A parent on a study permit, applying for a spousal open work permit (SOWP) for their spouse, asked what to apply for their 9-year-old: a dependent visitor visa or a child study permit. The thread surfaced the three routes families actually use:
- Visitor visa first, study permit at the port of entry. Several members reported the common route: bring the child on a visitor (dependent) visa, then request the child's study permit at the port of entry or after arrival if needed.
- Apply for the child's study permit directly alongside the SOWP — the straightforward option if you want everything settled before travel. Multiple members recommended 'student visa for your school-going child & SOWP for your wife.'
- The key rule many families miss: children under 16 generally do not need their own study permit to attend public school if a parent holds a work permit (and in practice, study-permit-holding parents' children are also accommodated — but the thread specifically cited the work-permit rule). One member confirmed they simply brought their child on a visitor visa and enrolled them in public school.
Practical takeaway: if your spouse's SOWP is approved, a visitor visa for the child is usually sufficient for public-school enrollment; a dedicated child study permit is the belt-and-suspenders option. School boards set their own document checklists, so confirm with the local school board before choosing the minimal route.