Please contact us if you have any questions about becoming an international student in Halton.
Is there an application deadline?
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.
Can an international student start school anytime during the school year?
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.
How do I make payment to the school board?
Local payment can be made in over 50+ currencies by visiting Global Pay by Western Union. There is a link to Global Pay on the website.
How long does it take to get the letter of acceptance from the school board?
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.
How do I apply for a Study Permit?
Please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website for
Study Permit application information and processing times for your country.
Is a parent required to live in while their child studies?
Secondary school students only require a legal custodian. Please check the website for information regarding the
Expectations of a Custodian. Elementary students must live with an immediate parent (mother or father).
Can homestay accommodation be arranged by HDSB?
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.
Who can I choose as a custodian for an international student?
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.
Can I attend any school in the HDSB?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.
Do I need to have any special technology to study in HDSB?
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.
Contact Us
Please contact us if you have any question about becoming an international student in Halton.
Halton District School Board
International Students Program
HDSB Welcome Centre
215 Ontario Street South
Milton, Ontario
L9T4N5
Tel: 905-335-3665, ext 3435
Toll free: 1-877-618-3456