Graduate Visiting Research Student

Graduate Visiting Research Students (VRS) are admitted to SFU as a full-time student to foster the exchange of ideas, receive specialized training, and participate in research collaboration. Graduate students enrolled as a VRS at Simon Fraser University are eligible to undertake research and receive specialized training under the supervision of an SFU Faculty Supervisor. VRS will have access to University resources and services including SFU libraries, labs, email services, recreation facilities, and international student advising services from the International Services for Students (ISS). However, VRS are not eligible for the U-Pass.

VRS may not take classes. If you wish to take classes, please apply as a non-degree student.

If the applicant is not eligible for a VRS, they might find that applying as a Visiting Scholar might be more appropriate.

Eligibility

To be eligible for admission to SFU as a VRS you must:

be a master’s or doctoral student in good academic standing at your home institution
maintain enrolment at your home institution for the duration of your stay at SFU
be responsible for the following fees and expenses:
a one-time, non-refundable application fee of CAD$500; and
all costs associated with your visit, including travel, accommodation, health insurance, and living expenses while in Canada

English language qualification

While there is no requirement for VRS to submit English language proficiency scores, the SFU Faculty Supervisor and department are responsible for determining the student’s level of English is sufficient for the proposed research at SFU.

How to Apply

	Establish a research arrangement
	VRS Applicants should start by getting in contact with an SFU faculty member and/or an academic department to establish a research partnership and obtain support for their proposed research activities at SFU.

Submission of Application

The SFU hosting department is responsible for gathering and submitting the following documents to research_mobility@sfu.ca as soon as possible:

Completed VRS Application Form, signed by the applicant, the SFU hosting professor, and the SFU Graduate Program Chair
Invitation letter from the SFU hosting professor
Applicant’s proof of self-funding
Copy of applicant's passport
Copy of current university transcript in English

Applications will be reviewed and processed only after all required documents are received.

If the VRS admission application is approved, the International Services for Students office will issue a Letter of Admission.

Fee information

The VRS will pay a one-time, non-refundable application fee of $500 CAD but will not be charged tuition or ancillary fees.

Upon processing your VRS application, the application fee will be applied to your SFU Student Accounts. Payment of the application fee is due within two months of the issuance of a Letter of Admission (LOA) from SFU. For more information on how to pay fees, visit and follow the instructions here.

Please note that VRS are responsible for covering all personal living expenses, including accommodation, meals, transportation, health insurance, and other costs incurred during their stay at SFU.

VRS Invitation Letter Template
(Downloaded and completed by SFU hosting professor)

VRS Application Form

Apply for The Appropriate Immigration Document

All international VRS must obtain the proper immigration document(s) before conducting research at SFU. The specific immigration document(s) will depend on a few factors such as the nature of research activities, source(s) of funding, and the duration of your stay in Canada.

To help determine the appropriate immigration document(s), after your admission letter is issued, an international student advisor from ISS will reach out to you and guide you through the immigration application process.

If you have questions about immigration requirements, please contact the International Student Advisors at ISS.

Registration in GRAD 800

Visiting Research Students are admitted to the university with full-time student status for the period of their research studies. VRS will be registered in GRAD 800, a full-time, non-credit course by Graduate Studies for each term during their period of research.

You can receive your library/ID card 24 hours after you have been enrolled in the course.

Note: To obtain your ID card, Visiting Research Students can visit Student Services in person at any of the 3 campuses convenient to them. Information on getting the ID card can be found on this website.

Getting Started

Getting Started provides general information for all new Graduate students at SFU.

Find information about Medical Insurance.

Changes to Visit Dates

If you are unable to arrive on your intended start date, please notify ISS as soon as possible.

Any changes to the start and/or end dates of your visit must first be approved by your SFU hosting professor. Once the revised dates have been confirmed, please have your SFU hosting professor/department email research_mobility@sfu.ca to ensure that records are updated accordingly.

Faculty of Graduate Studies

Visiting + Incoming Exchange