The International Employment and Immigration team works with you and your future faculty to prepare you for your new life in Canada.

We prepare the best immigration strategy for you to receive authorization to work in Canada and guide you through the application process for yourself and your eligible family members. We’re available to answer any immigration questions throughout the process until your arrival at uOttawa.

Once you’re settled in, we provide you with guidance and tools to initiate and support your permanent residency application. We’re here to ensure a smooth, seamless integration into your new community.

Learn how to apply for a Work permit application.

Will you be completing your PhD program soon? Are you a recent international PhD graduate or postdoctoral fellow looking to gain experience for a full-time academic or research career, strengthen your publication record and or broaden your research expertise? Join our team as a postdoctoral fellow!

All our postdoctoral fellows either have an  employee or affiliation status at uOttawa.

The International Employment and Immigration team guides you through the immigration process. We provide tools and support for you to receive authorization to work in Canada and guide you through the application process for yourself and your eligible family members. We’re available to answer any immigration questions throughout the entire process.

Want to make Canada your permanent home? When you’re ready to apply, we’ll provide you with guidance and tools to support your in your permanent resident application process, to maximize your chances of success in obtaining permanent residency.

If you’re a postdoctoral fellow affiliated with uOttawa but employed by another Canadian institution, contact that institution for support with your immigration request.

Learn more about becoming a uOttawa Postdoctoral Fellow.

Learn how to apply for a Work permit application.

Support staff play an essential role in advancing research and delivering study programs. We recruit the best administrators and support staff locally, nationally and internationally. Wherever you are, bring your talents to our broad uOttawa team!

The International Employment and Immigration team works closely with you, your hiring manager and the HR team to prepare you for your new position at uOttawa. Whether you reside in Canada already or are joining us from across the globe, we advise you in obtaining authorization to work in Canada and guide you through the application process for yourself and your eligible family members. We’re available to answer any immigration questions throughout the entire process until your arrival at uOttawa.

Want to make Canada your permanent home? When you’re ready to apply for permanent residency, we’ll provide you with guidance and tools to initiate and support your application. We’re here to ensure your smooth, seamless integration into your new community.

Learn how to prepare a Work permit application.

Congratulations on completing your degree! As an international student graduating from uOttawa or any other Designated Learning Institution (DLI), you can apply for a  Post-Graduate Work Permit allowing you to work anywhere in Canada for up to three years.

For the latest information on authorization to work while waiting for your Post-Graduate Work Permit, always check the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website

If your career starts at uOttawa, we’re here to support you on your journey to permanent residency.

To see how we can help, select one of our employment categories above!

Working on Campus

International students studying at uOttawa can receive support related to immigration and working on campus by contacting the International Office

As an international student studying full time with a valid study permit, you’re eligible to work on campus. Before starting work, be sure to:

• check that your study permit allows you to work on or off campus
• maintain your eligibility to work on-campus while studying 
• apply for and have a valid social insurance number (SIN)  
• open a Canadian bank account

For the latest information on your eligibility to work on campus, always check the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.  

Visiting Student Researcher Program

The Visiting Student Researcher (VSR) Program is designed to welcome national and international external students to conduct research full time at uOttawa under the supervision of a faculty member. A VSR must be enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral program at a university in Canada or abroad.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply for the program, discover our Centre for Research Opportunities.

Graduates of international medical schools are welcome to apply to complete their postgraduate medical education in one of uOttawa’s partner teaching hospitals. We offer 76 residency programs that lead to certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the College of Family Physicians of Canada. We also have over 210 fellowship opportunities and, each year, we accept over 150 visa trainees, who bring a wide range of skills and cultural diversity that enrich our programs and faculty.

We understand that the stringent program admission requirements may seem overwhelming. Once you’re accepted, we’ll provide you with the required documentation and guide you through the work permit application process for yourself and, if applicable, your eligible family members. We’re available to answer any immigration questions throughout the process until your arrival at uOttawa.

Learn more about postgraduate medical education.

Learn how to apply for a Work permit.

At uOttawa, we build partnerships with international postsecondary institutions and communities. There are many opportunities to come to uOttawa to work with our researchers. Explore our faculties and find researchers whose interests match yours.

• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Law — Civil Law Section
• Faculty of Law — Common Law Section
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Telfer School of Management

Once you receive a preliminary invitation, our team will work with you and your host faculty to draft a formal invitation letter and guide you through the immigration process to obtain authorization to work in Canada. We’ll support you in obtaining legal status for your dependants and preparing for your arrival in Canada.

Immigration programs for visitors

Learn international academics

Visiting appointments are usually held for a maximum of two years and are offered when appointees hold an ongoing appointment or emeritus status at another university or institution to which they expect to return. Self-funded researchers who are not students and don’t hold an academic rank at another institution can hold a visiting scholar appointment at uOttawa.

Visiting international academics with a current faculty appointment at their home institution are exempt from undergoing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This exemption covers visiting professors, researchers, scientists and scholars.   

Learn how apply for a Work permit.

Short-term work permit exemption for researchers

Eligible highly skilled foreign nationals can come to Canada for 120 consecutive days to perform work in a publicly funded Canadian degree-granting institution or affiliated research institution. However, the number of consecutive days cannot be extended. The 120 days begin on the date the exemption is granted. Applicants may be granted this 120-day work permit exemption once in a 12-month period.

Learn more about the  short-term work permit exemption for researchers.

Self-funded visiting researchers, scientists and scholars (less than six months)

Self-funded researchers, scientists or scholars (whose source of income is from outside of Canada) who will be in Canada less than six months and will not be entering the Canadian labour market don’t require a work permit and can enter under the business visitor category.  

Learn more about entering Canada as a business visitor.

Examiners and evaluators

Examiners and evaluators  are qualified individuals who direct studies and review work done by university students under their tutelage. You receive a work permit exemption allowing you to enter Canada on occasion to review your student’s work under the business visitor category. This category also allows you to seek entry to Canada to evaluate academic university programs or research proposals.

Learn more about entering Canada as a business visitor.

Public speakers

Public speakers include guest speakers for specific events (such as an academic speaker) and commercial speakers or seminar leaders, provided the seminar given by the foreign speaker entering under this provision does not last longer than five days, not counting travel time, in the case of multiple engagements. You enter under the business visitor category.

Learn more about entering Canada as a business visitor.

Other

The above-mentioned programs are frequently used in an academic setting. However, there are more immigration programs available for visitors. Learn more about how to visit Canada on business.

Learn more about your rights as a temporary foreign worker. 

If you are a foreign worker under the International Mobility program, get to know your rights while working in Canada. 

According to the Government of Canada, “To work In Canada or access government programs and benefits, you need a 9-digit number known as a Social Insurance Number (SIN).”  Without a SIN or proof of application for it, the University of Ottawa cannot issue any type of remuneration.

To learn more about SINs, refer to this overview.  

To apply for a SIN, refer to these instructions.

In the absence of a Provincial Health Insurance (OHIP or RAMQ), all employees (including visitors of more than 2 weeks) and students are required to be covered by the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).  

Therefore, you are required to request coverage for your first month in Canada or until you receive provincial health insurance by following the steps below when you arrive in Canada.  

• Complete the UHIP Application Form  
• Submit the form to [email protected]  

After you have submitted the form a member of the HR team will establish the UHIP insurance coverage and contact you for credit card details for payment purposes.  

Learn more about the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).   

Learn more about Ontario’s Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

Learn more about Quebec’s Health Insurance plan (RAMQ).

If you are a Visiting Research Student (VRS), please contact [email protected] with your insurance questions.  

For questions about pay, profile information, employee ID, etc please contact InfoRH at [email protected].

Access the University of Ottawa’s Human Ressources website. 

• Only book your flight to Canada once you receive your visa or permit approval. It is important to have gathered all necessary documents before planning your entry into Canada.
• Submit a thorough application as IRCC is prompt to refuse incomplete or erroneous applications. It may take months to overcome a refusal.
• Always keep track of expiration dates on important documents, such as your passport, work permit, study permit, health insurance coverage and visa (if applicable).
• Make sure you always have valid insurance coverage at all times during your stay. When you are not covered by provincial coverage, you must purchase UHIP.
• Save a digital and physical copy of all important documents. Save them somewhere safe and accessible.
• When travelling outside of Canada, ensure that you have a valid visa in your passport to return.
• Keep your Workday profile up to date. It is important to keep your profile up to date with your immigration status. Update it with new permits, permanent residence and Canadian citizenship. This will prevent pay interruptions.
• Find definitions of words IRCC uses in their website, such as, permit, status, TRV, etc.