ISP FAQs

Please visit the Government of Canada website​ to learn more about the current expectations and guidelines.​​​

Applications must be received before the end of December (for the upcoming year) and before the end of November for a February start.   We do understand that some students might be delayed getting their visa and might need to start slightly late.  However, to receive secondary school credits a predetermined number of hours is Ministry of Education course requirement. ​

For Secondary school, classes start at the beginning of September and the beginning of February. New students are asked to arrive one-two weeks prior to the beginning of school to complete their English-Second-Language assessment.  ​

Local payment can be made in over 50+ currencies by visiting Global Pay by Convera​​. 

Once the fees are paid in full, the application is processed and LOA is generated. We attempt to get this done as soon as possible so families can continue with the student visa application. ​

Please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website for Study Permit application information and processing times for your country. ​​

Elementary students must live with an immediate parent (mother or father) within the school catchment listed on the Letter of Acceptance (LOA).  Secondary students can live in a homestay that has been approved by Canada HomestayNetwork.​

HDSB has partnered with Canada Homestay Network.  Please visit their website to learn about more the excellent homestay and custodian services they offer HDSB international students.​

HDSB does not act as custodian for International Students.  HDSB has partnered with Canada Homestay Network.  Please visit their website to learn about more the excellent homestay and custodian services they offer HDSB international students and view custodian responsibilities​.  

We do our best to match students with their preferred schools.  However, not all schools offer the full ESL curriculum and students may need to start in one school and then transfer at a later point.  HDSB reserves the right to limit the number of international students at one school and sometimes students might not be accepted to their first choice of schools. ​

Most of our students bring a computer to help their research and homework.  Please see the list of the programs and Apps ​that are commonly used in the Halton District School Board.​

All students have access to Pre-Arrival Learning provided by Vital English.  There is a comprehensive orientation section where students can learn about Canadian culture and the Ontario education system.  There are also English lessons and lessons on specific math and science vocabulary.​