Hosting International Visiting Researchers
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is proud to host international visiting researchers, scholars, and students on our campus. These collaborations enrich our academic community, spark new discoveries, and strengthen our global partnerships.
If you are a TMU faculty member interested in hosting a visiting researcher, please review the information below and follow the outlined process.
Questions? Contact us at visitingresearch@torontomu.ca.
All international visiting researchers must have valid legal authorization to conduct research at TMU in accordance with Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the “Act”) (external link) and Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (external link) .
This may include:
- A work permit
- A temporary resident visa (TRV)
- An electronic travel authorization (eTA)
Researchers must fall into one of the categories outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Short-Term (120-Day) Work Permit Exemption
- Available once every 12 months
- For foreign nationals outside Canada
- Allows a maximum of 120 consecutive calendar days for research in Canada
- Must demonstrate academic excellence and relevant expertise
- Must obtain authorization to conduct research in Canada when entering the country
TMU welcomes a wide range of international researchers, from established scholars to early-career academics and students. Depending on their background and goals, visitors may join TMU as professors, postdoctoral fellows, award recipients, or student researchers, each with specific eligibility criteria and requirements.
Visiting Scholars/Professors
Experienced academics who join TMU to collaborate on research or creative projects while maintaining their positions at their home institutions.
- Affiliated with an accredited academic or research institution
- May include professors on sabbatical engaged in collaborative research at TMU
- Appointments for up to two academic years
- Must remain employed at their home institution and return afterward
Postdoctoral Fellows
Early-career researchers who build advanced expertise in their field through defined research or teaching appointments at TMU.
- Hold a PhD (or expect to complete one shortly)
- Appointment typically within 3-5 years of earning PhD
- Engage in advanced research or teaching for a defined period
- Selected based on academic excellence
Research Award Recipients
Researchers who bring external funding and recognized expertise to contribute meaningfully to TMU projects in collaboration with faculty hosts.
- Direct recipients of a competitive research award
- Must have an institutional affiliation in home country
- Must demonstrate academic excellence or bring recognized expertise and play a significant role in the research project
For more details, see the IRCC (external link) website.
Visiting Student Researchers
Students enrolled in undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral programs who conduct supervised research at TMU as part of their academic training. In addition to meeting the conditions of at least one of the above noted immigration categories, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral program at their home institution
- Are in good academic standing
- Provide proof of enrollment and a letter of support from their home institution
- Have confirmation of supervision by both their home institution and a TMU faculty member
- Demonstrate English proficiency (written and verbal)
- Obtain the required legal authorization to enter and remain in Canada
Faculty members who host visiting researchers must:
- Supervise and take responsibility for the researcher throughout their stay
- Work with HR, Research Administrative Support Officers (RASO), and other offices to complete required documentation for TMU administration processes
- Ensure compliance with TMU research ethics, intellectual property, and research security policies
- Provide lab orientations, workplace safety training, and mandatory online EHS training
Notify visitingresearch@torontomu.ca of any changes to the visitor’s conditions (funding, project, or timeline)
- Visiting scholars/professors funded directly by TMU are considered research staff and processed through HR
- Faculty hosts are responsible for associated benefits and vacation pay
- Funding through research grants must comply with agency restrictions (e.g., Tri-Council agencies)
- Researchers receiving university funding must be authorized to work in Canada and hold a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Complete the (google form) Request to Host Form (external link) and submit. You will receive a copy of the completed form by email. If you are having technical difficulties, and have not received a copy of the form, please email visitingresearch@torontomu.ca and request a copy.
Forward the copy of the completed Request to Host Form to your Chair/Director and Dean to obtain approvals. Approvals can be provided via signatures on the form or confirmation by email to visitingresearch@torontomu.ca.
Forward the email confirmation with approvals to the above account and indicate in the subject line the following: Approval for [Insert name of the visiting researcher].
Note: If changes are required on the form to any of the terms and conditions of the appointment you initially anticipated, you may either make the change directly on the form with your initial next to it, or you may indicate the changes in your email to us at the time of submitting the approved Request to Host Form.
Request that your visitor complete the (google form) Visiting Research Application Form (external link) and upload the required documentation along with their application.
Once the Visiting Research team in HR has received both the completed Request to Host Form AND a completed Visiting Research Application Form with the required documentation from the visitor, the request can be assessed and processed under the appropriate immigration program.
Note: Missing information or unclear supporting documentation will cause delays in processing.
Once the immigration process is confirmed, visiting researchers will receive instructions from TMU Global (global.learning@torontomu.ca) on how to register for the Online Visiting Researcher Orientation. This orientation provides practical information on life in Toronto and at TMU, including campus services, transportation, health services, security, English language support, banking, housing, and tips for adjusting to life abroad.
Any research - or lab-specific requirements will be coordinated directly by the TMU faculty host.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance, please email:
visitingresearch@torontomu.ca