Validity Period and Conditions of Acceptances Granted to Children Aged 19 to 25

Circular Note No. XDC-1262 of July 13, 2010

Last revised: December 2020

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Office of Protocol) presents its compliments to Their Excellencies the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and notified Chargés d’affaires, a.i., accredited to Canada, as well as to the Heads of International Organizations and Other Offices accredited to Canada, and has the honour to announce the implementation of new provisions covering the validity period for Acceptances and Identity Cards issued to children aged 19 to 25 who are eligible for accreditation. This note supersedes the Department's Circular Note XDC-0620 of April 24, 2001.

Effective immediately and on a general level, the Department will issue Acceptances and Identity Cards to children aged 19 to 25 that will now have a longer validity period. More specifically, the validity period for the initial Acceptance and the length of extensions for these children will correspond as far as possible with the length of the children’s course or study program as indicated in the school admission document, provided that they satisfy all of the requirements for obtaining the Acceptance. This new approach will help minimize transactions with Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations and reduce the volume of frequent requests for extensions.

It is understood that the validity period of a child’s Acceptance and Identity Card cannot exceed that of the passport or of the employee’s Acceptance.

In addition, depending on the circumstances, the Department may request that a Diplomatic Mission or International Organization provide proof of school registration for a child’s accreditation period, even if the child has already received an Acceptance valid for over one year. In this regard, the Department expects Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations to ensure that children aged 19 to 25 do in fact engage in a full-time course or study program, in accordance with Canadian policy. The Department intends to apply restrictions on the validity period of Acceptances in the event of violation of the above-noted condition. Restrictions could also apply on a reciprocal basis.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Office of Protocol) avails itself of this opportunity to renew to Their Excellencies the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and notified Chargés d'affaires, a.i. accredited to Canada, and to the Heads of International Organizations and Other Offices accredited in Canada, the assurances of its highest consideration.

OTTAWA, July 13, 2010