Visiting scholars
Ontario Tech University welcomes visiting scholars who are either faculty, researchers or students (primarily doctoral), and who are interested in conducting research and working at the university for a limited time under the supervision of a faculty member.
Information for visiting scholars
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General
- Visiting scholars must be recommended by a faculty member who will act as the host supervisor.
- Visiting scholars must be affiliated with a home university, and be able to provide a letter confirming their status at the institution (i.e. employment or enrolment letter).
- Sponsored visiting scholars are required to submit proof of funding. The proof of funding may come from a university or government organization, and should be an official document on institutional letterhead, outlining the source of support. Personal bank statements will not be accepted as proof of funding.
- Visit is temporary; start and end dates must be identified.
- All visiting scholars require a letter of invitation and offer of employment (LMIA-exempt) number (if applicable), issued from SGPS.
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Duties and responsibilities
- Scholar must register for the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) upon arrival.
- Scholar is responsible for all travel and accommodations (unless clearly stipulated).
- Scholars are subject to Ontario Tech University's rules and regulations.
- Visitors must comply with all federal and provincial laws, regulations, and university policies and procedures.
- Scholars are bound by all applicable confidentiality and intellectual property rules.
- Scholar must be fully qualified and have obtained the required approvals to perform the specified research.
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Work permits
- The visiting scholar is responsible for obtaining a temporary work permit for the duration of their stay if applicable.
- For research-only visits less than 120 days, the visiting scholar does not require a temporary work permit or offer of employment number.
- For visits less than 120 days where the visiting researcher will perform any duties other than research, a temporary work permit will be required.
- For any visit exceeding 120 days, an offer of employment (LMIA-exempt) number will be issued from SGPS and a temporary work permit will be required. Please refer to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
Steps to hosting a visiting scholar
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Visiting scholar form and documentation
Visiting scholars must be recommended by a faculty member who will act as a host supervisor.
- Host supervisor completes the Host a Visiting Scholar form.
- The university will review the information provided on the Host a Visiting Scholar form and supporting documents. The university may contact the supervisor for additional information.
- Once all information has been reviewed and verified, the university will issue an invitation letter to be reviewed and signed by the faculty dean, host supervisor and visiting scholar.
- All signatures must be on the same copy of the letter, multiple copies will not be accepted. The invitation letter is then returned to the university.
- Upon receipt of the signed letter, the university will review the temporary work permit requirements and apply for the offer of employment (LMIA-exempt) number if applicable.
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- For research-only visits less than 120 days, the visiting scholar may not require a temporary work permit or offer of employment (LMIA-exempt) number.
- For any visit exceeding 120 days, an offer of employment (LMIA-exempt) number will be issued from the university and a temporary work permit will be required. Please refer to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
- For visits less than 120 days where the visiting researcher will perform any duties other than research a temporary work permit will be required.
- Host supervisors are required to provide their research account information in the Host a Visiting Scholar Form to cover the expense of the employer compliance fee.
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- A copy of all documentation related to the visiting scholar will be sent electronically to the host supervisor, faculty dean and visiting scholar, along with the offer of employment (LMIA-exempt) number if applicable.
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Arrival
- Visiting scholar must provide the university with their arrival date to campus, at least two weeks in advance to set up an in-person appointment.
- At the appointment, they must provide the university with a copy of their official documentation, including passport, temporary work permit and/or visitor’s visa if applicable.
- The university will generate their Banner ID number and initiate the email (ontariotechu.ca) request.
- The visiting scholar must contact the International Office to obtain their UHIP coverage card (by appointment only). Note: This step cannot be completed until step 3 has been completed.
Please note: The university must be notified if visiting scholar's arrival date changes.
For further information regarding visiting scholars, please contact visitingscholars@ontariotechu.ca.