Airport Arrival in Cranbrook   Application Process We recommend that students who are interested in studying In Canada with the Southeast Kootenay International Education Program should contact an international education agent in their home country, who can provide additional information about our program and who can assist with the various steps in the application process.  However, it is also possible to apply directly our program.   In any case, the first step in the application process is to complete our application form and to submit it together with a letter of introduction, recent school reports, a copy of your passport and some informal photos of the student that may include family or friends or show the student doing an activity he or she enjoys.  Once we receive the application, to make a decision about acceptance, we will consider the student's personality, interests, English ability and academic record.   When the student is accepted into our program, we will forward a letter of acceptance, custodianship declaration (see below). Letter of Acceptance Sample Letter of Acceptance.pdf    The letter of acceptance that the School District provides can be used to apply for a study permit, if necessary, (see below) and should be carried with the student when he or she enters Canada.   Custodianship Declaration  Custodianship Declaration Forms 2013.pdf   Citizenship and Immigration Canada requires that all minor children (children aged 18 or younger) must have an official custodian in Canada who is responsible for the care and support of the student in place of the student's natural parents.  The Director of the Southeast Kootenay International Education Program acts as the custodian for almost all our students and there is no charge for this service.  The Program completes the attached Custodianship Declaration - Custodian form, and the custodian's signature is notarized.  To show that the student's natural parents accept the Director of the Program as their student's custodian, they must complete the Custodianship Declaration - Parents/Guardians form (page 2 of the attachment) and also have their signature(s) notarized.  The completed and notarized custodianship declarations may be used to apply for a study permit (if necessary) or carried with the student when he or she enters Canada.   Study in Canada Complete information about the government requirements for studying in Canada are available online from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website under Study in Canada.   Study Permits Students who plan to study in Canada for more than six months are required to have a study permit issued by the Canadian government.  In other words, that means that a student planning to study in Canada for one semester (5 months) does not need a study permit.  However, if there is any possibility that a one-semester student might extend his or her stay beyond six months, then it is recommended that they obtain a study permit before they come to Canada.  Students can apply for study permits both online and on paper.   Canadian Visa Students from certain countries may require a visa to enter Canada.  For example, students from Germany, Japan, Spain, and Switzerland do not need a visa, but students from Brazil and Mexico do require one.  A visa is not the same thing as a study permit!  A study permit authorizes a student from any country to study in Canada for a certain period of time, whereas a visa authorizes students from certain countries to enter Canada.  So, for example, a student from Germany studying for one semester (5 months) does not require either a study permit or a visa.  A student from Switzerland studying for one school year (10 months) requires a study permit, but not a visa.  A student from Brazil studying for one semester, requires a visa but not a study permit, and a student from Mexico studying for one school year requires both a visa and a study permit.  If this seems confusing, it's because it is!​   Flying to the Southeast Kootenay School District The destination airport for our international students is the Cranbrook International Airport (YXC), sometimes called the Canadian Rockies International Airport.  There are many connecting flights to Cranbrook each day from the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Calgary International Airport (YYC).  Students are welcomed at the airport by their host family and by at least one of our program staff.