Staff at the WRDSB are not immigration officials. Parents must make sure that immigration documents are up-to-date with the Waterloo Region District School Board.

For families moving to Canada, eligibility for enrolment and fee-exempt status is based on status in Canada, Ministry of Education guidelines and supporting regulations. The Education Act determines whether students have a right to fee-exempt education in Ontario.

What is your Immigration Status?

Click on the immigration status which applies to you below to see relevant requirements:

Parent with Work Permit

Children under the age of 18 may be eligible for fee-exempt status if a parent has a valid Work Permit and the child lives with the parent. Visiting scholars are often included in this category.

Required documents for Parent with Work Permit:

Parent with Study Permit

Children under the age of 18 may be eligible for fee-exempt status if they live with the parent and all of the following conditions are met by a parent with a Study Permit:

  • The parent must have a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that receives operating grants from the Government of Ontario. This includes Ontario Universities and approved Ontario Colleges;
  • The parent must be accepted into a full time program leading to a post-secondary Degree, Diploma, or Certificate program. Certificate programs must be at least 2 semesters long;
    • If fee exempt status applies, the child may begin school 1 week before the start date of the parent’s program; fees apply to students who wish to enrol prior to this date
  • The parent must maintain status as a full-time student; AND
  • The child must live with the parent who is studying in Canada.

Requirements for Parent attending English Classes

  • The parent’s Letter of Acceptance must state that the English as a Second Language (ESL) program is a prerequisite for a Degree, Diploma or Certificate program.
  • The ESL program must be provided by a Designated Learning Institution thatreceives operating grants from the Government of Ontario. This includes Ontario Universities approved Ontario Colleges.
  • Prerequisite ESL studies must be completed within 1 year. If ESL studies are not completed within the first year of enrolment, tuition fees may apply for the child to remain in school until the parent begins their Degree, Diploma or Certificate program.

Required documents for Parent with Study Permit:

  • Parent’s Study Permit (Note: The Study Permit is received upon arrival in Canada. See sample Study Permit)
  • Official Letter of Acceptance from the post-secondary institution that receives operating grants from the Government of Ontario. This includes Ontario Universities and approved Ontario Colleges.
  • Tuition Receipt issued by the post-secondary institution showing that tuition fees are paid in full for the current or upcoming semester
  • If the parent has started their program, we require a current enrolment letter issued by the post-secondary institution. (Submit as Supplementary Document)
  • Child’s Passport
  • Child’s Birth Certificate
  • Child’s Visitor Record or Study Permit, if available (Submit as Supplementary Document)
  • Proof of address in Waterloo Region (See the list of acceptable proof of address documents below. Submit as Supplementary Document)

Student with Refugee Claimant Document

Students under the age of 21 with a valid Refugee Claimant Document may be eligible for fee-exempt status.

Required documents for Student with Refugee Claimant Document:

In Application for Citizenship or Permanent Residence

Students under the age of 21 who are In Application for Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident status may be eligible for fee-exempt status.

Please contact the International Admissions Office at international@wrdsb.ca for information

Clergy

Children under the age of 18 may be eligible for fee-exempt status if the parent is a religious worker authorized to work in Canada.

Required documents for Clergy:

  • A valid Visitor Record and Passport for the parent who is the religious worker
  • Children’s Passports
  • Letter from the religious organization indicating the duties fulfilled by the parent
  • Proof of residence in the Waterloo Region (a rental agreement or utility bill)

Proof of Address Documents

We are able to accept the following documents as proof of your permanent address in Waterloo Region. The document must include a parent’s name:

  • Lease agreement or purchase agreement (Must be signed by the parent and landlord. Please provide the first several pages including the signatures page.)
  • Recent utility bill (gas, water, electricity, phone, internet or property tax bill issued within 1-2 months of the date submitted.)
  • Property insurance bill or Ontario property assessment notice

If you do not have one of the documents listed above, please contact our office.

We cannot accept a driver’s license or health card.