120 days or less

On June 12, 2017, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in coordination with Employment and Social Development Canada, launched the Global Skills Strategy and introduced, among other changes, new work permit exemptions for certain high-skilled work of a short duration.

This strategy is a work permit exemption which allows eligible researchers to exit and re-enter Canada within the 120-day time frame. However, the number of consecutive days cannot be extended beyond the initial 120 days. The 120 days begin on the date the exemption was granted.

Eligibility of short-term visiting researchers

• The foreign national is coming to perform work for 120 consecutive days or less and has not been granted an exemption under the public policy facilitating entry into Canada for short-term work in the last 12 months.
• The foreign national intends to perform work as a researcher.
• The foreign national has a letter of invitation from UNB.
• The foreign national has a significant role to play in or value to add to the research project.
• When entering Canada, at the request of an officer, the foreign national produces written confirmation from the receiving institution attesting to the details of the work as being primarily research and outlining the duration of the work.

Application process

UNB faculty member

1. Identifies a potential short-term researcher and initiates a conversation regarding coming to UNB to collaborate on research for a period not to exceed 120 consecutive days. 
2. Confirms the details of the visit.
3. Completes the application for short-term visiting researchers and attaches the supporting documents which include:
   • scanned copy of the passport identification page
   • visitor's CV
   • confirmation of employment at a foreign university
   • confirmation of external / UNB funding (if applicable)
   • written approval from the chair and dean
4. The application is emailed to Global Partnerships to the attention of Olga Kamel olga.kamel@unb.ca.

Global Learning & Engagement

• The information is reviewed to determine the candidate meets the requirements of the Global Skills Strategy program.
• A letter of invitation is then written to the Visitor on behalf of UNB which includes the conditions of the visit. This letter is signed by Dr. John Kershaw, Assistant Vice President (Partnerships)
• A representative of the Global Team will email a copy of the letter of invitation and the employer compliance fee receipt to the visiting short-term researcher with a copy to the Dean and Supervisor. 

Visiting short-term researcher

• Obtain their own travel and health insurance. UNB has collaborated with Guard.Me to enable visiting professors, researchers and students to purchase insurance online at Guard.Me.
• Secure their own off-campus housing and living arrangements while at UNB.
• Obtain a visitor permit from a Canadian Border Services officer has they arrive in Canada. This document is essential to secure a social insurance number and receive any living allowance or stipend confirmed in the letter of invitation from UNB. 

Up to 2 years

Eligibility of a visiting professor and/or researcher

• professors and/or researchers are currently employed by a foreign university or research Institution
• invited as part of an academic exchange or research partnership
• specific start and finish dates (maximum 2 years)
• can be paid or unpaid

Application process

UNB faculty member

1. Identifies a potential Visiting Professor/Researcher and initiates a conversation regarding coming to UNB to collaboration on research, teaching or other activities confirming the details of the visit.
2. Completes the application for visiting professors / researcher and attaches the supporting documents which include:
   • scanned copy of the passport identification page
   • visitors CV
   • confirmation of employment at a foreign University
   • confirmation of external / UNB Funding
   • the account number for the employer compliance fee ($230)
   • written approval from the chair and dean
3. The application is emailed to Global Partnerships to the attention of Olga Kamel olga.kamel@unb.ca.

Global Learning & Engagement

1. The information from the application form is uploaded to the IRCC Employer Portal, the employer compliance fee is paid and an offer of employment number is obtained using the National Occupation Code (NOC) of 4011: University Professors and Lecturers.
2. A letter of invitation is then written to the Visitor on behalf of UNB which includes the offer of employment number and the conditions of the visit.  This letter is signed by Dr. John Kershaw, Assistant Vice President (Partnerships)
3. A representative of the Global Team will email a copy of the letter of invitation and the employer compliance fee receipt to the Visiting Professor / Researcher with a copy to the Dean and Supervisor. 
4. The original documents will be sent by campus mail to the UNB Faculty member inviting the Visitor.

Responsibilities of visiting professor/researchers

1. Complete an application to IRCC for a Temporary Work Permit to conduct research in Canada. The offer of employment number and the letter of invitation are required to complete the application.
2. Obtain their own insurance. UNB has collaborated with Guard.Me to enable visiting professors, researcher and students to purchase insurance online at Guard.Me.
3. Secure their own off-campus housing and living arrangements while at UNB.
4. To secure a SIN using either their visitor permit or work permit if they are receiving any living allowances or stipends from UNB.

Up to 12 months/renewable

Postdoctoral applications are processed by the Office of Research Services.

Postdoctoral fellows can be either the direct recipients of an award or be offered a time-limited position to undertake research on behalf of or as part of a team of researchers. This group will come under a postdoctoral application process coordinated by the Office of Research Services.

For more information on international postdoctoral fellows, see the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.