The following information applies to international Visiting Research Students only. Canadian and permanent residents of Canada can skip this step.
Prospective international Visiting Research Students may come to the University of Ottawa under two scenarios:
Scenario 1: For a research visit of 120 days or less, with or without an award* that covers the costs for the duration of the stay in Canada; or
Scenario 2: For a research visit of 120 days or more (up to 12 months), with an award that covers the costs for the duration of the stay in Canada.
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1Examples of awards include: competitive scholarships from government or other funding organisations, a competitive or non-competitive scholarship from the Visiting Research Student’s home institution, a stipend from the University of Ottawa host supervisor.
NOTE: Individuals who will be paid by the University of Ottawa as employees on a contract, part-time or full-time basis are not Visiting Research Students. For more information, contact the administrative office of the relevant faculty.
Securing appropriate travel documents (permits and/or visas) for a research visit to Canada can be challenging, as the status of Visiting Research Students is not clearly laid out in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada policies. Although Visiting Research Students are visiting as part of an academic program at their home institution, they may be deemed workers rather than students. Please read this section carefully to avoid delays or refusals.
REMINDER: When preparing for a visit, the Visiting Research Student and University of Ottawa supervisor must be mindful of the time required to secure travel documents. The processing times vary by country of origin and may impact the intended arrival date. Please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s processing times to ensure that travel documents are secured well before the planned visit. Furthermore, travel restrictions may apply due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The immigration requirements will depend on the duration of the Visiting Research Student’s stay, funding source. Immigration requirements include an Electronic Travel Authorization, Visitor Visa, Study Permit.
The following information is offered as an informal guide. Note that interpretation and eligibility criteria are subject to changes outside the control of the University of Ottawa. Up-to-date information and most questions can be answered at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Help Centre.
Scenario 1: Electronic Travel Authorization and Visitor Visa
For a research visit of 120 days or less, with or without an award that covers the costs for the duration of the stay in Canada, Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTAs) and Visitor Visas are usually recommended. The following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada webpages provide more information on eTA and Visitor Visa eligibility.
Visiting Research Students who are planning on staying in Canada for less than 120 days with a Visitor Visa or an eTA, and who will receive an award or a stipend from a professor while in Canada must obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN). To obtain a SIN for a research stay of less than 120 days, Visiting Research Students must request a visitor record from the Canadian Border Service Agent at the port of entry into Canada. A visitor record can no longer be obtained once you have entered Canada.
Scenario 2: Study Permit
For a research visit of 120 days or more (up to 12 months), with an award that covers the costs for the duration of the stay in Canada, Visiting Research Students are recommended to apply for a Study Permit. The following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada webpage provides more information on Study Permit eligibility.
Visiting Research Students who obtain a Study Permit with permission to work in Canada are eligible to receive a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Upon arrival in Ottawa, Visiting Research Student must visit Service Ontario in person with their passport and Study Permit.
In all circumstances, the Visiting Research Student must ensure their passport does not expire during their intended stay in Canada and that the passport follows both departure and arrival country regulations.
Once the travel documents are secured and travel dates confirmed, the visiting research student can contact the University of Ottawa supervisor and proceed to the next step, to be registered at the University of Ottawa. No registration packages will be processed before all travel documents are obtained.