Visiting International Research Students

VIRS students are not eligible for UBC Housing (on-campus dormitories).

VIRS students are responsible for finding their own accommodations.

Learn more about finding housing here:

• Go Global Housing Information Packet
• UBC Off-Campus Housing Resources
• UBC Life student blog post about housing
• Avoiding Rental Scams

If you are refused by Canadian immigration, please contact Go Global immediately and we will work with immigration advisors to review your case and inform you of your options.

Once you are accepted as a VIRS student, you can apply for a study permit. An initial study permit application must be made outside of Canada to the visa office responsible for your country of citizenship or the country in which you are currently residing.

Please see the complete tutorial for how to apply for a study permit.

If your study permit application is approved, you will be issued a Letter of Introduction which you will present to the border officer when entering Canada so that they can issue you your study permit.

You must have a valid study permit before you can begin your research at UBC under the VIRS program.

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required to enter Canada as a visitor. Depending on your country of citizenship/nationality, you will either need a TRV or eTA but not both.

Find out which document you need by completing this online questionnaire.

If you are applying for a study permit, you do not need to apply separately for a TRV or eTA.

The Visiting International Research Student (VIRS) Program is considered full-time studies for which accepted students will be engaged in research under the supervision of a UBC faculty member. Furthermore, the research a student will engage in forms a student-institution relationship and not an employment relationship with UBC.

Any VIRS students studying at UBC for longer than 6 months must apply for a study permit, as required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

If you have questions about immigration documents, please contact International Student Advising. Make sure to identify yourself as a VIRS student, and include your UBC student number, your country of citizenship, and the length of time of your VIRS studies.

Sometimes hurdles get in the way of arriving on your originally scheduled start date: study permit or visa delays, travel disruptions and so on. If this happens, fill out the Delayed arrival online form so we can update your letter of acceptance and ensure you have appropriate insurance coverage. 

If this delay is due to a visa and/or study permit processing times, you can find useful information in the International Student Guide or submit a web form to talk with an immigration advisor.

Once you arrive in Vancouver, you will need to complete this IMED Change of Dates form to adjust your medical insurance coverage dates.  

First, please download the VIRS Pre-arrival Checklist for 2019-20 (pdf).

It can also be helpful to check out these resources:

• New to UBC guide
• Coming from abroad to UBC
• Setting up your phone in Vancouver
• Preparing food in Vancouver
• Money basics, such as setting up a bank account
• Sign up to receive the International Community Update newsletter
• Transportation at UBC
• BC tourist attractions