that the rules depend heavily on the type of permit you hold, how long you have been in Canada, and whether your child has a Social Insurance Number. Getting the sequence right can save you months of delays and missed money.
This guide walks through the key steps: school enrollment, SIN applications, benefit eligibility, and education savings, all in plain language designed for families who are new to Canada’s systems.
At a Glance: Three things to know
1. School: Depending on the child’s situation and intended length of study, a study permit may be needed before enrolling. IRCC rules are specific, so confirm before applying.
2. SIN first: Getting your child’s Social Insurance Number early unlocks RESP setup and the government education grants that go with it. You do not need to wait 18 months for this.
3. CCB later: The Canada Child Benefit requires 18 consecutive months of residency for most temporary residents. Plan for this waiting period before applying.
Is Your Child a Temporary Resident in Canada?
When a parent arrives in Canada on a work permit or study permit, any dependent children who accompany them are also considered temporary residents. This applies whether the children were born abroad or arrived with a parent who holds a study permit, an employer-specific work permit, or an open work permit (such as a Post-Graduation Work Permit or an International Mobility Program permit).
A child’s permit and residency status affects their school enrollment rules, SIN eligibility, benefit access, and RESP setup. The table below gives a quick overview of how different parent permit types relate to the child’s situation. Study permit rules are more detailed than a table can fully capture, so always confirm the current requirements for your specific situation with IRCC.
| Parent’s Permit Type | Child’s Status in Canada | Child and Study Permit: General Starting Point |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit (open or employer-specific) | Temporary resident (dependent) | A study permit is generally required for stays over 6 months; IRCC rules are specific to the child’s situation |
| Study permit | Temporary resident (dependent) | A study permit is generally required for stays over 6 months; IRCC rules are specific to the child’s situation |
| Visitor visa / tourist visa | Visitor | A study permit is required for stays over 6 months; for 6 months or less, valid visitor status is sufficient |
| Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) | TRP holder (dependent) | Depends on TRP conditions; confirm directly with IRCC |
Study permit rules have a number of exceptions and conditions depending on the child’s specific circumstances, the parent’s permit type, and the intended length of study. The next section breaks down the key rules in more detail.
Getting Your Child Into School: Study Permits and Enrollment
Most provinces and territories in Canada generally require school-age children living in the province to attend school. If your child is of school age, enrolling them is generally both your right and your responsibility. The question is what documents they need to do so, and that depends on the parent’s permit type and how long the child plans to study.
According to IRCC, minor children who come to Canada with a parent who holds a work permit or study permit may need their own study permit depending on their situation and length of study. The common situations where a study permit is not required are more limited: they primarily apply to children of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and to certain short-stay situations.
Here is how the rules generally break down for children of temporary residents:
- If the child’s intended study period is 6 months or less, a study permit is generally not required. The child must have valid status in Canada (a visitor visa, eTA, or visitor record).
- If the stay will be longer than 6 months and the parent holds a work or study permit, the child generally needs their own study permit. IRCC rules in this area are specific to the child’s situation, so confirm current requirements at IRCC’s minor children study permit page before applying.
- If the parent holds only a visitor visa, the child will need a study permit to attend school for more than 6 months.
When in doubt, apply for a study permit.
Even in situations where a study permit may not be strictly required, having one can make school enrollment smoother. Some school boards request it as supporting documentation. It also gives your child a clear authorized-stay record tied to your permit’s expiry, and it means you have formal documentation if questions arise later.
What Happens When Your Child Turns 18?
When a minor child reaches the age of majority (18 in most provinces, 19 in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon), they must apply for their own study permit if they want to continue studying in Canada. Their dependent status under their parent’s permit no longer applies once they are legally an adult.
Example: Omar’s Situation
Omar arrives in Canada on a three-year employer-specific work permit. He brings his two children: a 9-year-old in primary school and a 16-year-old in secondary school. Because the children plan to study in Canada for longer than 6 months, Omar applies for study permits for both children before or shortly after arriving. He provides his work permit, the children’s passports, letters of acceptance from the school, and proof of address as part of the applications. Once their study permits are issued, Omar enrolls them with the local school board. If Omar’s work permit is extended, he will also need to renew the children’s study permits accordingly.
Does Your Child Need a Social Insurance Number (SIN)?
A Social Insurance Number is a 9-digit identifier required to work in Canada and to access government benefit programs. For children of temporary residents, the SIN is particularly important because it is required to open an RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan) and to receive the Canada Child Benefit.
Temporary residents, including children, are eligible for a SIN. Their SIN will begin with the digit 9 and will have an expiry date tied to their immigration document’s expiry. When the immigration document is renewed or the family obtains permanent resident status, the SIN should be updated with Service Canada. Upon obtaining PR status, Service Canada issues a new SIN without an expiry date.
For applications: a parent or guardian usually applies on behalf of a child under 12, while children 12 and older may apply on their own or with a parent’s help. Applications are typically made in person at a Service Canada office.
To apply, you will generally need the child’s valid immigration document (passport, study permit, or visitor record), proof of identity, and, if the parent is applying on behalf of the child, documentation confirming the parent-child relationship. Always check the current Service Canada requirements at Canada.ca before visiting, as supporting document requirements can vary.
One practical note: apply for your child’s SIN early. In many cases it is issued the same day when applied for in person, but processing can take longer depending on the application method. You will need it before you can open an RESP or apply for the CCB on their behalf.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB): The 18-Month Rule Explained
The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to help families with the cost of raising children under 18. For the 2025 to 2026 benefit year, the maximum amounts are approximately $666 per month for each child under age 6, and approximately $562 per month for each child aged 6 to 17, before income-based reductions begin.
Temporary residents, including those on work permits and study permits, can become eligible for the CCB, but there is a waiting period that many families are not aware of when they arrive.
The 18-Month Residency Requirement
To qualify for the CCB as a temporary resident, you must meet both of the following conditions:
- You have lived in Canada for at least 18 consecutive months before the month you apply.
- You hold a valid permit in the 19th month that does not include wording such as “does not confer status” or “does not confer temporary resident status.”
This means that if you arrive in Canada in January 2025 on a work permit, you would generally not be eligible to receive CCB until July 2026 at the earliest, assuming your permit remains valid. If you apply before meeting the 18-month threshold, CRA guidance indicates your application may be used to determine eligibility for other programs such as the GST/HST credit, but the specific outcome will depend on your individual circumstances. Do not rely on a specific result for early applications; check with the CRA directly if you are unsure of your eligibility timing.
Important: Receiving the CCB does not affect your immigration status or your application for permanent residence. The CRA does not consider the CCB to be social assistance, so accepting it generally will not be held against you in future immigration applications. Always verify this with a licensed immigration consultant for your specific situation, as rules can change.
How to Apply
Once you have met the 18-month requirement, apply using Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefit Application). If you are new to Canada, you will also need to complete Form RC66SCH (Status in Canada and Income Information for the Canada Child Benefit and Related Programs). Both forms are available on the CRA website. You will need your child’s SIN for the application.
File your Canadian income tax return each year even if you have no income. Annual tax filing is required to keep receiving the CCB once you are enrolled.
RESP and Education Savings for Temporary Resident Children
A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is one of the most useful education savings tools available in Canada. Contributions grow tax-sheltered, and the federal government adds money through the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG). For many families, this is one of the first financial accounts worth setting up after arriving in Canada.
The good news for temporary residents is that you generally do not have to wait 18 months to open an RESP. However, whether a child can be named as the beneficiary and receive government grants depends on their specific residency status, the validity of their SIN, and how the financial institution where you open the account interprets the rules. Some institutions apply these rules conservatively. It is worth confirming with your chosen provider before assuming your child qualifies for CESG immediately after arrival.
RESP Eligibility for Temporary Resident Children
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Child must be a resident of Canada | The child beneficiary must be residing in Canada. Whether a temporary resident child meets this requirement can depend on their specific status and length of stay; confirm with your RESP provider. |
| Child must have a valid SIN | A SIN is required for the child to be named as a beneficiary. For temporary residents, this will be a 9-series SIN with an expiry date. The SIN must remain valid for grants to continue. |
| Subscriber (account opener) residency | There is no residency requirement for the person opening the RESP. The subscriber simply needs to provide their own SIN. |
| CESG eligibility | The CESG is 20% on the first $2,500 contributed annually, up to $500 per year and $7,200 over the child’s lifetime. Eligibility depends on the child’s residency status and SIN validity. Confirm CESG eligibility for your child’s specific situation with your financial institution and the CRA. |
What Happens to the RESP If You Leave Canada?
This is a question many families on temporary permits think about. If your child stops being a Canadian resident before the RESP is used, government grants received while in Canada would typically be returned if the child is no longer eligible when payments are eventually made. Contributions and any investment growth are not typically subject to repayment, but the grant amounts are. Always verify the current rules with your RESP provider and a tax professional before making decisions based on potential departure.
Example: Priya’s Education Savings Plan
Priya arrives in Canada with her family in March 2025. Her husband holds an open work permit valid for three years. Their daughter is 4 years old. Priya applies for her daughter’s SIN shortly after arriving. Once it arrives, Priya contacts a financial institution to open an RESP and confirms whether her daughter qualifies as a beneficiary under their account-opening rules given her temporary resident status. After confirming eligibility, she opens the RESP and begins contributing $200 per month. If her daughter is eligible for the CESG, the government may add up to $500 for each year $2,500 is contributed. Priya does not need to wait 18 months to open the account, but the CCB will not be available to her family until after their 19th month in Canada, which falls in October 2026.
A Practical Financial Checklist for Your Family’s First Year
The steps below are not a substitute for professional advice, but they reflect the order many families find useful when managing the financial and administrative setup for children arriving as temporary residents. Sequence matters here, because some steps depend on completing earlier ones first.
| Timeline | Task | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| As soon as possible after arrival | Apply for your child’s SIN at a Service Canada office | Required before you can open an RESP or apply for CCB |
| Shortly after SIN arrives | Enroll your child in school with the local school board | School enrollment is a legal requirement for school-age children in Canada |
| Within a few months of arrival | Open an RESP and begin contributing, even small amounts | The CESG accumulates from the year of first contribution; starting early means more years of grant eligibility |
| Before filing your first tax return | File a Canadian income tax return, even with no Canadian income | Tax filing is required to access the CCB once eligible, and to access other credits |
| After 18 months of continuous residency | Apply for the Canada Child Benefit using Form RC66 and RC66SCH | You become eligible for CCB in the month after meeting the 18-month threshold |
| Ongoing | Keep your child’s immigration documents current; update SIN when permit is renewed | An expired SIN or lapsed permit can interrupt RESP grants and CCB payments |
What Changes When You Become a Permanent Resident?
If your family transitions from temporary resident status to permanent resident (PR) status, a few things change in your favour. Understanding these changes can help you plan ahead rather than scramble to catch up.
First, your child’s SIN will need to be updated. As a temporary resident, their SIN starts with 9 and has an expiry date tied to their immigration document. Once your family obtains permanent resident status, Service Canada will issue a new SIN without an expiry date. Updating this with your RESP provider and the CRA is important to ensure grants and benefit payments continue without interruption.
Second, the 18-month CCB waiting period does not apply in the same way to new permanent residents. Once you land as a permanent resident, you can apply for the CCB effective the month after landing. This means families who had been waiting as temporary residents and then obtain PR status can apply right away rather than continuing to count months toward the 18-month threshold.
Third, once your family obtains PR status and your child’s SIN is updated, the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) may be worth exploring. The CLB provides up to $2,000 in education savings into an RESP for eligible children from lower-income families, and no personal RESP contributions are required to receive it. Eligibility depends on family net income thresholds set by the government each year, and the child must be named as the beneficiary in an RESP. If your family’s income qualifies, it is worth asking your RESP provider or the CRA whether your child may be eligible after you obtain PR status.
| Program or Account | As a Temporary Resident | After Becoming a Permanent Resident |
|---|---|---|
| CCB | Eligible after 18 consecutive months with a valid permit | Eligible from the month after landing; apply with RC66 |
| RESP | Can open and contribute; CESG available if child is resident with valid SIN | No change in RESP access; update SIN when PR card arrives |
| Canada Learning Bond (CLB) | Generally not available to temporary residents | May be available if family net income meets the eligibility threshold; confirm with RESP provider or CRA after landing |
| Child’s SIN | 9-series SIN with expiry date tied to immigration document | New SIN without expiry date issued by Service Canada; update with CRA and RESP provider |
| Study permit for child | May be required depending on parent’s permit type and study length | Not required; child may study freely as a dependent of a PR |
The Bottom Line
Setting up your children’s financial and educational foundation as temporary residents in Canada involves a sequence of steps that are manageable once you understand the order. School enrollment often comes first, and whether a child needs their own study permit depends on their situation, the parent’s permit type, and the intended length of study. When in doubt, applying for a study permit gives your child clear documentation and avoids friction at school registration. Getting each child’s SIN early unlocks access to the RESP and its government grants, which do not require the 18-month residency wait that the Canada Child Benefit does. The CCB is worth planning for carefully: mark your family’s 18-month anniversary and apply promptly once you meet the threshold, as the benefit can be significant and may be retroactive from the date of eligibility.
If your family is planning to apply for permanent residence, it is worth understanding how the transition changes each of these programs so you do not miss out on benefits like the Canada Learning Bond or a timely CCB application after landing.
For more on government benefits and registered accounts available to newcomers, see the Government Programs and Benefits section of PlanSmartFi.
Disclaimer: The information in this post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, immigration, or legal advice. Immigration rules, government benefit eligibility rules, and registered account requirements change regularly and may differ based on individual circumstances. All figures referenced are current as of early 2026. Always verify current rules at Canada.ca and IRCC.gc.ca, and consult a qualified immigration consultant or financial professional before making immigration or financial decisions for your family.
